Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday evening, Mar. 30,, 2003, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia.

THE DOCTRINE OF GOD’S LAW

By Michael D. O’Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia

Scripture Reading: Romans 7:1-14

Text: Romans 7:12

Romans 7:12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.

Introduction: There has been controversy over the last decade or so about whether or not the 10 Commandments should be posted in government buildings, including government schools.

Many Christians, wanting to rightly divide the word of truth, and understanding that we live in the New Testament, sometimes wonder about the place of the ten commandments in their own lives.

The Bible says in our scripture reading that the law is holy, just, good, and spiritual. As time allows tonight, I want to speak to you and show you what the Bible says about the law, especially the 10 commandments.

I. THE INABILITY OF THE LAW

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:

The above verse says the law COULD NOT DO some things.

A. It was unable to put away sins

Hebrews 10:4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.

B. It was unable to perfect anything

Hebrews 7:19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.

C. It was unable to produce justification

- Galatians 3:21 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.

Galatians 3:11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

II. THE INSTITUTION OF THE LAW

Galatians 3:19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.

Note the word, “added.” The law was not given until Moses!

A. There was a period for the law

It wasn’t given until about 2,500 years after Adam!
And notice “till” — it had an ENDING point, as well!

B. There was a people for the law

A proud, polluted people
The Jews came from Egypt by God’s grace. When they were free, they felt they were better than others! Yet, in addition to their pride, they had brought a mixed multitude with them from Egypt, the land of Ham, and we find from further observation in the Bible that they also picked up African (Egyptian) music, mythology, and morals!

III. THE INSISTENCE OF THE LAW

Deuteronomy 6:25 And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the LORD our God, as he hath commanded us.

James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

A. Hearing or possessing the law is not enough

It must be DONE!

B. Half or a part of the law is not enough

It must be ALL done!

IV. THE INFECTION OF THE LAW

Galatians 3:10 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.

The law brings a CURSE! –>

A. Because of unfulfilled commandments

B. Upon a universal company

V. THE INSTRUCTION OF THE LAW

Galatians 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

A. The law shows the wickedness of man

Romans 5:20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:

B. The law shows the wrongness of man

Romans 3:19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

C. The law shows the weakness of man

No one has ever kept the law!
John 7:19 Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me?

VI. INDEPENDENCE FROM THE LAW

Galatians 3:13 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:

How it happened:

A. Jesus bore our sins

B. Jesus became a curse for us

C. Jesus blotted the law out

Colossians 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

D. Jesus broke it down as a wall separating Jews and Gentiles

Ephesians 2:14-16 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; 16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

VII. THE INTERCHANGE WITH THE LAW

Romans 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

The key words here are “for righteousness.” We are not under the law FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS before God, but under Christ and His grace. The law is still holy, just, and good, and we will, as God permits, spend some time in weeks to come, studying what the Bible says about the Ten Commandments. However, for righteousness, the law has been replaced:

A. By the Redeemer

B. By reliance in Him

C. By the righteousness of GOD without works, through faith in Him

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:

“Free from the law, O happy condition,
Jesus has bled and there is remission,
Cursed by the law and bruised by the fall,
Grace hath redeemed us once for all.
Once for all, O sinner receive it!
Once for all, O brother, believe it!
Cling to the cross, the burden will fall,
Grace hath redeemed us once for all.”