Covenent Christian Reformed Church
Winnipeg, Canada
OUTLINE FOR THE SERMON, JULY 19, 2009
Pastor Peter Hogeterp
Title: ARE WE PEOPLE OF LAW OR PEOPLE OF GRACE? (1st in a Series on Paradoxes)
Scripture Readings: Deuteronomy 31:9-13; Joshua 1:7,8; Romans 6:11-14; Ephesians 1:7
Introduction:
The place of the reading of the Law in Worship has changed over the years. So has our attitude toward law: we don’t like to “lay down the law” anymore.
a) The Ten Commandments, given to Moses on Mt. Sinai
b) Deuteronomy 31:9-13; Moses’ final instruction about the reading of the Law.
c) Joshua 1:7,8; Joshua’s first instructions about the Law
d) Psalm 1:1,2; Meditate on the law day and night
e) Psalm 119: a hymn of Praise to the Law
f) John, in 1:17, introduces a new truth about Jesus combining law and grace
g) Jesus told us he came not to abolish but to fulfill the law (Matt.5:17)
h) Paul tells us in Romans 6:14 we are not under law but under grace
i) The Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15) put law and grace together for us
a) Jesus saved his harshest criticism for the Pharisees and Teachers of the Law.
b) But he also taught us our righteousness was to exceed theirs.
c) He redefined murder, adultery, speaking oaths, loving our enemy.
d) He told the rich young ruler to sell everything.
e) He does not promote lawlessness, but his law is the law of love.
a) A new commandment: to love one another
b) Learning from the hospitality industry
c) Making the church a “Grace Place to Be”
d) An illustration: A Banner editorial on hospitality
Conclusion:
An alternate reading of Matthew 25, beginning at verse 34