THE LAW

Outline

Intro to Law & Gospel

The 3 uses of the Law

Types of Law

The Law is a massive arrow to Jesus —> > They reflect his nature > His Job description > Prepares us for Salvation

The Law says ‘DO’

The Gospel says ‘DONE’ (The teaser for session 3)

LAW vs GOSPEL

Introduction!

There was once a man named Martin Luther.

Explain the story

If there were ever a man who were to be saved by works, it would have been Martin Luther

Scripture Reading Romans 3:28 - "For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law."

Christianity is the only religion that does not offer a way of salvation to man by way our efforts.

You would think this would mean that would be ideal, but actually,

this is considered to be quite a humbling and unattractive reality for many.

It means that the only way to be saved is to;

Give up TRUST in ones own efforts to make amends with God

and humbly accept we have nothing inheritly to offer God, but to

turn to TRUST in the efforts of His Son Jesus on our behalf.

Law - What God requires of Man, Accomplished by his Son

Gospel - What God offers freely to those who believe in His Son, because of his completed work on the cross, and His life of Holiness

The Nature of the Law

The Law, as given through Moses, serves as a divine mirror. It reflects God’s perfect standards, and in doing so, reveals our own shortcomings and sins. The Law is like a lighthouse, warning us of dangerous shores, highlighting the perils of our human nature. It shows us the holiness of God and, by contrast, our need for redemption.

The Condemnation of the Law

The Law, in its holy righteousness, condemns us, for not one of us can claim perfection in keeping it. It's like a schoolmaster who points out our faults but cannot in itself cleanse us. The Law says, “You must,” but it doesn’t give us the power to fulfill what it demands.

Transition to Gospel

But, dear friends, the story doesn’t end with the Law. The Gospel enters as the most beautiful, liberating truth.

The Nature of the Gospel The Gospel, or the good news of Jesus Christ, is God’s answer to the problem presented by the Law. While the Law says, “Do,” the Gospel declares, “Done.” Jesus Christ, through His life, death, and resurrection, has fulfilled the Law’s demands for us. The Gospel is like a healing balm to the wounds inflicted by our failure to keep the Law.

Justification by Faith

Here lies the heart of our message today: We are justified by faith, not by works of the Law. This justification is a legal declaration from God, stating that in Christ, we are righteous. It’s as if we never sinned or had always been as righteous as Jesus Himself. This is not because of what we’ve done, but because of what Christ has done for us.

Living in the Freedom of the Gospel

Embracing the Gospel frees us from the chains of trying to earn God's favor through our efforts. It invites us into a life of grace, where our good works are not a currency to buy God’s approval but a joyful response to the love we’ve received. In Christ, we move from obligation to opportunity, from duty to delight.

The Third Use of the Law

Now, this doesn’t mean the Law has no place in our lives. Post-conversion, the Law serves as a guide, a map for holy living. In the hands of the Gospel, the Law becomes a tool, not for condemnation, but for sanctification. It directs us in loving God and our neighbor, not to earn salvation, but as a reflection of our saved state.

Today we focus on the LAW

Tomorrow we focus on the GOSPEL

Conclusion

In closing, let us remember that in the Law, we see our need for a Savior, and in the Gospel, we meet that Savior, Jesus Christ. The Law and Gospel are not opponents but part of the same divine story of redemption.

Let THE LAW be a massive pointing arrow to Christ

and a guide of Gods wisdom onto life,

and THE GOSPEL be the wind in our sails that propels us forward

and the the engine that drives us toward Christ likeness in grace and truth.

The 3 Uses of the Law

1. Condemnation of Man

Shows us the depth of our Sin

Drive us to know Christ the Saviour, who;

Kept the law for us by:

> Fulfiling its requirements > Fulfilling its penalty

How then may I be saved? by faith alone in the Works of Christ

We must begin to view the Law as Jesus’s role description.

Not what we must do, But what we are unable to do sufficently What he would do on behalf of us

Our Obedience to the LAW contributes NOTHING to our Salvation

Christ has done it all.

The only thing we contribute to our Salvation, is the sin that makes it neccessary.

Did you know this? Did you believe that God was depending upon your performance as to decide whether or not to save you? Whether or not to love you?

The LAW exists to expose the depths our fallenness, Sin and corruption

Therefore:

Don’t Despair of it,

let it cause you to look onto Christ anew.

To Marvel and be grateful for what Christ has done for us. Let us throw ourselves onto him for mercy.

and be changed by His grace

2. Moral Law. (Civil Law)

Applies to all men.

Reveals the standard of Right and Wrong.

by the grace of God, almost all Governments have adopted the 10 commandments, The Natural law Have set-up penalties and benefits to

Restain Sin

Promote love of Neighbour

In scripture, God:

Attaches Sanctions to the law for breaking it

Blessings for keeping it.

What does God say is right and wrong? > What would society look like, if we rejected the 10 commandments?

The first 4 commandments deal with;

> how we treat God

The next 6 deal with;

> how we treat each other

The ‘Moral Law’ is a testament of the ‘Natural Law’. Captured by the 10 Commandments.

3. For Believers

To guide our living in Christ Jesus

No longer condemning or threatning to us

We look to the law to know how to live, what to pursue, what we should flee from.

Now that I am saved, how do I now live as a Christian?

We are no longer under the LAW in terms of a Covenant of Works

> A relationship with God where as a nation, God’s promises depend on our performance of the LAW (This was how it was with Israel and the promised land)

Romans 10:4 ESV

For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

Righteousness CANNOT be earned.

It is free gift from God, that we can recieve only by faith in His Son

Christ did not come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it

Matthew 5:17–18 ESV

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.

We are to teach people to obey these things. (3rd use)

NOT for righteousness, but for wisdom sake, for;

Our Benefit

The Benefit of those we love

The Benefit of the common Good

The LAW has nothing to do with why you are saved or not Saved.

It makes all of us accountable to God (1st use)

Romans 3:19–20 ESV

Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.

and left to the LAW apart from Christ, we are condemned

THEREFORE:

Salvation Depends on Faith and Faith Alone

or

Unbelief. The Desire to reject God, and stand before Him on your own merits.

3rd use of the LAW

> A Rule of life

> Informs us of Gods will of God in their duty

> It directs and obligates them to live according to its precepts (How we think, live, think, behave, what we should desire, etc)

> It exposes the sinful corruptions of our natures, hearts and lies

> Further conviction of Sin --> further change in him according to the Law as blueprint

> A clearer view of a need for Christ, and the perfection of His obedience

> Restrains our corruptions because it forbids Sin

> the punishment threatened by the law shows us what our sins deserve. and what troubles we may expect in this life. Even though we are freed from the curse. and the Spiritual consequences of it.

> The promises of the law also show us Gods approval of obedience, and likewise show us what blessings we may expect when we keep it, Even thought they aren’t owed to us.

THE MOTIVATION for Obeying the LAW?

LAW is a gift.

is the pathway to enjoy life by Gods guidance for the benefit of oneself and others

Gods wisdom Given to us.

Types of Law in the OT

Why the 613 laws?

Moral Laws - Do not Change (as God does not change)

Ceremonial Laws -

Holiness > This points to our sinfulness, and God’s Holiness A need for God to draw near. An inability for Man to approach God in his fallen state.

Sacrificial laws > These point to Christ as sacrifice

Positive Laws - Laws that exist for a particular era of redemptive History e.g. > Don’t eat of the forbidden tree (Adam and Eve) > Don’t eat Pork (Israel) > Baptism (The Church)

All of the laws exist to point to Jesus.

The Law exist to point us to the Gospel

The Law says “DO”

The Gospel says “DONE”