The Lofty Requirements of the Law
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SERMON NOTES:
Matthew 5:17-30
The Lofty Requirements of the Law
Matthew 5:17-20
“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. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Illustration # 1
Matthew 5:21-26
“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[a] will be liable to judgment; whoever insults[b] his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be
liable to the hell[c] of fire. So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.
Illustration # 2
Matthew 5:27-30
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 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. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.
study questions:
1. Read Matthew 5:17-18. Why do you think some people might have thought that Jesus had come to abolish the law? What does he say he has come to do in regards to the law? What do you think this means?
2. Read Matthew 5:19. Try and think of two or three laws that Moses gave the people (use the big ten). What would it look like for you to teach a child to break these commandments? What does Jesus say will be the results? What will be the results if you practice them and teach others to practice them? Are you practicing them now?
3. Read Matthew 5:20. Do you think the Pharisees practiced obedience to the law? If so what do you think Jesus is getting at here?
4. Read Matthew 5:21-30. Explain how this teaching gives a much heightened take on God’s law. Now read Matthew 5:20 and explain why the Pharisees couldn’t obey the law and why you cannot either.
5. Write down three or four things you learned from today’s lesson.