Is the Law of Moses Binding Today?

Is the Law of Moses Binding Today?

2005031

Topic # 2082 (law of Moses)

Introduction:

A. Midst of series on Handling Accurately the Word of Truth

1. The Bible is inspired by God.

2. The Bible is THE authority – it is constant; it is relevant for every generation.

B. Today – talk about Law of Moses.

1. Major problem in the early church was a proper understanding of the LOM.

a) Acts 15:1-6 – Jewish Christians sought to bind it on Gentile Christians.

b) Acts 21:20 – some Jewish Christians still tried to observe certain elements of the law.

2. Issue prompted several epistles from Paul.

a) Rome; Galatia; Colosse; Hebrews.

b) Was a problem in Ephesus – where Paul left Timothy – 1 Tim. 1:2-4

c) Some were straying in their use of the law – 1 Tim. 1:5-7.

C. Similar situations exist today when people:

1. fail to understand the purpose & limitations of the law.

2. use the law in ways that are not useful.

D. Members of the Lord’s body should have a profound respect for the inspired wiritngs of the Bible.

1. 2 Tim. 3:16-17 – all scripture is profitable…

I. The OT is not the law for the church. Why?

A. The OT law was given to a specific group of people: Jews.

1. Never said to be given to anyone else – Christians included.

a) Ex 34:27

b) Deut. 5:1-3; Neh. 9:13-14 – God made the Mosaic covenant w/the Jews of Moses’ day – not w/others.

2. Ex. 31:16-17 – it was the Israelites who were to observe the Sabbath.

B. OT law was temporary & came to an end.

1. Jer. 31:31-34; Heb. 8:6-13

2. God indicated that a new covenant, different from the covenant through Moses was to be given.

3. One of the main messages of Hebrews is that new covenant has been given.

C. The OT law was nailed to the cross.

1. its means of being a law to guide God’s people ceased.

2. 2 Cor. 3:11, 14; Eph. 2:15-16; Col. 2:14

D. The OT as a law for God’s people was removed by the death of Jesus.

1. Christians, therefore, are not to observe the OT as law for God’s service today.

II. We must not use the Law Improperly.

A. Since the law done away – then we must understand…

1. salvation is not in the old law.. Acts 4:12; Rom. 1:16

2. Vast majority of persons believe that keeping 10 commandments will save man.

a) to seek salvation from old law – renders the death of Jesus meaningless- Gal. 2:21

b) seeking justification (salvation) by the Law separates one from Christ – Gal. 5:4!

3. Nowhere in OT will one read of how to be saved from his sins.

a) OT to bring persons to Christ. (a schoolmaster – Gal. 3:24)

4. Heb. 10:1-4 – no salvation under old law. If so – price of sin could be paid for by blood of bulls/goats.

5. The gospel of the new covenant is what brings salvation.

a) Rom. 1:16 – gospel = power of man’s salvation.

b) What is the gospel? Answer: 1 Cor. 15:1-4. If we believe in Christ’s resurrection, repent of sin, and obey Him – we will be saved!

B. The law is not a guide for Christian worship. Col. 3:17; 2 John 9

1. some appeal to the law to justify various practices in worship:

a) special clothing; burning of incense; instrumental music

2. NT ushered in a more spiritual worship – John 4:20-24

3. Heb. 9:9 – worship under the law was symbolic for the present time.

4. Heb. 9:10 – those regulations for the body were imposed untile a time of reformation.

5. to appeal to the law as authority for any practice in worship fails to recognize that the time of reformation has come!

C. The law is not a pattern for the church. 1 Cor. 3:11; Heb. 10:1.

1. Acts 16:1-3; 21:18-26; 1 Cor. 9:19-20 – while the temple was standing, Paul had no problem w/Jewish Christians observing various elements of the Law as a personal matter.

2. But…these personal practices were NOT to be bound on Gentile Christians. Gal. 2:3-5; Col. 2:16.

c) Paul labored hard to teach that the law which divided Jew from Gentile was done away w/Christ – Eph. 2:15-16.

3. But…some at various times – try to bind Jewish feast days, the Sabbath, and dietary restrictions upon the church.

4. this is an unlawful use of the law!

