No Longer I
Teachers
Lesson Summary
The class began with a reading of John 14:23‑24, emphasizing that love for Christ is demonstrated by obeying His words, and that the Father’s love follows those who keep His commandments. The teacher then traced the historical backdrop of the 1960s “free love” movement, noting its well‑intentioned push for acceptance but its eventual drift into hypocrisy and hurt, mirroring what the Bible calls antinomianism—a rejection of moral law that leads to chaos. Turning to the opposite extreme, the teacher described Pharisee‑legalism, where a hyper‑observance of rules and self‑righteousness replaces the grace of Christ, creating a different kind of oppression. By comparing these two extremes, the lesson highlighted how both reject Christ’s central role in love, resulting in lawlessness or legalism, respectively. Using Romans 10:4 and Matthew 23’s woes to the Pharisees, the class concluded that true love must be grounded in Christ, avoiding both anarchy and rigid legalism, and called the congregation to reflect this balance in their daily lives.
Key Scriptures
Jesus answered, if anyone loves me, he will keep my word. My Father will love him, and he will come to him and make our own sense. One who doesn't love me will not keep my word. The word that you hear is not mine, but it is from the Father who sent me.
Christ is the culmination of the law so that we may be righteous for everyone who believes.