Fulfillment of the Law: Embracing Heartfelt Righteousness

 

Summary

In today's reflection, we delved into the profound teachings of Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount, specifically focusing on Matthew 5:17-20. Jesus emphasizes that He did not come to abolish the law or the prophets but to fulfill them. This statement challenges the misconception that the Old Testament is obsolete in the light of the New Testament. Jesus underscores the continuity and fulfillment of the Old Testament in His teachings and life, urging us to see the Bible as a unified whole. The Old Testament provides the foundation upon which the New Testament stands, much like the layers of a wedding cake. Without understanding the Old Testament, we risk misinterpreting the New Testament.

The sermon also explored the different categories of laws: moral, civil, and ceremonial. The moral law, such as the Ten Commandments, remains relevant as it governs our relationships and reflects God's character. The civil law, while contextually specific to Israel, teaches us about justice and reconciliation. The ceremonial law, fulfilled by Jesus, reminds us of the necessity of a sacrificial lamb, which Jesus embodies.

Furthermore, we examined the righteousness of the Pharisees, which was often external and quantifiable. Jesus calls us to a higher quality of righteousness, one that is internal and heartfelt. This righteousness is not about following rules for the sake of it but about embodying the spirit of the law. We are reminded to avoid the extremes of legalism and antinomianism, striving instead for a balanced understanding of God's law.

Key Takeaways:

- Unity of Scripture: The Old and New Testaments are not opposing forces but complementary parts of God's revelation. Understanding the Old Testament enriches our comprehension of the New Testament, as it lays the groundwork for the teachings of Jesus. Ignoring the Old Testament risks misinterpreting the New Testament's message. [37:05]

- Moral Law's Relevance: The moral law, such as the Ten Commandments, remains applicable today and in eternity. It reflects God's character and is essential for a livable world. Jesus fulfilled the moral law perfectly, offering us a model to strive towards, even as we rely on His grace. [46:08]

- Justice and Reconciliation: The civil laws of the Old Testament, though contextually specific, teach us about justice and the possibility of reconciliation. They remind us that righteousness must be restored for true forgiveness and reconciliation to occur, as exemplified by Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. [56:16]

- Ceremonial Law Fulfilled: The ceremonial laws, such as sacrifices, are fulfilled in Jesus. He is the ultimate sacrificial lamb, rendering these laws complete. This fulfillment does not make the laws obsolete but highlights their purpose and completion in Christ. [59:52]

- Heartfelt Righteousness: Jesus calls us to a righteousness that exceeds that of the Pharisees, focusing on the heart rather than mere external compliance. True righteousness is qualitative, stemming from a transformed heart that seeks to live out God's law in spirit and truth. [01:13:52]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[32:04] - Opening Prayer
[33:40] - Introduction to Matthew 5:17-20
[35:14] - Misconceptions About Jesus and the Law
[37:05] - Unity of the Old and New Testaments
[38:09] - The Danger of Disregarding the Old Testament
[40:00] - The Importance of the Law
[41:56] - Understanding the Old Testament
[42:47] - The Role of the Law in Righteousness
[45:03] - Categories of the Law
[46:08] - The Moral Law
[49:18] - The Civil Law
[56:16] - Justice and Reconciliation
[59:52] - The Ceremonial Law Fulfilled
[01:04:42] - Grace and the Law
[01:10:19] - Exceeding the Righteousness of the Pharisees
[01:13:52] - Heartfelt Righteousness
[01:28:22] - Returning to God's Righteousness
[01:32:17] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Matthew 5:17-20

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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? [33:40]

2. How does the sermon describe the relationship between the Old Testament and the New Testament? [37:05]

3. What are the three categories of laws mentioned in the sermon, and how are they relevant today? [45:03]

4. How does the sermon describe the righteousness of the Pharisees, and what does Jesus call us to instead? [01:13:52]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. Why is it important to understand the Old Testament to fully grasp the teachings of the New Testament? [41:56]

2. How does the moral law reflect God's character, and why is it still applicable today? [46:08]

3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the civil laws of the Old Testament teach us about justice and reconciliation? [56:16]

4. How does Jesus' fulfillment of the ceremonial law impact our understanding of His role as the sacrificial lamb? [59:52]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your understanding of the Old Testament. How might a deeper study of it enhance your comprehension of the New Testament? [38:09]

2. Consider the moral laws, such as the Ten Commandments. How do they influence your daily decisions and interactions with others? [46:08]

3. Think about a situation where you might have prioritized external compliance over heartfelt righteousness. How can you shift your focus to embody the spirit of the law? [01:13:52]

4. Identify an area in your life where you might be leaning towards legalism or antinomianism. How can you strive for a balanced understanding of God's law? [01:10:19]

5. Reflect on a time when you experienced or witnessed injustice. How can the principles of justice and reconciliation from the sermon guide your response? [56:16]

6. How does understanding Jesus as the ultimate sacrificial lamb change your perspective on the necessity of sacrifices in your spiritual life? [59:52]

7. In what ways can you cultivate a righteousness that exceeds that of the Pharisees, focusing on internal transformation rather than external appearances? [01:13:52]

Devotional

Day 1: The Unity of Scripture
The Bible is a unified narrative, with the Old and New Testaments complementing each other to reveal God's plan. Jesus' teachings in the New Testament are deeply rooted in the Old Testament, which provides the foundation for understanding His message. By recognizing this unity, believers can gain a richer comprehension of the Bible's overarching story. Ignoring the Old Testament risks misinterpreting the New Testament's message, as the former lays the groundwork for the latter. Jesus' life and teachings fulfill the prophecies and laws of the Old Testament, demonstrating that both Testaments are integral to God's revelation. [37:05]

"For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." (Romans 15:4, ESV)

Reflection: How can you incorporate a deeper study of the Old Testament into your daily Bible reading to enhance your understanding of the New Testament?


