Law Vs. Grace

I. EXORDIUM:

Are we under the law or under grace?

II. AUDIENCE PROFILE:

Believers

III. OBJECTIVES:

To show the advantages our own dispensation of grace.

IV. TEXT:

Galatians 5:4 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

For if you are trying to make yourselves right with God by keeping the law, you have been cut off from Christ! You have fallen away from God’s grace.

V. THESIS:

If you keep the law to be right with GOD, you have fallen from Grace.

VI. TITLE:

Law vs. Grace

VII. EXPLICATION:

A. Author: Apostle Paul

B. Main Theme: Defense of "Justification by Faith" warnings against "Reversion to Judaism"

C. Date of Writing: Probably 55-60 A.D.

D. Audience: Church in Galatia

E. Key Text: Galatians 5:1

Galatians 5:1 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.

F. Emphatic Words: Faith, grace, liberty and the cross

VIII. MAIN BODY:

A. What is the Law?

Law came from Greek word:"Nomos" meaning generally regulation or law of Moses. (The 10 Commandments)

1. Anyone can easily break the law. (1 John 3:4)

Law is breakable.

1 John 3:4 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

Everyone who sins is breaking God’s law, for all sin is contrary to the law of God.

2. GOD gave the law. (James 4:12)

James 4:12 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

God alone, who gave the law, is the Judge. He alone has the power to save or to destroy. So what right do you have to judge your neighbor?

3. The law refers to the Ten Commandments. (James 2:11)

James 2:11 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

For the same God who said, “You must not commit adultery,” also said, “You must not murder.” So if you murder someone but do not commit adultery, you have still broken the law.

4. The Law offers temporary relief from sins by using blood of animals. (Hebrews 10:8)

Hebrews 10:8 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

First, Christ said, “You did not want animal sacrifices or sin offerings or burnt offerings or other offerings for sin, nor were you pleased with them” (though they are required by the law of Moses).

5. The Law is the old system, a shadow of good things to come. (Hebrews 10:1)

Hebrews 10:1 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

The old system under the law of Moses was only a shadow, a dim preview of the good things to come, not the good things themselves. The sacrifices under that system were repeated again and again, year after year, but they were never able to provide perfect cleansing for those who came to worship.

6. The Law is perfect, right and good. (Romans 7:12)

Romans 7:12 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

But still, the law itself is holy, and its commands are holy and right and good.

7. When you learn to obey it, it gave power to sin. (Romans 7:9-10)

Romans 7:9-10 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

At one time I lived without understanding the law. But when I learned the command not to covet, for instance, the power of sin came to life,

and I died. So I discovered that the law’s commands, which were supposed to bring life, brought spiritual death instead.

B. What is Grace?

Grace came from Greek word: "charis" meaning literal, figurative or spiritual graciousness, especially the Divine influence upon the heart, and it's reflection in the life. Acceptable, benefit, favor, gift, grace, joy, liberality, pleasure, thanks

1. GOD gave us more grace to be holy like Him. (1 Peter 1:2)

1 Peter 1:2 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

God the Father knew you and chose you long ago, and his Spirit has made you holy. As a result, you have obeyed him and have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ. May God give you more and more grace and peace.

2. Grace came when JESUS CHRIST was accepted. (John 1:17)

Something personal

John 1:17 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ.

3. Grace brought salvation to us. (Acts 15:11)

Acts 15:11 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

We believe that we are all saved the same way, by the undeserved grace of the Lord Jesus.”

4. Grace gives permanent solution to sin - forgiveness because of CHRIST's blood. (Ephesians 1:7)

Ephesians 1:7 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.

5. Grace gave us new life. (Ephesians 2:5)

Ephesians 2:5 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)