August 16, 2026
Boast Only on the Cross!
Sermon Series: Liberty for All! A study of Galatians
Sermon Title: Boast Only on the Cross!
Sermon Text: Galatians 6: 6-18
Speaker: Dr. Terry Kirby
Theme: Because Jesus has set us free by His grace, we don't live to impress people—we live to honor Christ.
Sermon Title: Boast Only on the Cross!
Sermon Text: Galatians 6: 6-18
Speaker: Dr. Terry Kirby
Theme: Because Jesus has set us free by His grace, we don't live to impress people—we live to honor Christ.
Click the links to go directly to a section in this post:
Sermon Talking Points
Sermon Summary
Blog Post
Personal Devotional
Small Group Discussion
Family Conversation
Prayer
Sermon Talking Points
Sermon Summary
Blog Post
Personal Devotional
Small Group Discussion
Family Conversation
Prayer
Big Idea: Because Jesus has set us free by His grace, we don't live to impress people—we live to honor Christ.
A Spirit-filled life invests in God's Word, does good to others, refuses to grow weary, and points everything back to the cross.
You Reap What You Sow
Galatians 6:6–10
Boast Only in the Cross
Galatians 6:11–14
Walk as a New Creation
Galatians 6:15–18
Key Verse
“But may it never be that I would boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” — Galatians 6:14
A Spirit-filled life invests in God's Word, does good to others, refuses to grow weary, and points everything back to the cross.
You Reap What You Sow
Galatians 6:6–10
- Spiritual growth requires spiritual investment.
- God's Word needs more than a passing glance.
- What we continually invest in shapes us.
- Sow into the Spirit.
- Don't grow weary in doing good.
- Take every opportunity to do good.
Boast Only in the Cross
Galatians 6:11–14
- Religious appearance isn't the same as spiritual transformation.
- Human achievement isn't our source of salvation.
- The cross reminds us that we cannot save ourselves.
- Our confidence is in Christ—not ourselves.
Walk as a New Creation
Galatians 6:15–18
- The Christian life is about transformation.
- Walk by the Spirit rather than the flesh.
- Don't make outward measurements the ultimate measure of success.
- Let your life point people toward Jesus.
- We continually need God's grace.
Key Verse
“But may it never be that I would boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” — Galatians 6:14
Rewatch the sermon here beginning at 00:28:34.
Sunday marked the conclusion of our summer journey through Galatians. Paul ends his letter by bringing the message of grace, freedom, and Spirit-filled living into sharp focus.
Pastor Terry centered the message around three final truths from Galatians 6:
1. You reap what you sow.
2. Boast only in the cross.
3. Walk as a new creation.
The question for the week is simple but searching:
Pastor Terry's sermon emphasized that selling out means compromising our convictions for approval, comfort, status, money, or personal gain. Being sold out means being fully devoted, surrendered, and committed to Christ.
Sunday marked the conclusion of our summer journey through Galatians. Paul ends his letter by bringing the message of grace, freedom, and Spirit-filled living into sharp focus.
Pastor Terry centered the message around three final truths from Galatians 6:
1. You reap what you sow.
What we invest in spiritually matters. Paul calls believers to sow into the Spirit rather than the flesh and to remain faithful in doing good.
2. Boast only in the cross.
Our confidence isn't found in religious performance, numbers, accomplishments, or outward appearances. Our only true boast is Jesus Christ and His work on the cross.
3. Walk as a new creation.
The Christian life is not about checking religious boxes. It is about transformation—walking by the Spirit and allowing Christ to shape who we are.The sermon closed with Paul's reminder that God's grace is continually needed as we face the struggles and circumstances of life.
The question for the week is simple but searching:
Am I selling out—or am I sold out for Jesus?
Pastor Terry's sermon emphasized that selling out means compromising our convictions for approval, comfort, status, money, or personal gain. Being sold out means being fully devoted, surrendered, and committed to Christ.
Key Verse:
“But may it never be that I would boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
— Galatians 6:14
— Galatians 6:14
Additional passages to revisit
- Galatians 6:7–10 — Sowing and reaping
- Galatians 6:14–15 — Boasting in the cross and becoming a new creation
- Galatians 6:16 — Walking by this rule
- Galatians 6:18 — The grace of Jesus
Blog Post
Selling Out or Sold Out?
Reread Galatians 6: 6-18
There is a difference between selling out and being sold out.
