Fulfilling the Law: Jesus' Purpose and Our Righteousness
Summary
The anticipation of Christmas brings us to reflect on the profound reasons for Jesus Christ's coming into the world. The New Testament provides various insights into this, with Paul, John, Hebrews, and Revelation each offering perspectives on Jesus' mission. However, the focus today is on the direct statements made by Jesus himself about why he came. In the Gospels, Jesus explicitly states his purpose on seven occasions, three of which are found in Matthew and Luke, and four in John. Today, we explore the first of these statements in Matthew 5, where Jesus declares, "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."
Jesus' mission was not to nullify the law but to fulfill it in three significant ways: through his life, his death, and in his people. In his life, Jesus perfectly adhered to the law, embodying its requirements and fulfilling the prophecies about the Messiah. His death was the ultimate fulfillment of the law, as he bore the penalties for our transgressions, redeeming us from the curse of the law. This act of grace means there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus.
Moreover, Jesus came to fulfill the law in his people. He calls us to a righteousness that surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, a righteousness that is not merely external but internal, driven by the Holy Spirit. This new covenant promise is that God will write his law on our hearts, enabling us to live lives of love and righteousness. The Holy Spirit empowers us to pursue a life pleasing to God, transforming our desires and enabling us to live out the righteous requirements of the law.
As we prepare for Christmas, we are invited to listen to Jesus, trust in his redemptive work, and follow him by committing to a life of love and righteousness. This pursuit is not in our strength but through the Spirit's power, which renews us from the inside out, ensuring our righteousness exceeds that of the Pharisees, free from arrogance and pretense.
Key Takeaways:
- Jesus came not to abolish the law but to fulfill it, emphasizing that the law remains until all is accomplished. This fulfillment is seen in his life, death, and in the lives of his followers, who are called to live out the law's righteous requirements through the Spirit's power. [07:13]
- The fulfillment of the law in Jesus' life is seen in his perfect obedience and adherence to God's will, embodying the prophecies and requirements of the law. His life was a testament to the law's true purpose, which is to guide us in living a life of love and righteousness. [10:58]
- Jesus' death fulfilled the law by bearing its penalties, redeeming us from the curse of the law. This act of grace ensures that there is no condemnation for those in Christ, as he took upon himself the curse meant for us, offering us freedom and redemption. [16:32]
- The call to a righteousness that exceeds that of the Pharisees is a call to an internal transformation, where the Holy Spirit writes God's law on our hearts. This transformation enables us to live lives of genuine love and righteousness, surpassing mere external adherence. [21:12]
- The Holy Spirit empowers believers to live out the righteous requirements of the law, transforming our desires and enabling us to pursue a life pleasing to God. This new life is marked by love, humility, and a genuine pursuit of righteousness, made possible by the Spirit's work within us. [28:42]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:18] - The Coming of Jesus
- [00:33] - Why Did Jesus Come?
- [01:09] - Jesus' Direct Statements
- [01:57] - Seven Occasions of Jesus' Purpose
- [03:02] - Jesus' First Statement in Matthew
- [03:36] - Not to Abolish but to Fulfill
- [05:10] - The Law and the Prophets
- [06:39] - The New Heaven and Earth
- [08:13] - Fulfillment in Jesus' Life
- [11:15] - Fulfillment in Jesus' Death
- [13:11] - The Curse and Redemption
- [17:21] - Fulfillment in His People
- [21:12] - Exceeding the Pharisees' Righteousness
- [28:42] - The Power of the Holy Spirit
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Matthew 5:17-20
- Romans 8:1-4
- Jeremiah 31:33
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Observation Questions:
1. In Matthew 5:17, Jesus states that he did not come to abolish the law or the prophets. What does he say he came to do instead? [03:36]
2. According to the sermon, how did Jesus fulfill the law through his life? [10:58]
3. What does Romans 8:1-4 say about condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus?
4. How does the sermon describe the role of the Holy Spirit in fulfilling the law in believers? [28:42]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What does it mean for Jesus to fulfill the law in his life, death, and in his people, as discussed in the sermon? [17:21]
2. How does the concept of righteousness that exceeds that of the Pharisees challenge traditional views of righteousness? [21:12]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the Holy Spirit empowers believers to live out the righteous requirements of the law? [28:42]
4. How does the new covenant promise of God writing his law on our hearts change the way we understand obedience to God's law? [22:23]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your understanding of righteousness. How does the idea of a righteousness that exceeds that of the Pharisees challenge you personally? [21:12]
2. The sermon emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit in transforming our desires. Can you identify an area in your life where you need the Spirit's help to align your desires with God's will? [28:42]
3. Jesus fulfilled the law through his life and death. How can you live in a way that reflects this fulfillment in your daily actions and decisions? [17:21]
4. The sermon calls us to a life of love and righteousness. What specific steps can you take this week to pursue a life of love that is pleasing to God? [33:54]
5. Consider the new covenant promise that God will write his law on our hearts. How does this promise encourage you in your spiritual journey? [22:23]
6. As we prepare for Christmas, how can you focus on listening to Jesus and trusting in his redemptive work in your life? [33:36]
7. The sermon mentions the importance of humility in our pursuit of righteousness. How can you cultivate humility in your interactions with others this week? [34:27]
Devotional
Day 1: Jesus Fulfills the Law, Not Abolishes It
Jesus came into the world not to abolish the law but to fulfill it, as he stated in Matthew 5:17. This fulfillment is seen in three significant ways: through his life, his death, and in his people. In his life, Jesus perfectly adhered to the law, embodying its requirements and fulfilling the prophecies about the Messiah. His death was the ultimate fulfillment of the law, as he bore the penalties for our transgressions, redeeming us from the curse of the law. This act of grace means there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. Moreover, Jesus came to fulfill the law in his people. He calls us to a righteousness that surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, a righteousness that is not merely external but internal, driven by the Holy Spirit. This new covenant promise is that God will write his law on our hearts, enabling us to live lives of love and righteousness. [07:13]
"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." (Matthew 5:18, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you allow Jesus to fulfill the law in your life today, moving beyond mere external adherence to a deeper, Spirit-led righteousness?
