From Law to Grace: Understanding Our Need for Christ

 

Summary

In the Gospel of John, chapter 1, verse 17, we find a profound distinction: "For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." This verse encapsulates the transition from the Old Covenant, represented by the law, to the New Covenant, embodied in grace and truth through Jesus Christ. The law, given through Moses, serves as a mirror reflecting our sinfulness and our need for a savior. It is not to be dismissed or disregarded, for it plays a crucial role in leading us to the grace offered by Christ.

The law's primary function is to remind us of our relationship with God, pulling us out of self-centeredness and directing our focus towards the Almighty. It reveals God's holy and just nature, demanding holiness from us not for its own sake, but because we are His people. The law's demands, encapsulated in the Ten Commandments, are not obsolete; they are as relevant today as they were when first given. They remind us to love God with all our being and to love our neighbors as ourselves.

However, the law also exposes the depth of our sinfulness. It defines sin, not just as actions, but as thoughts and desires, revealing the exceeding sinfulness of sin. This revelation is crucial because it is only when we see the true nature of our sin that we can fully appreciate the grace of God in Christ. The law convicts us, showing us our need for the cleansing blood of Jesus.

The Apostle Paul, in his writings, emphasizes that the law cannot save us; it was never intended to. Instead, it brings us to the realization of our need for grace. The law, by defining sin, makes us aware of our transgressions and our inability to meet God's standards on our own. It is through this awareness that we are driven to Christ, who offers grace and truth, freeing us from the condemnation of the law.

Key Takeaways:

- The law given through Moses serves as a mirror, reflecting our sinfulness and our need for a savior. It is not to be dismissed, as it plays a crucial role in leading us to the grace offered by Christ. [05:30]

- The law reminds us of our relationship with God, pulling us out of self-centeredness and directing our focus towards the Almighty. It reveals God's holy and just nature, demanding holiness from us because we are His people. [06:18]

- The law exposes the depth of our sinfulness, defining sin not just as actions, but as thoughts and desires. This revelation is crucial because it is only when we see the true nature of our sin that we can fully appreciate the grace of God in Christ. [30:07]

- The law convicts us, showing us our need for the cleansing blood of Jesus. It brings us to the realization of our need for grace, as it defines sin and makes us aware of our transgressions and our inability to meet God's standards on our own. [23:41]

- The law, by defining sin, makes us aware of our transgressions and our inability to meet God's standards on our own. It is through this awareness that we are driven to Christ, who offers grace and truth, freeing us from the condemnation of the law. [41:07]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Introduction to John 1:17
- [00:30] - The Importance of the Prologue
- [01:08] - The Christian Life and Its Fullness
- [02:30] - Understanding the Incarnation
- [03:46] - The Role of the Law
- [05:01] - Grace and the Law
- [06:00] - The Law and Our Relationship with God
- [07:42] - The Two Tables of the Law
- [09:45] - Holiness and God's Demands
- [11:18] - The Law Before Moses
- [12:12] - The Law Written in Our Hearts
- [14:40] - The Law's Universality
- [17:14] - Loving God and Neighbor
- [20:08] - The Law and Our Sinfulness
- [23:41] - The Law Defines Sin
- [30:07] - The Law and Inner Desires
- [33:32] - The Exceeding Sinfulness of Sin
- [40:20] - The Law's Condemnation and Grace

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- John 1:17: "For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ."
- Romans 7:7: "What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet."
- Matthew 5:21-22: "Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment."

Observation Questions:
1. What does John 1:17 reveal about the transition from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant? How does this verse encapsulate the roles of Moses and Jesus Christ? [00:11]
2. According to the sermon, what is the primary function of the law as given through Moses? How does it serve as a mirror for our sinfulness? [05:30]
3. How does the Apostle Paul describe the role of the law in Romans 7:7, and what does it reveal about the nature of sin? [28:01]
4. In Matthew 5:21-22, how does Jesus expand the understanding of the law beyond actions to include thoughts and desires? [29:04]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon explain the importance of understanding the law to fully appreciate the grace offered by Jesus Christ? What role does the law play in leading us to grace? [05:30]
2. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between the law and self-centeredness? How does the law redirect our focus towards God? [06:18]
3. How does the sermon describe the exceeding sinfulness of sin, and why is this understanding crucial for appreciating God's grace? [33:32]
4. According to the sermon, why is it important not to dismiss the law, even though we are under grace? How does this understanding affect our view of sanctification? [04:29]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your understanding of the law and grace. How has this sermon challenged or reinforced your perspective on their relationship? [05:30]
2. The sermon emphasizes the law's role in revealing our sinfulness. Can you identify a specific area in your life where the law has convicted you of sin? How did this awareness lead you to seek God's grace? [23:41]
3. Consider the ways in which self-centeredness might be affecting your relationship with God. How can you use the law as a tool to refocus your attention on God and His holiness? [06:18]
4. Jesus expanded the understanding of the law to include thoughts and desires. Are there any thoughts or desires you need to address in your life to align more closely with God's standards? [29:04]
5. The sermon discusses the exceeding sinfulness of sin. How can this understanding deepen your appreciation for the grace offered through Jesus Christ? [33:32]
6. How can you apply the principles of the second table of the law, such as loving your neighbor as yourself, in your daily interactions? What specific actions can you take this week to demonstrate this love? [17:14]
7. Reflect on a time when you rationalized or excused a sin in your life. How can you use the law to confront and address this behavior honestly? [18:48]

Devotional

Day 1: The Law as a Mirror Reflecting Our Need for a Savior
The law given through Moses serves as a mirror, reflecting our sinfulness and our need for a savior. It is not to be dismissed, as it plays a crucial role in leading us to the grace offered by Christ. The law's primary function is to remind us of our relationship with God, pulling us out of self-centeredness and directing our focus towards the Almighty. It reveals God's holy and just nature, demanding holiness from us because we are His people. The law's demands, encapsulated in the Ten Commandments, are not obsolete; they are as relevant today as they were when first given. They remind us to love God with all our being and to love our neighbors as ourselves. [05:30]

"For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin." (Romans 3:20, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways has the law revealed your need for a savior? How can you allow this awareness to deepen your relationship with Christ today?


