Grace and Truth

 Temple Baptist Church - 9-7-2022

John 1:17; Hebrews 12:18-24

 

Introduction:

 

A.  Last week, we saw that the Law came through Moses but grace and truth by Jesus Christ.  Here we find the importance of “grace and truth.”  Without truth, law and grace are misunderstood by many.

 

2 Timothy 3:7  Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

 

John 8:32  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

 

Romans 8:3  For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

 

Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ!

 

B.  Why the Law?

 

1.  The Law was God’s perfect standard by with man’s sinfulness is measured. 

 

Romans 7:5-8  For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.  (6)  But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.  (7)  What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.  (8)  But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.

 

2.  The Law was God’s schoolmaster by which man was pointed to Christ Jesus.

 

Galatians 3:22-26  But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.  (23)  But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.  (24)  Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.  (25)  But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.  (26)  For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

 

C.  The Law (Mount Sinai) and Grace and Truth (Mount Sion) contrasted:

 

D.  This contrast is starkly made through the mention of two Mountains, Sinai, and Sion.  Both mountains were important to the Nation of Israel.

 

1.  Mount Sinai, where God met with His people in the wilderness and gave to Moses the Law.  The establishment of the Old Covenant.

 

2.  Mount Sion, where the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world paid the price for the sins of mankind.  The establishment of the New Covenant.

 

E.  In Hebrews 12, we see the stark contrast between Law and Grace.

 

Hebrews 12:18-24  For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,  (19)  And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more:  (20)  (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:  (21)  And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)  (22)  But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,  (23)  To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,  (24)  And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

 

Verse 18, “For ye are not come” – Mount Sinai

 

Verse 22, “But ye are come” – Mount Sion

 

John 1:17  For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

 

1.  Grace and Truth – Mount Sion - A Better Place – Sinai vs. Sion

 

a.  A Place of Fear and Trembling – “and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest”

 

b.  A Place of Joyfulness and Happiness – “the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem”

 

2.  Grace and Truth – Mount Sion - A Better Word – Audible vs. Written

 

a.  God Speaking Audible Word – “And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more”

 

b.  God Speaking through the Written Word – “2 Peter 1:17-19  For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.  (18)  And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.  (19)  We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:”

 

3.  Grace and Truth – Mount Sion - A Better Position – Israel vs. the Church

 

a.  The Nation of Israel – Isaiah 46:13  I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry: and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory.

 

b.  The General Assembly and Church – Ephesians 5:25-27  Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;  (26)  That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,  (27)  That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

 

4.  Grace and Truth – Mount Sion - A Better Sacrifice – Abel’s Sacrifice

 

a.  The Blood of Abel – Hebrews 11:4  By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.

 

b.  The Blood of Christ – 1 Peter 1:18-20  Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with ‘corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;  (19)  But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:  (20)  Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

 

5.  Grace and Truth – Mount Sion - A Better Mediator – Moses vs. Christ

 

a.  Moses – Romans 10:5  For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.

 

b.  Christ – 1 Timothy 2:5-6  For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;  (6)  Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

 

6.  Grace and Truth – Mount Sion - A Better Covenant – Old vs. New

 

John 1:17  For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

 

a.  The Old Covenant of the Law – Acts 13:38-39  Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:  (39)  And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.

 

b.  The New Covenant of Grace – Romans 8:1-3  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  (2)  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.  (3)  For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

 

7.  What the Law Could not do:

 

a.  The Law could not make man a Child of God.  It took grace and truth through propitiation.

 

Ephesians 2:8-9  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  (9)  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

 

b.  The Law could not justify or make man acceptable to God.  It took grace and truth through imputation.

 

Romans 3:20  Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

 

Romans 4:2-5  For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.  (3)  For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.  (4)  Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.  (5)  But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

 

c.  In the eyes of the Law, we remain unjustified and condemned in our sin. It took grace and truth through mediation.

 

1 Corinthians 15:56  The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

 

d. The Law was never to meant to save mankind.  It was to bring about conviction and to bear witness that man desperately needs the righteousness of God.  It took grace and truth through sanctification.

 

Romans 3:21-22  But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;  (22)  Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

 

e.  The Law could never bring comfort and confidence as it brought only conviction and condemnation.  2 Corinthians 3:9 called the Law “the ministration of condemnation.”

 

Romans 7:7  What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.

 

Galatians 3:20-29  Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.  (21)  Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.  (22)  But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.  (23)  But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.  (24)  Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.  (25)  But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.  (26)  For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.  (27)  For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.  (28)  There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.  (29)  And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

 

Conclusion:  The Law came by Moses and we that are saved love the Law as we are not lawless and have need of both the moral and civil laws.  By the same token, I am glad that we are no longer under the ceremonial law as Christ fulfilled the Law its entirety.  We are under grace and truth in our day.

Law vs. Grace and Truth

Temple Baptist Church - 8-31-2022

John 1:15-18

Introduction:

 

A.  I said that I was going to “speed up” preaching on the Gospel of John, but – as a pastor – I see so many things that are pertinent to the doctrinal foundation of the church.

 

B.  In John 1, we find many contrasts.  In our verses for tonight, we find the contrast between law and grace-truth.  It is one of the major theological differences that we face in our day as most denominations and churches teach salvation a mixture of grace and law, i.e., personal merit. 

 

C.  In our text, we find that the Law came by Moses.  Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.  These things draw a contrast in both their person and biblical order.  Law always comes before grace and grace always “trumps” law.

 

D.  When I critique other churches, I want you to understand that I am not being critical in a wrong way.  Their teachings are between them and God.  I am not their pastor but, as a Biblicist, I place God’s Word over any and all who correct it.  The Bible is the final authority on all issues of both faith and practice.  Agree with it or disagree with it, you cannot change it!

