From Law to Grace: The Power of Christ

 

Summary

In the Gospel of John, chapter 1, verse 17, we find a profound statement: "For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." This verse encapsulates the transition from the old covenant of the law to the new covenant of grace brought by Jesus Christ. The law, given through Moses, served a crucial role in God's plan of salvation, acting as a guide and a pointer towards Christ. However, it was preparatory, a schoolmaster leading us to the ultimate revelation of grace and truth in Jesus.

The law, while valuable, was limited in its ability to transform lives. It demanded righteousness but could not impart it. In contrast, grace, as revealed through Jesus, not only gives but gives abundantly and freely. Grace is not about legalistic demands; it is about the free gift of God, offering eternal life through Jesus Christ. This grace is rich and overflowing, described as "grace upon grace," an endless stream of divine favor and blessing.

Grace also reigns with power, enabling believers to live according to God's will. It is not merely a passive gift but an active force that transforms and empowers. The law, written on tablets of stone, is now inscribed on our hearts and minds, enabling us to understand and delight in God's commandments. This internalization of the law through grace means that Christians are no longer slaves to sin but are empowered to live holy lives, reflecting God's character.

The richness of grace is further illustrated in its manifold expressions: restraining grace that holds us back from sin, supporting grace that sustains us in trials, and preserving grace that ensures our perseverance in faith. Grace is abundant, superabundant, and it reigns, bringing us into the fullness of life in Christ.

As we reflect on this, especially during the Advent season, we are called to rejoice in the grace that has been lavished upon us. This grace is the essence of the Incarnation, the reason for Christ's coming. It is a call to live in the joy and freedom that grace provides, to be a people who are not only recipients of grace but also reflectors of it in our lives.

Key Takeaways:

- The law given through Moses was preparatory, pointing towards the ultimate revelation of grace and truth in Jesus Christ. It served as a guide but lacked the power to transform lives, which is found in the grace of Christ. [01:34]

- Grace is characterized by its abundance and freeness, contrasting with the demands of the law. It is a gift from God, offering eternal life and transforming us from within, enabling us to live according to God's will. [09:06]

- The richness of grace is seen in its manifold expressions: restraining, supporting, and preserving grace. These aspects of grace sustain us in trials, hold us back from sin, and ensure our perseverance in faith. [23:23]

- Grace reigns with power, enabling believers to live holy lives. It is not just a passive gift but an active force that transforms and empowers, writing God's law on our hearts and minds. [32:32]

- The Advent season is a time to rejoice in the grace that has been lavished upon us. This grace is the essence of the Incarnation, calling us to live in joy and freedom, reflecting God's character in our lives. [44:34]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Introduction to John 1:17
- [00:33] - The Role of the Law
- [01:14] - The Preparatory Nature of the Law
- [02:12] - The Superiority of Grace
- [03:01] - Rejoicing in Grace
- [04:27] - The Incarnation's Purpose
- [05:04] - The Limitations of the Law
- [06:06] - A Better Covenant
- [07:09] - The Abundance of Grace
- [08:10] - Grace Gives Freely
- [09:06] - The Gift of God
- [11:17] - The Richness of Grace
- [13:18] - Grace Upon Grace
- [15:11] - The Superabundance of Grace
- [18:32] - The Measure of Grace
- [21:43] - The Manifold Grace of God
- [23:23] - Restraining and Supporting Grace
- [26:48] - More Grace in Temptation
- [29:50] - Preserving Grace
- [32:32] - Grace Reigns with Power
- [34:40] - The New Covenant
- [38:08] - The Law Written in Our Hearts
- [41:11] - Rejoicing in God's Commandments
- [44:34] - The Triumph of Grace

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- John 1:17
- Romans 5:20-21
- Ephesians 2:8-9

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Observation Questions:

1. What does John 1:17 say about the relationship between the law given by Moses and the grace and truth that came through Jesus Christ? [00:10]

