LAW VS.

GRACE

TEXT: Exodus 34:29-32

When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands, he was not
aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the LORD. When Aaron and all the Israelites
saw Moses, his face was radiant, and they were afraid to come near him.But Moses called to them; so
Aaron and all the leaders of the community came back to him, and he spoke to them. Afterward all the
Israelites came near him, and he gave them all the commands the LORD had given him on Mount Sinai.
(NIV)
BACKGROUND
• Exodus 34- This is the 2nd time in which Moses went up to Mt. Sinai to receive again the Law of God
written in the tablet of stone due that the 1st tablet was broken by him in his holy anger because of the
wickedness of the Israelites.
• After receiving the tablet of stone the Lord re iterate again His promised and covenant to the
Israelites and ask Moses to tell them.
• Exodus 19:5-6
• Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured
possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy
nation.' These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites."(NIV)
•
v. 29- When Moses came down from Mt. Sinai receiving the Law, he was not aware that his face is
radiant and when Aaron and the Israelites saw Moses they were afraid to come near him.
• What do you think is the reason behind it?
• Why?
Because they were afraid that God’s wrath is upon them because of their sins. Means their focus is
in the Law that brings judgement of God . Because in the past God judge 3000 Israelites who sin
because of unbelief to the Lord.
Exodus 20:23
Do not make any gods to be alongside me; do not make for yourselves gods of silver or gods of gold.
(NIV)

The Purpose of the God giving them the Law of His commands is

Exodus 15:25-26
Then Moses cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a piece of wood. He threw it into the
water, and the water became sweet. There the LORD made a decree and a law for them, and there he
tested them. He said, "If you listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in
his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of
the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals you."(NIV)

Deuteronomy 8:2-3
Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you
and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his
commands. He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither
you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word
that comes from the mouth of the LORD.(NIV)
*** The purpose of the Law is to test them whether they will obey God’s command or not and for them to see
that they need a Savior who will save them from the punishment of the Law.
Law says….
• Once you violated the Law then You deserve a perspective punishment.
In Exodus 20-23 these speaks about the Law such as
Law on having a Hebrew Servant
> Personal Injuries
> Protection on Properties
> Social Responsibilities etc….
And if we will going to evaluate the Israelites this is How they see and understand God as only a judge setting
aside His compassion and mercy.
That is why in V. 31-32 - Moses called them to draw nearer to him and not to be afraid so that He can
explain about God’s command and God’s promised to them as His chosen people.
In short About GOD’S GRACE
I like our Senior Pastors lecture that touch this passage in which that before God give the Law to Moses. In
Chapter 25-32- He instructed first the Israelites to build a Tabernacle and if we study about the Tabernacle
this speaks about God’s forgiveness over sinners who will come to Him
In New Testament- Tabernacle speaks about JESUS CHRIST according to Hebrews 9-10
*** this means GRACE comes first before LAW
ILLUSTRATION
• Abraham and David – They live in obedience to God’s Word through Faith
• Romans 4:1-8
• What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather, discovered in this matter? If, in fact, Abraham
was justified by works, he had something to boast about--but not before God. What does the Scripture
say? "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.Now when a man works, his
wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. However, to the man who does not work
but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness. David says the same thing
when he speaks of the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:
"Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose
sin the Lord will never count against him."(NIV)
• Same thing with us. We receive the grace of God through our Faith in Him that makes us righteous
before His sight. Thus all we have to do is to trust Him and His grace who is working in us.
• APPLICATION
• Like Apostle Paul in
• Philippians 3:8-9
• What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ
Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and
be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is
through faith in Christ--the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.(NIV)
• APPLICATION
• We must see the Bible or the Word of God as a Law because we will be burdened in following it
because surely we cannot do it rather We must believe that the Law was already been fulfilled by
Jesus Christ that’s why all we have to do is just keep on trusting on His grace and never labor by our
own because surely we will be tired.
Matthew 5:17
"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill
them.(NIV)
PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION
You commit mistake that is why you are not coming to church because you are ashamed to be condemned
and you taught that you are unworthy to come to the Lord of you are this person you are still under the
bondage of Law. You have still unbelief. Resulted to being far away from God…. Lies of the enemy.
Why? Because Grace stated other wise in which even you commit mistake you are still confidence to come
to church because You believe in the Word of God that stated that even when you commit sin you can come
to God and asking His forgiveness and surely you will be forgiven because of the blood of Jesus who was
away your sin. And because you receive God’s forgiveness then it draws you to draw nearer to God.
Romans 10:4
Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.(NIV)
Same thing with the ministry of God
HOW DO WE SEE GOD’S MINISTRY?
Is it according to the LAW that needs to be follow or according to GOD’S GRACE in which taking it as
opportunity in serving God.
If we see ministry ( Church Services, Dawn Watch, Prayer Meeting, Fellowship and programs etc.. Mission
Activites) as a Law that is need to be done or an obligation because we are Pastors, Deacons , Members of the
church .or do the ministry because we are afraid of our leaders… ( Si Ptr. Kasi…. Dahil sabi ni Ptr…) then surely
we will be tired and even discourage if we fail to do it but if we see it as an opportunity because of the grace
of God ( His love, His compassion who save us) then surely we will never be tired in coming to Him in Worship
and serving .. Kaya kahit bagyo di ka na pipigilan na sumamba sa Panginoon same thing sa pagseserve kay
Lord. Lalo ka pang palapit kay Lord. Or kahit na bumabagyo man ang buhay mo andyan parin ung pasasalamt
mo kay Lord.
Eg. Lord wla po kaming bigas ngayon slalamt at binigyan mo kmi ng time na magfasting… I mean even in the
deepest moment of Your life you will always see God’s grace in You.
In the New Testament Let see also how the people receive the grace of God.
NT ILLUSTRATION
• Luke 9;37
• The next day, when they came down from the mountain, a large crowd met him
• Grace draws people to Him. People come to Jesus because they saw the grace of God in Him.
This means that
• If we know God and His grace of salvation we will surely continually keep on coming to Him not like the
Israelites they know God according to Law who judge sinners that is why they are afraid on Him.
• And this must be our confidence as a Christians . Always take note that we can come anytime to the
presence of the Lord .
• Why?
• God will never judge the righteous ones rather He gives favor to them.
Eg.
1. Noah
2. Abraham
3. Lot
4. Moses - Numbers 12:5-10
5. Joshua etc.
Who are the righteous ones?
• John 3:18
• Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already
because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.
• Galatians 3:11
• Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, "The righteous will live by faith."(NIV)
I will ask you question and pls. answer me?
Do you believe Jesus Christ as Your Lord and personal Savior?
Do you believe that your sins are forgiven through the power of His blood?
Do you believe that you have the power to overcome sin because of His resurrection?
Are you righteous?
Yes we are made righteous not because of our own standard but we are made righteous because Jesus
Christ become our righteousness .
How should a righteous man live?
• They live by FAITH
• Galatians 3:11
• Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, "The righteous will live by faith."(NIV)
•
• Romans 1:17
• For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last,
just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."(NIV)
•
They live by faith not about their present situation, not about dependent on your status … bad… not go to
church of good- go to church… No one can hinder us in living by Faith in Jesus.
Through Faith we must believe God of Who He is as it was written in His Word…
Eg. Provider, Healer, Protector, Almighty, Holy, Just, Love etc…

• CONCLUSION
• How do we see God’s command /God’s word …..
Is it according to Law or Grace?
• Grace of God make us closer to Him
• Law makes us apart/ far from Him.
• CONCLUSION
• Obedience to the Law of God is not the matter of our own effort or capability but about our FAITH and
TRUSTING on HIS PROMISES.