The Fulfillment of the Law

Review

Last week we learned about being the salt and light of the world (Matt. 5:13-16).

We were challenged to do a random act of kindness for someone.

Did you do it?

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Introduction

Today we are going to learn about how Jesus fulfilled the requirement of the Old Testament Law.

Sinners deserve the death penalty. We deserve to die because we break God’s Law. We are criminals.

But God loves us deeply and sent His Son to die in our place so that we can spend eternity with Him in heaven.

Handouts

Passage

Christian Standard Bible Chapter 5

CHRIST FULFILLS THE LAW

17 “Don’t think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or one stroke of a letter will pass away from the law until all things are accomplished. 19 Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commands and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever does and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven.

Main Points

1) Christians should obey God’s Law.

Now, I know nobody likes rules, but what is so dreadful about keeping God’s Law?

Do you like liars, thieves, or murderers? No, of course not.

We are in jail because of our sin, but Jesus sets us free.

Jesus never lied, never stole, and never hurt anyone.

Unlike us, He is perfect in every way.

And because He set us free, we obey His Law out of love for Him.

2) Christians should teach others about God.

And because we love Jesus, we want others to know about Him.

When you get a new phone (etc.), you tell others all about it.

Do your friends know that you are a Christian? What do they say?

Through our example and our words, we can show others Who God is and how His love has changed our lives.

3) Only those who live a righteously go to heaven.

Righteousness means “right living” before God.

Are “good people” necessarily righteous? Who decides that?

God gave us His Law to show us how awful we really are.

On our own, there is nothing we can do to get to heaven.

Remember, we have all broken God’s Law and are imprisoned awaiting the death penalty.

Unless someone comes and bails us out, we are hopeless!

Thank God that He sent Jesus to free us!

And those who follow Jesus are made righteous.

Application

This week I will ask God to forgive me of my sins and thank Him for saving me through Jesus.