The Scripture and Kingdom Citizens

Introduction: What is your personal view of the Scripture? Do you have a high view of the Bible? Or a low view of the Bible? Is it God’s Word? Or is it man’s words? Do you believe it in its entirety? Or do you pick out what you want to accept and set the rest aside?

My Pastor, Royal Blue used to say, “I believe the Bible to be the Word of God from Genesis to the Maps.” I would say that the Bible is the Word of God from cover to cover.

Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says,

16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

The Apostle Peter penned 2 Peter 1:19-21,

19 And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; 20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

As we come to Matthew 5:17-20, we are going to hear directly from Jesus about the importance of Scripture and how it relates to kingdom citizens.

I. Scripture and Christ– 5:17

“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.

First, Jesus wanted to make sure that His disciples understood the purpose of His coming. He says,

“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets.”

The word “destroy” means to abolish, or utterly overthrow.

So, at the outset, Jesus made it clear that he wasn’t sent on a mission to destroy everything that Moses and the Prophets penned.

I like this verse in the New Living Translation. We read,

17“Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose.

So, it’s clear that Jesus didn’t come to destroy Scripture. So, why did he come? Well, look at how verse 17 concludes,

I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.

The word “destroy” is used twice in this verse to emphasize why Jesus did not come. He did not come as a destroyer. No, He came to fulfill Scripture. What Jesus came to do was to show up and to teach us how Scripture was truly meant to be applied to our lives.

Hear this: All Scripture is about Jesus Christ.

The entire Old Testament books pointed to Jesus Christ. There are 39 books in the Old Testament, and all of them spoke of the Messiah to come. For 4,000 years the writers of Scripture wrote about the coming Messiah.

Jesus is in Every Book

Let me share with you just the first five books of the Bible –the Pentateuch

· In Genesis, Jesus was the Word of God, creating the heavens and the earth.

· In Exodus, Jesus was the Passover Lamb, whose blood was sprinkled on the doorposts of your heart so that you could escape the bonds of slavery.

· In Leviticus, Jesus was the temple, the holy place where you met with God.

· In Numbers, Jesus was your ever-present guide, your pillar of cloud by day and pillar of fire by night.

· In Deuteronomy, Jesus was the prophet coming who is greater than Moses.

You see, the entire Old Testament was written about the coming of Jesus Christ. This is why Jesus said these words to the disciples on the Emmaus Road,

Luke 24:27 - And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.

Luke 24:44 - Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.”

And the beloved John recorded these words of Jesus,

John 5:39 - You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.

The word “fulfill” means to fill out or expand. It doesn’t mean to bring it to an end.

What Jesus does is tell us how we live out the Scripture according to God’s original intent. Jesus is the one that interprets the Scripture for us. Want to know what the Scripture really says, read the words of Jesus. What to know how to live out the Scripture in your day-to-day life? Listen to the teachings of Jesus. He tells us what to do, and then tells us how to do it.

II. Scripture and Eternity – 5:18

For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.

The two words, “For assuredly,” can also be translated, as verily, truly, or surely. The Greek looks like our word “amēn.” It is used 51 times as amen in the Scripture. It means, to be firm, or true. It is as if Jesus were saying, “I tell you the truth.”

One author I was reading said that when we read these words they mean, “It’s time to get quiet and listen.” For what is about to be shared is vitally important.

The point is simple: God’s Word is sure.

There is not a word or letter, or even a dot found in the Bible that is not significant. Scripture is eternal, and it is eternally secure.

Again, the New Living Translation reads,

18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved.

Do you see the two words, “jot” and “tittle” in verse 18? What do those words mean? What is a jot? And what is a tittle?

For as long as we have heaven and earth, God's word will continue to be fulfilled – this is a promise. God’s Word will always accomplish God’s purpose (Isaiah 55:11).

Today we would say that every “i” will be dotted, and that every “t” shall be crossed. Yes, all of God’s Word shall be fulfilled. What God says, He does! There is not a word authored by the Holy Spirit that shall not be fulfilled.

III. Scripture and Reward – 5:19

Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Now, listen to this verse again in The New Living Translation. It reads,

19 So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.

What do we learn from this verse? We learn that there are two types of kingdom citizens: First, those who are commandment breakers, and second, those who are commandment keepers.

Question: Which are you? A commandment breaker, or a commandment keeper?

What is the teaching found here in this verse?

