July 22
Step 25 Part 3: From a Galilean Synagogue to Mount Tabor
The Sermon on the Mount is Jesus’ longest and probably most important recorded sermon.
It represents Jesus’ foundational instruction on what life in God’s kingdom looks like. You will find parts of the Sermon on the Mount in these scriptures:
Matt.5:1-7:29; 4:24-25; 10:2-4; 12:15-21Mark 1:12; 3:7-19; Luke 6:12-49; 12:22-31, 57-69;16:17
- The relationship of Jesus to the Law Matt.5:17-20
- Jesus is the Author, Creator, Sustainer, and Fulfilment of the Law
- The Law did not begin with Moses. It has always existed. It was only codified by God and delivered to man and delivered to mankind through Moses.
- The Law is Natural Law. Like the law of gravity and other natural laws. It is if/then law. For instance, the law of gravity says: when you are holding an egg, if you let it go, then it falls to the floor.
- Likewise, take each of the Ten Commandments. They are all if/then. If you obey, then you are blessed. If you disobey, then you will suffer.
- That was always true, even before God codified them.
- Also, before and after Moses, if society obeys the law, society as a whole is blessed, but if society disobeys the law, society as a whole suffers.
- The Ten Commandments have been compared to a fence and a teacher. With the restrictions of a fence and the control of a teacher.
- The Ten Commandments taught us that we needed a Savior. When Jesus fulfilled the law He gave us the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is now our guide.
- “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye. Do not be like the horse or like the mule, Which have no understanding, Which must be harnessed with bit and bridle, Else they will not come near you.”
Psalms 32:8-9 NKJV
- Old Testament/ New Testament: Age of Law/ Age of Grace
Matt.5:20
The Ten Commandments as handed down to Moses were to reveal the need for a Savior.
The Pharisees thought you could earn a place in heaven by keeping the Law. Most of them probably thought that they were the only ones who ever kept the Law. But Jesus knew better.
- Matt.5:21-26 Murder. (Deut.5:17)
We must not let anger overcome us but learn to constantly seek reconciliation.
Not only is the act of murder wrong, but an angry spirit that leads to it is sinful.
God will judge the hidden sin.
- Matt.5:27-30 Adultery (Deut. 5:18)
- The Pharisees had given adultery a narrow definition. But Jesus says any sex outside of the parameters that God has set is wrong.
- Here also Jesus is addressing more than the physical act.
- Also, what seems to be extreme teaching by Jesus in v.29-30 is His way of saying you don’t want anything to come between you and Heaven
- Matt.31-32 Divorce
*The Pharisaical law had legitimized divorce to the point that a man could divorce his wife for almost any reason. But Jesus narrows the ability to get a divorce.
More of Jesus’ teaching on divorce. > ( Matt.19:1-8)
*Although the Mosaic law included provisions regulating divorce, the Old Testament makes it clear that divorce falls short of God’s ideal.
*“But did He not make them one, Having a remnant of the Spirit? And why one? He seeks godly offspring. Therefore take heed to your spirit, And let none deal treacherously with the wife of his youth. “For the Lord God of Israel says That He hates divorce, For it covers one’s garment with violence,” Says the Lord of hosts. “Therefore take heed to your spirit, That you do not deal treacherously.””
Malachi 2:15-16 NKJV
- Matt.5:33-37 Oathes
Be known as a person whose word can be trusted.
- Matt.5:38-42 Retaliation
This may be the hardest of Jesus’s teachings.
- Matt.5:43-48. Love your Neighbor
See the Golden Rule. (Matt 7:12)
- Matt.6:1-4. Compassion
Is loud charity real charity?
- Back to the Righteousness of the Pharisees.
“For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 5:20 NKJV
- Was Jesus saying that the Pharisees were going to Heaven because of their righteousness? He was acknowledging how well they kept their law, and saying that we would have to do a lot better than that to be saved.
- Is it possible for anyone to get to heaven by obeying the Law?
- How were people in the OT saved if they could not be saved by the Law?
- If they were saved, they were saved the same way we are. By the Blood of Jesus Christ. They believed God when He said that He was going to send a Savior.
- “For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” Romans 4:3 NKJV
Old Testament Saints were saved when they trusted God and believed His Promise of a Savior. We are saved when we trust God and believe that His promise has been kept in the Person of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
The Law could not save us. But Jesus has therefore He has fulfilled the Law.
From the Bible
““Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.
Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 5:17-20 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/mat.5.17-20.NKJV
Douglas Huff
