Sent to Declare Superior Grace

Advent season - another word for Christmas - church calendar - a season of anticipation.

And in Advent - as we anticipate celebrating the birth of Jesus - we consider the anticipation the people felt for Jesus to come, not just as a savior, but as the Messiah - the Jewish King.

High school lunch room, a brutal 30-45 minutes of feasting.

For our school, there were 3 lines you could choose from - the first 2 lines were identical - serving the same food - and it was where us kids with free and reduced lunch would go to get our subsidized meals.

When I grew up, I qualified for free and reduced lunch. There

We got trays, and they’d give us the option between a soy burger kept warm in a plastic bag, which was consistently mediocre, but with enough ketchup, it was delicious. You could usually choose between the burger and some sort of meat with brown gravy. Then you could choose between krinkle cut fries or a side of canned vegetables.

Then i’d grab a carton of chocolate milk and slide my well balanced meal to the keypad that held my credits - 379001 - that was my code - i’d give the lunch lady $2 dollars and i’d have lunch for a week. 0.40 cents a day.

Sometimes it was hard to stomach those meals.

379001 - that was my code - i’d give the lunch lady $2 dollars and i’d have lunch for a week. 0.40 cents a day.

Advent season - another word for Christmas - church calendar - a season of anticipation.

And in Advent - as we anticipate celebrating the birth of Jesus - we consider the anticipation the people felt for Jesus to come, not just as a savior, but as the Messiah - the Jewish King. And we have this knowledge from the Old testament.

[Transition] What does any of this have to do with the Bible?

It was the meal I could afford. It was the meal I had prepared for me, a meal with many restrictions but it would nourish nonetheless.

[Transition] What does any of this have to do with the Bible?

This

I know, without even having real green beans, that these soggy, 1 inch flattened green rectangles were once a crisp growing green bean processed in a factory to ensure that it could be preserved in a can.

Like this will do - but it’s somewhat of a shadow of the fullness of a thanksgiving meal.

When I

It’s a shadow of the meal that megan prepared for me over thanksgiving.

Now, when I compare my reduced lunch meal to a robust thanksgiving meal - i mean, it’s not even fair. Cafeteria lunch is like a shadow of the meal that many of us ate over thanksgiving.

But this provisional meal

[Transition] What does any of this have to do with the Bible?

But nutritionally, it was probably fine, but if i didn’t like the taste, i’d go without it.

I would pick and choose

I generally ate sumtuasly

The kids who had money, $20 dollars a week instead of $2, they’d always have chicken tenders, curly fries, and a soft drink.

We didn’t have that hand made meal,

Then there were those kids who packed their lunch - with sandwiches that had multi-colored lettuce, and chips. Or those kids who had the lunchable pizzas - that were always so good, but never that good.

What I am going to say will likely rub some of you the wrong way,

Well, for one, i think

hard time stomaching the old testament. Well, I think some of us have difficulty making sense of parts of the Old testament.

Well, I think some of us have difficulty stomaching or making sense of parts of the Old testament - I have often heard that the Old Testament is where God was mean and the New Testament is where God lightens up.

At a quick glance, the Old Testament seems to be where God is tempermental, reactive, and acting like a early parent dealing with kids in their terrible twos. He would then give them laws to hem them in, touching every facet of life, from laundry to diet.

I have heard some even say that the Old Testament is where God required law keeping in order for salvation, and the New testament did away with that.

And if that’s kind of how you feel, even though you may not feel like a qualified Bible scholar, it’s how a lot of people feel - and I am glad you’re here, to hear something that may give you a more generous view of the Old Testament.

If that’s where you are - I am glad you are here, I hope to cast a new light on a few parts of the Old Testament.

Now some of you feel that the Old testament and the covenant / law given through Moses is the same covenant as the New Testament covenant in Jesus. This connection is most apparently seen in how baptism and circumcision function in the same ways. There are some who emphasize the continuity between the New and Old covenants, which I believe to be true, but the new testament has more to say than connecting the covenants.

So if I am able to do what i hope - I hope to shine new light on each of these perspectives and hopefully come away with deeper confidence when reading our Bibles.

And in Advent - as we anticipate celebrating the birth of Jesus - His arrival on earth as a babe makes little sense without a view of the old testament law and covenant he came to fulfill.

And in Advent - as we anticipate celebrating the birth of Jesus - I think we have a more full, beautiful picture if we recognize the new and old covenant.