One means compromising what you believe for comfort, approval, status, or personal gain. The other means being fully devoted, surrendered, and committed to something greater than yourself.
As we concluded our study of Galatians, Paul gave us a powerful picture of what it means to be completely committed to Jesus.
His final words point us back to three simple truths: what we sow matters, doing good matters, and the cross is what matters most.
You Reap What You Sow
Paul writes:
“For whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.” — Galatians 6:7
We understand this principle in everyday life. What we plant eventually produces something.
The same is true spiritually.
If we continually invest ourselves in the things of the flesh, those investments will shape our lives. But when we sow into the Spirit—when we spend time in God's Word, seek Him in prayer, and allow His Spirit to guide us—we begin to see the fruit of that investment.
That is why our time with God matters.
It's easy to rush through a devotional thought or grab a quick Bible verse and move on with the day. But God's Word deserves more than a passing glance. We need to spend enough time in Scripture for God's truth to move from our hands into our hearts.
Don't Grow Weary in Doing Good
Paul continues:
“Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.” — Galatians 6:9
That's an important word because doing good can become tiring.
Sometimes we serve and don't see immediate results. We encourage someone and never hear what difference it made. We show kindness and don't receive kindness in return.
But Paul says: don't give up.
“While we have opportunity, let us do good to all people.”
Our good works don't earn our salvation. Galatians has made that clear throughout the entire letter. We are saved by God's grace, not by adding our good deeds to what Jesus has already accomplished.
But grace changes the way we live.
Because we've received grace, we can extend grace.
Because Jesus has loved us, we can love others.
Because Christ has served us, we can serve others.
Boast Only in the Cross
Then Paul reaches the heart of his final message:
“But may it never be that I would boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” — Galatians 6:14
Paul could have pointed to his accomplishments. He could have pointed to his religious credentials. He could have pointed to the sacrifices he had made.
Instead, he pointed to the cross.
That's where our confidence belongs, too.
The cross reminds us that our salvation isn't something we accomplished. We couldn't save ourselves. We couldn't become good enough. We couldn't obey enough.
That changes the way we think about Christian success.
It's easy—even in church—to measure success by numbers, attendance, programs, accomplishments, or recognition. Those things may have their place, but they don't tell the whole story.
God is interested in something deeper:
Galatians 6:15 points us toward the reality of being a new creation. The goal isn't simply to look religious on the outside. The goal is to be transformed from the inside out.
Sold Out for Jesus
That brings us back to the question:
We all face moments when following Jesus costs us something.
Maybe it's our comfort.
Maybe it's our reputation.
Maybe it's someone's approval.
Maybe it's an opportunity we have to surrender.
Maybe it's simply choosing faithfulness when no one else is watching.
Selling out says, “What will this cost me?”
Being sold out says, “Jesus is worth it.”
Paul's life demonstrated that kind of commitment. His “brand marks” were reminders of the cost he had endured in serving Christ. But even those scars weren't something for Paul to boast about. They pointed beyond Paul to Jesus.
That's the Christian life.
Live It Out This Week
As we close our journey through Galatians, take three questions with you:
What am I sowing?
Am I investing in the things of the Spirit?
Where can I do good?
Who has God placed in my path this week who needs kindness, encouragement, or help?
What am I boasting in?
Am I finding my identity in my accomplishments—or in the finished work of Jesus on the cross?
And when you face the opportunity to compromise, remember Paul's example.
Don't sell out.
Boast in the cross.
Walk by the Spirit.
Do good while you have the opportunity.
And depend every day on the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
There is a difference between selling out and being sold out.
One means compromising what you believe for comfort, approval, status, or personal gain. The other means being fully devoted, surrendered, and committed to something greater than yourself.
As we concluded our study of Galatians, Paul gave us a powerful picture of what it means to be completely committed to Jesus.
His final words point us back to three simple truths: what we sow matters, doing good matters, and the cross is what matters most.
You Reap What You Sow
Paul writes:
“For whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.” — Galatians 6:7
We understand this principle in everyday life. What we plant eventually produces something.
The same is true spiritually.
If we continually invest ourselves in the things of the flesh, those investments will shape our lives. But when we sow into the Spirit—when we spend time in God's Word, seek Him in prayer, and allow His Spirit to guide us—we begin to see the fruit of that investment.
That is why our time with God matters.
