God's Plan and Our Purpose

Introduction

1. God’s Plan: to Fulfill the Law through Christ

Matthew 5:17–18 NIV

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 tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.

“I have come to fulfill the Law and the Prophets.”

Jesus obeyed the Law.

Everything that the Old Testament intended to communicate about God’s will and his hopes for humanity finds its fullest meaning in Jesus.

It’s not going to pass away.

the Jot and Tittle

Jews: when Sarai’s name was changed to Sara, the Yodh went missing. But when Oshea’s name was changed to Joshua, the Yodh returned to Scripture.

It won’t pass away until the creation of the new heaven and the new earth.

Jesus teaches a profound way of fulfilling the Law with Grace.

An example:

Lex Talionis - The Law of Retribution.

Matthew 5:38–39 NIV

38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.

Matthew 5:38 NIV

38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’

By our sin we have slapped the face of God. God justly should have slapped us back. Instead, he bore the slap himself.

similarly

This is grace.

if someone wins your shirt in court, give him your coat as well.

if someone forces you to go one mile, go two.

With Cain

Genesis 4:15 NIV

15 But the Lord said to him, “Not so; anyone who kills Cain will suffer vengeance seven times over.” Then the Lord put a mark on Cain so that no one who found him would kill him.

With Lamech

Genesis 4:24 NIV

24 If Cain is avenged seven times, then Lamech seventy-seven times.”

With Us

Genesis 4:23–24 NIV

23 Lamech said to his wives, “Adah and Zillah, listen to me; wives of Lamech, hear my words. I have killed a man for wounding me, a young man for injuring me. 24 If Cain is avenged seven times, then Lamech seventy-seven times.”

Matthew 18:21–22 NIV

21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.

IL: JD’s friend Nolan - mom: “I learned to forgive every single day.”

It is hard, it is counter-cultural, it is painful, it takes time, but it is good.

2. Our Purpose: to practice and teach the Law

Matthew 5:19–20 NIV

19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

9-20

James 1:22 NIV

22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

Listen, read, study, memorize, and meditate. But unless you put it into practice, it is worthless to you.

Why should God bless you with new truths until you actually put the last truths into practice?

Jesus also calls us to teach

with children, students, adults

in your community group

in conversations with people during the week

The Bible isn’t going away. It is our foundation for our faith and our practice.

Here is the summary of the Law that Jesus gave.

mt 22:36-40

Matthew 22:36–40 NIV

36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Prayer...

prep for communion.