One story, where new and bigger things develop over time.

The word covenant in every day life is mostly used in the context of In marriage. Someone promises their life to be joined with the other - where we often understand the marriage covenant to be someone who promises to someone else thieir

And I am going to seek to all of this framed by the words of .

John 1:14–15 ESV

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’ ”)

(6:39 min)

NIV: grace in place of grace

For three and a half years I worked for a company, that in many sense, understood itself in a sort of divine way. The banks have money - deposits - your deposits - and the banks decide how to invest

John has just finished describing that the Word - the Word can be simply understood as the Son of God who makes God known - theological terms would describe this as God’s self-revelation of God - Jesus, the son of God, became flesh and dwelt among us, and made God known to us. John, the author, states that he has seen Jesus’ glory - and verses 16-17 are how he describes what he sees.

Actually - quite a bit -

John 1:16–17 ESV

For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

walked into an office at JPMorgan Chase, and I’d check to ensure that

I am going to try to do 2 things today -

Be grateful for the Old Testament and old covenant.

I am going to try to help us gain an appreciation for the Old Testament - which is probably best understood as the First Testament. In the Old Testament we are introduced to the importance relationship with God through covenants - which I’ll go into more detail later.

Second, I am going to try to help paint a picture of the beauty of the new covenant. And address some of the scriptures that we grapple with in how the New Testament describes the Old Covenant.

And I am going to seek to all of this framed by the words of .

When you hear the word covenant - what first comes to mind?

There is something in christian theology called “Covenant Theology.”

When you hear the word covenant - what first comes to mind?

In speaking of Jesus, the Word become flesh, from His fullness - I love the idea of Jesus being the fullness - but what is he the fullness of?

I have heard it said that if you cut the new testament, it bleeds the old testament.

Read the 10 commandments, read the curses,

In judaism, the law became an end in itself, something that could be separated from Moses through whom it was given.

So whatever we have, we only receive because Jesus overflowed with this. Remember you cannot give what you do not have, and the way you give without resentment is by giving out of the overflow.

Jesus does not give out his love, forgiveness, by pouring out of a cup.

John 1:14–15 ESV

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’ ”)

Jesus is like a fountain overflows with this stuff. He overflows in such a way that you are filled by drawing closer to him and we receive his overflow of grace.

John 1:16–17 ESV

For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

In speaking of Jesus, the Word become flesh, from His fullness - I love the idea of Jesus being the fullness - but what is he the fullness of?

Well, the next part of the verse tells us - grace upon grace.

What did Jesus fulfill?

Well, the next part of the verse tells us - grace upon grace.

First - what is grace?

Jesus, was full of grace and truth.

(10min) Grace is one of those great words that Christians use that can slowly start to lose its meaning - or people who don’t speak out language have a vague idea of what we’re saying.

The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary Grace (Old Testament)

Grace is the favor of God to human beings.

Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary Grace

Undeserved acceptance and love received from another.

Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible Grace

Grace is the dimension of divine activity that enables God to confront human indifference and rebellion with an inexhaustible capacity to forgive and to bless. God is gracious in action

Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary Grace

Undeserved acceptance and love received from another.

In other words, our human grace is but a shadow to the grace of God - which is ultimately his love and acceptance to move towards us when we do not deserve it.

So Jesus is full of grace, and he overflows grace, and therefore, we receive his grace.

But we don’t just have grace, we have grace upon grace. Grace upon grace. What does this mean? I think we must look at the next verse.

Let’s see how grace upon grace relates to the next verse

John 1:17 ESV

For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

John 1:16–17 ESV

For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Now, I think that grace upon grace parallels to the law given through moses; and grace and truth that came through jesus Christ.

the grace in the law that we were given through moses and the grace and truth that came through Jesus Christ.

Now, I think that grace upon grace parallels to the law given through moses; and grace and truth that came through jesus Christ.

the grace in the law that we were given through moses and the grace and truth that came through Jesus Christ.

Now, I think that grace upon grace parallels to the law given through moses; and grace and truth that came through jesus Christ.

now if this is true, there are varying opinions on how to translate upon - which is the greek word, upon.

how do we define grace anti grace.

If it is a parallel, we have the law given through Moses described as grace. So those of you who feel like the Old Testament is of a utterly different story - the New Testament does not draw that distinction. The gospel of John understands that the law given through Moses as a GRACE, as God’s unmerited favor to human beings who needed those laws as a new people.

