The Law and the Gospel

1 Timothy 1:8–11 “8 But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully, 9 realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers 10 and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching, 11 according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted.”

“How many of us are aware of the things we ought to be doing for God that we are not doing” (woodhouse)

-message of Christianity often very much dominated by “what you should be doing” (Woodhouse)

Last week.. vs. 7 - wanting to be teachers of the Law, even though they do not understand either what they are saying or the matters about which they make confident assertions.

wanted to be viewed with prestige like wise rabbis… instead resorted to a form of legalism and “righteousness by works” false teaching (McArthur, 1607)

The relationship between the redeemed and the Law

Mosaic Law

-possible from the same group of Judaizers that Paul addressed in Gal. 3-5/ Phil. 3:1-8 (Mcarthur, 1607)

The Law is good

Vs. 8 - “8 But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully,

“good” [kalos] also translated “useful”

Psalm 19:7 “7 The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.”

Romans 7:12 “12 So then, the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.”

The Law is revealed for sinners

Vs. 9a - realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous person,

“Those who think they are righteous will never be saved” (McArthur, 1607)

When Jesus called Matthew… Luke 5:32 “32 “I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.””

false teachers, with their perception of self-achieved righteousness, did not understand the law at all (like the Pharisees)

law was not a means to righteousness, but of revelation/conviction of sin, repentance, and pleading with God for mercy (mcArthur, 1607)

parable of the Pharisee and the publican

Vs. 9b-10 - but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers 10 and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching,

Romans 3:19 “19 Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God;”

-lawless -rebellious -ungodly and sinners -unholy and profane -those who kill fathers and mothers -murderers -immoral men -homosexuals -kidnappers -liars and perjerurs -whatever is contrary to sound teaching

all are violations of the second half of the ten commandments… dealing relationships between people (McArthur 1607)

The law causes sinners to see that they are transgressors of God’s perfect standard… and thereby condemned

John 3:18 “18 “He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

the law “condemns”/”judges”…and those outside of Christ are sentenced.. eternity in hell, separation from God

Galatians 3:24 “24 Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith.”

The Law and the Gospel are inseparably intwined

Vs. 11a - according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God,.”

Vs. 11b - with which I have been entrusted.”

Don’t want you to leave today feeling horribly guilty for the things you have done or for the things you are not doing… if you have a realization, or a convictioj of your own sin, praise God. If you’ve had a grand realizaton