Kingdom Greatness

Introduction

Jesus has laid out for his audience this picture of transformation and its results: salt and light.

Now He turns His attention to the role of the Scriptures and teachings of the day.

Answering the question, what is the role of the Law?

Torah = Law

Not necessarily how we think of the word “law.”

Think wisdom literature. Guardrails. Directions to live in a right relationship with God.

But also…

The Torah reveals our failings.

“I can’t do all this!!” Exactly.

God knew that and He always had a plan.

The Form of the Law

“Do not think…” Listen all the way through!

Jesus is declaring his uniqueness.

Jesus is different, superior, even to Moses.!!!

Image of Moses casting down the Law.

Christ is the conclusion of the Old Testament.

The overarching story of the OT. Perfection - sin - brokenness - expectation - (NT restoration/redemption)

[OT / Cross / NT]

And Jesus fulfills the expectations for a Savior.

Fulfill = to fill fully. Puzzle box.

Scripture is relevant to know that Jesus is the Messiah, the Christ.

And, Scripture is relevant to know how to live our lives in a right relationship with God.

Scripture will always be relevant.

Contrary to what people want us to believe about it. Outdated…different time…different place…different culture.

Every iota. Every dot/stroke/serif, hook, horn, projection.

[Fun, Pun, Run, Bun]

[Kaf / Bet; Resh / Dalet; He / Het]

Magnifying glass!

Scripture verifies Jesus as the Messiah.

Jesus shows us the way we are to live.

Why we need to know the content of Scripture!

The Fulfillment of the Law

vv. 19-20

How we approach the Bible.

Where we read the most, a canon within a canon.

Marcion’s rejection of the Old Testament.

Many Christians, even pastors, fall into this same trap. Dismiss the Old Testament.

Part of my inspiration for pursuing my PhD in Old Testament studies.

We cannot understand that which we never read or study.

I detect a little sarcasm in the way Jesus says this: “whoever relaxes or loosens the least / inferior commandment” And then goes on to affirm how important the whole thing is.

What does the Bible say about itself?

2 Timothy 3:16 ESV

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

If we view some commandments as lesser or inferior and then lives that and teaches that, they will be lesser or inferior in the Kingdom of God.

Some may say, “Well, I don’t teach the Bible!” But, we need to remember we all teach Scripture whether formally or informally.

So there will be those who are least, and then those who will be great.

RNC and DNC have both occurred. Reminded of the RNC in 1960, held in Chicago. Mayor Richard Daley addressed them:

Daley therefore referred to the great city, that being Chicago; the great year, that being 1960; the great convention city, again Chicago; our great country; the great convention, that being when Lincoln was nominated 100 years earlier; a great country, the Unites States; these great centers, the local urban communities; the great central cities of our nation, which included Chicago; our great beach, the beach of Lake Michigan; and a great people, this being the American people

This great speech by Chicago’s great mayor lasted two minutes and drew great applause.

Maybe we overuse the word “great.”

But to be great in the Kingdom of God means something more substantial.

And how to attain that label - requires something that sounds quite shocking to His audience.

These were dedicated, religious, moral individuals!

How can someone be more committed than them?

“The priority of internal disposition over external purity is the vital issue.”

Johnathan Pennington

What Jesus will begin to explain in the next section where he talks about six areas where internal disposition is key.

What we will see is that

We live out God’s calling only when it begins internally.

This is the pattern given in the beatitudes. From being poor in spirit to being persecuted for your faith.

Conclusion

In about a month, a new WWI monument will be revealed in Washington DC.

[WWI memorial pic]

The artist, Sabin Howard, asked actual veterans to come and pose for him so that he could use their likenesses in the sculpture.

He had this starting point and what he created was a representation of those individuals.

The Old Testament is the exact opposite of that.

God started with Jesus and His person cast an image backwards over the entire Old Testament.

As we repent of our rebellion, our sin, our brokenness, then we are transformed.

Jesus transforms us from the inside out.