Today - we understand that this law of Moses points to Jesus - and without this Law - Jesus makes no sense.

PREPOSITIONS: Now there is debate about how to translate and therefore interpret this extremely important preposition - upon. If you aren’t familiar with a preposition - they are among the hardest words to translate in the greek language. For example holy spirit in the old testament was on people, now he is in people. MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE.

In other words

They have a wide range of meaning - so i’ll offer a way of interpreting it and then explain why that matters.

some have interpreted this as: corresponds to, in return for (a trade or quid pro quo has never been used of the biblical grace), (most popular) upon, or in addition to, but these do not fit the following context which sets up a contrast

But epi would have been used for upon not anti

epi would have been used for upon not anti

[slide] Therefore, anti’s most common translation is: for, in place of, instead of.

“Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given.” (NIV).

So if it read, grace instead of or in place of grace, what does that mean?

So if it read, grace instead of grace, what does that mean?

Exodus 34:5–6 ESV

The Lord descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the Lord. The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness,

Well, it means that the covenant of the law is seen as a gracious gift from God, but is now replaced by a further gracious gift - the grace and truth embodied in Jesus Christ.

The covenant of law, then, is seen as a gracious gift from God, now replaced by a further gracious gift, the ‘grace and truth’ embodied in Jesus Christ—here named for the first time as the human being who is nothing other than the Word-made-flesh.

Carson, D. A. (1991). The Gospel according to John (p. 132). Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; W.B. Eerdmans.

The covenant of law, then, is seen as a gracious gift from God, now replaced by a further gracious gift, the ‘grace and truth’ embodied in Jesus Christ—here named for the first time as the human being who is nothing other than the Word-made-flesh.

Carson, D. A. (1991). The Gospel according to John (p. 132). Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; W.B. Eerdmans.

John 1:18 ESV

No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.

The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Gospel according to John I. The Prologue (1:1–18)

That grace is necessarily greater than the ‘grace’ of the law whose function, in John’s view, was primarily to anticipate the coming of the Word.

Evidence of the contrasting nature of graces is further paralleled in 1:18 -

John 1:18 ESV

No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.

Moses had never seen God, but Jesus the Only God, who is at the Father’s side, has made him known.

Evidence of the contrasting nature of graces is further paralleled in 1:18 - Moses had never seen God, but Jesus the Only God, who is at the Father’s side, has made him known.

Moses saw God veiled - he could not see the light - he had to be in shadow to be in the presence of God - while JESUS IS THE LIGHT THAT SHINES.

18 min.

The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Gospel according to John I. The Prologue (1:1–18)

That grace is necessarily greater than the ‘grace’ of the law whose function, in John’s view, was primarily to anticipate the coming of the Word. This interpretation is reinforced if we accept the parallelism between v. 17 and v. 18 (suggested by Ibuki, p. 205): v. 17b is to v. 17a what v. 18b is to v. 18a.

Exodus 34:5–6 ESV

The Lord descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the Lord. The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness,

THE LAW:

If the law (Torah - instruction) could give life, it would have and a person wouldn’t have been needed.

We see further “instead of or in place of” language throughout the New Testament.

Galatians 3:21 ESV

Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law.

a way of thinking - all we need is information. a person.

The most harsh treatment of the old testament law is in Hebrews - as it describes the law as weak and useless - making nothing perfect.

In judaism, the law became an end in itself, something that could be separated from Moses through whom it was given. the law became a weapon. But Jesus gave himself as the grace, therefore, to engage the grace and truth of Jesus cannot be separated from his very person - his dwelling among us.

The law (Torah - instruction) points us to our need for Christ, and the Christ leads us to being able to obey the law.

The most harsh treatment of the old testament law is in Hebrews - as it describes the law as weak and useless - making nothing perfect.

The law points us to our need for Christ, and the Christ leads us to

Hebrews 7:18–19 ESV

For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.

a better hope is introduced - JESUS - through which we draw near to God.

Galatians 3:22 ESV

But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

We too

As the people of God have grown, the relationship grows and changes, and therefore, new graces are shown and revealed in relationship.

Galatians 3:21 ESV

Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law.

If the law (Torah - instruction) could give life, it would have and a person wouldn’t have been needed.

