From Law to Grace: Embracing Our New Covenant

Summary

In our journey through the Gospel according to Leviticus, we have encountered the profound truth that God's heart for us is unchanging. He desires for us to be set apart, to reflect His holiness in every aspect of our lives. This is the essence of the Gospel: not that we are saved by adherence to the law, but through faith in Jesus Christ. Our salvation is not a result of our own efforts or obedience to a set of rules; it is a gift from God, made possible by the perfect life and sacrificial death of Jesus.

As we gathered for communion, we were reminded of the incredible sacrifice Jesus made on our behalf. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us, demonstrating the ultimate expression of God's love. This act of grace invites us into God's family, not because we have earned it, but because we acknowledge our brokenness and our need for a Savior.

The Old Testament, with its 613 commands, served as a guide for the nation of Israel, revealing God's holiness and setting them apart from other nations. However, with the coming of Christ, a new covenant was established. Jesus did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it. The sacrifices, the ceremonial laws, and the national statutes of Israel were all pointing to Him. In Jesus, we find the fulfillment of the law and the prophets.

As we navigate the Old Testament laws, we understand that the Levitical laws were specific to a particular people and time. They were part of the Old Covenant, which has now been made obsolete by the New Covenant in Christ. We are no longer bound by these laws because Jesus has initiated a new way of relating to God. The laws that we do follow are those reiterated in the New Covenant, under which we now live.

The New Testament is our guide, and it is through its teachings that we discern which commands from the Old Testament carry forward into our lives as followers of Christ. The continuity of God's character and His call for us to love Him and our neighbors remains, while the discontinuity lies in the ceremonial and national laws that were specific to Israel.

In summary, we are called to be holy because God is holy. This call to holiness is not about external adherence to a set of rules but an internal transformation that makes us more like Christ. We are to be distinct in our love, our integrity, our generosity, and our care for others. This is the heart of God for His people, both in the Old Covenant and now in the New Covenant through Jesus Christ.

Key Takeaways:

- God's desire for His people to be set apart and holy is a consistent theme throughout scripture. This holiness is not achieved through our own efforts but through the transformative work of Christ in us. As we live out our faith, we reflect God's character to the world around us, drawing others to Him. [01:04:40]

- The Old Covenant, with its detailed laws and rituals, was a tutor leading us to Christ. Now that Christ has come, we live under a New Covenant, where faith in Jesus is the means by which we are made right with God. This shift from law to grace does not nullify God's moral standards but rather fulfills them in the person of Jesus. [51:37]

- The New Testament provides clarity on which Old Testament laws are carried forward into the life of a believer. We adhere to the commands that are repeated in the New Covenant, recognizing that they reflect God's unchanging nature and His will for us. This approach to scripture ensures that we are not arbitrarily picking and choosing which parts to follow. [54:41]

- The Ten Commandments, with the exception of the Sabbath, are reaffirmed in the New Covenant. This continuity shows that the moral law is an enduring reflection of God's character. The Sabbath commandment's fulfillment in Christ points to the rest we have in Him, freeing us from the legalistic observance of days. [58:12]

- Our understanding of the Old Testament laws should lead us to a deeper appreciation for the grace we have in Christ. As we study these ancient texts, we see the shadows of the greater reality found in Jesus. This perspective enriches our faith and equips us to engage thoughtfully with those who question the relevance of scripture. [01:02:04]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Romans 5:8 - "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
2. Galatians 3:24-25 - "So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian."
3. Hebrews 8:13 - "By calling this covenant 'new,' he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear."

#### Observation Questions
1. According to Romans 5:8, how did God demonstrate His love for us?
2. What role did the law serve according to Galatians 3:24-25, and what changed with the coming of faith in Christ?
3. In Hebrews 8:13, what does the author say about the old covenant and its status after the new covenant was established?

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the sacrificial death of Jesus, as described in Romans 5:8, redefine our understanding of God's love and grace? [19:31]
2. What implications does Galatians 3:24-25 have for how we view the Old Testament laws in light of the New Covenant? [51:06]
3. How does the concept of the old covenant becoming obsolete in Hebrews 8:13 help us understand the continuity and discontinuity between the Old and New Testaments? [53:00]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt unworthy of God's love. How does Romans 5:8 challenge or affirm your feelings about God's love for you? [19:31]
2. The sermon emphasized that our call to holiness is about internal transformation rather than external adherence to rules. What specific area of your life do you feel needs transformation to reflect Christ's holiness? [01:04:40]
3. How can you practically live out the moral standards reiterated in the New Covenant, such as loving your neighbor, in your daily interactions? [54:41]
4. The sermon mentioned that the Ten Commandments, except for the Sabbath, are reaffirmed in the New Covenant. How can you honor these commandments in your current context? [58:12]
5. The pastor shared a story about someone living out their faith in the workplace. How can you be a distinct and compelling witness for Christ in your own work environment? [01:04:40]
6. Considering the shift from law to grace, how can you cultivate a deeper appreciation for the grace you have in Christ? What practical steps can you take to remind yourself of this grace daily? [01:02:04]
7. The sermon highlighted the importance of being set apart and holy. Identify one specific habit or behavior you can change this week to better reflect God's holiness in your life. [01:06:48]

Devotional

Day 1: Holiness Through Christ's Work
Holiness is not a human achievement but a divine transformation through faith in Jesus Christ. This transformative work is the heart of the Gospel, where the focus shifts from adherence to the law to an internal change that aligns us with God's character. As believers, the call to be set apart is not about ticking off a checklist of do's and don'ts but about embodying the love, integrity, generosity, and care that Jesus exemplified. This internal transformation is a process, one that occurs as we surrender to Christ and allow His Spirit to work within us, molding us to reflect God's holiness in every aspect of our lives.