Day 2: The Law Directs Our Focus Towards God
The law reminds us of our relationship with God, pulling us out of self-centeredness and directing our focus towards the Almighty. It reveals God's holy and just nature, demanding holiness from us because we are His people. The law's demands, encapsulated in the Ten Commandments, are not obsolete; they are as relevant today as they were when first given. They remind us to love God with all our being and to love our neighbors as ourselves. This redirection of focus is essential for spiritual growth and alignment with God's will. [06:18]

"And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul." (Deuteronomy 10:12, ESV)

Reflection: How can you shift your focus from self-centeredness to God-centeredness in your daily life? What practical steps can you take today to love God and your neighbor more fully?


Day 3: The Law Exposes the Depth of Our Sinfulness
The law exposes the depth of our sinfulness, defining sin not just as actions, but as thoughts and desires. This revelation is crucial because it is only when we see the true nature of our sin that we can fully appreciate the grace of God in Christ. The law convicts us, showing us our need for the cleansing blood of Jesus. It brings us to the realization of our need for grace, as it defines sin and makes us aware of our transgressions and our inability to meet God's standards on our own. [30:07]

"For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander." (Matthew 15:19, ESV)

Reflection: What thoughts or desires have you been holding onto that need to be surrendered to God? How can acknowledging these help you appreciate God's grace more deeply?


Day 4: The Law Convicts Us and Points Us to Grace
The law convicts us, showing us our need for the cleansing blood of Jesus. It brings us to the realization of our need for grace, as it defines sin and makes us aware of our transgressions and our inability to meet God's standards on our own. This awareness is not meant to lead us to despair but to drive us to Christ, who offers grace and truth, freeing us from the condemnation of the law. The Apostle Paul emphasizes that the law cannot save us; it was never intended to. Instead, it brings us to the realization of our need for grace. [23:41]

"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 8:3, ESV)

Reflection: How has the conviction of the law led you to seek God's grace? What steps can you take today to embrace the freedom offered by Christ?


Day 5: The Law Drives Us to Christ
The law, by defining sin, makes us aware of our transgressions and our inability to meet God's standards on our own. It is through this awareness that we are driven to Christ, who offers grace and truth, freeing us from the condemnation of the law. The transition from the Old Covenant, represented by the law, to the New Covenant, embodied in grace and truth through Jesus Christ, is a profound distinction. The law serves as a guide, leading us to the grace offered by Christ, where we find true freedom and redemption. [41:07]

"For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death." (Romans 8:2, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways has the law driven you to seek Christ's grace and truth? How can you live in the freedom that Christ offers today?

Quotes

"For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. We come back once more to a consideration of this most important verse here towards the end of what is customarily called the prologue of The Gospel According to St John." [00:00:17]

"The law, given through Moses, serves as a mirror reflecting our sinfulness and our need for a savior. It is not to be dismissed or disregarded, for it plays a crucial role in leading us to the grace offered by Christ." [00:04:55]

"The law reminds us of our relationship with God, pulling us out of self-centeredness and directing our focus towards the Almighty. It reveals God's holy and just nature, demanding holiness from us because we are His people." [00:06:03]

"The law exposes the depth of our sinfulness, defining sin not just as actions, but as thoughts and desires. This revelation is crucial because it is only when we see the true nature of our sin that we can fully appreciate the grace of God in Christ." [00:30:07]

"The law convicts us, showing us our need for the cleansing blood of Jesus. It brings us to the realization of our need for grace, as it defines sin and makes us aware of our transgressions and our inability to meet God's standards on our own." [00:23:41]

"The law, by defining sin, makes us aware of our transgressions and our inability to meet God's standards on our own. It is through this awareness that we are driven to Christ, who offers grace and truth, freeing us from the condemnation of the law." [00:41:07]

"The law was given to men to keep them from sin made them sin all the more. How? Oh, it had the effect of stimulating these passions and evil desires that were within them." [00:37:58]

"The law not only shows us the exceeding sinfulness of sin as nothing else can do, it therefore shows us all ultimately to be guilty and condemned before God." [00:40:20]

"The law of God was given to carry that even a stage further and that was to convince us of our terrible sinfulness, to bring our sin right home to us." [00:18:04]

"The law comes to us and it says, 'I've got a number of questions to put to you.' It is indeed like the arm of the law, the policeman coming to us and says, 'Now I've got a number of questions I want to put to you.'" [00:27:22]

"The law alone does that, and you see The Madness of getting rid of law. The law still does that, and it's the law alone that will bring us to this kind of condemnation and show us the truth about ourselves." [00:33:02]

"The law of God is quick and Powerful, dividing even to the separating of the joints of Soul and Spirit and the joints of marrow. There is nothing hidden from him; he is concerned about thoughts and desires." [00:31:10]

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Transcript
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