Now I don’t want to take this illustration too far, but I want to give one more point about the Law.

You again might say, okay - we have the Law - it was a form of graciousness from God - why did Jesus need to come to fulfill the law?

If the law (Torah - instruction) could give life, it would have, and righteousness would be by the law.

Galatians 3:21 ESV

Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law.

Galatians 3:21–22 ESV

Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law. But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

If the law (Torah - instruction) could give life, it would have and a person wouldn’t have been needed.

Galatians 3:21 ESV

Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law.

If the law (Torah - instruction) could give life, it would have, and righteousness would be by the law. But it isn’t.

Galatians 3:23–26 ESV

Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. 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, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.

If the law (Torah - instruction) could give life, it would have and a person wouldn’t have been needed.

If the law (Torah - instruction) could give life, it would have, and righteousness would be by the law.

It’s a way of thinking - all we need is information.

No - we don’t need more information - we need a person - we need the very presence of God to save us.

The most harsh treatment of the old testament law is in Hebrews - as it describes the law as weak and useless - making nothing perfect.

Hebrews 7:18–19 ESV

For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.

a better hope is introduced - JESUS - through which we draw near to God.

In judaism, the law became an end in itself, something that could be separated from Moses through whom it was given. the law became a weapon. But Jesus gave himself as the grace, therefore, to engage the grace and truth of Jesus cannot be separated from his very person - his dwelling among us.

In Judaism, the law became an end in itself, something that could be separated from Moses through whom it was given. the law became a weapon. But Jesus gave himself as the grace, therefore, to engage the grace and truth of Jesus cannot be separated from his very person - his dwelling among us.

Galatians 3:23-

The law (Torah - instruction) points us to our need for Christ, and the Christ leads us to being able to obey the law.

The law kept and keeps us humble by showing us God’s heart, our limitations, our need for forgiveness, and God’s provision. Jesus provides that forgiveness in his person by choosing to take the pain.

so then - the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we may be justified by faith.

When I look back at my cafeteria lunch meals - I am grateful for those meals.

Faith produces family - not by blood - but my a love that binds us.

Looking back, I am grateful for those meals.

It was the meal I could afford. It was the meal I had prepared for me, a meal with many restrictions but it would nourish nonetheless.

The old covenant -

[transition] Now when I tasted the cafeteria meal, I seemed to understand, deep within my soul, or deep within my stomach, that this food is is but a shadow of a home cooked meal.

I think the Old Testament sometimes feels like the cafeteria food, which points me to the fullest meal.

For a period of time, the grace of the cafeteria food will do - but it’s purpose was never to be the end, but to point me to the fullness of a thanksgiving meal.

This cafeteria food will do - but it’s somewhat of a shadow of the fullness of a thanksgiving meal.

For a period of time, the grace of the cafeteria food will do - but it’s purpose was never to be the end, but to point me to the fullness of a thanksgiving meal.

the grandness of the table that is set by Jesus.

So for those who read the Old Testament and struggle - know that every piece of it is meant to point us forward to the arrival of God with us, in person, in Jesus. The signs are all over the Old Testament.

So for those who read the Old Testament and struggle - know that every piece of it is meant to point us forward to the arrival of God with us, in person, in Jesus. The signs and the beauty is all over the Old Testament.

Exodus 34:5–6 ESV

The Lord descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the Lord. The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness,

Now, when I compare my reduced lunch meal to a robust thanksgiving meal - i mean, it’s not even fair. Cafeteria lunch is like a shadow of the meal that many of us ate over thanksgiving.

descended.

The Lord descended in a cloud.

WE NEED TO STOP POINTING TO CLOUDS.

WE ARE SENT TO PROCLAIM THE SUPERIOR GRACE.

people need more than a cloud. WE NEED A PERSON.

I spoke to anticipating Jesus - part of what we need to understand is how his grace is different than anything else in the world.

Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible Grace

No other system of religious thought, past or present, contains an emphasis on divine grace comparable to that of the Bible.

But when they see you, will they see canned beans - or will they see a meal prepared with love, with grace?

So when I sat at the lunch table,

I saw all the wealthy kids and their chicken tenders, curly fries, and ice cream sandwich desserts.

I saw the wealthy healthy kids, with their brown bread sandwiches, multi-colored lettuce, and that fresh cut deli meat that had orange seasoning along the edge.

and I saw the poor kids with parents who did their best, with their white bread, mayo, cheese, and the thinnest piece of deli meat.

