Embracing Torah: A Journey of Faith and Obedience
Summary
In a thought-provoking sermon, the speaker delves into the complexities and beauty of the Torah, or God's law, and its place in the Christian faith. The sermon begins with a personal anecdote about an encounter with a police officer, which serves as a segue into the ambivalence many feel towards the law. The speaker prefers the term "Torah" over "law" because it encompasses more than just rules—it is guidance for living a life aligned with God's will. The sermon's title, "Torah: Path to Obedience," sets the stage for exploring the right biblical posture towards Torah, the reasons for adopting this posture, the roadblocks to embracing it, and the Christian resolution to these roadblocks.
The speaker emphasizes that Jesus, in The Sermon on the Mount, revolutionized the understanding of Torah by claiming to be the source of wisdom, life, and right living. Jesus invites his followers to accept him by faith as the fulfillment of the promises of old and the climax of human history. The speaker also touches upon the historical context of the 16th century, referencing Martin Luther's discovery of God's grace amidst the corruption of the Catholic Church. Luther's reading of scripture led him to understand the law as something that brings people to their knees, recognizing their need for God's grace.
The sermon further explores the connection between Torah and creation, drawing parallels between God's ordering of chaos in Genesis and His desire to bring order to human existence through His word. Torah is likened to wisdom literature, providing principles for wise living rather than a rigid set of rules. The speaker encourages the audience to approach Torah with delight and joy, as expressed in Psalm 119 and Psalm 1, and to see it as a lifegiving covenant agreement between God and Israel.
Three roadblocks to understanding Torah are identified: the misconception that the law and the gospel are opposed, legalism that prioritizes Torah over a relationship with God, and the human heart's failure to keep Torah. The speaker concludes by highlighting the importance of walking the path of obedience to the Lord, with Jesus as the one who fulfills the law and changes us to desire obedience.
Key Takeaways:
- Jesus' teachings in The Sermon on the Mount signify a pivotal shift in the understanding of Torah, positioning himself as the ultimate authority and embodiment of God's wisdom. This perspective invites Christians to see Jesus as the resolution to the inadequacies of the law and the fulfillment of God's promises, challenging believers to a faith-centered acceptance of Jesus' role in salvation history. [33:43]
- Martin Luther's theological breakthrough during the Reformation era underscores the transformative power of scripture and the discovery of God's grace. His distinction between the law and the gospel serves as a historical reminder of the law's role in leading humanity to a recognition of their need for grace, a concept that continues to shape Christian thought and practice. [26:50]
- The Torah's connection to creation and order in the universe reveals the divine intention behind the law, which is to bring beauty and wisdom into human relationships and existence. This understanding reframes Torah as a source of life and guidance, rather than a mere set of rules, and calls Christians to embrace the law with a posture of delight and reverence. [20:14]
- The roadblocks to embracing Torah, such as legalism and the human inability to fully adhere to the law, highlight the need for a deeper relationship with God and reliance on Jesus' transformative power. These challenges serve as an invitation to re-examine personal attitudes towards obedience and to seek a heart aligned with God's will. [30:38]
- The metaphor of walking on a path of obedience to the Lord encapsulates the Christian journey of faith. As believers strive to stay on this path, they are reminded of the distractions that can lead astray and the necessity of Jesus' guidance and fulfillment of the law to maintain a life of obedience and faithfulness to God's instructions. [38:10]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Psalm 119:1-8 - "Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord. Blessed are those who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart—they do no wrong but follow his ways. You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed. Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees! Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands. I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws. I will obey your decrees; do not utterly forsake me."
2. 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 tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven."