III. Is the OT a valuable Bible Study Tool for Today’s Christian?

A. The OT answers some of life’s basic questions.

1. Who created the world? Gen. 1:1 – God.

2. Who is God?

a) His omnipresence, omnipotence, and omniscience – Psalm 139.

b) His longsuffering/mercy; His justice & righteous indignation – Psalm 103.

c) He is eternal – Psa 90:2; Mal. 3:6

d) He is holy – Ias. 6:1-3; 57:15

e) He is just – Psa. 145:17; Isa. 45:21

f) He is love – Ex. 34:6; Psa 103:8; Isa 55:7

3. Is God involved in the affairs of men? Daniel 2:4-5

3. How did man originate?

a) Gen. 1:26-28; 2:7-8; 21-25

4. What happens when man falls into sin?

a) we’ve been created as moral beings w/free will – accountable to God. Gen. 2:16-17; Rom. 2:14-16.

b) When we choose to sin – such separates us from God – Isa. 59:1-2; Eph. 2:1

c) We learn from OT of the weakness of man and the need for redemption – Psalm 51.

d) We can learn much about God and our need for Christ form the law!

B. It is profitable for reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness. (2 Tim. 3:16-17)

1. The law contained principles of righteousness that remain true throughout time.

a) condemning sins such as murder, fornication, homosexuality, kidnapping, lying, etc.

b) the law contained basic principles of righteousness – which the NT writers referred to regularly: Rom. 12:19-21; 1 Pet 3:8-12; Heb. 12:4-7

2. The law revealed much about sin:

a) the nature & spread of sin – Gal. 3:19

b) the condemnation of sin – Rom. 3:19-20

3. We can learn much about sin & its terrible consequences from the law!

C. The law is profitable for learning & admonition.

1. Rom. 15:4; 1 Cor. 10:11-12

a) the OT was written for our learning – that we might have hope.

b) The OT was written for our admonition – that we might not fall.

2. God’s dealings with Israel serves as an example for the church today.

a) We must make sure our calling & election are sure – 1 Pet.2:9-10; 2 Pet. 1:10

b) Heb. 3:8-4:1 – from the law we learn much about the very real danger of apostacy!

Conclusion:

A. 1 Tim. 1:10b-11 - Our understanding & application of the Law must be governed by and in harmony with the sound doctrine & gospel teachings of the apostles.