Day 2: The Enduring Relevance of Moral Law
The moral law, exemplified by the Ten Commandments, remains relevant today as it reflects God's character and provides a framework for ethical living. Jesus fulfilled the moral law perfectly, offering a model for believers to strive towards while relying on His grace. This law governs our relationships and is essential for a livable world, guiding us in our interactions with others and with God. By adhering to the moral law, believers can align their lives with God's will and demonstrate His love to the world. [46:08]

"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: In what ways can you strive to embody the moral law in your daily interactions, reflecting God's character to those around you?


Day 3: Justice and Reconciliation in Civil Law
The civil laws of the Old Testament, though contextually specific to Israel, teach us about justice and reconciliation. These laws highlight the importance of restoring righteousness for true forgiveness and reconciliation to occur. Jesus' sacrifice on the cross exemplifies this principle, as He reconciled humanity to God through His atoning death. By understanding the civil laws, believers can learn to pursue justice and reconciliation in their own lives, fostering peace and harmony in their communities. [56:16]

"He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" (Micah 6:8, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively pursue justice and reconciliation in your relationships and community today?


Day 4: The Fulfillment of Ceremonial Law
The ceremonial laws, such as sacrifices, are fulfilled in Jesus, who is the ultimate sacrificial lamb. This fulfillment does not render the laws obsolete but highlights their purpose and completion in Christ. By understanding the ceremonial laws, believers can appreciate the depth of Jesus' sacrifice and the significance of His role as the Lamb of God. This understanding can deepen one's faith and inspire a greater appreciation for the salvation offered through Jesus. [59:52]

"For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes." (Romans 10:4, ESV)

Reflection: How does recognizing Jesus as the fulfillment of the ceremonial law impact your understanding of His sacrifice and your relationship with Him?


Day 5: Heartfelt Righteousness
Jesus calls believers to a righteousness that exceeds that of the Pharisees, focusing on the heart rather than mere external compliance. True righteousness is qualitative, stemming from a transformed heart that seeks to live out God's law in spirit and truth. This heartfelt righteousness is not about following rules for the sake of it but about embodying the spirit of the law. By cultivating a sincere and heartfelt righteousness, believers can align their lives with God's will and reflect His love to the world. [01:13:52]

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." (Psalm 51:10, ESV)

Reflection: What steps can you take to cultivate a heartfelt righteousness that goes beyond external compliance, focusing on a genuine transformation of the heart?

Quotes

"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, this is not simply saying not a word or not a sentence, not a dot will pass from the law until all is accomplished." [00:34:41]

"Brothers and sisters, I think there is a danger. In today's Christianity, not even today, even in Jesus' time, that there are some people who think that the Old Testament has passed. We have to remove the Old Testament. We don't need the Old Testament. We simply need the Gospel." [00:37:56]

"God wants us to see the Old Testament and the New Testament together. Because the New Testament, I would like to, I normally analogize this, it's like a wedding cake. If you know the wedding cake, there's a, what is it, stories, levels. The New Testament is the top level. But it stands on the lower level, which is the Old Testament." [00:41:31]

"The whole world can operate and continue to operate peacefully if the law remains. Because in the law, there is righteousness of God. And this is the most important thing. The righteousness of God that exists in the law is something that we need to receive and to live. As we are being saved by Jesus and continue to live in this world." [00:42:47]

"First category is the moral law. Moral law is something, are laws that apply to all humanity in general. In fact, in order for us to live as a human being peacefully together forever in eternity in heaven, we need this moral law. It is a law that govern our relationship with one another." [00:46:08]

"Because in this law, the righteousness of God is upheld But the possibility of reconciliation is also open If you think about this spirit of the law here In this sense We see how Jesus fulfilled it Because Jesus fulfilled it on the cross It is on the cross That the righteousness of God is not diminished." [00:59:26]

"Because in that cross He paid the righteousness for us But this is also where we see That what Jesus did opens up for us A possibility of reconciliation and restoration again We are able to be restored And we are restored to return to the righteousness of God Not to abandon the righteousness of God." [01:02:04]

"But brothers and sisters this is where I think We can understand how Jesus fulfilled this law We don't do this law anymore Not because this law is obsolete We don't do this law because It has been done It has been done by Jesus He is our lamb And that's why we don't sacrifice our own lamb again." [01:02:40]

"Let no sin therefore reign in your mortal body to make you obey its passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourself to God as those who have been brought from death to life. Baiklah, saudara -saudara. Biar saya mengambil alih. Once again, the law remains and we are still supposed to live in the law and the righteousness of God." [01:05:36]

"God doesn't want simply a quantitative righteousness. God wants a qualitative righteousness, a righteousness that comes from the heart, a righteousness that realizes we seldom failed and failed again. But I want to return, I want to continue, I want to live out the righteousness again." [01:14:23]

"Religion is that which a man does with his own solitude. Religion is something that we do, brothers and sisters, when nobody is looking at us. When there is no prison for us to do it. Do we want to live out the righteousness of God?" [01:24:16]

"Jangan biarkan kami meninggalkan, jangan mengurangkan Hukum Tuhan. Hukum Tuhan. Hukum Tuhan akan tetap di dunia hari ini dan dunia akan datang. Dalam kesempatan, hukum Tuhan yang begitu berharga untuk kita untuk terus memikirkan dan bermeditasi." [01:28:32]

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Transcript
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