The Big Difference; You have heard it said

Moses

Fulfillment

Deuteronomy 18:15 ESV

“The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—it is to him you shall listen—

New and better Covenant

Hebrews 8:6 ESV

But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.

Matthew 5:17 ESV

“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.

Opposites

Anger

Matthew 5:9 ESV

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

Matthew 5:21–22 ESV

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.

Lust

Matthew 5:29 ESV

If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell.

Divorce

only for breaking fidelity

Oaths

Matthew 5:37 ESV

Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.

Proverbs 10:19 ESV

When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.

Salt & Light

Matthew 5:13 ESV

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.

Matthew 5:14 ESV

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.

You = Kingdom = church

The Big Difference

Eyes, Teeth, and Enemies

Ephesians 6:12 ESV

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Matthew 5:44 ESV

But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Instead of retaliation, Jesus advocates giving more than was asked… but then the entire Kingdom was won by the King being crucified

3 Questions & 3 Statements

Do we view any group of people as our enemies in our heart?

Do we pray for their blessing?

When we say justice, do we mean punishment of others, or do we mean equity; balanced scales?

The good news is that because of Christ, no matter how many times we fail this standard, we who are in Christ are forgiven.

The better news is that once you are truly repentant of failing these standards, God will aid you in overcoming the sin… actual growth and maturity is available.

The best news is that God’s Spirit is never far from the proclamation of the Word among His people. This sermon is about how the Kingdom on earth should be, should act, but the same Spirit that matures believers draws unbelievers to Christ and His Kingdom!