 

E.  Tonight, I want to look at three things concerning the Law that I feel need to be addressed.

 

1.  The Person of the Law.  Moses, not Christ Jesus.  In verse 17, we find Moses and Christ Jesus contrasted.  Moses was a very special man as God chose him to deliver the children of Israel from the bondage of Egypt and to take them into the Promised Land of Canaan.

 

Moses brought them to Mount Sinai where he trembled and quaked in the Presence of God

 

Christ Jesus brought them to Mount Sion, where the people rejoiced in the Presence of God.

 

Hebrews 12:18-21  For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,  (19)  And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more:  (20)  (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:  (21)  And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)

 

Hebrews 12:22-23  But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,  (23)  To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

 

Moses could not take Israel into the Promised Land.

 

Christ Jesus will take His people into the Eternal Promised Land.

 

Deuteronomy 34:4-6  And the LORD said unto him, This is the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, saying, I will give it unto thy seed: I have caused thee to see it with thine eyes, but thou shalt not go over thither.  (5)  So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD.  (6)  And he buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, over against Bethpeor: but no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day.

 

Moses was faithful IN his house.

 

Christ Jesus was faithful OVER His house.

 

Hebrews 3:5-6  And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after;  (6)  But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end

 

Moses was a Servant of God whose deliverance was Temporal.

 

Christ Jesus was the Son of God whose deliverance was Eternal.

 

Revelation 15:3  And they sing the song of Moses the servant of.God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. 

 

2.  The Purpose of the Law. 

 

The Law was a perfect standard whereas the sinner could not be perfect.

 

The Law was our Schoolmaster to bring us to faith in Christ whereas Christ was our Saviour who delivered us from the penalty of the Law.

 

Galatians 3:22-26  But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.  (23)  But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.  (24)  Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.  (25)  But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.  (26)  For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

 

Galatians 4:1-7  Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;  (2)  But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.  (3)  Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:  (4)  But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,  (5)  To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.  (6)  And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.  (7)  Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

 

3.  The Perversion of the Law.  In the perversion of the Law, people “cherry pick” which sins are either permissible or looked over and which sins cause the eternal judgment of God to damn the sinner or saint.

 

Personal Merit is necessary in Salvation.

 

Galatians 3:10-13  For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.  (11)  But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.  (12)  And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.  (13)  Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

 

Ephesians 2:8-9  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  (9)  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

 

Personal Merit is necessary in Security of Salvation.

 

Galatians 3:1-3  O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?  (2)  This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?  (3)  Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? 

Failing The Grace of God

Temple Baptist Church - 8-5-2020

Hebrews 12:14-15

 

Introduction:

 

A.  Verse 15 is an interesting verse when it is interpreted within its context.

 

1.  Verses 1-3 – Our Witnesses, those who have maintained their Christian character in adverse circumstances; Our Race, particular to each individual; Our example, the Lord Jesus Christ’s suffering.

 

2.  Verses 4-14 – Our Chastening when we fail; Our Restoration when we repent; Our Shame when we become castaway.

 

3.  Our context is about Faith and Following!  Hebrews, chapter 11, is about Faith while chapter 12 is about Following that same Faith.

 

B.  Verse 15 looks at our Potential Failure and gives an Old Testament example: Esau.

 

C.  I want to look at the phrase “Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God.”

 

D.  First, I want to look at this phrase in the reverse, then we will look at it the way that it is written. 

 

“God of grace … fail man” 

 

1.  Can the God of grace fail man?  The biblical answer is “no.”  Did God fail Esau?  No, God did not fail Esau, Esau failed God!

 

a.  He has never failed an individual.  Deuteronomy 31:6  Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

 

b.  He has never lost a battle.  Psalms 24:8  Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.

 

c.  He has never forsaken His own.  Hebrews 13:5-6  Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.  (6)  So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

 

2.  Can the grace of God fail man?  Again, the biblical answer is “no.”  Did the grace of God fail Esau?  No!  Esau failed the grace of God.

 

a.  God’s grace is always available.  1 Corinthians 10:12-13  Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.  (13)  There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

 

b.  God’s grace is always sufficient.  2 Corinthians 12:7-10  And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.  (8)  For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.  (9)  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  (10)  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

 

c.  God’s grace is always abounding.  Romans 5:20  Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:

 

d.  God’s grace is always manifold.  1 Peter 4:10  As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

 

“Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God.”

 

1.  Can man fail of the grace of God?  The biblical answer is “yes.”  Thus, Esau!  I do not want to deal with Esau tonight, but he is the “sterling” example used by God. 

 

a.  Men can fail of the grace of God through Discouragement. 

 

Numbers 21:4  And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way.  (Doubting what God can do.)

 

b.  Men can fail of the grace of God through Deception.

 

Deuteronomy 11:16  Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them;  (Deceived about who God is.)

 

c.  Men can fail of the grace of God through Doubt.

 

Hebrews 3:17-19  But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness?  (18)  And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?  (19)  So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.  (Doubting what God promised.)

 

d.  Men can fail of the grace of God through Disobedience.

 

1 Samuel 12:15  But if ye will not obey the voice of the LORD, but rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall the hand of the LORD be against you, as it was against your fathers.  (Disobedient to what God said.  Men are so quick to blame God for their personal failures and quit.)

 

Now, how not to fail of the grace of God.

 

1.  Be Watchful – “Looking diligently”  Keep a spiritual temperature check on self.

 

2.  Be Careful – “lest any man fail”  Yes, it could happen to you or me.

 

3.  Be Content – “the grace of God”  God’s grace is available and sufficient  for every trial.