Sermon on Crucifying the Flesh – How to Crucify the Flesh

Sermon on Crucifying the Flesh – Short sermon outline by G. E. Watkins on Paul’s command in Galatians 5:4 to crucify the flesh.

SUBJECT: Obedience

TITLE: How To Crucify The Flesh

PROPOSITION: To teach the meaning and the actions involved in crucifying the flesh.

OBJECTIVE: That the hearer might understand what it means to crucify the flesh to the end that he might accomplish it.

INTRODUCTION: Read Galatians 5:24. [Beginning of this sermon on crucifying the flesh.]

1. Paul’s argument — We have been called unto liberty, Gal. 5:13, but this gives us no license to live after the flesh.

2. He identifies what he means by the works of the flesh, vv. 19-21. We understand that we are not to be involved in such.

3. We are to walk in the Spirit, v. 16 and bear the fruit of the Spirit, vv. 22-23.

4. I want us to ponder, however, the word “crucify.” We are to “crucify” the flesh.

1) Not pound, beat, or smash.

2) Not kill, murder, or massacre.

3) CRUCIFY!

5. Have you pondered the intensity involved in what Paul is saying?

6. Why did Paul say, “CRUCIFY the flesh?”

DISCUSSION: Paul said “crucify” because: [Discussion of this sermon on crucifying the flesh.]

I. WE MUST THINK ABOUT CALVARY

1. What was done to Jesus is what must be done to the works of the flesh. Psa. 22:1-7

2. The crucifixion was a concentrated effort to embarrass, silence, discredit and eradicate Jesus.

1) He was nailed (John 20:25) to a cross and left to writhe in pain.

2) He was tortured and murdered horribly.

II. WE MUST GET AWAY FROM THE EDGE OF SIN

1. Many are “close enough” Christians.

1) Not really modest but “close enough.”

2) Not really sober but “close enough.”

3) Not really clean of speech but “close enough.”

4) Close enough that we don’t think that anyone will call us on it.

a. We only tell “white” lies.

b. We say “bless his heart” when we gossip about someone.

c. We only speed when we really “need” to.

d. We’re only really immodest when we’re at the beach.

2. But Paul said CRUCIFY.

III. CRUCIFIXION IS SYNONYMOUS WITH OBEDIENCE

1. The deepest most profound sense of obedience.

1) Luke 9:23, Obedience is taking up the cross.

2) Gal. 2:20, Obedience is being crucified with Christ, Christ living in him.

3) Heb. 5:8-9, Made perfect by his obedience.

2. So we should understand that crucifying the flesh requires the deepest and most profound sense of obedience. It’s a serious matter.

CONCLUSION: [Ending of this sermon on crucifying the flesh.]

1. If you don’t yet understand what Paul meant when he said “crucify the flesh” imagine…

1) The malevolent intent of the Jews as they shouted, “Crucify him, crucify him.”

2) The same malevolence in Paul toward sin when he writes, “Crucify the flesh.”

2. If you do this you’ll understand what to do.