From Law to Grace: The Fulfillment in Christ

 

Summary

In the Gospel of John, we find a profound contrast between the law given by Moses and the grace and truth that came through Jesus Christ. This distinction is not meant to disparage the law or Moses but to highlight the superiority and completeness found in Christ. The law, while glorious and given by God, was incomplete and preparatory, serving as a shadow of the reality that was to come in Jesus. The law provided types and shadows, mere representations of the truth, whereas Jesus is the embodiment of truth itself. He is the substance, the reality, the light of the world, and the incarnation of truth.

The Old Testament, with its promises and prophecies, pointed towards a future fulfillment. These promises were never fully realized until Christ, who is the fulfillment of every promise. The law and the prophets offered glimpses and hints of God's truth, but Jesus, being in the bosom of the Father, has declared God fully. He is the only begotten Son, the intimate sharer of God's secrets, and the one who reveals God to us in all His fullness.

Moses, as a servant, was faithful in his house, but Jesus, as the Son, is superior, being the builder of the house. The difference between Moses and Jesus is the difference between a servant and a son, between a testimony to the truth and the truth itself. Jesus, in His teaching, life, death, and resurrection, reveals the character of God—His love, justice, mercy, and wisdom. Through Christ, we have the full and final revelation of God, enabling us to know Him as our Father and approach Him with boldness and confidence.

Key Takeaways:

- The law given by Moses was a shadow of the reality found in Christ. While the law provided types and shadows, Jesus is the embodiment of truth, the substance, and the reality. He is the light of the world and the incarnation of truth, offering a complete revelation of God. [09:33]

- The Old Testament promises and prophecies pointed towards a future fulfillment, which is realized in Christ. He is the fulfillment of every promise, bringing the hope and possibility of the Old Testament into reality. [16:17]

- The difference between Moses and Jesus is the difference between a servant and a son. Moses, as a servant, was faithful, but Jesus, as the Son, is superior, being the builder of the house and the intimate sharer of God's secrets. [20:25]

- Jesus, in His teaching, life, death, and resurrection, reveals the character of God—His love, justice, mercy, and wisdom. Through Christ, we have the full and final revelation of God, enabling us to know Him as our Father. [43:29]

- In Christ, we see the truth about God's wisdom, especially in salvation. Jesus is the power and wisdom of God, offering justification, sanctification, and redemption. He reveals God's great plan and purpose for all ages. [45:31]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Introduction to John 1:17-18
- [00:34] - Contrasting Law and Grace
- [01:09] - Law and Truth Comparison
- [02:04] - The Role of the Law
- [03:16] - The Incompleteness of the Law
- [05:02] - Types and Shadows in the Law
- [06:20] - Examples from Hebrews
- [08:12] - The Reality in Christ
- [10:07] - Jesus as the Truth
- [11:45] - The Fulfillment of Promises
- [13:06] - The Old Testament's Partial Revelation
- [17:12] - Moses vs. Jesus
- [21:39] - Testimony vs. Truth
- [23:13] - The Knowledge of God in Christ
- [30:57] - The Limitations of the Old Testament
- [41:16] - The Fullness of God in Christ
- [48:31] - The Truth of God as Father

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- John 1:17-18
- Hebrews 1:1-3
- Colossians 1:15-20

---

Observation Questions:

1. What does John 1:17-18 reveal about the relationship between the law given by Moses and the grace and truth that came through Jesus Christ? [00:11]

2. How does the sermon describe the role of Moses in relation to the law and Jesus in relation to grace and truth? [17:28]

3. According to the sermon, what is the significance of Jesus being described as the "only begotten Son" who is in the bosom of the Father? [23:13]

4. What examples from the Old Testament are mentioned in the sermon to illustrate the concept of types and shadows? [06:20]

---

Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the sermon explain the concept of the law being a shadow of the reality found in Christ? What implications does this have for understanding the Old Testament? [09:33]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that Jesus fulfills the promises and prophecies of the Old Testament? How does this fulfillment impact our understanding of God's plan? [16:17]

3. The sermon contrasts Moses as a servant and Jesus as a son. What does this distinction reveal about the nature of Jesus' relationship with God and His role in God's plan? [20:25]

4. How does the sermon describe the revelation of God's character through Jesus' life, death, and resurrection? What aspects of God's character are highlighted? [43:29]

---

Application Questions:

1. Reflect on the idea that the law was a shadow of the reality found in Christ. How does this understanding affect your view of the Old Testament and its relevance to your faith today? [09:33]

2. Consider the fulfillment of Old Testament promises in Christ. How does this fulfillment bring hope and assurance to your personal faith journey? [16:17]

3. The sermon highlights the difference between a servant and a son. How does recognizing Jesus as the Son of God influence your relationship with God and your approach to prayer? [20:25]

4. Jesus reveals God's character through His actions and teachings. Identify one aspect of God's character that you feel called to reflect in your own life. What practical steps can you take to embody this characteristic? [43:29]

5. The sermon emphasizes the wisdom of God in salvation through Christ. How does understanding Jesus as the embodiment of God's wisdom challenge or encourage you in your daily decisions and interactions? [45:31]

6. Reflect on the idea of approaching God with boldness and confidence as our Father. How can you cultivate a deeper sense of intimacy and trust in your relationship with God this week? [48:31]

7. The sermon describes Jesus as the light of the world and the incarnation of truth. In what ways can you be a light in your community, reflecting the truth and love of Christ to those around you? [10:07]

Devotional

Day 1: Christ as the Embodiment of Truth
The law given by Moses served as a shadow of the reality that is found in Christ. While the law provided types and shadows, Jesus is the embodiment of truth, the substance, and the reality. He is the light of the world and the incarnation of truth, offering a complete revelation of God. The law was glorious and given by God, but it was incomplete and preparatory, pointing towards the fullness that would come in Jesus. In Christ, we find the ultimate expression of God's truth, as He is the light that dispels the shadows and reveals the fullness of God's character and purpose. [09:33]

John 1:14 (ESV): "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth."

