The sermon presents a strong distinction between law and gospel: the law commands, exposes sin, increases guilt, and cannot justify, whereas the gospel offers grace and salvation through Jesus Christ. Human beings are sinners not merely because of revealed commandments but because sin already exists in the heart; the law makes that sin visible and undeniable. Christ’s death is presented as substitutionary atonement, securing pardon and justification for those who trust Him. The resulting salvation is free, irreversible, and greater than what was lost through sin, producing assurance, adoption, liberty, and eternal joy.
Theological center: God uses the law to reveal and condemn sin, while salvation comes entirely by grace through Christ’s substitutionary atonement and justifying work.
Applications: Reject salvation by works · Come to Christ in repentance · Cast yourself on Christ · Understand law and gospel
Primary texts: Romans 5:20 · Romans 7:8-11 · Romans 1:20
“Moreover the law entered, that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.” Romans 5:20 THERE is no point upon which men make greater mistakes than upon the relation which exists between the law and the Gospel. Some men put the law instead of the Gospel, others put the Gospel instead of the law. Some modify the law and the Gospel, and preach neither law nor Gospel, and others entirely abrogate the law by bringing in the Gospel. Many there are who think that the law is the Gospel and who teach that men, by good works of benevolence, honesty, righteousness, and sobriety, may be saved. Such men do err. On the other hand, many teach that the Gospel is a law, that it has certain commands in it, by obedience to which men are meritoriously saved. Such men err f…