- Home
- Speakers
- Lester Roloff
- Dr. Law And Dr. Grace Part 2
Dr. Law and Dr. Grace - Part 2
Lester Roloff

Lester Leo Roloff (1914–1982) was an American fundamentalist Independent Baptist preacher whose fiery sermons and extensive ministry left a significant mark on 20th-century evangelicalism. Born on June 28, 1914, near Dawson, Texas, he was the youngest of three sons to Harry Augustus and Sadie Isabel McKenzie Roloff, raised on a cotton farm in a strict Baptist environment. Converted at age 12 during a revival at Shiloh Baptist Church in July 1926, he began preaching at 18. He attended Baylor University, famously bringing a Jersey cow named Marie to sell milk for tuition, and later studied at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth. In 1936, he married Marie Brady, and they had two daughters, one biological and one adopted. Roloff’s preaching career began in small Texas churches, including pastorates in Houston and Corpus Christi, where he launched The Family Altar radio program in 1944, eventually broadcast on 180 stations. After filling in for a revival in 1950 following B.B. Crim’s death, he founded Roloff Evangelistic Enterprises in 1951, shifting to full-time evangelism. He broke with the Southern Baptist Convention in 1956 over theological differences, aligning with Independent Baptists, and established Alameda Street Baptist Church in Corpus Christi. Known for preaching against homosexuality, communism, alcohol, and modern vices, he also founded homes for troubled youth, starting with the Rebekah Home for Girls in 1968.
Download
Topic
Sermon Summary
This sermon delves into the contrast between Dr. Law and Dr. Grace, emphasizing the importance of the heart condition in relation to salvation. It highlights the significance of grace as the sole means of salvation, separate from works, and explores the transformative power of grace in a believer's life. The message underscores the foundational truth that salvation is by grace through faith, not by works, and delves into biblical examples like Abraham to illustrate this principle.
Scriptures
Sermon Transcription
Thank you girls, and now I want to introduce you to Evangelist Lester Roloff with one of the greatest messages of our generation, Dr. Law and Dr. Grace. Just before Brother Roloff speaks, the Honeybee Quartet will present the special number. Now then, the Honeybee Quartet's coming to sing, please, and then it'll be time for the two doctors to go to work. I want all of you here tonight, if you've not known Dr. Law and Dr. Grace, I want to introduce you to them tonight. When Jesus prayed, alone in the Gethsemane, the night was priestly to shine. His chosen few were not so there, but would not pray. And here they came, and took my Lord, a well-read, and holy tree. And with sin and shame, O praise His name. O praise His holy name. They took Him from the cross, and laid Him in a tomb. But in three days, to die no more, He's now all prepared and there. Accept Him now, His glory you will share. Blessed love is today. He's waking up your lonely heart. He'll come before you. Come with us now, please, for a number of wonderful effects. Now you know we've come to the very heart of the heart of the gospel. And the heart of your trouble is your heart. Don't forget that. It's not your hands, it's not your feet, it's not your head. But if you get your heart right, the rest of you will get right. So I call your attention, first of all, to Ephesians 2. We preached on this the other night. I'll simply give you just a portion of this chapter. And we'll come in just a moment to the very heart of the message, by grace are you saved through faith. And that not of yourselves, it's the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Now let's run back to the book of Romans, chapter 11 and verse 6. This states the issue tonight. There never has been but two ways, that's all. It's the way of man and the way of God. It's the way of works and it's the way of righteousness. There never has been but two. Religion starts on the outside and never gets to the inside. God starts on the inside and works toward the outside. Grace is an inside worker, because sin is an inside problem. And so here he's saying it's completely and altogether by grace, or it's altogether by works. And I believe that. I do not believe that grace and works will mix. I do not believe that works brings about grace. But I believe the right kind of grace and experience of grace will bring about works. And so in this verse, verse 6 of the 11th chapter of the book of Romans, and if by grace, well, why if by grace? We just read the verse a while ago, said by grace, for by grace ye are saved. So we've got that established, haven't we? You're saved by grace. Now I know a lot of people say they're saved by grace. They don't know what grace is. The kind of grace I'm talking about does the saving and does the keeping. The kind of grace I'm talking about puts a man to work for the Lord. And if any man be in Christ, he's a new creature. Old things are passed away. Behold, all things are become new. And so he said, if by grace, then is it no more works. Otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace. Otherwise work is no more work. Turn to the book of Acts, please, chapter 15. Acts chapter 15 and verse 11. We believe, we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved. We shall be saved through the grace. Turn, if you will, to Romans chapter 4. The Bible is talking about Abraham and said, what did he find out? What did he find out? What did Abraham find out as pertaining to the flesh? What did he find out? Well, he said, verse 2, if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof the glory, but not before God. Well, what's there for scripture? Abraham believed God. That's Genesis 15, verse 6. Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness. Remember the verse last night when we preached on faith? By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive as an inheritance or for an inheritance, obeyed and went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling and sent with Isaac and Jacob, as with him also the same promise. For he looked for a city. He looked for a city which hath foundations, is builder and maker, is God. Now then, he's talking about Abraham. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of death. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Now, I want to illustrate that. I see my good friend, Brother Nichols, I believe here tonight, my watchman at Taylor Brothers. He and his dear wife and family have been my friends through many years. And I meant to take this watch to you yesterday, but I ran into Jack at the door, and this little key I fit in there to hold the band on slipped out. And he said, you know, I'm an old watchman myself, let me fix it. So I never did get over to you, but he takes good care of me. And my watch, this is an Akatron.
Dr. Law and Dr. Grace - Part 2
- Bio
- Summary
- Transcript
- Download

Lester Leo Roloff (1914–1982) was an American fundamentalist Independent Baptist preacher whose fiery sermons and extensive ministry left a significant mark on 20th-century evangelicalism. Born on June 28, 1914, near Dawson, Texas, he was the youngest of three sons to Harry Augustus and Sadie Isabel McKenzie Roloff, raised on a cotton farm in a strict Baptist environment. Converted at age 12 during a revival at Shiloh Baptist Church in July 1926, he began preaching at 18. He attended Baylor University, famously bringing a Jersey cow named Marie to sell milk for tuition, and later studied at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth. In 1936, he married Marie Brady, and they had two daughters, one biological and one adopted. Roloff’s preaching career began in small Texas churches, including pastorates in Houston and Corpus Christi, where he launched The Family Altar radio program in 1944, eventually broadcast on 180 stations. After filling in for a revival in 1950 following B.B. Crim’s death, he founded Roloff Evangelistic Enterprises in 1951, shifting to full-time evangelism. He broke with the Southern Baptist Convention in 1956 over theological differences, aligning with Independent Baptists, and established Alameda Street Baptist Church in Corpus Christi. Known for preaching against homosexuality, communism, alcohol, and modern vices, he also founded homes for troubled youth, starting with the Rebekah Home for Girls in 1968.