Embodying Kingdom Ethics: The Heart of the Law
Summary
In today's exploration of Matthew chapter 5, we delve into the profound teachings of Jesus on kingdom ethics, focusing on the fulfillment of the law and the prophets. Jesus, in His Sermon on the Mount, challenges us to understand the law not as a set of rigid rules but as a guide to living a life that reflects the heart of God. He confronts two common errors: antinomianism, which dismisses the law, and legalism, which attempts to earn God's favor through strict adherence to rules. Instead, Jesus presents a third way, fulfilling the law by embodying its true intent and purpose.
Jesus' fulfillment of the law is multifaceted. He fulfills it predictively, as the law and prophets point to Him as the Messiah. He fulfills it ethically, living a sinless life that exemplifies perfect obedience to God's commands. He fulfills it exemplarily, providing a model for us to follow in holiness and righteousness. Moreover, He fulfills it in His disciples, empowering us through the Holy Spirit to live out the righteous requirements of the law.
The heart of Jesus' teaching is a call to internal righteousness, a transformation that goes beyond external compliance. He emphasizes the importance of the heart's condition, teaching that anger equates to murder and lust to adultery. This internalization of the law calls us to a higher standard, one that values life, integrity, and purity. Jesus underscores the sacredness of marriage, urging us to honor this covenant as a reflection of God's relationship with His people.
In addressing sin, Jesus advocates for radical measures, not through physical mutilation but through the mortification of sin in our hearts. The law serves as a mirror, revealing our need for a Savior, and pointing us to Christ, who empowers us to live righteously. As kingdom citizens, we are called to be peacemakers, valuing reconciliation and embodying the love and grace of God in our relationships.
Key Takeaways:
- Understanding the Law's Fulfillment: Jesus fulfills the law in various ways—predictively, ethically, exemplarily, and in His disciples. This fulfillment calls us to view the law as a guide to living a life that reflects God's heart, rather than a set of rigid rules. [09:08]
- Internal Righteousness: Jesus emphasizes the importance of internal righteousness, teaching that true obedience to God's law begins in the heart. Anger and lust are equated with murder and adultery, highlighting the need for a heart transformation that aligns with God's standards. [21:08]
- Sacredness of Marriage: Marriage is a sacred covenant designed to reflect God's relationship with His people. Jesus calls us to honor this covenant, emphasizing the importance of fidelity and the dangers of lust and adultery. [37:29]
- Radical Approach to Sin: Jesus advocates for a radical approach to dealing with sin, urging us to mortify sin in our hearts rather than merely addressing external behaviors. This involves a deep reliance on the Holy Spirit to empower us to live righteously. [39:13]
- Reconciliation and Peacemaking: As kingdom citizens, we are called to be peacemakers, prioritizing reconciliation in our relationships. Our treatment of others reflects our relationship with God, and we are urged to embody love and grace in all interactions. [30:27]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:50] - Introduction to Kingdom Ethics
[02:28] - Avoiding Antinomianism and Legalism
[04:57] - Jesus' Authority and Fulfillment of the Law
[06:38] - Understanding Jesus' Fulfillment
[09:08] - Predictive and Ethical Fulfillment
[11:34] - Loving the Scriptures
[14:41] - The Ceremonial Law and Jesus' Sacrifice
[17:21] - Honoring God's Law
[18:30] - Internal Righteousness and Heart Transformation
[21:08] - The True Nature of the Law
[23:22] - Valuing Life and Relationships
[25:43] - Reconciliation and Peacemaking
[30:27] - The Role of Love in Fulfilling the Law
[37:29] - Sacredness of Marriage and Adultery
[39:13] - Radical Approach to Sin
[45:15] - Application and Conclusion
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Matthew 5:17-20
- Romans 8:3-4
- Hebrews 13:4
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Jesus mean when He says He came to fulfill the law and the prophets, not to abolish them? [06:38]
2. How does Jesus describe the righteousness that exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees? [19:47]
3. What radical measures does Jesus suggest for dealing with sin, and what is the underlying message behind these suggestions? [39:13]
4. How does Jesus redefine the understanding of commandments like "do not murder" and "do not commit adultery"? [21:08]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. In what ways does Jesus' fulfillment of the law challenge both antinomianism and legalism? How does this understanding affect a believer's view of the Old Testament? [02:28]
2. How does the concept of internal righteousness, as taught by Jesus, differ from the external righteousness practiced by the Pharisees? What implications does this have for personal spiritual growth? [21:08]
3. How does Jesus' teaching on reconciliation and peacemaking reflect the values of the kingdom of God? What does this suggest about the importance of relationships in the Christian life? [30:27]
4. How does the sacredness of marriage, as emphasized by Jesus, reflect God's relationship with His people? What does this teach about the nature of covenant relationships? [37:29]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own approach to God's law. Do you tend to lean towards antinomianism or legalism? How can you find a balance that aligns with Jesus' teaching on fulfilling the law? [02:28]
2. Consider a situation where you might have focused on external compliance rather than internal transformation. How can you shift your focus to cultivate internal righteousness in that area? [21:08]