Reflection: In what areas of your life are you still living in the shadows of the law rather than embracing the fullness of truth found in Christ?


Day 2: Fulfillment of Promises in Christ
The Old Testament promises and prophecies pointed towards a future fulfillment, which is realized in Christ. He is the fulfillment of every promise, bringing the hope and possibility of the Old Testament into reality. The law and the prophets offered glimpses and hints of God's truth, but Jesus, being in the bosom of the Father, has declared God fully. In Christ, the promises of old find their completion, and through Him, we experience the reality of God's faithfulness and the hope of eternal life. [16:17]

2 Corinthians 1:20 (ESV): "For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory."

Reflection: What is one promise from the Old Testament that you see fulfilled in Christ, and how does that impact your faith today?


Day 3: The Superiority of the Son
The difference between Moses and Jesus is the difference between a servant and a son. Moses, as a servant, was faithful, but Jesus, as the Son, is superior, being the builder of the house and the intimate sharer of God's secrets. Jesus, in His teaching, life, death, and resurrection, reveals the character of God—His love, justice, mercy, and wisdom. Through Christ, we have the full and final revelation of God, enabling us to know Him as our Father and approach Him with boldness and confidence. [20:25]

Hebrews 3:5-6 (ESV): "Now Moses was faithful in all God's house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, but Christ is faithful over God's house as a son. And we are his house if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope."

Reflection: How does understanding Jesus as the Son, rather than a servant, change the way you relate to God?


Day 4: The Full Revelation of God in Christ
Jesus, in His teaching, life, death, and resurrection, reveals the character of God—His love, justice, mercy, and wisdom. Through Christ, we have the full and final revelation of God, enabling us to know Him as our Father. In Christ, we see the truth about God's wisdom, especially in salvation. Jesus is the power and wisdom of God, offering justification, sanctification, and redemption. He reveals God's great plan and purpose for all ages, allowing us to approach God with boldness and confidence. [43:29]

Colossians 2:9-10 (ESV): "For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority."

Reflection: In what ways can you seek to know God more fully through the life and teachings of Jesus?


Day 5: God's Wisdom in Salvation
In Christ, we see the truth about God's wisdom, especially in salvation. Jesus is the power and wisdom of God, offering justification, sanctification, and redemption. He reveals God's great plan and purpose for all ages. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus demonstrates the depth of God's love and the intricacy of His plan for humanity's redemption. In Him, we find the ultimate expression of God's wisdom, as He brings together justice and mercy, offering us a path to eternal life. [45:31]

1 Corinthians 1:24 (ESV): "But to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God."

Reflection: How can you embrace the wisdom of God in your daily life, especially in understanding and living out your salvation?

Quotes

The law, though it was given by God and though it was given in a very glorious manner, was nevertheless incomplete. It was not perfect; it lacked the fullness which are to be found in our Lord Jesus Christ Alone. Now that is the way in the spirit in which John writes these words. [00:34:49]

The truth that is Con To Us by the law was done in terms of types and of Shadows. Now these are the terms that are used in the New Testament itself in order to bring out this aspect of the truth, and it's very remarkable to notice the terminology which is implied by the New Testament writers. [00:54:53]

Everything under the law was a mere representation. It wasn't the thing itself, and that is wherein lay its real limit. It is impossible, says Hebrews again 10:4, it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sin. They were never meant to; they couldn't. [00:59:37]

The truth conveyed through the law was a matter of hints and glimpses and suggestions, but now the truth has arrived in all its fullness and in all its glory in the person of God's son. But let me hurry to a second way in which we see the incompleteness of the law. [01:11:42]

What you have in the New Testament is a little bit here and a little bit there. That's its characteristic. You see, the whole thing is incomplete. It's very interesting at this Advent time to look at the truth and the prophecy is concerning our Lord in that very way. [01:15:59]

Our Lord himself is the truth. In him, says the Apostle again in writing to those Colossians, God has treasured up for us he in whom hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. It's all in the person of our blessed Lord and Savior. It isn't just a Hint; it isn't just this little aspect or that aspect. [01:21:21]

The difference between Moses and our Lord is the difference between a house and the building of the house. You see, when you say that the builder of the house is superior to the house, you're not making fun of the house, are you? You're not saying the house is useless; you're not dismissing the house. [01:56:04]

Moses stands out preeminently as the great servant in the Old Testament, yes, but what is a servant? I say on tipt in the moment of his greatest exaltation when you put him by the side of the Sun, and this sun happens to be the maker of all things and therefore God. [02:03:36]

Moses verily was faithful in all his house as a servant for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after. He couldn't go beyond that. He is a pointer; he is a testimony; he is a witness. He points Us in the direction; he says the truth is going to come. [02:09:59]

The law was given by Moses, but Grace and Truth came by Jesus Christ. No man have seen God at any time; the only begotten son which is in the bosom of the father, he hath declared him. So the particular application is with regard to this whole matter of the truth concerning God. [02:18:36]

The prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you, search what or what manner of time the spirit of Christ which was in them did signify when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glory which would follow. [02:31:10]

The law was given by Moses, but Grace and the truth, the truth about God and the knowledge of God has come by Jesus Christ. No man have seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the father, he hasth executed him. He's expounded him; he's brought him forth. [02:46:48]

Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from May 24, 2017. Do you have any questions about it?

Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?