B. The Law should be treasured in that it supplies a means of our learning about God, morality, and righteousness.

C. Have you responded to Jesus for salvation?

D. I N V I T A T I O N



Is the Law of Moses Binding Today? 2005031 Topic # 2082 (law of Moses) Introduction: A. Midst of series on Handling Accurately the Word of Truth 1. The Bible is inspired by God. 2. The Bible is THE authority – it is constant; it is relevant for every generation. B. Today – talk about Law of Moses. 1. Major problem in the early church was a proper understanding of the LOM. a) Acts 15:1-6 – Jewish Christians sought to bind it on Gentile Christians. b) Acts 21:20 – some Jewish Christians still tried to observe certain elements of the law. 2. Issue prompted several epistles from Paul. a) Rome; Galatia; Colosse; Hebrews. b) Was a problem in Ephesus – where Paul left Timothy – 1 Tim. 1:2-4 c) Some were straying in their use of the law – 1 Tim. 1:5-7. C. Similar situations exist today when people: 1. fail to understand the purpose & limitations of the law. 2. use the law in ways that are not useful. D. Members of the Lord’s body should have a profound respect for the inspired wiritngs of the Bible. 1. 2 Tim. 3:16-17 – all scripture is profitable… I. The OT is not the law for the church. Why? A. The OT law was given to a specific group of people: Jews. 1. Never said to be given to anyone else – Christians included. a) Ex 34:27 b) Deut. 5:1-3; Neh. 9:13-14 – God made the Mosaic covenant w/the Jews of Moses’ day – not w/others. 2. Ex. 31:16-17 – it was the Israelites who were to observe the Sabbath. B. OT law was temporary & came to an end. 1. Jer. 31:31-34; Heb. 8:6-13 2. God indicated that a new covenant, different from the covenant through Moses was to be given. 3. One of the main messages of Hebrews is that new covenant has been given. C. The OT law was nailed to the cross. 1. its means of being a law to guide God’s people ceased. 2. 2 Cor. 3:11, 14; Eph. 2:15-16; Col. 2:14 D. The OT as a law for God’s people was removed by the death of Jesus. 1. Christians, therefore, are not to observe the OT as law for God’s service today. II. We must not use the Law Improperly. A. Since the law done away – then we must understand… 1. salvation is not in the old law.. Acts 4:12; Rom. 1:16 2. Vast majority of persons believe that keeping 10 commandments will save man. a) to seek salvation from old law – renders the death of Jesus meaningless- Gal. 2:21 b) seeking justification (salvation) by the Law separates one from Christ – Gal. 5:4! 3. Nowhere in OT will one read of how to be saved from his sins. a) OT to bring persons to Christ. (a schoolmaster – Gal. 3:24) 4. Heb. 10:1-4 – no salvation under old law. If so – price of sin could be paid for by blood of bulls/goats. 5. The gospel of the new covenant is what brings salvation. a) Rom. 1:16 – gospel = power of man’s salvation. b) What is the gospel? Answer: 1 Cor. 15:1-4. If we believe in Christ’s resurrection, repent of sin, and obey Him – we will be saved! B. The law is not a guide for Christian worship. Col. 3:17; 2 John 9 1. some appeal to the law to justify various practices in worship: a) special clothing; burning of incense; instrumental music 2. NT ushered in a more spiritual worship – John 4:20-24 3. Heb. 9:9 – worship under the law was symbolic for the present time. 4. Heb. 9:10 – those regulations for the body were imposed untile a time of reformation. 5. to appeal to the law as authority for any practice in worship fails to recognize that the time of reformation has come! C. The law is not a pattern for the church. 1 Cor. 3:11; Heb. 10:1. 1. Acts 16:1-3; 21:18-26; 1 Cor. 9:19-20 – while the temple was standing, Paul had no problem w/Jewish Christians observing various elements of the Law as a personal matter. 2. But…these personal practices were NOT to be bound on Gentile Christians. Gal. 2:3-5; Col. 2:16. c) Paul labored hard to teach that the law which divided Jew from Gentile was done away w/Christ – Eph. 2:15-16. 3. But…some at various times – try to bind Jewish feast days, the Sabbath, and dietary restrictions upon the church. 4. this is an unlawful use of the law! III. Is the OT a valuable Bible Study Tool for Today’s Christian? A. The OT answers some of life’s basic questions. 1. Who created the world? Gen. 1:1 – God. 2. Who is God? a) His omnipresence, omnipotence, and omniscience – Psalm 139. b) His longsuffering/mercy; His justice & righteous indignation – Psalm 103. c) He is eternal – Psa 90:2; Mal. 3:6 d) He is holy – Ias. 6:1-3; 57:15 e) He is just – Psa. 145:17; Isa. 45:21 f) He is love – Ex. 34:6; Psa 103:8; Isa 55:7 3. Is God involved in the affairs of men? Daniel 2:4-5 3. How did man originate? a) Gen. 1:26-28; 2:7-8; 21-25 4. What happens when man falls into sin? a) we’ve been created as moral beings w/free will – accountable to God. Gen. 2:16-17; Rom. 2:14-16. b) When we choose to sin – such separates us from God – Isa. 59:1-2; Eph. 2:1 c) We learn from OT of the weakness of man and the need for redemption – Psalm 51. d) We can learn much about God and our need for Christ form the law! B. It is profitable for reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness. (2 Tim. 3:16-17) 1. The law contained principles of righteousness that remain true throughout time. a) condemning sins such as murder, fornication, homosexuality, kidnapping, lying, etc. b) the law contained basic principles of righteousness – which the NT writers referred to regularly: Rom. 12:19-21; 1 Pet 3:8-12; Heb. 12:4-7 2. The law revealed much about sin: a) the nature & spread of sin – Gal. 3:19 b) the condemnation of sin – Rom. 3:19-20 3. We can learn much about sin & its terrible consequences from the law! C. The law is profitable for learning & admonition. 1. Rom. 15:4; 1 Cor. 10:11-12 a) the OT was written for our learning – that we might have hope. b) The OT was written for our admonition – that we might not fall. 2. God’s dealings with Israel serves as an example for the church today. a) We must make sure our calling & election are sure – 1 Pet.2:9-10; 2 Pet. 1:10 b) Heb. 3:8-4:1 – from the law we learn much about the very real danger of apostacy! Conclusion: A. 1 Tim. 1:10b-11 - Our understanding & application of the Law must be governed by and in harmony with the sound doctrine & gospel teachings of the apostles. B. The Law should be treasured in that it supplies a means of our learning about God, morality, and righteousness. C. Have you responded to Jesus for salvation? D. I N V I T A T I O N