AM Scripture Reading: Romans 2.12-16

This Morning’s Sermon:

Brent T. Willey

Not Without Law

Introduction:

1. God has given humanity “law” from the very beginning of time, both natural and spiritual. Without law, chaos reigns…
2. However, failing to understand God’s plan, that was “promised before time began,” many have characterized Christianity as a relatively new religion. Is that so? (See Titus 1.2 & 2 Tim. 1.9)
3. Humanity is Not Without Law, and never has been…

THE MORAL LAW FROM THE BEGINNING!

1. Moral law has existed from the time Adam & Eve ate the fruit of the knowledge of good & evil. (Gen. 3.1-12, 22)
   1. Cain knew murder was wrong. (Gen. 4.1-10; 1 John 3.12)
   2. Noah preached righteousness. (Gen. 6.5-8; 2 Pet. 2.5)
   3. Pharaoh & Abraham’s wife. (Gen. 12.10-20; 20.1-3)
   4. Abraham intercedes for Sodom. (Gen. 18.16-33; 19.1-29)
2. Unbelief & immorality were “without excuse” (Rom. 1.18-32).

THE MOSAICAL LAW FOR THE ISRAELITES ONLY!

1. The 10 Commandments were written on tablets of stone for the Israelites, not the Gentiles. (Deut. 5.1-3; 6.1-7)
2. Designed to be a temporary law. (Jer. 31.31-34)
   1. The Law served as a tutor for the Jews. (Gal. 3.19-25)
   2. The Law separated the Jews & Gentiles. (Eph. 2.11-18)
   3. Christ fulfilled the Law! (Matt. 5.17; cf., Col. 2.13-17)
   4. Question: Was moral law abolished?

THE GOSPEL “LAW OF LIBERTY” IS FOR ALL!

1. The “gospel of Christ” is God’s powerful plan of salvation for “the Jew first and also for the Greek” (Rom. 1.16-17).
   1. Made possible by Christ’s blood! (Matt. 26.28; Heb. 10.4)
   2. Basis: His death, burial & resurrection… (1 Cor. 15.1-4)
2. This makes it the “perfect law of liberty” (James 1.25).
   1. Liberation from sin… (John 8.32, 36; Rom. 8.2-3)
   2. Not “liberty” to do whatever we want, but to be liberated from sin by being “doers of the word” (James 1.21-25).
   3. Why? Because we shall be “judged by the law of liberty” (James 2.12; cf., John 12.48).

Conclusion: We need law – we need the gospel – we need forgiveness!