Heart Over Law: Jesus' Fulfillment and True Righteousness

Devotional

Day 1: God Values the Heart's Intentions Over Outward Actions

God's perspective is different from human judgment, as He prioritizes the heart's attitude over mere actions. While humans often judge by appearances, God looks deeper, valuing sincerity and genuine intent. This calls us to examine our motives and align them with God's heart. Jesus emphasized this in His teachings, urging His followers to focus on the internal transformation rather than external compliance. This shift in focus challenges us to cultivate a heart that seeks to please God genuinely, rather than merely performing religious duties for appearance's sake. [00:32]

1 Samuel 16:7 (ESV): "But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.'"

Reflection: Think of a recent action you took that was more about appearance than genuine intent. How can you realign your heart to focus on sincerity and God's perspective today?

Day 2: Jesus Fulfills the Law, Not Abolishes It

Jesus did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it. The law's rituals and sacrifices foreshadowed Christ, who became the perfect sacrifice. Our righteousness comes through faith in Him, not through our efforts. This fulfillment means that Jesus met the law's demands perfectly, offering Himself as the ultimate sacrifice for sin. As believers, we are called to trust in His completed work rather than relying on our own efforts to achieve righteousness. This understanding liberates us from the burden of legalism and invites us into a relationship of grace and faith. [27:02]

Hebrews 10:1-2 (ESV): "For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins?"

Reflection: In what ways have you been trying to earn God's favor through your own efforts? How can you shift your focus to trusting in Christ's fulfillment of the law?

Day 3: Challenging Traditions to Uphold God's Intentions

Jesus challenged human traditions that misinterpreted God's law, especially regarding the Sabbath. He demonstrated that doing good and meeting human needs should not be hindered by rigid traditions. The Pharisees had developed numerous traditions around the Sabbath, which Jesus frequently challenged. For instance, they believed it was unlawful to heal on the Sabbath, yet Jesus healed many, demonstrating that doing good should not be restricted by human traditions. This teaches us to prioritize God's intentions over human-made rules, ensuring that our actions reflect His love and compassion. [06:52]

Mark 2:27-28 (ESV): "And he said to them, 'The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.'"

Reflection: Are there any traditions or routines in your life that may be hindering you from truly loving and serving others? How can you prioritize God's intentions over these traditions?

Day 4: Righteousness Through Faith, Not Legalism

True righteousness surpasses the Pharisees' legalistic adherence. It is a righteousness that comes from faith in Christ, who empowers us to live according to God's will through His Spirit. This righteousness is not about strict adherence to rules but about a transformed heart that seeks to align with God's desires. Through faith in Christ, we receive His righteousness, which enables us to live in a way that pleases God. This transformation is a work of the Spirit, guiding us to live by a higher standard out of love and devotion. [41:29]

Galatians 2:20-21 (ESV): "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose."

Reflection: How can you rely more on the Holy Spirit to guide your actions and decisions today, rather than trying to adhere to a set of rules?

Day 5: The Law as a Guide to Christ

The law reveals our shortcomings and drives us to Christ. It is not abolished but fulfilled in us through the Spirit's work, transforming us to live in a way that pleases God. The law serves as a guide, showing us our need for a Savior and pointing us to Jesus. Through His indwelling Spirit, we are empowered to live according to God's desires. This transformation is not about abandoning the law but about fulfilling it through the Spirit's work in us. As believers, we are called to live by a higher standard, not out of obligation, but out of a transformed heart that seeks to please God. [49:10]

Romans 7:6 (ESV): "But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you feel the law revealing your need for Christ? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to transform these areas today?

Sermon Summary

In Matthew 5:17, Jesus begins a new section of teaching, emphasizing the importance of attitudes over actions. He highlights that while humans often focus on outward appearances, God looks at the heart. Jesus introduces three major principles: the true interpretation of the law, the nature of righteous deeds, and the importance of not judging others. He clarifies that He did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it, addressing common misconceptions about His relationship with the law. Jesus was often accused of violating the law, particularly the Sabbath, but He only violated human traditions, not God's intentions.

The Pharisees had developed numerous traditions around the Sabbath, which Jesus frequently challenged. For instance, they believed it was unlawful to heal on the Sabbath, yet Jesus healed many, demonstrating that doing good should not be restricted by human traditions. He emphasized that the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath, and that God continues to work even on the Sabbath.