"For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you." (1 Thessalonians 4:7-8)

Reflection: How is the Holy Spirit prompting you to reflect God's holiness in your daily interactions, and what is one step you can take today to respond to that prompting? [07:40]

Day 2: From Law to Grace in Christ
The Old Covenant's purpose was to lead us to Christ, serving as a tutor to reveal our need for a Savior. With the coming of Jesus, we entered a New Covenant of grace, where faith in Him justifies us before God. This shift does not abolish God's moral standards but fulfills them in Jesus, who embodies the law's intent and spirit. As followers of Christ, we are called to understand that our righteousness comes not from the law but from the grace given to us through Jesus' life, death, and resurrection.

"But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it—the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe." (Romans 3:21-22)

Reflection: In what ways have you experienced the shift from striving to keep the law to living in the freedom of God's grace, and how can you share this experience with someone who may be struggling with legalism? [51:37]

Day 3: Discerning the Continuity of God's Commands
The New Testament provides clarity on which Old Testament laws are to be upheld in the life of a believer. This discernment is crucial as it reflects God's unchanging nature and His will for us. By focusing on the commands reiterated in the New Covenant, believers can avoid the confusion of picking and choosing which parts of scripture to follow. This approach ensures that the moral and ethical teachings of the Old Testament that align with the character of God are carried forward into our Christian walk.

"Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law." (Romans 13:10)

Reflection: What is one Old Testament command that you see reflected in the New Testament, and how can you apply this command to your life today to better reflect God's character? [54:41]

Day 4: The Enduring Reflection of God's Moral Law
The Ten Commandments, except for the Sabbath, are reaffirmed in the New Covenant, signifying the enduring nature of God's moral law. These commandments are not arbitrary rules but reflections of God's character and design for human flourishing. The Sabbath's fulfillment in Christ points us to the spiritual rest we have in Him, which transcends the legalistic observance of days and invites us into a deeper relationship with God.

"For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. For he who said, 'Do not commit adultery,' also said, 'Do not murder.' If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law." (James 2:10-11)

Reflection: How does understanding the moral law as a reflection of God's character influence the way you view obedience, and what is one commandment you feel led to focus on this week? [58:12]

Day 5: Appreciating Grace Through Old Testament Laws
Studying the Old Testament laws should lead to a greater appreciation for the grace available in Christ. These ancient texts, with their detailed rituals and commands, are shadows of the greater reality found in Jesus. Recognizing Christ as the fulfillment of the law enriches our faith and equips us to thoughtfully engage with those who question the relevance of scripture in our modern world.

"These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ." (Colossians 2:17)

Reflection: As you read through the Old Testament laws, how does seeing them as a shadow of Christ's work deepen your gratitude for His grace, and how can you communicate this perspective to others who view these laws as outdated or irrelevant? [01:02:04]

Quotes

- "Friends, that right there is God's heart for you and for me. He wants us to reflect his character. He wants us to be like him." [01:04:40] (Download | )

- "God's heart is for us as Colossians 3, holy and dearly loved people, that we say yes to Jesus in every area of life." [01:05:41] (Download | )

- "I want you to feel more confident in interpreting the Bible. I want you to feel better equipped to talk to people who ask you questions about your faith and about Christianity." [41:28] (Download | )

- "Friends, that's the Gospel. If we were to summarize, the wonder of what we took in communion today is this. We're not saved by obeying laws, but by faith in Jesus Christ." [01:07:23] (Download | )

- "He saved you to make you like him. He wants my heart and your heart to be shaped in his image so that more and more you and I are a pure reflection of him." [01:08:01] (Download | )

- "Friends, God's intent then and today was not to be difficult or harsh. He simply wants us to be his, set apart, living for his purposes, making an impact for him until that day we see him face to face." [01:09:14] (Download | )

- "It's not we who are saying the old covenant, these laws are obsolete, it's what? It's the Bible saying that." [53:03] (Download | )

- "Since the old covenant is obsolete, the only laws that we obey from the old covenant are the ones repeated in the new covenant." [54:41] (Download | )

- "The law wasn't bad. It was good. It just was powerless to save anybody. And now we have a better hope that's introduced by which we draw near to God." [57:25] (Download | )

- "Son, God loves you. God is on your side. He's coming after you. He is relentless." [01:10:44] (Download | )

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Transcript

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