3. Think of a relationship in your life that needs reconciliation. What steps can you take this week to pursue peace and embody the love and grace of God in that relationship? [30:27]
4. How do you currently honor the sacredness of marriage in your life, whether you are married or single? What specific actions can you take to uphold the covenant of marriage as a reflection of God's relationship with His people? [37:29]
5. Identify a sin in your life that you need to address at the heart level. What practical steps can you take to mortify this sin, relying on the Holy Spirit for empowerment? [39:13]
6. How can you actively participate in being a peacemaker in your community or church? What specific actions can you take to promote reconciliation and embody kingdom values? [30:27]
7. Reflect on the role of the Holy Spirit in empowering you to live out the righteous requirements of the law. How can you cultivate a deeper reliance on the Spirit in your daily life? [15:24]
Devotional
I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:
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Day 1: The Law as a Guide to God's Heart
Description: Jesus' teachings in Matthew 5 reveal a profound understanding of the law, not as a set of rigid rules, but as a guide to living a life that reflects the heart of God. He challenges the common errors of antinomianism, which dismisses the law, and legalism, which seeks to earn God's favor through strict adherence to rules. Instead, Jesus presents a third way, fulfilling the law by embodying its true intent and purpose. This fulfillment is multifaceted: predictively, as the law and prophets point to Him as the Messiah; ethically, as He lives a sinless life exemplifying perfect obedience; exemplarily, as He provides a model for us to follow; and in His disciples, as He empowers us through the Holy Spirit to live out the righteous requirements of the law. [09:08]
Bible Passage: "For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh." (Romans 8:2-3, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you view the law as a guide to understanding God's heart rather than a set of rules? How might this perspective change your daily actions and decisions?
Day 2: Internal Righteousness Begins in the Heart
Description: Jesus emphasizes the importance of internal righteousness, teaching that true obedience to God's law begins in the heart. He equates anger with murder and lust with adultery, highlighting the need for a heart transformation that aligns with God's standards. This internalization of the law calls us to a higher standard, one that values life, integrity, and purity. Jesus' teachings challenge us to look beyond external compliance and focus on the condition of our hearts, urging us to seek a transformation that reflects God's love and righteousness. [21:08]
Bible Passage: "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? 'I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.'" (Jeremiah 17:9-10, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a recent situation where your internal thoughts did not align with your external actions. How can you invite God to transform your heart in this area today?
Day 3: Honoring the Sacredness of Marriage
Description: Marriage is a sacred covenant designed to reflect God's relationship with His people. Jesus calls us to honor this covenant, emphasizing the importance of fidelity and the dangers of lust and adultery. He underscores the sacredness of marriage, urging us to view it as a reflection of God's unwavering commitment to His people. This teaching challenges us to uphold the sanctity of marriage in our own lives, recognizing it as a divine institution that requires love, respect, and faithfulness. [37:29]
Bible Passage: "Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous." (Hebrews 13:4, ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively honor the sacredness of marriage in your life, whether you are married or single? What steps can you take to uphold the values of fidelity and respect in your relationships?
Day 4: A Radical Approach to Sin
Description: Jesus advocates for a radical approach to dealing with sin, urging us to mortify sin in our hearts rather than merely addressing external behaviors. This involves a deep reliance on the Holy Spirit to empower us to live righteously. The law serves as a mirror, revealing our need for a Savior and pointing us to Christ, who empowers us to overcome sin. Jesus' teachings call us to take radical measures in addressing sin, not through physical mutilation but through a transformation of the heart that aligns with God's will. [39:13]
Bible Passage: "Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry." (Colossians 3:5, ESV)
Reflection: Identify one sin in your life that you need to address. What radical steps can you take today to begin mortifying this sin in your heart?
Day 5: Embracing Reconciliation and Peacemaking
Description: As kingdom citizens, we are called to be peacemakers, prioritizing reconciliation in our relationships. Our treatment of others reflects our relationship with God, and we are urged to embody love and grace in all interactions. Jesus' teachings emphasize the importance of reconciliation, urging us to seek peace and harmony in our relationships. This call to peacemaking challenges us to value reconciliation over conflict, embodying the love and grace of God in our interactions with others. [30:27]
Bible Passage: "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." (Matthew 5:23-24, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a relationship in your life that needs reconciliation. What steps can you take today to begin the process of peacemaking and embodying God's love and grace in this relationship?