It's easy to rush through a devotional thought or grab a quick Bible verse and move on with the day. But God's Word deserves more than a passing glance. We need to spend enough time in Scripture for God's truth to move from our hands into our hearts.
What are you sowing into your life?
Don't Grow Weary in Doing Good
Paul continues:
“Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.” — Galatians 6:9
That's an important word because doing good can become tiring.
Sometimes we serve and don't see immediate results. We encourage someone and never hear what difference it made. We show kindness and don't receive kindness in return.
But Paul says: don't give up.
“While we have opportunity, let us do good to all people.”
Our good works don't earn our salvation. Galatians has made that clear throughout the entire letter. We are saved by God's grace, not by adding our good deeds to what Jesus has already accomplished.
But grace changes the way we live.
Because we've received grace, we can extend grace.
Because Jesus has loved us, we can love others.
Because Christ has served us, we can serve others.
Boast Only in the Cross
Then Paul reaches the heart of his final message:
“But may it never be that I would boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” — Galatians 6:14
Paul could have pointed to his accomplishments. He could have pointed to his religious credentials. He could have pointed to the sacrifices he had made.
Instead, he pointed to the cross.
That's where our confidence belongs, too.
The cross reminds us that our salvation isn't something we accomplished. We couldn't save ourselves. We couldn't become good enough. We couldn't obey enough.
Jesus did what we could never do.
That changes the way we think about Christian success.
It's easy—even in church—to measure success by numbers, attendance, programs, accomplishments, or recognition. Those things may have their place, but they don't tell the whole story.
God is interested in something deeper:
heart transformation.
Galatians 6:15 points us toward the reality of being a new creation. The goal isn't simply to look religious on the outside. The goal is to be transformed from the inside out.
Sold Out for Jesus
That brings us back to the question:
Are you selling out—or are you sold out?
We all face moments when following Jesus costs us something.
Maybe it's our comfort.
Maybe it's our reputation.
Maybe it's someone's approval.
Maybe it's an opportunity we have to surrender.
Maybe it's simply choosing faithfulness when no one else is watching.
Selling out says, “What will this cost me?”
Being sold out says, “Jesus is worth it.”
Paul's life demonstrated that kind of commitment. His “brand marks” were reminders of the cost he had endured in serving Christ. But even those scars weren't something for Paul to boast about. They pointed beyond Paul to Jesus.
That's the Christian life.
Don't point people to yourself. Point them to Jesus.
Live It Out This Week
As we close our journey through Galatians, take three questions with you:
What am I sowing?
Am I investing in the things of the Spirit?
Where can I do good?
Who has God placed in my path this week who needs kindness, encouragement, or help?
What am I boasting in?
Am I finding my identity in my accomplishments—or in the finished work of Jesus on the cross?
And when you face the opportunity to compromise, remember Paul's example.
Don't sell out.
Be sold out for Jesus.
Boast in the cross.
Walk by the Spirit.
Do good while you have the opportunity.
And depend every day on the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Am I selling out—or am I sold out for Jesus?
Read: Galatians 6: 6-18
Pastor Terry asked a particularly challenging question:
How much time do you spend in quiet devotion to the Lord every day?
The sermon challenged us not merely to hear God's Word, but to have it so we can recall its truth when we face temptation and difficult decisions.
Consider these questions this week:
Read: Galatians 6: 6-18
Pastor Terry asked a particularly challenging question:
How much time do you spend in quiet devotion to the Lord every day?
The sermon challenged us not merely to hear God's Word, but to have it so we can recall its truth when we face temptation and difficult decisions.
Consider these questions this week:
- What am I currently sowing into my spiritual life?
- What receives most of my time, attention, and energy?
- Am I tempted to measure spiritual success by outward things rather than heart transformation?
- Where am I tempted to compromise my convictions for approval, comfort, or convenience?
- What would being more fully “sold out” to Jesus look like in my life?
- How can I intentionally do good to someone this week?
- When people see my life, does it point them toward Jesus and His cross or toward me?
Icebreaker
What is something you have invested a lot of time or energy into that eventually produced a noticeable result?
Read
Galatians 6: 6-18
Discuss
1. “You reap what you sow.”
What does this principle look like in our spiritual lives?
2. What are some things Christians can unintentionally “sow” into the flesh?
3. What does it look like practically to sow into the Spirit?
4. Paul tells believers not to grow weary in doing good. Why is it sometimes difficult to keep doing good when we don't immediately see results?
