The Law and the Gospel
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Sermon Title: “The Law and the Gospel”
Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:7-11
Occasion: The Lord’s Day
Date: September 22, 2024
PRAYER:
Our gracious and sovereign Lord,
As we come before You today, we acknowledge our how desperately we need you.
We confess that, apart from You, we are blind, weak, and in need of Your grace.
So, we humbly ask: What we know not, teach us. What we are not, make us. What we have not, give us.
As we open Your Word, may Your Holy Spirit lead us into all truth.
“Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.”
1 Ti 1:2.
Welcome
Introduction
What role does the law play in the life of a Christian?
This question has not only puzzled believers throughout church history, but it also reaches deep into our own hearts today.
Whether we realize it or not, every one of us is living with some relationship to God’s law.
Maybe you’ve been trying to be good enough, thinking if you check off all the right boxes, God will finally approve of you.
Or maybe you’ve swung the other way, relying on grace but ignoring the need for obedience, feeling like the rules no longer apply.
What’s your relationship to God’s law?
A story comes to mind—a man named Jack who had grown up in the church his whole life.
He knew the rules, the commandments, and he spent years trying to follow them to the letter.
But no matter how hard he worked, he never felt at peace.
He would pray harder, fast longer, and try to purge himself of every mistake, but the weight of guilt and inadequacy crushed him.
Exhausted, Jack eventually gave up trying.
He began to drift, thinking that grace meant God didn’t care about his sin anymore.
It felt freeing at first, but over time, his heart grew cold, and the joy he once knew in Christ seemed to fade.
You see, Jack’s story isn’t all that unique is it? It’s all too familiar.
Legalism crushed him, and then license deceived him.
The truth is, when we misunderstand the law, we either wear ourselves out trying to earn God’s favor, or we lose our way thinking obedience doesn’t matter.
Both paths lead not to human flourishing but to human languishing and emptiness.
Imagine you're on a road trip, driving through unfamiliar terrain, and you have two things with you: a GPS and the actual car you're driving.
Now, the GPS is not the car—it won’t get you to your destination on its own.
It’s simply a tool to guide you.
But if you become obsessed with the GPS, constantly staring at it, worrying about every small recalibration or detour, you lose focus on the drive itself.
You'll stress over every turn, afraid that any mistake means you won’t reach your destination.
On the other hand, if you ignore the GPS completely and decide to drive without any guidance, thinking you know the way better, you'll quickly find yourself lost, wandering aimlessly, and perhaps running out of gas.
The GPS is helpful only when you use it properly.
It doesn't do the driving for you, but it provides direction to get you where you need to go.
In the same way, the law is like that GPS.
It shows us the direction for how to live according to God’s will. BUT it doesn’t drive the car—that’s the role of the gospel of grace through faith in Christ.
If you obsess over the law, trying to follow it perfectly to earn salvation, you’ll end up spiritually exhausted, and worse, a moral man without the gospel heading for an eternal hell.
If you ignore the law, thinking grace frees you from any need for obedience, you’ll lose your way, and end up the same.
This is what’s at stake today in our text.
In 1 Timothy 1:7-11, Paul addresses this exact problem, confronting false teachers who confidently distorted the law, leading others astray.
These teachers weren’t just wrong in theory; their misunderstanding had real, destructive consequences.
Today, we’ll explore how Paul calls us to use the law rightly and how understanding its purpose can radically reshape our lives.
This isn’t just theology for the sake of knowledge—it’s about discovering how the law and the gospel fit together to bring you freedom and joy in Christ, today.
Title of my sermon this morning is:
“The Law and the Gospel: Understanding Their Proper Use”
To follow the flow of the text we will…
First look at how to spot a false teacher and their misuse of the law.
Then Understand the purpose of the law.
Finally see the beauty and harmony of the Law and the gospel.
I. Misuse of the Law.
II. The Purpose of the Law.
III. The Law and Gospel in Harmony.
Transition to Point I:
Paul begins by identifying the problem in verse 7:
False teachers were confidently claiming authority without truly understanding the purpose of the law.