So when someone sits at our metaphorical lunch table, and we see them eating a lesser grace, will we incite people to eat with us? Will we share our meal? Will we show and tell of the superior grace of Jesus. JESUS IS THE SUPREME - GLORIOUS - BEAUTIFUL GRACE.

We must show and tell of the superior grace of Jesus. JESUS IS THE SUPREME - GLORIOUS - BEAUTIFUL GRACE.

If it’s been a while since you’ve feasted on the glorious Jesus - take that connection card and please, let us know that you want to learn what it looks like to see Jesus in this way.

32 min.

The kids who had money, $20 dollars a week instead of $2, they’d always have chicken tenders, curly fries, and a soft drink.

Then there were those kids who packed their lunch - with sandwiches that had multi-colored lettuce, and chips. Or those kids who had the lunchable pizzas - that were always so good, but never that good.

so when I sat at the lunch table,

So when I sat at the lunch table,

I saw all the wealthy kids and their chicken tenders and curly fries.

I saw the wealthy healthy kids, with their brown bread sandwiches, multi-colored lettuce, and that fresh cut deli meat that had orange seasoning along the edge.

and I saw the poor kids with parents who did their best, with their white bread, mayo, cheese, and the thinnest piece of deli meat.

and then there were the free and reduced kids - with our soy burgers, mystery meat, and canned vegetables.

or i saw the kid with the overpriced lunchables -

All forms of grace, gifts from our guardians - but there will be one who takes away every

extra -

[1] Whitacre, R. A. (1999). John (Vol. 4, p. 59). Westmont, IL: IVP Academic.

extra -

Pillar Commentary: This grace answers to the ḥeseḏ of the Old Testament—God’s covenant-keeping, gracious love. Truth answers to ’emeṯ, God’s covenant-keeping, faithful reliability in which there is nothing false or deceitful. The two terms occur together in the very next story in Exodus when God graciously gives two new stone tablets. “Then the LORD came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the LORD. And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness” (34:5–6). The God of the Old Testament, who was “abounding in love and faithfulness,” is now revealed in the Son who is full of grace and truth.[1]

[1] Whitacre, R. A. (1999). John (Vol. 4, p. 59). Westmont, IL: IVP Academic.

Dress clothes are those kind of clothes you wear once in a while, that remind you of how your body has changed since the last time you’ve worn it.

The word covenant in every day life is mostly used in the context of In marriage. Someone promises their life to be joined with the other - where we often understand the marriage covenant to be someone who promises to someone else thieir

For three and a half years I worked for a company, that in many sense, understood itself in a sort of divine way. The banks have money - deposits - your deposits - and the banks decide how to invest

Dress clothes are those kind of clothes you wear once in a while, that remind you of how your body has changed since the last time you’ve worn it.

walked into an office at JPMorgan Chase, and I’d check to ensure that

The word covenant in every day life is mostly used in the context of In marriage. Someone promises their life to be joined with the other - where we often understand the marriage covenant to be someone who promises to someone else thieir

Actually - quite a bit -

I am going to try to do 2 things today -

Be grateful for the Old Testament and old covenant.

I am going to try to help us gain an appreciation for the Old Testament - which is probably best understood as the First Testament. In the Old Testament we are introduced to the importance relationship with God through covenants - which I’ll go into more detail later.

Second, I am going to try to help paint a picture of the beauty of the new covenant. And address some of the scriptures that we grapple with in how the New Testament describes the Old Covenant.

The law revealed that we were in a corner, and the law revealed that we were stuck in the corner - Jesus brought us out of that corner.

For three and a half years I worked for a company, that in many sense, understood itself in a sort of divine way. The banks have money - deposits - your deposits - and the banks decide how to invest

so then - the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we may be justified by faith.

walked into an office at JPMorgan Chase, and I’d check to ensure that

but now that faith has come - Jesus Christ is the very person of faith. He is the answer to our faith. He is the answer to the hope. The faith has arrived, we don’t need our guardian that watched over us giving us belief in something, that something arrived in Christ - for in Christ, we are FAMILY.

Actually - quite a bit -

Faith produces family - not by blood - but my a love that binds us.

I am going to try to do 2 things today -

Be grateful for the Old Testament and old covenant.

At the lunch table, everyone seemed to have a different meal.