Understanding Grace Through the Law and Knowing God

 

Summary

In today's reflection, we delve into the profound truth that the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. This exploration is part of our ongoing study of the prologue to the Gospel of John, aiming to deepen our understanding of the fullness of blessings available to believers in Jesus Christ. The Gospel was written to clarify the person of Jesus amidst confusion and heretical teachings, emphasizing that knowing God and how to approach Him is crucial, especially in times of crisis.

We live in a world fraught with alarm and uncertainty, where human efforts often seem futile. Yet, the Gospel offers us the fullness of Christ, grace upon grace, which many fail to enjoy due to a lack of understanding. This lack stems from confusion about Christ's person and an unawareness of the darkness within us. The law, given by Moses, is essential for understanding grace. It is not to be dismissed, for it reveals our need for salvation and prepares us to receive grace.

The law's function is to reveal God's holiness and our sinfulness, showing us our need for a Savior. It is vital for individual Christians, the Church, and society at large. The world’s crises, both moral and international, stem from a failure to understand God's law. The law's two tables, focusing first on our relationship with God and then with others, highlight the importance of prioritizing God in our lives. The world often reverses this order, leading to chaos and conflict.

Understanding the law helps us see ourselves in God's light, revealing our true nature and need for redemption. It is only by starting with God that we can truly love our neighbors as ourselves. The law shows us God's holiness, justice, and mercy, reminding us of His demand for total allegiance and worship. It warns of judgment for those who reject Him but promises mercy to those who love and obey Him. Ultimately, God has a plan for His people, and His kingdom will prevail despite opposition.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Importance of Knowing God: In a world full of uncertainty, knowing God and how to approach Him is crucial. The Gospel of John emphasizes the fullness of blessings available to believers, urging us to deepen our understanding of Christ's person and work. [01:57]

2. The Role of the Law: The law, given by Moses, is essential for understanding grace. It reveals our sinfulness and need for salvation, preparing us to receive the grace and truth that come through Jesus Christ. [04:39]

3. Prioritizing God in Our Lives: The law's two tables highlight the importance of prioritizing our relationship with God before our relationships with others. Reversing this order leads to chaos and conflict. [11:00]

4. Understanding Ourselves Through God's Law: The law helps us see ourselves in God's light, revealing our true nature and need for redemption. It is only by starting with God that we can truly love our neighbors as ourselves. [17:55]

5. God's Holiness, Justice, and Mercy: The law shows us God's holiness, justice, and mercy, reminding us of His demand for total allegiance and worship. It warns of judgment for those who reject Him but promises mercy to those who love and obey Him. [33:21]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:15] - Introduction to the Study
- [00:35] - Purpose of the Gospel
- [01:10] - Confusion About Christ
- [01:57] - Importance of Knowing God
- [02:34] - Fullness of Christ
- [03:09] - Testing Our Belief
- [03:51] - Causes of Spiritual Lack
- [04:39] - Understanding the Law
- [05:58] - Law's Relevance Today
- [07:31] - Function of the Law
- [09:14] - The Two Tables of the Law
- [11:00] - Order of Priorities
- [13:27] - Practical vs. Theological
- [15:39] - Starting with God
- [22:11] - Revelation of God Through the Law
- [33:21] - God's Justice and Mercy
- [37:19] - God's Purpose and Plan

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. John 1:17 - "For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ."
2. Exodus 20:1-17 - The Ten Commandments
3. Mark 12:28-34 - The Greatest Commandment

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Observation Questions:

1. What does John 1:17 reveal about the relationship between the law given by Moses and the grace and truth brought by Jesus Christ? [00:15]

2. How does the sermon describe the role of the law in understanding grace? [04:39]

3. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the two tables of the law as given in Exodus 20? [09:14]

4. How does the sermon explain the importance of prioritizing our relationship with God before our relationships with others? [11:00]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. In what ways does the sermon suggest that understanding the law is essential for appreciating grace? [05:10]

2. How does the sermon interpret the order of the two tables of the law in relation to the world's current crises? [11:00]