Let’s carefully examine Paul’s description and unpack how this misunderstanding distorts the gospel.
I. False Teachers and the Misuse of the Law
1 Timothy 1:7–8 (ESV)
Desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions.
Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully,
Paul’s warning to Timothy concerns the dangerous influence of false teachers.
Notice the phrase “desiring to be teachers of the law”—this suggests a deep, perhaps even ambitious, desire to be seen as authoritative figures in the church.
These men wanted the prestige and honor that came with being teachers of God’s Word.
Yet, their ambition was not matched by their understanding.
Paul says they “make confident assertions,” but they don’t actually “understand what they are saying.”
This phrase reveals their lack of knowledge and their inability to properly handle the Scriptures.
In other words, these overly confident false teachers didn't understand the true purpose of the law nor the intended audience.
The word “understanding” (Greek: νοοῦντες, noountes) conveys not just intellectual knowledge but a deep, discernment and insight into the truth.
These teachers lacked this insight/discernment. (They didn't grasp truth, nor where they pursuing to grasp it.)
Illustration:
Imagine a man who buys a map to help him navigate a vast, uncharted forest.
The map is designed to guide him safely through the treacherous paths and hidden dangers, leading him to the final destination.
But instead of using the map properly, he turns it upside down, misinterprets the symbols, and confidently leads others down a dangerous trail.
As they follow him deeper into the forest, he boldly declares that he knows the way, but the entire group is unknowingly walking toward a cliff.
This man is like the false teachers Paul warns about.
They have the “map” of God’s law but misunderstand its purpose.
Instead of guiding people toward Christ, they twist the law, leading people into danger.
Paul tells Timothy that the law is good, but only when used “lawfully”—like a map used correctly to lead us safely to our destination: the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Paul then transitions to a crucial truth in verse 8:
Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully,
The word “good” (Greek: καλός, kalos) means beneficial, beautiful, or useful.
Paul affirms the inherent goodness of the law (Romans 7:12 “Holy, righteous, good”), but he adds a qualification: it must be used lawfully.
The word “lawfully” (Greek: νομίμως, nomimōs) means according to its intended purpose.
The implication is clear: these false teachers were using the law unlawfully, twisting it for their own purposes.
Exegetical Insight:
Paul is drawing a contrast between right and wrong use of the law.
The law was never meant to be a ladder to climb to heaven; rather, it’s a mirror to show our need for Christ.
When used wrongly, it leads to legalism and false assurance.
When used rightly, it reveals sin and points to the gospel.
John Calvin emphasizes this point, saying,
“The law shows us the disease, in order that we may seek the remedy. The law is not given that we might think we are justified by it, but that we might know we are condemned.”-John Calvin
Transition to Point II:
With the problem identified, Paul now explains the true purpose of the law.
The law was never intended for the righteous but for sinners.
It’s exactly what Jesus declared isn’t it, in Luke 5:31-32?
Luke 5:31–32 (ESV)
…“Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”
Let’s explore how Paul breaks this down in verses 9 and 10.
II. The Law’s Purpose: To Expose and Restrain Sin
1 Timothy 1:9–10 (ESV)
Understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine.
Paul continues by explaining that the law was “not laid down for the just.”
The word “just” (Greek: δικαίος, dikaios) means righteous or those who live in accordance with God’s will.
Those who are justified by faith do not need the law to convict or restrain them because their righteousness comes from Christ.
Instead, Paul says the law was given for the “lawless and disobedient.”
Here, Paul lists a series of sins that broadly correspond to the Ten Commandments.
The “lawless” (Greek: ἄνομοι, anomoi) refers to those who live without regard for God’s law.
The “disobedient” (Greek: ἀνυπότακτοι, anupotaktoi) are those who refuse to submit to authority, specifically God’s authority.
The following categories—“ungodly, sinners, unholy, profane”—describe people in rebellion against God’s moral law.
Illustration:
Think of the traffic lights and road signs we encounter every day.
