Recalibrating the Law

INTRODUCTION

Reading through Leviticus. Almost as bad as genealogies of Numbers.

What in the world does this have to do with me?

Jesus' disciples had seen Jesus act differently than any of the religious leaders.

He did things on Sabbath that others didn't.

He didn't show Pharisees respect.

Matthew 5:17–20 ESV

17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 19 Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Set UP

Law and Prophets= was a standard way for the Jews to refer to the Old Testament text.

How do citizens of the Kingdom of God deal with the Old Testament?

4 Truths About the Old Testament

1. Old Testament Is Fulfilled in Christ (17)

Matthew 5:17 ESV

17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.

3 Ways Jesus Fulfilled the Old Testament

A. Fulfilled by Pointing to Him

He is the answer to much of the prophecy.

He is the one born of a virgin.

He is the Messiah from the lineage of David.

He is the one born in Bethlehem.

B. Fulfilled by Completing its Meaning

Old Testament is only understood when studied through the lens of the cross.

"All of the Old Testament remains normative and relevant for Jesus’ followers , but none of it can rightly be interpreted until one understands how it has been fulfilled in Christ. Every Old Testament text must be viewed in light of Jesus’ person and ministry and the changes introduced by the new covenant he inaugurated." (NAC)

C. Fulfilled by Bringing Understanding

These verses are an introduction to teaching on the Torah- he wants them to understand his role. It is not to get rid but to bring proper understanding. Jesus wants to bring the fullest meaning to the Law. He fulfills the Law by bringing back a true understanding of what God meant.

2. Old Testament Is True (18)

Matthew 5:18 ESV

18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.

All Prophecies will come true. Even to the smallest components of the written text.

iota= smallest letter of Hebrew alphabet

dot= tiny stroke used to differentiate Hebrew letters.

2 Timothy 3:16–17 ESV

16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Scripture does not contradict- all is true.

As believers we start with Word of God and interpret all the World through it.

EXP- Creation- God created in 7 Days. All data should be viewed through this lens. Can that data make sense through the lens of Scripture?

We believe it by faith but not through ignorance.

Answers in Genesis- Creation Museum.

Takes same scientific data secular scientists use and shows how it proves Creation.

3. Old Testament Is Required (19)

Matthew 5:19 ESV

19 Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

"least of these commands"= Rabi's weighted them.

"Relaxes"= Breaks, "Set Aside"= A word play with "Abolish" in 17.

We do not have the right to set aside God's Word.

We do not have the right to ignore his Word.

2 Ways We Relax God's Word

A. Do not live it.

James 1:22 ESV

22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

B. Do not teach it.

It is our job to pass it on.

2 Timothy 2:2 ESV

2 and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.

Acts 20:26–27 ESV

26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, 27 for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.

However, Christ fulfilled these Laws.

Application changes because of Jesus' fulfillment of these Laws. True with a better application than was understood before Jesus.

Not unusual for God to require different rules at different times. EXP- Meat Before Flood / After Flood

Sometimes the purpose of the rules are no longer necessary.

ESVSB "The entire OT is the expression of God’s will but is now to be taught according to Jesus’ interpretation of its intent and meaning."

The New Testament helps us understand what is binding today.

Levitical Laws deal with living under the old covenant.

Last Supper- Jesus gave us a new covenant. Covenant of His Blood. Covenant of salvation through his sacrifice on the cross.

10 Commandments- Jesus gives to the new covenant as being fulfilled in 2 "Love God. Love Neighbor.” Why are these two enough? Live those and you will live all 10.

Old Testament is required as it is seen through the Cross- The New Covenant.

Paul's teachings help us understand how that works.

Freedom from bondage.

Old Testament should always take us to the Cross.

4. Old Testament Is Lacking (20)

Matthew 5:20 ESV

20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

There was something missing in the Old Testament.

Righteousness was never obtained by doing good things.

The Scribes and Pharisees worked diligently to be righteous.

They obeyed the Law

They studied the Prophets

They participated in sacrifice.

Yet, it was not enough.

ILL-- Nicodemis the Pharisee... "You must be born again"

John 3:16 ESV

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

There is no one righteous

Romans 3:10 ESV

10 as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one;

Romans 3:19–20 ESV

19 Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. 20 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.

The Law showed us what righteousness looks like but did not provide a way to be righteous.

Jesus came to make us righteous.

Romans 3:21–24 ESV

21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

It is lacking outside of the lens of Jesus Christ and the cross. With the lens of Christ it is complete.

ILL- seeing without prescription lenses. You see something- but you miss everything.

Living the right way is the mark of a citizen of the Kingdom.

This is the point of the next several sections of the Sermon on the Mount.

Righteousness from the inside out. What is in the heart is what matters.

CONCLUSION

Does your righteousness exceed that of the Scribes and Pharisees?

Have you been made righteous through Christ?

Allow Him to be Lord and join His Kingdom.