“The Law Expanded” Part 1

Series: “The Gospel Truth”

Text: Matt 5:17-26

Introduction: (What?)

Jesus made it very clear that He did not come to do away with the Law. He actually reinterpreted the Law to give us a more complete idea of what it entailed. Rather than leave the interpretation up to the individual, He spelled out clearly what the Law meant, and let us know that we must operate according to His interpretation. Today many might say, “I’m not under the Law, but rather I’m under grace.” While that is true, it does not excuse us from violating the Law of God.

Examination: (What?)

1. Break at your own risk (vv 17-20)

Matt 5:17-20 ““Don’t think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or one stroke of a letter will pass away from the law until all things are accomplished. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commands and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever does and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven.”

Jesus not only fulfilled the Messianic Prophesies in the OT, but He brought a more complete understanding of the Law. The Faithlife Study Bible notes that “Jesus performed or upheld that which was required by the law and met the expectations of the predictions about Him in the writings of the prophets. In Him the Law and the Prophets reached their fullest expression.”

Violation of the Law by either the unbeliever or the believer will bring consequences. For the unbeliever, their violation of the Law is summed up in their rejection of Messiah. To reject Him is to put oneself in violation of ALL the Law of God. The consequence, if they persist in their rejection of Christ, is eternal damnation; separation from God and residence in the Lake of Fire for eternity.

For the believer who violates the Law and/or teaches others to do so will find themselves to be “least in the kingdom of heaven”. This would give credence to the idea of a hierarchy in heaven. The Bible teaches us that all believers will appear before the judgment seat of Christ to give an answer for our earthly lives. The result of this judgment is not heaven or hell, but rather the determining of what “crowns” one will receive in heaven.

Rom 14:10-12 “But you, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For it is written, As I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow to me, and every tongue will give praise to God. So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.” Paul was including himself when he used the pronoun “we” and the phrase “each of us”. He certainly did not think that he might lose his salvation at the “Bema”. He was underscoring the fact that believers are not exempt from obeying the laws of God.

2 Cor 5:10 “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may be repaid for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.” That “repayment” is the reward for obedience or the loss of reward for disobedience. The Bible mentions 5 “crowns” that are available to those in heaven.

The “Imperishable Crown”, or the “Victor’s Crown” 1 Cor 9:24-25 “Don’t you know that the runners in a stadium all race, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way to win the prize. Now everyone who competes exercises self-control in everything. They do it to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable crown.” This crown is for all believers.

The “Crown of rejoicing” 1 Thess 2:19 “For who is our hope or joy or crown of boasting in the presence of our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you?” This crown is for those who have led people to Christ during their earthly life.

The “Crown of Righteousness” 2 Tim 4:8 “There is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me, but to all those who have loved his appearing.” This crown is of everyone who seeks to live a righteous life while still here on earth. One commentator summed it up this way; “In short, it means that we won't do anything that we would not want to be found doing when He appears. We would not go anywhere that would cause shame at His coming. We would not say anything that would be offensive in His presence.”

The “Crown of Glory”; 1 Pet 5:4 “And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.” The context of this verse shows that this crown is reserved for those who have served Christ humbly while here on earth. They have not “lorded” it over people, nor been greedy for recognition.

The “Crown of Life” Rev 2:10 “Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer. Look, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will experience affliction for ten days. Be faithful to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.”

Jas 1:12 “Blessed is the one who endures trials, because when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”

1 Jn 5:3 “For this is what love for God is: to keep his commands. And his commands are not a burden,”

This crown is for those who remain faithful in the face of persecution and trials and who love God. John explained that loving God is actually keeping His commandments. So the question is, “How many crowns will you have in heaven?” Or as the old song asked “Will there be any stars in my crown?” Your salvation is by faith alone, in Christ alone, through grace alone. Jesus told them that if they wanted to be saved on the basis of keeping the Law that their righteousness must surpass that of the Pharisees. To the disciples this would seem to be an impossibility. To us it is definitely an impossibility. However, our crowns (at least some of them) are based on our obedience to the commands of God. -22)

Matt 5:21-26 ““You have heard that it was said to our ancestors, Do not murder, and whoever murders will be subject to judgment. But I tell you, everyone who is angry with his brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Whoever insults his brother or sister, will be subject to the court. Whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to hellfire.

The teachings of the Scribes and Pharisees dealt with “the letter of the Law”. It was “cut and dried”. However Jesus expanded the Law to its full meaning. All sin (violation of God’s Law”) begins in the mind, or heart. A “murderous attitude” is the precursor to murder. Consequently, Jesus warned that the temptation to sin must be “nipped in the bud”. Anger, when allowed to steep in the mind can lead to a murderous attitude and eventually to the act of murder. Even if you never acted out your anger, unless you confess it and repent of it Jesus said that you are under judgment for murder. By fulfilling the “Golden Rule” (“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”) and the “new commandment” of Jn 13:34-35 ““I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”” you will fulfill the Law of God.

Words can also put you in violation of God’s Laws. John McArthur notes that “The internal attitude is actually what the Law prohibits, and therefore an abusive insult carries the same kind of moral guilt as an act of murder.” Calling someone a fool, or an idiot (empty-head) is serious business in Christ’s mind. In Matt 15:19 we find Jesus addressing the idea that all evil acts begin in the heart of man, “For from the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, sexual immoralities, thefts, false testimonies, slander.”

3. Reconciliation precedes worship (vv23-26)

“So if you are offering your gift on the altar, and there you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled with your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. Reach a settlement quickly with your adversary while you’re on the way with him to the court, or your adversary will hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you will be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will never get out of there until you have paid the last penny.”

There are times that I hear people say, “I just don’t get anything out of church.” Perhaps the reason is found in broken relationships. In the passage we just read Jesus made it clear that our worship is futile if we are out of fellowship with a Christian brother or sister. Jesus uses the picture of OT sacrificial worship. In our day it would be more like presenting a sacrifice of praise through singing or a sacrifice of money in tithing. Whatever our offering, it will not be acceptable to God if we have offended a brother or sister or if we have been offended by them. I think that sometimes our worship services suffer from the fact that we think we must cram everything into an hour. Consequently there is no time to reflect on what the Scriptures say or to obey them. Play a little “what if” with me. What if as you enter the church on Sunday you see someone with whom you are ‘on the outs” and you realize that you can’t worship freely until things are made right. What if you pulled them aside and sought their forgiveness or gave them your forgiveness. You would most likely feel a great burden lifted from your shoulders and be free to worship God deeply. In this passage Jesus said that we should settle things as quickly as possible. He used the analogy of paying off a debt and doing it ASAP.

Application: (How I will respond to this message.)

First and foremost you need to settle the dept you owe Jesus by surrendering to Him. After all, He died for you.

If you are guilty of anger toward someone or have even fantasized about doing them harm, you need to deal with that right now. Confess your sin.

Is there a Christian brother and sister that you have a grudge against, or you know that they have a grudge against you? If so, go to them ASAP and make things right.