(Clip) The Letter Kills
John Piper explains that the 'letter' or the written word, including the law and the gospel, can bring death to those who reject it, but the Spirit brings life to those who receive it.
This sermon delves into the concept that while the letter, whether of the law or the gospel, can bring death, it is the Holy Spirit that brings life. It explores how the message of the gospel can be perceived differently by individuals, either leading to spiritual death or spiritual life based on their response to it.
Full Transcript
I think the answer to the first question, why did you use the word letter instead of law or commandment, is because Paul knows it's not just the law that kills. He said the letter kills the basic building block of words and phrases and sentences and paragraph kills. Shakespearean plays kill, Greek plays kill, philosophy treatises kill, books about coronavirus kill, sermons preached by apostles kill.
They're all made of letters and they all kill. To which you should respond, probably, whoa, that's going too far, because you're turning the text right on its head. If you say that the gospel that the apostles preached kills, what about nine verses earlier when we read this? We gospel preaching apostles are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.
To the one, a fragrance from death to death. To the other, a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? That's 2 Corinthians 2 15 and 16.
In other words, some people smell the aroma of the gospel as a toxic stumbling block, a noxious foolishness, and they die when they hear it. The gospel itself becomes for them a fragrance from death to death. It meets a dead heart and leads to death.
But where the Holy Spirit does his life-giving work, then the gospel is fragrance from life to life. The letter kills, the letter of the law kills, the letter of the gospel kills. But where the spirit is, there's life.
Sermon Outline
-
I
- Explanation of 'letter' versus 'law' or 'commandment'
- The letter as the basic building block of words and texts
- How all written words can 'kill' in a spiritual sense
-
II
- The gospel preached as both a fragrance of life and death
- The dual response of people to the gospel message
- Reference to 2 Corinthians 2:15-16 on the aroma of Christ
-
III
- The letter of the law kills
- The letter of the gospel kills
- The Spirit brings life where the letter kills
Key Quotes
“Paul knows it's not just the law that kills. He said the letter kills the basic building block of words and phrases and sentences and paragraph kills.” — John Piper
“The gospel itself becomes for them a fragrance from death to death. It meets a dead heart and leads to death.” — John Piper
“The letter kills, the letter of the law kills, the letter of the gospel kills. But where the spirit is, there's life.” — John Piper
Application Points
- Recognize that the written word alone can convict but also condemn without the Spirit's work.
- Respond to the gospel with openness to the Spirit to experience life rather than death.
- Understand the dual nature of the gospel's impact depending on the heart's condition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does John Piper use the word 'letter' instead of 'law'?
He uses 'letter' to emphasize that it is not just the law but all written words that can spiritually kill without the Spirit.
How can the gospel 'kill' if it brings life?
The gospel kills those who reject it, acting as a stumbling block, but brings life to those who receive it through the Spirit.
What does the 'aroma of Christ' mean in this context?
It refers to how the gospel is perceived differently—either as a fragrance leading to life or death depending on the listener's response.
What role does the Holy Spirit play according to this sermon?
The Holy Spirit brings life and transforms the letter of the law and gospel from a message that kills to one that gives life.