Jesus' fulfillment of the law and the prophets is central to His mission. The sacrifices and rituals of the Old Testament were shadows pointing to Him. He fulfilled the law by becoming the perfect sacrifice for sin, thus meeting the law's demands. The righteousness that exceeds that of the Pharisees is not achieved through human effort but through faith in Christ, who fulfills the law in us.

The law serves as a guide, revealing our inability to meet God's standards and driving us to Christ. Through His indwelling Spirit, we are empowered to live according to God's desires. This transformation is not about abandoning the law but about fulfilling it through the Spirit's work in us. As believers, we are called to live by a higher standard, not out of obligation, but out of a transformed heart that seeks to please God.

Key Takeaways

1. Attitude Over Action: God prioritizes the heart's attitude over mere actions. While humans often judge by appearances, God looks deeper, valuing sincerity and genuine intent. This calls us to examine our motives and align them with God's heart. [00:32]
2. Fulfillment of the Law: Jesus did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it. The law's rituals and sacrifices foreshadowed Christ, who became the perfect sacrifice. Our righteousness comes through faith in Him, not through our efforts. [27:02]
3. Sabbath and Traditions: Jesus challenged human traditions that misinterpreted God's law, especially regarding the Sabbath. He demonstrated that doing good and meeting human needs should not be hindered by rigid traditions. [06:52]
4. Righteousness Beyond the Law: True righteousness surpasses the Pharisees' legalistic adherence. It is a righteousness that comes from faith in Christ, who empowers us to live according to God's will through His Spirit. [41:29]
5. The Law as a Guide: The law reveals our shortcomings and drives us to Christ. It is not abolished but fulfilled in us through the Spirit's work, transforming us to live in a way that pleases God. [49:10]
** [49:10]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:32] - Importance of Attitudes
[01:31] - Jesus' Teaching Style
[02:14] - Misinterpretation of the Law
[03:35] - Jesus and the Law
[05:58] - Traditions vs. God's Intentions
[07:34] - Healing on the Sabbath
[12:19] - Jesus at the Pool of Bethesda
[17:04] - Jesus and Mosaic Law
[20:03] - Divorce and the Law
[26:32] - Fulfillment of the Law
[29:30] - Jesus and the Prophets
[35:33] - Righteousness Fulfilled in Us
[42:32] - Teaching and Living the Law
[49:10] - The Law as a Schoolmaster

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Matthew 5:17-20
- Mark 2:27
- Romans 8:3-4

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Observation Questions:

In Matthew 5:17, Jesus states He did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it. What does this imply about His relationship with the law? [02:52]
How did Jesus challenge the Pharisees' interpretation of the Sabbath, and what examples from the sermon illustrate this? [06:52]
What does the sermon suggest about the role of human traditions in interpreting God's law, particularly concerning the Sabbath? [05:58]
According to the sermon, how does Jesus' fulfillment of the law relate to the Old Testament sacrifices and rituals? [32:23]

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Interpretation Questions:

What does it mean for Jesus to fulfill the law and the prophets, and how does this fulfillment impact our understanding of righteousness? [27:02]
How does the sermon explain the difference between the righteousness of the Pharisees and the righteousness that comes through faith in Christ? [41:29]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that the law serves as a guide to drive us to Christ, and how does this guide our spiritual journey? [49:10]
How does the sermon address the tension between adhering to human traditions and following God's intentions, especially in the context of the Sabbath? [12:19]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on a time when you prioritized actions over attitudes. How can you align your motives with God's heart in similar situations? [00:32]
Jesus emphasized doing good on the Sabbath despite human traditions. Are there traditions in your life that might be hindering you from doing good? How can you address them? [06:52]
The sermon highlights the importance of a righteousness that exceeds that of the Pharisees. What steps can you take to cultivate a faith-based righteousness in your daily life? [41:29]
Consider how the law reveals our shortcomings and drives us to Christ. How can you embrace this understanding to deepen your relationship with Jesus? [49:10]
Jesus' fulfillment of the law calls us to live by a higher standard. What specific changes can you make in your life to reflect this higher standard? [35:33]
The sermon discusses the role of the Spirit in empowering us to live according to God's desires. How can you invite the Spirit's work into a specific area of your life where you struggle? [50:22]
Reflect on the idea that the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. How can you apply this principle to find rest and renewal in your weekly routine? [11:53]

