The Fulfillment of the Law

The Fulfillment of the Law: Christ's Perfect Obedience

Bible Passage: Mt 5:17–20

Summary: In these verses, Jesus emphasizes His relationship to the Law, declaring that He has come not to abolish the Law or the Prophets but to fulfill them. He instructs His followers on the necessity of righteousness that exceeds that of the Pharisees to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

Application: This passage encourages Christians to understand the importance of Christ's fulfillment of the Law. It reminds them that through Christ, they can live a life that reflects God’s standards of righteousness, not through their own efforts but through reliance on Jesus's perfect obedience. This is a source of hope and a call to embrace a deeper commitment to living in accordance with God's will.

Teaching: The sermon teaches that Jesus fulfills all the requirements of the Law and that His righteousness is essential for all believers. It highlights not only the moral imperatives of the Law but also the transformative power of Christ's work, which enables believers to live out God's commands.

How this passage could point to Christ: This passage connects to the broader biblical narrative that illustrates Christ as the ultimate fulfillment of the Law (e.g., the sacrificial system, the prophets). It shows how the Old Testament points towards Christ as the one who embodies the Law perfectly and how His sacrifice and resurrection provide a means for believers to be justified and empowered.

Big Idea: Christ perfectly fulfilled the Law, and through Him, we are called to a greater righteousness that is rooted in faith and enabled by His grace.

Recommended Study: As you prepare your sermon using Logos, consider delving into the differences between the actions of Jesus and the practices of the Pharisees in first-century Judaism. Look for commentaries that discuss the historical context of the Law and how Jesus' interpretation aligns with or challenges contemporary understandings. Additionally, you might find it useful to explore theological works on the relationship between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant to deepen your grasp on the implications of Jesus fulfilling the Law.

1. Purpose Fulfilled in Christ

Mt 5:17

You could highlight that Jesus did not come to dismiss the rich history and commandments of the Law, but to give them their full meaning and purpose. By understanding this, it encourages believers to see the Old Testament with fresh appreciation and realize that their observance of God's laws aims toward the fullness expressed in Christ. This sermon point establishes Jesus as the ultimate revelation of God’s will, emphasizing the continuity of Scripture and the central role of Christ in God’s redemptive plan.

2. Promise of Permanence

Mt 5:18

Perhaps underscore the permanence and importance of the Law as Jesus teaches that not even the smallest letter will disappear until everything is accomplished. This sermon point encourages believers to value the eternal truth of God's word, realizing that Jesus ensures its fulfillment. It speaks to the believers' need to recognize the stability and authority of Scripture, and the assurance that comes from its ultimate fulfillment in Christ’s life and ministry.

3. Practice and Preach

Mt 5:19

Maybe focus on Jesus' teaching about the importance of practicing and teaching God’s commandments. This challenges believers to examine their lives to see if they are living in accordance with Christ's teachings, reflecting His righteousness. It serves as a call to action for Christians to prioritize living out their faith actively and visibly, showing the world what it means to follow Jesus and embodying the values of God's Kingdom in everyday life.

4. Pursue Greater Righteousness

Mt 5:20

You could emphasize the call to a righteousness that surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, achievable only through a relationship with Christ. This sermon point challenges the believers to transcend mere legalistic observance and to embrace a transformative faith that comes from Christ's righteousness. It inspires listeners to lean on Christ for their righteousness and to live lives marked by grace and love, reflecting the heart of God’s Kingdom.