SF467 - HOW FIRM A FOUNDATION (Matthew 5 17-20)
Matthew 5:17-20
INTRODUCTION
Life Isn’t Simple
Three most dreaded words at Christmas: “Some Assemble Required”
Andy Griffin - Freezer episode: “Aunt Bea, call the man.”
Don’t you wish when things go wrong you could just “call the man” or “read the instructions”?
The Word is Essential
Jesus “Just read the Book!”
The B.I.B.L.E.
“It is impossible, ... to take Jesus seriously and not take Scripture seriously. It is impossible to believe Jesus spoke absolute truth and not to consider Scripture to be that absolute truth, because that is precisely what Jesus taught it to be.” J. MacArthur
What Jesus teaches us here is essential if we are to ever become what he has just described in the preceding verses.
Notice What He Says About God’s Word...
1A. The Preeminence of God’s Word (5:17)
“We continually hear the idea that because times have changed the Bible does not fit our day. The truth, of course is the opposite. The Bible always fits because the Bible is God’s perfect, eternal, and infallible Word. It is the standard by which true “fit” is measured. It is the world that does not fit the Bible and not because the world has changed but because the Bible has not changed.” J MacArthur
1B. Because the Bible is the Word of God...
“The” Law
This book is God’s law!
Malachi 3:6 For I, the LORD, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.
Ø The law of God is composed of three parts
The moral law – based on the Ten Commandments, regulates the behavior of all men
The judicial law was for Israel’s operation as an unique nation
The ceremonial law governed Israel’s worship of God.
“The” Prophets
Ø Two major divisions of OT
This speaks of the Divine origin and nature of God’s Word.
Includes all of God’s written revelation.
2B. Because of Christ’s relationship to the Bible
Christ preserves and protects God’s Word
“Abolish,” katalu/sai verb infinitive aorist active;[Fri] katalu,w from. the basic sense put down, loosen, to utterly overthrow, destroy, tear down
Christ fulfills God’s Word
“Fulfill,” plhrw/sai verb infinitive aorist active, [Fri] plhro,w lit. w. an idea of totality make full, fill (up) completely; can carry the idea as here of being the fulfillment; He not only models righteousness - He is righteousness!
Ø Jesus fulfilled the Moral law by His perfect righteousness.
Ø Jesus fulfilled the Judicial law by His death on the cross in that the cross ended Israel’s status God’s chosen nation.
Ø Jesus fulfilled the Ceremonial law by His sacrificial death on the cross, He ended the need for further animal sacrifice.
Hebrews 9:11-12 But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation; and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.
2A. The Permanence of God’s Word (5:18)
1B. Demonstrated by its antiquity
Psalm 102:25-26 "Of old You founded the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands. "Even they will perish, but You endure; And all of them will wear out like a garment; Like clothing You will change them and they will be changed.
Matthew 24:35 "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.
2B. Insured by its accuracy
“smallest letter” ivw/ta noun nominative neuter singular common; [Fri] ivw/ta( Gk. equiv. for the smallest Aram. letter yod; hence, the minutest part, a tiny bit; about the size of an apostrophe.
“stroke” kerai,a noun nominative feminine singular common; [Fri] kerai,a( lit. a hornlike projection, a little horn; hence, the small diacritical marks in written letters for identifying accents, breathing, the small marks that help distinguish one Hebrew letter from another.
3B. Confirmed by its accomplishment
“All is accomplished;” panta (all full supreme) ge,nhtai verb subjunctive aorist middle 3rd person singular; [Fri] gi,nomai as what comes into existence become, come to be, originate, of commands be fulfilled, performed, carried out
Ø Every command, prophecy, figure, symbol, and type will be fulfilled. Nothing will be left undone!
3A. The Priority of God’s Word (5:19)
WE MUST...
1B. Love God’s Word
“breaks” = set loose, release; to make God’s Word void, by loosing ourselves from it’s requirements and standards.
We must be careful never to cast doubt upon or cause others to doubt the validity of God’s Word.
“least” = not a reference to salvation but to standing
2 John 1:8 Watch out that you do not lose what you have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully.
2B. Live God’s Word
“practices and teaches”
Ø We teach primarily by the way we live!
Ø Greatness is not defined by success, but by obedience and faithfulness to God’s Word!!!
4A. THE PURPOSE OF GOD’S WORD (5:20)
1B. Reveals Our Need
“the righteousness... of the Pharisees...”
The rottenness of our righteousness...
We focus on the external - God focuses on the internal!
We focus on the head - God focuses on the heart
We focus on self - God focuses on sacrifice
2B. Fulfills Our Need
“surpasses...” = river overflowing its banks
He indwells us
Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
He inspires us
Matthew 5:6
He invites us
Matthew 11:28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
APPLICATION
“How Firm A Foundation”
How firm a foundation ye saints of the Lord, Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word! What more can He say that to you He hath said, To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?
To Have a Form Foundation We Must...
Receive the Word
Honor God’s Word
Obey God’s Word
Defend God’s Word
Proclaim God’s Word!