Sermon Clips

God looks at the heart man looks at the outward appearance then Jesus deals with first of course the description of the child of God in the Beatitudes and then he tells us what we are to be to this world or in this world we're to be the salt of the earth and we're to be the light of the world. [00:01:05]

Jesus was constantly being accused of violating in their Sabbath but he was violating their Traditions they had developed a tradition that it was wrong to do anything towards healing on the Sabbath day you could do what was necessary to Save a Life you could apply a tourniquet to stop a person from bleeding to death but you could not do anything towards the healing on the Sabbath day. [00:05:55]

Jesus said my father works today and so I work wouldn't it be a tragedy if God took the Sabbath day off just let the world go on the Sabbath day didn't bother to answer your prayers didn't bother to you know keep things under control just let the whole universe go wild every Sabbath day so Jesus said well my father works today and I work today. [00:11:16]

Jesus said the Sabbath ABB was made for man not man for the Sabbath and so he was constantly in hot water with the Pharisees because of his ignoring their traditions in regards to the Sabbath day he came to the pool of Bethesda it was the Sabbath day there was a man that was lying there about 40 years old who was lame and Jesus said to him would you like to be healed. [00:11:57]

Jesus said I didn't come to destroy the law some people today feel that Jesus did come to destroy the law they quote scriptures like John 1:17 for the law came by Moses in Grace and Truth by Jesus Christ and they misquote Romans 10:4 where Paul said for Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believes but they usually leave out the word for righteousness. [00:26:21]

Jesus said I didn't come to destroy the law but to fulfill the law now all of the sacrifices in the law all of the cleansings all of the holidays within the law were all of them looking forward to Jesus they were foreshadowing the coming of the Messiah Paul said let no man therefore judge you in meat or in drink which were things of the law or in respect of a holy day that is the Sabbath day. [00:27:04]

Jesus said I didn't come to destroy the law or the prophets but I came to fulfill Jesus fulfilled both the law and the prophets you remember when the two disciples were on the road to Emmas and Jesus joined them after his resurrection they had not yet seen they had only heard the women saying that the tomb was empty and they were on the road to a when Jesus joined them asked them why they were so sad as they were walking along. [00:29:30]

Jesus said to the Jews which one of you convinces me of sin in in the Greek it's which one of you can make an accusation against me and prove it believe me I wouldn't ask you that question which of you can find fault with me John said of Jesus you know that he was manifested to take away our sin and in him is no sin and yet he fulfilled the law for the law required that the transgressor be put to death. [00:36:41]

Jesus said Moses because of the hardness of your hearts said let him give her a writing of a bill of divorcement but from the beginning it was not so for in the beginning God made the male and female and for this cause a man shall leave his mother and father and cleave to his wife and they Two Become One flesh and so though they were constantly in this mode of trying to put Jesus against the law. [00:42:49]

Jesus is the only one who ever kept the law completely he was the only one who could say I do always those things that please the father always none of us can say that we all of us have done a lot of things to please ourselves that didn't please the father that much in fact things that displease the father when we got in the flesh but he could say I do always those things that please the father. [00:36:04]

The law was given for the purpose of driving us to Jesus Christ to make us realize that I cannot keep God's standards My Flesh my heart may want to I consent to the Lord that it is good Paul said but how to perform it I can't find and so I find myself in this frustrating position of looking at the law of God and saying yes that's that's right yes I need to love God more completely yes I need to love my neighbor as myself. [00:47:23]

The wonderful thing is he then indwells me and gives me the power to do what I couldn't do in and of myself it isn't that God has given up and said well they'll never keep it just forget it you know let's take A New Path but now by his indwelling he helps me he gives me the ability he gives me Victory and the beautiful thing is to watch the work of God's spirit in our lives as he conforms us into the image of Jesus Christ. [00:50:27]

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Heart Over Law: Jesus' Fulfillment and True Righteousness

Devotional

Day 1: God Values the Heart's Intentions Over Outward Actions

Day 2: Jesus Fulfills the Law, Not Abolishes It

Day 3: Challenging Traditions to Uphold God's Intentions

Day 4: Righteousness Through Faith, Not Legalism

Day 5: The Law as a Guide to Christ

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Heart Over Law: Jesus' Fulfillment and True Righteousness

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