#346 - Joby Martin // Only The Cross - The Daily Blade: Joby Martin & Kyle Thompson

Summary4 min read

The Daily Blade: Joby Martin & Kyle Thompson
Episode #346 – Joby Martin // Only The Cross
April 29, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode of The Daily Blade, Joby Martin reflects on the core message of Galatians 6:14, exploring the concept of boasting solely in the cross of Jesus Christ. Through a personal story involving a dinner with the legendary evangelist Dr. Billy Graham, Joby unpacks the significance of humility, the dangers of pride, and the ultimate centrality of the cross in the Christian life. Designed as a devotional for Christian men, the episode calls listeners to examine what they truly boast in and to lay down worldly attachments at the foot of the cross.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Encounter with Dr. Billy Graham

Personal Anecdote (00:20–02:52)
- Joby recalls being invited to an intimate dinner with Dr. Billy Graham in Jacksonville, Florida.
- Describes Dr. Graham’s humility and persistent desire to point everything to Jesus rather than drawing attention to himself:
  - “He was way more interested in what was happening through mine and Gretchen’s ministry than he was trying to be interesting to us. And he’s the most interesting man to ever live.” (01:24)
- At dinner’s end, Joby asks Dr. Graham:
  - “If you could preach one more crusade, fill up one more stadium and preach, what would you preach about?”
  - Dr. Graham immediately answers: “Oh, that’s easy. I would preach Galatians 6:14.” (01:56)

The Centrality of the Cross – Galatians 6:14

Scripture Reading (02:00–02:31)
- The verse is quoted:
  - “But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”
- Joby confesses he didn’t know the verse by heart at the time, illustrating humility and vulnerability.
Reflection on Boasting (02:32–03:30)
- Highlights how both Apostle Paul and Dr. Graham had worldly reasons to boast, but they chose instead to boast only in Jesus:
  - “If any human being in Christendom had a right to boast...the apostle Paul had plenty to boast about and Dr. Graham had plenty to boast about... And the very first thing on the tip of his tongue was this: But far be it for me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (02:47)
- Joby challenges listeners with self-reflective questions:
  - “So what do you boast in? Do you boast about your accomplishments? ... If I just scrolled through your social media, would there be enough evidence in your life, especially on your social media, to convict you of the crime of being a Christian?” (03:06–03:27)

Personal Application and Call to Humility

Crucifying Worldly Attachments (03:30–04:18)
- Listeners are asked to reflect:
  - “What in this world and what in your life needs to be crucified? ... Are you being humble before the cross?”
- Joby names common struggles—pride, substance use, inappropriate relationships, unforgiveness—and exhorts listeners to surrender these at the cross.
Redefining Humility (03:58)
- “Humility is not thinking less of yourself. Humility is just thinking about yourself less.”
A Vision for Christian Maturity (04:08–04:26)
- Joby encourages men to aim for a life defined by the cross, not by personal success or failure:
  - “When I asked Dr. Graham that question, he was not thinking about him. His eyes were fixed on the cross. So may it be your goal that when you get to the later years in your life, you’re not being defined by your successes, you’re not being defined by your failures, but you are being defined by the cross.” (04:08)
- Closing prayerful admonition:
  - “May it be true of you and may it be true of me that the first thing on our lips is this: But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me and I to the world. Amen.” (04:27)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Billy Graham’s Instant Response (01:58):
- “Oh, that’s easy. I would preach Galatians 6:14.” – Dr. Billy Graham
On Christian Identity (04:10):
- “...you’re not being defined by your successes, you’re not being defined by your failures, but you are being defined by the cross.” – Joby Martin
On Humility (03:58):
- “Humility is not thinking less of yourself. Humility is just thinking about yourself less.” – Joby Martin

Key Timestamps

00:20 — Joby’s introduction and setup of Galatians 6:14
00:38 — The dinner with Dr. Billy Graham
01:56 — Dr. Graham’s answer about his life’s message
02:00 — Reading of Galatians 6:14
02:47 — Insight on true Christian boasting
03:06 — Personal and social media challenge to listeners
03:30 — Reflection on worldly things to crucify
03:58 — Defining humility
04:08 — Encouragement to be defined by the cross
04:27 — Closing prayer and charge

Summary

This episode delivers a passionate call for men to anchor their lives, identities, and boasts in the cross of Jesus Christ, drawing on the wisdom of Paul and the example of Billy Graham. Listeners are encouraged to examine their own hearts for worldly attachments, practice authentic humility, and orient their lives around the gospel. The message is both challenging and deeply pastoral, urging believers to let the cross be their defining banner.