3. What does the sermon imply about the consequences of reversing the order of priorities between God and others? [11:17]

4. How does the sermon describe the role of God's holiness, justice, and mercy in the context of the law? [33:21]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current understanding of God's law. How does it influence your appreciation of grace in your daily life? [05:10]

2. Consider a situation where you might have prioritized relationships with others over your relationship with God. How can you realign your priorities to reflect the order presented in the sermon? [11:00]

3. The sermon suggests that starting with God is essential to truly love our neighbors. How can you incorporate this principle into your interactions with others this week? [17:55]

4. How do you perceive God's holiness, justice, and mercy in your personal life? Are there areas where you struggle to see these attributes of God? [33:21]

5. The sermon emphasizes the importance of knowing God in times of crisis. How can you deepen your relationship with God to better navigate uncertain times? [01:57]

6. Reflect on a recent conflict or challenge you faced. How might understanding and applying the law's principles have changed your approach or outcome? [11:17]

7. Identify one aspect of your life where you feel disconnected from God's grace. What steps can you take to better understand and receive the fullness of Christ? [02:34]

Devotional

Day 1: Knowing God in Uncertainty
In a world filled with uncertainty and confusion, understanding who God is and how to approach Him becomes essential. The Gospel of John emphasizes the importance of knowing God, especially during times of crisis. It is through Jesus Christ that we receive the fullness of blessings, grace, and truth. By deepening our understanding of Christ's person and work, we can navigate the challenges of life with confidence and hope. The Gospel was written to clarify the person of Jesus amidst confusion and heretical teachings, urging believers to seek a deeper relationship with God. [01:57]

Jeremiah 9:23-24 (ESV): "Thus says the Lord: 'Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.'"

Reflection: In what ways can you prioritize knowing God more deeply in your daily life, especially when faced with uncertainty or crisis?


Day 2: The Law as a Path to Grace
The law, given by Moses, serves as a crucial foundation for understanding grace. It reveals our sinfulness and our need for salvation, preparing us to receive the grace and truth that come through Jesus Christ. The law's function is to reveal God's holiness and our sinfulness, showing us our need for a Savior. It is vital for individual Christians, the Church, and society at large. By understanding the law, we become aware of the darkness within us and our need for redemption. [04:39]

Galatians 3:24-25 (ESV): "So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian."

Reflection: How does understanding the purpose of the law change your perspective on grace and your need for a Savior today?


Day 3: Prioritizing God in Relationships
The law's two tables highlight the importance of prioritizing our relationship with God before our relationships with others. When we reverse this order, it leads to chaos and conflict. The world often prioritizes relationships with others over God, resulting in moral and international crises. By starting with God, we can truly love our neighbors as ourselves, aligning our lives with His holiness, justice, and mercy. [11:00]

Matthew 22:37-39 (ESV): "And he said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"

Reflection: What practical steps can you take today to ensure that your relationship with God is prioritized above all others?


Day 4: Seeing Ourselves in God's Light
Understanding the law helps us see ourselves in God's light, revealing our true nature and need for redemption. It is only by starting with God that we can truly love our neighbors as ourselves. The law shows us God's holiness, justice, and mercy, reminding us of His demand for total allegiance and worship. By seeing ourselves through the lens of God's law, we become aware of our need for His grace and redemption. [17:55]

Psalm 139:23-24 (ESV): "Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!"

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to invite God to reveal your true nature and need for His redemption?


Day 5: Embracing God's Holiness, Justice, and Mercy
The law reveals God's holiness, justice, and mercy, reminding us of His demand for total allegiance and worship. It warns of judgment for those who reject Him but promises mercy to those who love and obey Him. Despite opposition, God's plan for His people and His kingdom will prevail. By embracing God's holiness, justice, and mercy, we align ourselves with His purposes and experience the fullness of His grace. [33:21]

Micah 6:8 (ESV): "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"

Reflection: How can you actively demonstrate God's justice, mercy, and holiness in your interactions with others today?

