Grace Fellowship Church

The sermon centers on the stark contrast between life under the law and life through faith in Christ, drawing from Galatians 3 to reveal that all who rely on their own obedience to the law are under its curse, for no one can perfectly keep every commandment at every moment. It emphasizes the impossibility of justification by works, exposing the futility of human effort—even the most devout—when measured against God's perfect standard, and underscores that even one sin renders a person guilty of breaking the entire law. In contrast, the sermon exalts Jesus Christ as the only one who perfectly fulfilled the law in every detail, moment by moment, and thus became the curse-bearer so that the blessing of Abraham might come to the nations through faith. The message calls all listeners—whether self-righteous or spiritually weary—to abandon the futile pursuit of merit and instead embrace Christ alone as the complete and sufficient Savior, whose finished work on the cross secures eternal blessing for all who believe.

This sermon, drawn from Luke 5:12–16, centers on the healing of a man full of leprosy as a profound illustration of Christ's divine compassion, power, and the gospel's transformative grace. The account reveals Christ not only as a miracle worker but as the compassionate High Priest who stoops to touch the unclean, symbolizing His willingness to bear the sin of humanity and restore fellowship with God. The leper's desperate, humble plea—'Lord, if thou wilt, thou can make me clean'—exemplifies true faith that acknowledges both Christ's power and sovereignty, pointing to the necessity of divine mercy over human effort. The sermon draws a powerful parallel between physical leprosy and spiritual sin, emphasizing that no amount of self-righteousness can cleanse the soul, but only Christ's atoning sacrifice—imputed righteousness and the blood that cleanses—can bring true renewal. Ultimately, the message calls all listeners, whether burdened by guilt or unaware of their spiritual condition, to come to Christ in faith, trusting not in their own merit but in His willing love and saving power, which is available to all who come.

First preached by C H Spurgeon August 6, 1882

Heavily edited and abridged sermon of J.C. Ryle

A sermon by Charles Spurgeon, edited for clarity and length.