Does the Law Save Me? – Homiletic Plot Sermon

Movement A – Does the Law Save Me?

Text: Rom 2:1-16

Focus Verse: 12 All who have sinned apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. 13 For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but the doers of the law who will be justified. (Rom 2:12-13)

Many within the congregation strive to live a holy life according to 1 Pet 1:16, however, many Christians have made a list of “things” that we call holiness. Instead of falling in love with the characteristics of God, we fall in love with a list of “things” that make us saved? Or do they?

Movement B – I Dress the Part, Act the Part, and Even Speak the Language

Many of us in this place dress in modest apparel. We are thankful that our children are known for being wholesome and enjoy the compliments from other parents at school. At the same time, we’ve faced the cruel statements of those parents who think they’re stuck up because they dress differently.

Many of us can talk the talk

- We can tell the good news when asked

- We can explain what new birth is

- We can even talk about a few christianise words from Bible school

The real question, however, is are we holy? What did Jesus classify as holy? Have we met that expectation or are we just like everyone else trying to get by in this hustling and bustling world?

Movement C – Jesus’ Issue with Those Who Lived By the Law

Jesus called out the Pharisees in Matt 23:1-36 (Whitewashed walls)

- Do as they teach, but not as they do

Those who believed in the afterlife and were deemed “spiritual,” had fallen into the trap of being unable to practice what they preached. They taught the Law of Moses, however, they could not apply it within their own lives.

Jesus called the people to wholesome followership with untainted eyes. The Scribes and Pharisees judged the people’s actions based on Law, which they failed to follow themselves. Jesus, however, called for the people to apply the very premise of the 10 commandments (decalogue) found in Mt 22:34-40.

34 When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, 35 and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. 36 “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” 37 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.’ 38 This is the greatest and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

Movement D – The Gospel: Love God and love people!

Jesus boiled 1000 years of Law down into two commandments – love God and love people! Think about it, if the Israelites could have gotten these two laws down, would they have needed all the rest? While the Law in the Old Testament was given to preserve through faith, Jesus gave the Law written upon the hearts of his people to save for eternity!

Today, many of us are separated from the world, but let me ask you this: what is your relationship like with Christ? Is it rocky? As I’ve not talked to him in months rocky? Or could you improve on your daily devotions and prayer time? Regardless of where you stand, we all could improve on our relationship with God.

What is your relationship like with your brother and/or sister? Is it right or do you harbor bitterness? If so, today is the day to make it right! Not next week, the week after, or even next year, but now!

Today, as I open these alters, I’d encourage you to make your way to front. Allow Christ to speak to your heart and draw you to true holiness.

“Lord I want to fall in love with more than a list of things. I want to fall in love with you as my savior! Help me to love your people, as you love me. Help me to make myself right with my brother and sister.”