Quotes



The law was given by Moses but Grace and Truth came by Jesus Christ now those who worship here regularly will realize that we are continuing a study which we begin on the first Sunday morning of this month of October we are considering the message of this prologue to The Gospel According to St John and our reason for doing so is this that we may together appreciate as we've never done hitherto what is possible to us as Christian people. [00:00:18]

We are living in a world which is full of alarm full of Dre and terrible possibilities a world in which we see all the devices and the efforts of men more or less coming to nothing what is more important I say at a time such as this then that we should know God and know how to approach God and receive those blessings that God Alone can give us and here you see we are reminded the apostle says of his fullness of all we received and Grace upon Grace. [00:01:57]

We must have an understanding of the law of God that we'll never know rarely the blessings of Grace until we learn how to estimate them in terms of law the law was given by Moses but Grace and Truth came by Jesus Christ now I was showing that there was nothing which is quite so ridiculous as to dismiss law say we are under grace now we are not interested any longer in law my contention is that we'll never appreciate Grace until the law has done its work upon us. [00:04:39]

There is no more urgently important question for everybody in this and in every other land this morning than a right understanding of the law of God it's not only vital for us individually it's not only vital for the life of the Christian Church which is so ineffective it is equally vital in the life of the whole nation with all our moral problems all our industrial problems the lawlessness that is becoming increasingly manifest in the life of this people in this nation. [00:05:58]

The first table you notice started with God himself the second table deals with human relationships honoring father and mother and so on and so forth now then we have two tables and there is that essential difference between the two tables then you noticed how our Lord in answering that scribe that came to him you'll find that record in the 12th chapter of Mark out of which we read verses 28-34 the man comes and asks our Lord which is the first and the greatest commandment. [00:09:14]

The whole trouble of the world this morning is that it's forgotten that order and has indeed reversed and has indeed at times forgotten the first altogether it would be the simplest thing possible for me to show you how all our major problems emanate entirely from just this Failure to observe the order the first and the second the chiefest and the one that follows now the reasons that are generally given for for this failure and this confusion something like this. [00:11:00]

The whole trouble in life I say is that we fail to do that instead of starting with God I start with myself and of course starting with myself I'm concerned about my own interests there's nothing wrong with me it's always somebody else look at the cases in the courts never the husband always the wife but the wife said it's always the husband it's always somebody else look at the Nations each one says it's the other they're doing it now. [00:17:55]

God first of all gives a revelation of himself so that we may see ourselves in his light and in his sight then he proceeds to tell us the truth about ourselves now let's just glance at this this morning in other words you see what I'm suggesting is that the greatest need of the world at this moment is to be introduced to the Ten Commandments in the right order I find there are many foolish people about who are just picking out one of them and saying Thou shalt not kill. [00:22:11]

The first thing he tells us is that he's the only God there is no other there is but one God the Lord our God is one God and he doesn't recognize any other there is no other the children of Israel in their Folly were constantly making gods making idols and worshiping them adopting the gods of the other nations and it always brought them into trouble and they're always being called back to the realization that there is only one true and living God. [00:33:21]

He demands indeed our total Allegiance Thou shalt have no other gods before me you mustn't put any God by the side of God you mustn't put yourself there and worship yourself into your achievement you're making a god of yourself you mustn't put your wife there you mustn't put your children there are many people I've known of worshiped their children their children were their God they lived for them there are people who worship their possessions their money their wealth their social status and position. [00:37:19]

He is a just God and a righteous God and he is a God who judges Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them nor serve them for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God listen visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and to the third and fourth generation of them that hate me and showing Mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my Commandments Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain for the Lord will not hold him Guiltless that taketh his name in vain. [00:33:21]

God has got a plan and a purpose for these people and nothing can frustrate it let every enemy that is anywhere arise your communism your capitalism your anism let them all stand up against God as he destroyed pharaoh and his hosts in the Red Sea he will destroy his every enemy and his kingdom shall Rule and Reign Over all there is a Time coming when the knowledge of the Lord shall cover the world as the waters cover the sea Jesus shall reign whereever the sun do his successive Journeys run. [00:37:19]

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Transcript
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