These are not primarily for careful, law-abiding drivers who already follow the rules of the road.
They don’t need a constant reminder to stop at a red light or yield to pedestrians—they do these things naturally because they respect the law.
However, the traffic signals and signs are critical for reckless drivers who speed through intersections or ignore safety guidelines.
The law exists to stop such dangerous behaviors, guiding them toward safe driving and protecting others on the road.
In the same way, Paul explains that the law isn’t for those who are already justified in Christ and have a new heart and new desire to live according to His righteousness.
It’s for those who are spiritually dead and are living in rebellion—the “reckless drivers” of life—whose actions go against God’s moral commands.
The law exists to restrain them, expose their sin, and point them toward repentance.
The specific examples Paul gives, such as “striking parents, murder, sexual immorality, homosexuality, slavery, lying, and perjury,” all reflect clear violations of God’s moral commandments.
Paul is using these concrete examples to show how the law confronts sin directly.
Exegetical Insight:
Paul’s list reflects the moral law as expressed in the Ten Commandments, emphasizing its role in condemning sinful behavior.
The law is meant to expose and restrain sin in a world that rejects God’s authority.
It highlights the reality of human rebellion and the need for a Savior.
The law is not for the righteous, because they are justified by faith in Christ, but for sinners who live outside of God’s moral boundaries.
John Owen noted,
“The law is a guide to the lawless, to restrain them, but to the regenerate, it is a rule of life, not a means of justification.”-John Owen
Transition to Point III:
After highlighting the law’s role in exposing sin, Paul makes an important connection:
The law and the gospel are not opposed to one another but work in harmony.
Let’s explore how Paul draws this connection in verse 11.
III. The Law and the Gospel in Harmony
1 Timothy 1:11 (ESV)
In accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted.
Paul concludes by reminding Timothy that the law’s proper use aligns with the gospel.
The phrase “in accordance with the gospel” shows that the law and the gospel work together.
The law exposes sin, and the gospel provides the solution to that sin in Christ.
They are not opposing forces but complementary aspects of God’s plan of redemption.
Paul calls it “the gospel of the glory of the blessed God.”
The word “glory” (Greek: δόξα, doxa) refers to the splendor and majesty of God.
This gospel reflects the character of God—His mercy, grace, and justice.
The law reveals God’s holiness and righteousness, and the gospel reveals His grace and love.
Together, they glorify God by revealing His character.
Illustration:
Imagine a doctor diagnosing a serious illness in a patient.
The X-ray machine reveals a problem deep inside, one that the patient wasn’t even aware of.
The machine, though, doesn’t provide the cure—it only shows the disease.
The cure comes from the doctor, who provides the treatment that can heal the patient.
The law is like that X-ray machine:
It reveals the hidden sickness of sin.
But the gospel is the cure, offering the life-saving remedy through Christ.
Just as the X-ray and the treatment are not in conflict but work together for the patient’s healing, so too do the law and the gospel work in harmony for our salvation and restoration.
Exegetical Insight:
The gospel that Paul preaches does not diminish the importance of the law; rather, it upholds it.
The law shows us our need for a Savior, and the gospel provides that Savior in Jesus Christ.
The “blessed God” is a phrase that conveys the idea of God’s eternal joy and satisfaction in Himself, and His glory is most fully displayed in the person and work of Jesus Christ.
Charles Spurgeon beautifully summarized this harmony, saying,
“The law is the needle, and you cannot draw the silken thread of the gospel through a man’s heart unless you first send the needle of the law to make way for it.” -Charles Spurgeon
The law prepares the way for the gospel by convicting us of sin.
Transition to Conclusion:
Paul’s teaching in 1 Timothy 1:7-11 reveals the harmony between the law and the gospel.
The law exposes our sin, and the gospel provides the solution in Christ.
How has Christ provided and secured a solution to our sin revealed through the law in the gospel?
Perfect Obedience – Christ Performed the law by living in perfect obedience to every command.
Punishment Endured – Christ Paid the penalty by enduring the punishment the law required for sin on the cross.
