The Law of Christ Part 1 - 10.5.25

Jordon Gilmore

Opening

• New series: The Law of Christ
• Goal: Explore boundaries, authority, and holiness through God’s Word.
• Anchor: The law reveals our need for God and points us to Christ.

Connection to Previous Series

• Parenting series talked about boundaries & authority (like parental controls).
• God’s law also establishes boundaries for His people:
  • Protection
  • Blessing
  • Holiness

Purposes of the Law

1. Protection & blessing – living under God’s law set Israel apart.
2. Exposure – law shines like a flashlight, revealing sin and our need for God.
3. Holiness – calls God’s people to live differently from the world.

Human Problem with the Law

• Humanity resists boundaries and authority.
• Two common wrong responses:
  1. Rules are meant to be broken (testing the limits).
  2. Checklist for rewards (treating obedience as a transaction).
• Both reveal our need for grace.

Jesus and the Law

• Matthew 5:17–20 – Jesus came not to abolish, but to fulfill the law.
• He raised the standard of righteousness beyond Pharisees and scribes.
• True righteousness = right standing with God through Christ, not self-effort.

Example: The Rich Young Ruler (Matthew 19:16–22)

• Asked: “What must I do for eternal life?”
• Claimed to keep commandments, but unwilling to give up wealth.
• Revealed self-righteousness and exposed misplaced priorities.

Paul’s Teaching (Romans 3:21–26)

• The law shows God’s perfect standard, but cannot justify us.
• Now revealed: righteousness comes apart from the law—by grace, through faith in Christ.
• God is both just (holding sin accountable) and justifier (providing salvation through Jesus).

The Law of Christ

• Jesus summarized all law in two commands (Matthew 22:35–40; Mark 12:28–34):
  1. Love God with all your heart, soul, and mind.
  2. Love your neighbor as yourself.
• All the law and prophets hang on these.
• Christian obedience flows from love, not fear.

Takeaway Questions

• Do I treat God’s law as boundaries meant to be broken or as a checklist for rewards?
• Does my life reflect love for Christ through obedience?
• Am I motivated by fear of punishment or genuine love for God?
• Where do I see self-righteousness in my own walk?

Series Focus Going Forward

• Use the Ten Commandments as a framework.
• Shine light on different areas of life.
• Explore how each commandment points us back to Christ and the gospel.