3. Genesis 1:1-3 - "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light."
#### Observation Questions
1. What are the different words used for Torah in Psalm 119, and what do they signify about the nature of God's law? [11:55]
2. How does Jesus describe His relationship to the Law in Matthew 5:17-20? What does He mean by fulfilling the Law? [33:00]
3. In Genesis 1:1-3, how does God bring order out of chaos, and how is this related to the concept of Torah as described in the sermon? [17:18]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does the psalmist in Psalm 119 express such delight and joy in the Torah? How does this compare to modern perceptions of the law? [15:11]
2. How does Jesus' teaching in The Sermon on the Mount revolutionize the understanding of Torah? What implications does this have for Christians today? [33:43]
3. What are the three roadblocks to understanding Torah mentioned in the sermon, and how do they affect one's relationship with God? [23:16]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own attitude towards God's commandments. Do you find joy and delight in them as the psalmist does in Psalm 119? Why or why not? [15:11]
2. Jesus invites us to see Him as the fulfillment of the Law. How does this perspective change the way you approach obedience and your relationship with God? [33:43]
3. The sermon mentioned the connection between Torah and creation, emphasizing order and beauty. How can you bring more order and beauty into your daily life through following God's guidance? [17:18]
4. Consider the roadblocks to embracing Torah: legalism, the misconception that law and gospel are opposed, and the human heart's failure to keep the law. Which of these do you struggle with the most, and how can you address it? [23:16]
5. The metaphor of walking on a path of obedience was used to describe the Christian journey. What are some distractions that lead you off this path, and how can you stay focused on following Jesus? [35:23]
6. Martin Luther's discovery of God's grace was a pivotal moment in Christian history. How does understanding God's grace impact your daily walk with Him? [24:35]
7. The sermon encourages a posture of delight and joy towards Torah. What practical steps can you take this week to cultivate a more joyful and obedient heart towards God's word? [15:11]
Devotional
Day 1: Jesus, the Fulfillment of Torah
Jesus Christ embodies the wisdom and promises of the Torah, inviting believers to a faith that acknowledges Him as the ultimate authority. This perspective transforms the understanding of the law, seeing it not as a set of rules but as a path to knowing Jesus more intimately. [33:43]
Matthew 5:17-18 - "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 tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished."
Reflection: How does viewing Jesus as the fulfillment of the Torah change your approach to reading and applying the Old Testament in your life?
Day 2: Grace Revealed Through the Law
The law serves as a mirror, reflecting our need for God's grace, as discovered by Martin Luther. This revelation is crucial for understanding the transformative power of scripture and the role of the law in leading us to grace. [26:50]
Romans 7:7 - "What shall we say, then? Is the law sinful? Certainly not! Nevertheless, I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, 'You shall not covet.'"
Reflection: In what ways has your understanding of your need for grace grown as you have encountered the law in Scripture?
Day 3: Torah as Divine Wisdom and Order
The Torah is God's blueprint for ordering human existence, reflecting His wisdom and intention for creation. It is a source of life and guidance, calling for a response of delight and reverence from believers. [20:14]
Proverbs 8:22-24 - "The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works, before his deeds of old; I was formed long ages ago, at the very beginning, when the world came to be."
Reflection: How can you incorporate the wisdom of the Torah into your daily decisions and interactions with others?
Day 4: Overcoming Roadblocks to Torah
Recognizing and overcoming the roadblocks to embracing Torah, such as legalism and our own shortcomings, is essential for a deeper relationship with God and a life transformed by Jesus. [30:38]
Hebrews 8:10 - "This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people."
Reflection: What are some legalistic tendencies you need to let go of in order to embrace a more grace-filled approach to God's law?
Day 5: The Path of Obedience with Jesus
Walking the path of obedience to the Lord is a journey of faith, with Jesus as our guide and the fulfillment of the law. This path calls for a heart that desires obedience and a life that reflects faithfulness to God's instructions. [38:10]
1 John 2:3-4 - "We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, 'I know him,' but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person."
Reflection: What does walking the path of obedience look like in your life, and how can you more closely align your daily actions with Jesus' teachings?
Quotes
"The most revolutionary thing that he talks about in this Sermon on the Mount is not the content of the Torah but the source of the Torah." [32:12]
"A better way to think about the law really as Paul kind of says in Galatians that the law was a guardian until Christ came." [26:50]
"Torah is not meant simply as a body of rules to follow either you're following law or you're kind of against outside of the law but really it's a set of principles for wise living for really flourishing in life." [19:35]
"as we submit Our Lives to him he actually makes us want to walk the path want to obey him want to want him in our lives he changes our hearts and that's the solution to the problem" [36:14]
"it is not that the law was not good it is beautiful and it brings order and brings Beauty and Harmony into human life but the problem is with us and our hearts to obey to walk Faithfully every day" [37:13]
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