2. How does the sermon describe the role of the law in God's plan of salvation? [01:14]

3. According to the sermon, what are some of the limitations of the law compared to the grace brought by Jesus? [05:04]

4. What are the different expressions of grace mentioned in the sermon, and how do they impact a believer's life? [23:23]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the transition from law to grace, as described in John 1:17, change the way believers relate to God? [02:12]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that grace is "superabundant" compared to the law? How does this abundance affect a believer's daily life? [15:11]

3. The sermon mentions that grace is not just a passive gift but an active force. How does this understanding of grace influence a believer's ability to live according to God's will? [32:32]

4. How does the concept of grace being "written on our hearts" differ from the law being "written on tablets of stone," and what implications does this have for Christian living? [35:23]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt bound by legalistic demands. How can embracing the concept of grace change your perspective and actions in similar situations? [09:06]

2. The sermon emphasizes rejoicing in grace during the Advent season. What are some practical ways you can cultivate a spirit of joy and gratitude for God's grace in your life this season? [03:16]

3. Consider the different expressions of grace mentioned in the sermon (restraining, supporting, preserving). Which aspect of grace do you feel you need most in your current life situation, and why? [23:23]

4. How can you actively reflect God's grace in your interactions with others, especially those who may not yet understand or accept it? [44:34]

5. The sermon describes grace as an active force that empowers believers. Identify an area in your life where you feel powerless. How can you invite God's grace to reign in that area? [32:32]

6. Think about the concept of grace being "written on your heart." How does this internalization of God's law change the way you approach obedience and holiness? [35:23]

7. The sermon calls believers to live in the joy and freedom that grace provides. What specific steps can you take this week to live more fully in the freedom of God's grace? [44:34]

Devotional

Day 1: The Law as a Guide to Grace
The law given through Moses was a crucial part of God's plan, serving as a guide that pointed towards the ultimate revelation of grace and truth in Jesus Christ. It was preparatory, acting as a schoolmaster that led people to Christ. While the law demanded righteousness, it lacked the power to transform lives. This transformation is found in the grace of Christ, which not only fulfills the law but surpasses it by offering a new covenant of grace and truth. The law's role was to highlight humanity's need for a savior, and in Jesus, that need is met with abundant grace. [01:34]

"For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh." (Romans 8:2-3, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways have you relied on your own efforts to achieve righteousness, and how can you shift your focus to embrace the grace offered through Jesus today?


Day 2: Abundant and Free Grace
Grace, as revealed through Jesus, is characterized by its abundance and freeness, contrasting with the demands of the law. It is a gift from God, offering eternal life and transforming us from within, enabling us to live according to God's will. This grace is not about legalistic demands but is an endless stream of divine favor and blessing, described as "grace upon grace." It is a powerful force that not only gives but gives abundantly and freely, transforming lives and empowering believers to live in alignment with God's purposes. [09:06]

"And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." (John 1:16-17, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively receive and reflect the abundant grace of God in your daily interactions with others?


Day 3: The Manifold Expressions of Grace
The richness of grace is seen in its manifold expressions: restraining grace that holds us back from sin, supporting grace that sustains us in trials, and preserving grace that ensures our perseverance in faith. These aspects of grace are abundant and superabundant, reigning in our lives to bring us into the fullness of life in Christ. Grace is not a one-time gift but a continuous flow of divine assistance that empowers believers to overcome challenges and remain steadfast in their faith journey. [23:23]

"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Corinthians 12:9, ESV)

Reflection: Identify a current trial or temptation you are facing. How can you rely on God's restraining, supporting, and preserving grace to navigate this situation?


Day 4: Grace as an Empowering Force
Grace reigns with power, enabling believers to live holy lives. It is not just a passive gift but an active force that transforms and empowers, writing God's law on our hearts and minds. This internalization of the law through grace means that Christians are no longer slaves to sin but are empowered to live holy lives, reflecting God's character. Grace is the dynamic power that enables believers to delight in God's commandments and live in a way that honors Him. [32:32]

"For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people." (Hebrews 8:10, ESV)

Reflection: What specific area of your life needs the transformative power of God's grace to align more closely with His will?