Quotes
Here are the selected quotes from the sermon transcript:
1. "And as I mentioned two weeks ago, this beatitude, this reality that we are those who are poor in spirit, blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. This reality points to salvation by grace. We get the kingdom of heaven and kingdom citizenship not because we brought something to the table and we earned it. We came needy and God met us in our need. And that's the good news of the gospel, that we were dead in our sins. We were cut off from Christ. We were without hope in the world. We were separated from God. And God. God sent his son Jesus and he came as the king and as Lord and as Savior and he brought rescue to our lives." [00:03:16] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Jesus fulfilled the law and the prophets, and he taught his followers how to properly understand and apply the law to their lives. Jesus said he came to fulfill the law, not abolish it, as some might think. Some might think that Jesus came to just completely do away, as if it has no relevance for the Christian now that Jesus has come. And so this idea. That Jesus came to fulfill the law, the word fulfilled is used a number of times in the scriptures. Matthew uses the word fulfilled often in talking about the scriptures being fulfilled, right? Jesus came as the Messiah, as the Messiah, and he fulfilled prophecy. He fulfilled what God says would happen." [00:09:11] (57 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The law and the prophets pointed to him. You see, the religious leaders of Jesus' day, they searched the scriptures because they thought that in the scriptures and knowing the scriptures that they have life, but they wouldn't come to Jesus who is the source of life. And those very scriptures, the law of Moses and the prophets and the Psalms, they were all pointing forward to Jesus. And so when we as Christians, when we read the Old Testament, we're going to read it with a Christ -centered lens. This is about Jesus. When Jesus was resurrected from the dead, he showed up to walk on this trip to the road to Emmaus with some disciples, and they didn't realize it was him. And he took them through the scriptures explaining how all of it points to him. All of it." [00:10:03] (55 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "And so we should love the scriptures. We should love not only the New Testament. But we. We should love the Old Testament because in it we see Jesus because in it we see the very nature and character of God. I mean, just think about that for a moment. The law reveals the nature of God. That's right. He says don't kill. Why? Because he values life and love. He created us in his image. Right? We're image bearers. Right? And so he gives. He says don't lie. Why? Because God is truthful and faithful and it reveals his character and it reveals his will for human relationships and how they are to operate and flourish." [00:11:51] (56 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "And Jesus shows up as the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. And so when we read Jesus' teaching here on the Sermon on the Mount, I think it's important that we read it in light of the cross. Because that's where Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are taking all of us. When we're reading that, we should read it in light of the cross. Read his teachings in light of the cross. He knew he was going to the cross and that he would die and that he would be the once and for all sacrifice for the sin of the world, for sinners like you and me. And so Jesus fulfilled the law. In that sense, he fulfilled the demands, the righteous demands of the law. The wages of sin is death. And without the shedding of blood, there's no forgiveness of sins. So Jesus comes in and he offers his life. He does what we can't do." [00:13:31] (53 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "And so what Jesus teaches us here is in what he requires is an internal righteousness, a righteousness of the heart. And he goes in these next verses and he expounds what the true nature of the law is, what God really wants when he says, don't commit adultery and don't murder. He wants more than not merely doing those physical acts that are prohibited. He actually wants the opposite. Love from the heart, sincerity. And so this is what Jesus said. He said, you've heard it. You've heard that it was said of those old, those of old, you shall not murder and whoever murders will be liable to judgment. But I say to you, everyone who's angry with his brother will be liable to judgment and whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council." [00:21:28] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "And so notice that Jesus puts priority here on being reconciled to your brother. It's like saying, if you go to church and you realize you're offended with your brother or sister, there's somebody done you wrong. Like instead of like, singing that next worship song, like maybe go and give them a call and seek some reconciliation with the pursue that reconciliation. Instead of, instead of just going through the motions and taking the elements of, of the communion and just mindlessly doing that. Maybe stop and pause and think, oh, I need to get things right with what I said with, with my brother or sister because of what I said. That was wrong. I devalued them. I dishonored them. I, God, forgive me." [00:27:22] (53 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "And so marriage is sacred. It's holy. And God wants us to honor him in it by addressing sin in the heart. By guarding our hearts, as Job said, I've made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully upon a young woman. Now, I know Jesus is specifically addressing men here in this. And it certainly applies to women as well. And what women are doing with their thought life about other men that aren't their husbands. Adultery is a serious sin that brings much damage. And so we must guard our hearts, for out of it flows the issues of life." [00:37:18] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "And so there are going to be thoughts that come across our minds that we can't help control that are presented to us. But in that moment, we have a choice when we're tempted with those thoughts. What are we going to do with it? Are we going to resist it? Fight it with the gospel, with the power of the Holy Spirit? Or are we going to let sin come in and wreak havoc in our lives? And let me just close with a note of hope here. Know that as a Christian, your sin no longer defines your whole life. But rather, Christ does. If you've given yourself to pornography, and you've damaged your marriage, and you've damaged your ministry, and you've damaged your relationship with God, know that that is not the worst sin ever, and that there is hope for you. Hope for forgiveness and freedom." [00:47:03] (57 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "Let us call upon Him who is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love. He offers mercy. He offers forgiveness. He offers freedom, cleansing, healing, and transformation to those who come to Him in faith." [00:48:52] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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