Law Vs Gospel Preaching

I. EXORDIUM:

Who fulfills the Law in and through us?

The LORD JESUS CHRIST

II. AUDIENCE PROFILE:

Believers/unbelievers

III. OBJECTIVES:

To show that GOD marked the transition of the old testament to the new testament through the entry of John, the Baptist, a marker and now it's Kingdom time for all of us. The Kingdom of GOD is JESUS CHRIST Himself.

IV. TEXT:

Luke 16:16 (Amplified Bible)

Until John came, there were the Law and the Prophets; since then the good news (the Gospel) of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone strives violently to go in [would force his own way rather than God’s way into it].

Parallel:

Matthew 11:13 (Amplified Bible)

For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied up until John.

V. THESIS:

Praise, worship, glorify, adore, bless, honor, acknowledge and thank You very much LORD JESUS for You are the Anointed Messiah who saved me by my belief in You, that's how You made it light, quick and easy for me. HALLELUJAH!!

John 17:3 (Amplified Bible)

And this is eternal life: [it means] to know (to perceive, recognize, become acquainted with, and understand) You, the only true and real God, and [likewise] to know Him, Jesus [as the] Christ (the Anointed One, the Messiah), Whom You have sent.

VI. TITLE:

Law vs gospel preaching

VII. EXPLICATION:

A. Author: Dr. Luke, The Beloved Physician (close friend and traveling companion of Paul)

B. Audience: Theophilus (Greek means friend of GOD, a Christian)

C. Purpose: To give a connected and orderly narrative of the life of CHRIST as seen by eyewitnesses

VIII. MAIN BODY:

Luke 16:16 (Amplified Bible)

Until John came, there were the Law and the Prophets; since then the good news (the Gospel) of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone strives violently to go in [would force his own way rather than God’s way into it].

Luke 16:16 (King James Version)

The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.

A. The Law and the Prophets (Old testament) were until John, the Baptist

"Until John came, there were the Law and the Prophets;"

The time of John the Baptist signals the end of the old testament.

Matthew 11:9-14 (Amplified Bible)

But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and one [out of the common, more eminent, more remarkable, and] superior to a prophet.

This is the one of whom it is written, Behold, I send My messenger ahead of You, who shall make ready Your way before You.

Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

And from the days of John the Baptist until the present time, the kingdom of heaven has endured violent assault, and violent men seize it by force [as a precious prize—a share in the heavenly kingdom is sought with most ardent zeal and intense exertion].

For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied up until John.

And if you are willing to receive and accept it, John himself is Elijah who was to come [before the kingdom].

From human performance (old testament) to GOD's Performance: JESUS CHRIST (new testament). That's how it is. The preaching of the kingdom of GOD started, we have to obey and follow, and be subjected to the Kingdom of GOD, that is the LORD JESUS CHRIST, because He's the Performer not us. His Performance is always perfect, nothing missing, always more than enough.

Hebrews 13:8 (Amplified Bible)

Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is [always] the same, yesterday, today, [yes] and forever (to the ages).

B. Then New testament times started with grace where violent men forced their way into it.

"since then the good news (the Gospel) of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone strives violently to go in [would force his own way rather than God’s way into it]"

Matthew 10:7 (Amplified Bible)

And as you go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand!

Luke 7:26-29 (Amplified Bible)

What then did you go out to see? A prophet (a forthteller)? Yes, I tell you, and far more than a prophet.

This is the one of whom it is written, Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who shall make ready Your way before You.

I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; but he that is inferior [to the other citizens] in the kingdom of God is greater [in incomparable privilege] than he.

And all the people who heard Him, even the tax collectors, acknowledged the justice of God [in calling them to repentance and in pronouncing future wrath on the impenitent], being baptized with the baptism of John.