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Transcript3 lines

[00:01]
A
Welcome to the Daily Blade. The word of God is described as the sword of the spirit, the primary spiritual weapon in the Christian's armor against the forces of evil. Your hosts are Joby Martin and Kyle Thompson, and they stand ready to equip men for the fight. Let's sharpen up.
[00:20]
B
All right. Welcome back to the Daily Blade. As we wrap up Galatians. Galatians, chapter 6, verse 14. This has become one of my favorite verses in the world, and I'll tell you why after I read it. Paul says, but far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Here's why. This is one of my favorite verses. I had the opportunity about, I don't know, 12, 13 years ago, something like that, to have dinner with Dr. Billy Graham. Dr. Billy Graham was in his 90s. He was in Jacksonville because he would go to the Mayo for checkups and whatnot. And one of his Doctors was an 1122 or back when we were a service at beach. And his doctor called me and said, hey, man, I need you to pray about something. I'm hosting Dr. Graham at my house for dinner. Would you and Gretchen like to come? And I said, of course. Some things you don't have to pray about. Now. I could go on and on and on and on about my time with Dr. Graham that night, but it was incredible. He was so humble. Everything he did, he wanted to point to Jesus. He was. He was way more interested in what was happening through mine and Gretchen's ministry then. He was trying to be interesting to us. And he's the most interesting man to ever live. I mean, he's preached to more people, led more people to Christ, and he lived a life of utter integrity. It was an incredible meeting. Well, the meal is over. There was, like, I don't know, six or seven of us at the dinner table. And at the end of the meal, I said, Dr. Graham, if you could preach one more crusade, if you could go on the road one more time, fill up one more stadium and preach, what would you preach about? And immediately, without even think about it, he said, oh, that's easy. I would preach Galatians 6:14. And quite honestly, at that point in my life, I didn't know what Galatians 6:14 says. I mean, I don't have the whole Bible memorized. And so I just sat at my end of the table, and I moved. Mmm. Oh, that's so good. Meanwhile, he Couldn't see that good. So I pulled out my phone and I pulled out my Bible app and I read these words. But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me and not of the world. And if any human being in Christendom had a right to boast, first of all, the apostle Paul had plenty to boast about and Dr. Graham had plenty to boast about. He could have boasted about the millions of people that he led to Christ. He could have boasted about the millions of people that he shared the gospel with. And the very first thing on the tip of his tongue was this. But far be it for me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. So let me ask you this. So what do you boast in? Do you boast about your accomplishments? Do you boast about all you are doing is every conversation? Do you have to make sure you share something about you so everybody knows what a big deal you are? Or let me ask you, if I just scrolled through your social media, would there be enough evidence in your life, especially on your social media, to convict you of the crime of being a Christian? And so Paul says, but far be it for me to boast except in the cross of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me. Well, let me ask you, what in this world and what in your life needs to be crucified? What are there things in your life that you were holding onto that are still remnants of the old you, remnants of the flesh, remnants of the dark and demonic forces in your life. Like be honest, you're too prideful, or you're drinking too much or you're flirting with somebody that you shouldn't be, or you're holding on to forgiveness and not offering it freely. What in your life needs to be crucified? And are you being humble before the cross? You see, humility is not thinking less of yourself. Humility is just thinking about yourself less. You see, When I asked Dr. Graham that question, he was not thinking about him. His eyes were fixed on the cross. So may it be your goal that when you get to the later years in your life, you're not being defined by your successes, you're not being defined by your failures, but you are being defined by the cross. And may it be true of you and may it be true of me that the first thing on our lips is this. But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me and I to the world. Amen.
[04:49]
A
Thank you for listening to today's episode. Before you go, if you want to help, equip other men for the fight, share this podcast around and leave us a five star rating and review. Stay sharp.