A. You will be called “least” in the kingdom of heaven if you are a commandment breaker.

Jesus taught that those who break “the least of these commandments” (Old Testament Law) shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven. What commandments was Jesus speaking about? He was speaking about the Old Testament commandments. The Law was broken into three key divisions. They are:

1. Moral law – regulated the behavior of all people.

2. Ceremonial law – regulated how Israel was to worship God.

3. Civic or Judicial law – regulated how Israel operated as a nation.

What do we call people who break laws today? Lawbreakers!Jesus taught that those who disregard the least of the Old Testament commandments will be called the “least” in the kingdom of heaven.

So then, how do we avoid being called the “least” in the kingdom of heaven? We are careful not to break the least of these commandments.

I would also suggest that we,

· Stay away from Christians who encourage (teach) you to break God’s commandments.

· Stay away from Churches that do not preach the whole counsel of God’s Word.

Disobedient Christians love company. It has been said, “Misery loves company”. Well, the same is true with sin. People living in sin do not like to sin alone. They desire to bring others along with them.

Paul wrote, “Do not be deceived, bad company corrupts good morals” (I Corinthians 15:33).

That verse alone is worth your admission price today!

I will tell young people to “choose their friends carefully as they will determine the direction and the quality of their life.”

Friends can sway you into making wrong choices. Therefore, be careful about the people you choose as your friends.

There is a second type of kingdom citizen found in this verse.

B. You will be called “great” in the kingdom of heaven if you are a commandment keeper.

God will reward those who keep His commandments. And may I remind us of what John the Apostle penned in 1 John 5:3,

For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.

If you and I are faithful to keep God’s commandments we shall be acknowledged as great in the kingdom of heaven. Not to mention we shall have a clear conscience. There is nothing sweeter than having a clear conscience.

In the Gospel of John, we read that Jesus taught the following:

· John 14:15 - “If you love Me, keep My commandments.”

· John 14:21a - “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves me.”

James, the brother of Jesus wrote,

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. (James 1:22)

Teach Others to be Commandment Keepers

There is not only a reward for those who are commandment keepers themselves, but there is also a reward for those who teach others to be commandment keepers.

Not only do bad people like to share sin, but God’s people who obey His commandments like to have others around them who are keeping God’s commandments. Perhaps this is what the Paul meant when he penned to Timothy,

2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. (2 Timothy 2:2)

Be a teacher of what is right, and Scripture is always right. So, teach others to obey God’s Word. If you do so, you will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. What a reward!

IV. Scripture and Godly Righteousness – 5:20

For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.

Again, allow me to read this verse from the New Living Translation,

20“But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!

Wow! Are you aware that the scribes and Pharisees were looked upon as the ultimate examples of righteousness? Everybody wanted to live up to the outward examples of the religious leaders of Israel.

Hear this: No one gets into the kingdom of heaven through their own righteousness. And the scribes and Pharisees had an external outward righteousness. It was all veneer – all on the surface.

Jesus taught that the righteousness observed in the scribes and the Pharisees wasn’t sufficient. Why? Because it didn’t flow from their hearts. Everything they did they did to be seen and applauded by men. Jesus told His disciples that religious people will not get into the kingdom of heaven.

In Matthew 25:25-28 Jesus said this about the scribes and the Pharisees,

25 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. 26 Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also. 27 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. 28 Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

So, then, how does someone get into the kingdom of heaven? How does our righteousness exceed the righteousness of the scribes and the Pharisees? We need what the Bible calls, imputed righteousness. Where is this righteousness found?

Write down the words: Jesus Christ.

Anyone can exceed the righteousness of the scribes and the Pharisees by placing their faith/trust in the person of Jesus Christ. When you do this, you will receive the righteousness of Jesus Christ. The Bible says,

21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Edward Hindson in the Liberty Commentary on the New Testament writes,

“What the Savior demands is a kind of righteousness that is so godly that it cannot be the product of human effort but must be the gift of God. This righteousness Christ would establish in His life and death would be made available as God’s free gift. This is the righteousness that would exceed that of the Scribes and Pharisees.”

Conclusion: We close this third section of Matthew 5 with the following five truths:

1. All Scripture shall be fulfilled. Jesus, Himself teaches us how to take Scripture and live it out in our daily lives.

2. All Scripture - every jot and tittle of God’s Word shall be fulfilled. All “i” will be dotted, and all “t” crossed. Nothing shall be left unfinished.

3. All Scripture is to be obeyed. Kingdom Citizens are to be commandment keepers.

4. All Scripture needs to be taught to others by Kingdom Citizens. We have a responsibility to instruct others on how to obey God’s Commandments.

5. All Scripture points to our righteousness found only in the person of Jesus Christ.