Day 5: Rejoicing in the Grace of the Incarnation
The Advent season is a time to rejoice in the grace that has been lavished upon us. This grace is the essence of the Incarnation, the reason for Christ's coming. It calls us to live in the joy and freedom that grace provides, to be a people who are not only recipients of grace but also reflectors of it in our lives. As we reflect on the Incarnation, we are reminded of the profound love and grace that God has extended to us through Jesus, inviting us to live in a way that mirrors His character and love to the world. [44:34]

"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." (John 1:14, ESV)

Reflection: How can you intentionally reflect the grace of the Incarnation in your actions and attitudes during this Advent season?

Quotes



The law, while valuable, was limited in its ability to transform lives. It demanded righteousness but could not impart it. In contrast, grace, as revealed through Jesus, not only gives but gives abundantly and freely. Grace is not about legalistic demands; it is about the free gift of God, offering eternal life through Jesus Christ. [00:03:01]

Grace is characterized by its abundance and freeness, contrasting with the demands of the law. It is a gift from God, offering eternal life and transforming us from within, enabling us to live according to God's will. Grace reigns with power, enabling believers to live holy lives. It is not just a passive gift but an active force that transforms and empowers. [00:09:06]

The richness of grace is seen in its manifold expressions: restraining, supporting, and preserving grace. These aspects of grace sustain us in trials, hold us back from sin, and ensure our perseverance in faith. Grace is abundant, superabundant, and it reigns, bringing us into the fullness of life in Christ. [00:23:23]

Grace reigns with power, enabling believers to live holy lives. It is not just a passive gift but an active force that transforms and empowers, writing God's law on our hearts and minds. This internalization of the law through grace means that Christians are no longer slaves to sin but are empowered to live holy lives, reflecting God's character. [00:32:32]

The Advent season is a time to rejoice in the grace that has been lavished upon us. This grace is the essence of the Incarnation, calling us to live in joy and freedom, reflecting God's character in our lives. It is a call to live in the joy and freedom that grace provides, to be a people who are not only recipients of grace but also reflectors of it in our lives. [00:44:34]

Grace not only gives but it gives freely. Here is the great note of the gospel, stated more perfectly than anywhere else in Romans three and verse 24, where the Apostle puts it in such a striking manner: "Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." [00:11:17]

Grace gives richly, and here's the thing I want to emphasize: it gives richly. You get it, of course, in this prologue: "And of his fullness have we received, and grace for grace," which means grace upon grace and upon grace. There's no end to it; it comes as an endless stream, wave upon wave upon wave, grace upon grace. [00:13:18]

The Apostle brings it out in his own perfect manner: the much more, the abounding, the super abounding. Grace gives, grace gives freely, but all the riches of God's grace. Well, let's go on. Listen to the Apostle again in 2 Corinthians 8:9: "For you know the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ." [00:18:32]

Grace is abundant, superabundant, and it reigns, bringing us into the fullness of life in Christ. As we reflect on this, especially during the Advent season, we are called to rejoice in the grace that has been lavished upon us. This grace is the essence of the Incarnation, the reason for Christ's coming. [00:29:50]

Grace reigns with power, enabling believers to live holy lives. It is not just a passive gift but an active force that transforms and empowers, writing God's law on our hearts and minds. This internalization of the law through grace means that Christians are no longer slaves to sin but are empowered to live holy lives, reflecting God's character. [00:38:08]

The richness of grace is further illustrated in its manifold expressions: restraining grace that holds us back from sin, supporting grace that sustains us in trials, and preserving grace that ensures our perseverance in faith. Grace is abundant, superabundant, and it reigns, bringing us into the fullness of life in Christ. [00:41:11]

The Advent season is a time to rejoice in the grace that has been lavished upon us. This grace is the essence of the Incarnation, calling us to live in joy and freedom, reflecting God's character in our lives. It is a call to live in the joy and freedom that grace provides, to be a people who are not only recipients of grace but also reflectors of it in our lives. [00:44:34]

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Transcript
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