Provision of Atonement – Christ Provided the ultimate sacrifice, fulfilling the law's demand for atonement with His own blood.
Power of Resurrection – Christ Proved the law’s fulfillment by rising from the dead, securing our justification.
How has Christ provided and secured a solution to our sin revealed through the law in the gospel?
Perfect Obedience
Punishment Endured
Provision of Atonement
Power of Resurrection
So I say it again: The law exposes our sin, and the gospel provides the solution in Christ.
As we reflect on these truths, let’s consider how we should respond to God’s law and His grace.
Conclusion:
The law is not something to be feared or rejected.
When used lawfully, it serves a vital purpose: it reveals sin, restrains evil, and points us to Christ.
Paul’s words remind us that we must avoid two common errors:
Two Common Errors in Our Use of the Law: Legalism, which tries to use the law as a means of justification, and license, which disregards the law altogether.
As believers, we are justified by grace through faith in Christ, not by the law.
In the words of Paul to the Galatians in Galatians 3:24
So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith.
But this does not mean the law is irrelevant.
It continues to guide us in holy living, empowered by the Holy Spirit.
As Paul wrote in Galatians 5:13-14,
For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Exhorting and Admonishing Questions:
For the unbeliever:
As you hear the weight of God’s law and its condemnation of sin, do you sense your own inability to meet its perfect standard?
Will you allow the law to be a mirror that reveals the depths of your need for a Savior?
How long will you continue to try and earn your way to righteousness, or will you now turn to the only one who can fulfill the law on your behalf—Jesus Christ?
For the believer:
Have you fallen into the trap of viewing the law as a burden or as irrelevant to your life in Christ?
Will you allow the law to guide your sanctification, showing you how to live in love toward God and others?
In what areas of your life is the Spirit calling you to greater obedience to the law as a reflection of the grace you’ve received through the gospel?
Inner Examination of the heart:
Is the law revealing sin that you have excused or neglected?
In light of God’s holiness and His just standards, how will you respond to His invitation to repent and find grace at the cross of Christ?
Will you allow the truth of the gospel to transform your life, leading to real and lasting change?
Historical Illustration:
During the Protestant Reformation, Martin Luther famously wrestled with the relationship between the law and the gospel.
He was a man deeply aware of the weight of God’s law and its condemning power.
Before discovering the gospel, Luther’s life was one of constant fear—he knew he could never measure up to God’s perfect standard.
He once wrote, “I was myself driven to the very abyss of despair so that I wished I had never been created.”
It was only when Luther grasped the truth of justification by faith alone that the gospel transformed him.
He saw the law not as something to be feared, but as something that drives us to Christ.
Luther said, “The law is like a mirror. When we look into it, we see ourselves. We see our sin. We see that we deserve death. But this is the preparation for grace.” -Martin Luther
The law prepared Luther to receive the grace of God, and in this grace, he found true freedom.
Luther’s experience is a reminder for us today:
The law reveals our need for a Savior, but the gospel gives us that Savior in Jesus Christ.
The law convicts, but the gospel redeems.
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
Challenge:
Let the law lead you to Christ, showing you your need for a Savior.
Let the gospel lift you up in the grace of Jesus, and let the Holy Spirit empower you to live in obedience to God’s law.
May we be a people who use the law lawfully, freely for the glory of God and the good of others.
PRAY
Heavenly Father,
We thank You for Your Word, which reveals the truth of Your law and the beauty of Your gospel. As we leave here today, may Your law continue to show us our sin, but may it also drive us to Christ, who has perfectly fulfilled it on our behalf.
Strengthen us by Your Spirit to walk in obedience, not as a means of earning favor, but as a response to the grace You have freely given.
Help us to live in the freedom of the gospel, loving You and serving others for Your glory.
And Lord, for those who are here and do not yet know You, we ask that You open their hearts to the gospel.
May they see their need for a Savior, turn from their sin, and trust in Jesus Christ, who offers forgiveness and eternal life.
Call them by Your grace today, and bring them into the joy of Your salvation.
In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.