5. What does it mean to “boast only in the cross”?
6. How can churches become overly focused on numbers, appearances, or outward measures of success?
7. What does Paul mean by being a “new creation”?
8. Pastor Terry contrasted selling out with being sold out. Where do you see that tension in your own life?
Application
Ask God each morning:
"Lord, fill me with Your Spirit today and show me what needs to be laid aside."
This Week's Challenge
Identify one thing you need to stop sowing and one thing you need to start sowing this week.
What is something you have invested a lot of time or energy into that eventually produced a noticeable result?
Read
Galatians 6: 6-18
Discuss
1. “You reap what you sow.”
What does this principle look like in our spiritual lives?
2. What are some things Christians can unintentionally “sow” into the flesh?
3. What does it look like practically to sow into the Spirit?
4. Paul tells believers not to grow weary in doing good. Why is it sometimes difficult to keep doing good when we don't immediately see results?
5. What does it mean to “boast only in the cross”?
6. How can churches become overly focused on numbers, appearances, or outward measures of success?
7. What does Paul mean by being a “new creation”?
8. Pastor Terry contrasted selling out with being sold out. Where do you see that tension in your own life?
Application
Ask God each morning:
"Lord, fill me with Your Spirit today and show me what needs to be laid aside."
This Week's Challenge
Identify one thing you need to stop sowing and one thing you need to start sowing this week.
Family
Conversation:
Sold Out for Jesus
Parents, use these questions around the dinner table this week.
Read Together: Galatians 6: 6-18
TALK ABOUT IT
Talk with your family about the difference between selling out and being sold out.
Selling out means giving up what matters because we want something else—approval, comfort, popularity, money, or an easier path.
Being sold out means being completely committed to something.
ASK YOUR FAMILY
FAMILY CHALLENGE
Do one intentional act of kindness this week without expecting anything in return.
Afterward, talk about how a simple act of kindness can open a door for someone to experience the love of Jesus.
PRAY TOGETHER
Jesus, help us not to live for the approval of other people. Help us live completely for You. Help us sow good things, walk by Your Spirit, and point others to the cross. Thank You for Your grace. Amen.
THIS WEEK'S FAMILY PHRASE
"Keep your eyes on Jesus and do the next right thing."
Hebrews 12:1–2
Read Together: Galatians 6: 6-18
TALK ABOUT IT
Talk with your family about the difference between selling out and being sold out.
Selling out means giving up what matters because we want something else—approval, comfort, popularity, money, or an easier path.
Being sold out means being completely committed to something.
ASK YOUR FAMILY
- What does it mean to be sold out for Jesus?
- What are some things that can distract us from following Him?
- What does Galatians say we should “sow” into our lives?
- Who is someone we can do good to this week?
FAMILY CHALLENGE
Do one intentional act of kindness this week without expecting anything in return.
Afterward, talk about how a simple act of kindness can open a door for someone to experience the love of Jesus.
PRAY TOGETHER
Jesus, help us not to live for the approval of other people. Help us live completely for You. Help us sow good things, walk by Your Spirit, and point others to the cross. Thank You for Your grace. Amen.
THIS WEEK'S FAMILY PHRASE
"Keep your eyes on Jesus and do the next right thing."
Hebrews 12:1–2
Father,
Thank You for the freedom we have through Jesus Christ. Help us remember that we don't earn salvation through religious performance or good works. It is Your gift of grace through Christ.
Show us what we are sowing into our lives. Help us spend meaningful time in Your Word and walk by Your Spirit.
Give us courage when we are tempted to compromise. Keep us from seeking approval, recognition, or success more than we seek You.
Help us do good while we have opportunity. Help us be kind, especially to those around us.
And above everything else, help us boast only in the cross of Jesus Christ.
May our lives point people away from ourselves and toward Him.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
Thank You for the freedom we have through Jesus Christ. Help us remember that we don't earn salvation through religious performance or good works. It is Your gift of grace through Christ.
Show us what we are sowing into our lives. Help us spend meaningful time in Your Word and walk by Your Spirit.
Give us courage when we are tempted to compromise. Keep us from seeking approval, recognition, or success more than we seek You.
Help us do good while we have opportunity. Help us be kind, especially to those around us.
And above everything else, help us boast only in the cross of Jesus Christ.
May our lives point people away from ourselves and toward Him.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
Keep the conversation going! Please leave your comments below.
No Comments