The Gift of Grace
A Sermon on John 1:17
Scripture
17For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
Sermon Description
Does the Christian rejoice in God’s grace? Does what they learn about the Creator really fill them with joy? In this encouraging sermon titled “The Gift of Grace,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains the contrast between the law of God and the grace of God. The law of God is designed to condemn. It brings conviction, correction, and ultimately serves as judge. Grace is God giving what is not deserved. It is His grace that forgives, supports, restrains, protects, and preserves. At salvation, the law of God becomes the guide by which to glorify God. The listener is encouraged to discover the riches of His glorious kindness, which puts the law inside hearts and minds, enabling the Christian to live the holy life God intends for His people. Enter into the joy of grace, to experience it as His children were meant to.
Sermon Breakdown
- The sermon examines John 1:17 which states that the law was given through Moses but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
- The sermon does not detract from the law but shows the superiority of grace. The law was preparatory and pointed to Christ.
- The sermon asks if we rejoice in grace as we should. Grace should fill us with joy and praise to God.
- The first contrast between grace and law is that grace gives while the law demands. Grace is not legalistic.
- Grace gives freely. We are justified freely by grace through faith in Christ.
- Grace gives richly. We have received grace upon grace from Christ's fullness. Grace is abundant and superabundant.
- The sermon gives many examples of how grace gives richly from Scripture including John 4:14, John 6:35, Romans 5, 2 Corinthians 8:9, and Ephesians 1:7.
- Grace gives in many varied and manifold ways. The sermon gives examples of restraining grace, supporting grace, enabling grace, and preserving grace.
- Grace reigns and has power. The law was weak but grace enables us to fulfill God's purpose and plan.
- Grace quickens us, regenerates us, and sanctifies us. It enables us to live according to God's law so His commandments are not grievous.
- The new covenant of grace excels the old covenant of law because grace puts God's law in our minds and writes it on our hearts.
- With grace, we now understand God's law, see its spirit and purpose, and rejoice in keeping it. We are made holy as God is holy.
- Grace gives us a new heart and new desires to keep God's law. We no longer resent God's law but love it.
The Book of John
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.