Matthew 5:17
Christ fulfilled the law and gives us a new nature that desires Him, leading us to salvation and righteousness.
Chuck Smith discusses the relationship between Christ and the Law and Prophets, emphasizing that Jesus came to fulfill the prophecies and the Law, which includes moral, judicial, and ceremonial aspects. He explains that while the Law cannot make one righteous or forgive sins, it serves to reveal sin and our helplessness, ultimately leading us to Christ. Smith also highlights that grace empowers believers to uphold the Law, as God writes His laws on our hearts, transforming our nature to desire Him. The sermon underscores the importance of understanding the Old Testament in light of Christ's fulfillment and the believer's ongoing relationship with the Law.
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"LAW AND PROPHETS"
Intro: Some views toward Old Testament.
I. CHRIST RELATIONSHIP TO LAW AND PROPHETS.
A. Prophets and prophesies. "He came to fulfill."
1. 300 prophetic details of His Life completely and literally fulfilled.
a. Birth, life - death.
b. "I have come as it is written of me in the volume of the Book."
c. "Search the scriptures."
B. Law - Moral, Judicial, Ceremonial.
1. Moral 10 Commandments. He lived up to them completely.
2. Judicial (Laws to a particular nation applied for time and place.
3. Ceremonial - Sacrifices and offerings for sin.
a. Here lies understanding of cross.
b. Christ was making atonement.
c. Note - vial rent - Temple and altar destroyed.
II. BELIEVERS PRESENT RELATION TO LAW AND PROPHETS. WHOLE CANON OF OLD TESTAMENT.
A. Read and believe.
1. Some have difficulty believing only because of their limited concept of God.
B. Relationship to law.
1. Does Grace eliminate Law?
a. Grace gives power to keep law.
b. Jeremiah saw the day when God would write law on fleshly tables of
our heart.
By this is meant.
2. Believers and 10 Commandments.
3. Believers and Judicial Law.
4. Believers and Ceremonial Law.
III. WHAT THE LAW CANNOT DO NEVER INTENDED TO DO.
A. Make one righteous.
B. Forgive sins.
IV. PURPOSE OF LAW.
A. Reveal sin.
B. Reveal our helplessness.
C. Lead us to Christ.
V. CHRIST IN TURN GIVES US A NEW NATURE WITH DESIRE TOWARDS HIM.
A. "Work nut your own salvation."
B. Rom.8:3,4 What the Law could not do because of weakness of flesh. Righteous of law
fulfilled by us who walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit.
Sermon Outline
- I. Christ's Relationship to Law and Prophets
- A. Prophets and Prophecies
- B. Law - Moral, Judicial, Ceremonial
- II. Believers' Present Relationship to Law and Prophets
- A. Read and Believe
- B. Relationship to Law
- III. What the Law Cannot Do
- A. Make One Righteous
- B. Forgive Sins
- IV. Purpose of Law
- A. Reveal Sin
- B. Reveal Our Helplessness
- C. Lead Us to Christ
- V. Christ Gives Us a New Nature
Key Quotes
“He came to fulfill.” — Chuck Smith
“I have come as it is written of me in the volume of the Book.” — Chuck Smith
“Search the scriptures.” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- We must read and believe the whole canon of Old Testament scripture.
- The law reveals our helplessness and leads us to Christ, ultimately pointing us to the cross.
- Christ gives us a new nature with a desire towards Him, empowering us to live a righteous life.