Day 2: Jesus' Life as a Testament to the Law's Purpose
The life of Jesus was a testament to the true purpose of the law, which is to guide us in living a life of love and righteousness. Jesus' perfect obedience and adherence to God's will embodied the prophecies and requirements of the law. His life demonstrated the law's ultimate goal: to lead us into a deeper relationship with God and to transform us into people who reflect His love and righteousness. As we reflect on Jesus' life, we are reminded that the law is not a burden but a guide that points us to the heart of God. [10:58]
"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." (Matthew 5:17, ESV)
Reflection: How can you emulate Jesus' adherence to God's will in your daily life, allowing the law to guide you into a deeper relationship with God?
Day 3: Redemption from the Curse of the Law
Jesus' death fulfilled the law by bearing its penalties, redeeming us from the curse of the law. This act of grace ensures that there is no condemnation for those in Christ, as he took upon himself the curse meant for us, offering us freedom and redemption. Through his sacrifice, we are no longer bound by the law's penalties but are free to live in the grace and love of God. This redemption calls us to live lives that reflect the freedom and grace we have received, moving beyond the constraints of the law into a life of love and service. [16:32]
"Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, 'Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree.'" (Galatians 3:13, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you live out the freedom and grace you have received through Christ's redemption, moving beyond the constraints of the law into a life of love and service?
Day 4: Internal Transformation and Righteousness
The call to a righteousness that exceeds that of the Pharisees is a call to an internal transformation, where the Holy Spirit writes God's law on our hearts. This transformation enables us to live lives of genuine love and righteousness, surpassing mere external adherence. The Holy Spirit empowers us to pursue a life pleasing to God, transforming our desires and enabling us to live out the righteous requirements of the law. This new life is marked by love, humility, and a genuine pursuit of righteousness, made possible by the Spirit's work within us. [21:12]
"For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people." (Hebrews 8:10, ESV)
Reflection: How can you invite the Holy Spirit to transform your heart today, enabling you to live a life of genuine love and righteousness?
Day 5: Empowered by the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit empowers believers to live out the righteous requirements of the law, transforming our desires and enabling us to pursue a life pleasing to God. This new life is marked by love, humility, and a genuine pursuit of righteousness, made possible by the Spirit's work within us. As we prepare for Christmas, we are invited to listen to Jesus, trust in his redemptive work, and follow him by committing to a life of love and righteousness. This pursuit is not in our strength but through the Spirit's power, which renews us from the inside out, ensuring our righteousness exceeds that of the Pharisees, free from arrogance and pretense. [28:42]
"And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh." (Ezekiel 36:26, ESV)
Reflection: What specific area of your life do you need to surrender to the Holy Spirit's transforming power today, allowing Him to renew your heart and desires?
Quotes
Jesus says do not think that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets and then he says far 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. [05:02]
Now the Bible makes clear that one day heaven and earth will pass away. On that day God will create new heavens and a new earth. This old planet will be renewed, it will be wonderfully restored, it will be released at last from its pain and from its groaning. [05:32]
Jesus did not come into the world so that we might be able to say hey there's no more law. Now the law is God's definition of righteousness and it stands it never changes. God tells us what a good life looks like. God tells us in his law what a life of love looks like. [07:26]
Jesus came to fulfill the law in his life. Look at what he says do not think that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. Now of course the prophets in the Old Testament speak about one on whom all the hopes of the world depend. [08:23]
Jesus fulfilled the prophets in his life and he fulfilled the law in his life. Jesus said my food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work. Jesus loved doing the will of God, it was food to him. He said supremely I delight to do your will oh my God. [09:27]
Jesus fulfilled the law and the prophets in his life, he also fulfilled the law and the prophets in his death. You know the prophet spoke about a suffering servant who would be pierced for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities. In Psalm 22 David depicts a suffering person. [10:58]
Jesus bore the penalty of the law in his death. Now I want you to think about these blessings and cursings that come from either keeping or disobeying the law of God. When God's people entered the promised land, they walked through a valley that went beside the bottom of a mountain called E-ball. [12:53]
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, and how did he do it? He did it by becoming a curse for us, for it is written cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree. Do you see that the curse that would have been on us for all of our breaking of God's law fell on the Lord Jesus Christ. [15:46]
Jesus fulfills the law not only in his life and in his death but he came to fulfill the law in his people. In his people. Now here we come to the astonishing statement of Jesus in Matthew 5 and verse 20. Look at these words with me Jesus says I tell you unless your righteousness exceeds. [17:13]
Jesus came to bring about the new covenant and the central blessing of the new covenant is that God would write his law upon the hearts of his people. Jeremiah states it like this I will put my law within them and I will write it on my heart that's the uh on their hearts. [22:16]
There's only one answer and that is by the power of the Holy Spirit who will put new desires in you and fan into flame a new love for Christ and desire to pursue a life that's pleasing to him. And that's exactly what the apostle is saying here God has done what the law. [27:36]
The law tells us how God wants us to live tells us what a life of love looks like but Jesus Christ by the power of his spirit makes this life possible and this is why he has come into the world. [32:07]
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