The Law, the Prophets, and the Golden Rule - Pastor Johnny Dyck

This morning, we gathered to reflect on the heart of Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 7:12, often called the Golden Rule: “In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” This single sentence distills centuries of God’s revelation, from the law of Moses to the voices of the prophets, into a call for love in action. God’s desire has always been for a people who love Him and love one another, and Jesus brings this to its pinnacle in the Sermon on the Mount.

Looking at the structure of Jesus’ sermon, we see how He begins by turning our expectations upside down with the Beatitudes, challenging our natural ways of thinking. Throughout the sermon, He addresses the heart behind our actions—whether in giving, prayer, fasting, or relationships—calling us to a deeper surrender to God rather than outward performance. As He draws to a close in chapter 7, Jesus summarizes the entire law and prophetic tradition in the command to treat others as we wish to be treated. This is not a new teaching, but the fulfillment and culmination of God’s heart for relationship, as seen in Deuteronomy and Leviticus: love God, and love your neighbor as yourself.

The law, like a mirror, reflects God’s character—His justice, holiness, and love. When we treat others with respect, dignity, and fairness, we reflect God’s love to the world. Jesus not only taught this principle but embodied it, fulfilling the law through His life and ultimately through His sacrificial death on the cross. He lifted up the poor and the outcast, showing us that every person is worthy of love and acceptance.

Yet, this command is not something we can live out by sheer willpower. Our hearts must be transformed by the Holy Spirit. Only through the Spirit’s work can we consistently love others, even those who have hurt us or seem undeserving. Every person we encounter bears the image of God and is loved by Him. When we treat others with the same grace and dignity we desire, we participate in building God’s kingdom on earth. This is not a passive avoidance of harm, but an active pursuit of encouragement and upliftment for those around us.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Love in Action Reflects God’s Heart True love is not merely a feeling or a passive avoidance of harm, but an active pursuit of the good of others. When we treat people with respect, dignity, and fairness, we mirror the very character of God to the world. This kind of love is the fulfillment of God’s law and the essence of His desire for His people. [02:08]
• 2. The Law Reveals, Jesus Fulfills The Old Testament law acts as a mirror, showing us God’s holy and loving nature, but it is Jesus who perfectly fulfills it. He not only taught the Golden Rule but lived it out, especially in His sacrificial death and His compassion for the marginalized. Our calling is to follow His example, letting His fulfillment of the law shape our own lives. [10:28]
• 3. Transformation by the Holy Spirit Consistently loving others, especially those who have wronged us, is impossible by willpower alone. It is only through the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit that our self-centered hearts are transformed, enabling us to love as Christ loves. The Spirit produces in us the fruit—love, joy, peace, patience, and more—that makes this life possible. [16:45]
• 4. Every Person Bears God’s Image No one we encounter is outside the love or image of God. Even those who have hurt us or seem unworthy are created in His likeness and are deserving of respect and dignity. When we remember this, our interactions become opportunities to reflect God’s grace, building unity and connection within the church and beyond. [21:49]
• 5. Active Love Builds God’s Kingdom Living out the Golden Rule is not a passive stance but an active mission. We are called to seek ways to encourage, uplift, and serve others, participating in the ongoing work of God’s kingdom on earth. This is how we fulfill the law and the prophets in our daily lives. [25:08]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:42] - Introducing the Golden Rule
• [01:49] - The Heart of God’s Law
• [02:54] - The Upside-Down Kingdom
• [03:43] - Issues of the Heart
• [04:25] - Persistent Prayer and God’s Answers
• [05:25] - The Pinnacle of Jesus’ Teaching
• [06:42] - The Purpose of the Law
• [08:24] - God’s Character Revealed
• [10:28] - Jesus Fulfills the Law
• [12:50] - Paul on Love and the Law
• [14:15] - Jesus’ Example Among the Least
• [16:16] - The Need for Heart Transformation
• [17:28] - The Fruit of the Spirit
• [19:56] - The Spirit vs. the Flesh
• [21:49] - Every Person’s Value
• [22:45] - The Church Living in Unity
• [24:13] - The Golden Rule: More Than Morality
• [25:08] - Active Love in Daily Life

Bible Reading

Matthew 7:12 (ESV) — “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”

Leviticus 19:18 (ESV) — “You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.”

Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV) — “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”

Observation Questions

1. According to Matthew 7:12, what does Jesus say sums up the Law and the Prophets?
2. In Leviticus 19:18, what is the command given about how we treat others, and how does it connect to Jesus’ teaching?
3. What are some of the qualities listed as the “fruit of the Spirit” in Galatians 5:22-23?
4. The sermon mentioned that the law acts like a mirror. What does this mean about the purpose of God’s law? [09:00]

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says that the Golden Rule is not a new teaching, but the fulfillment and culmination of God’s heart for relationship. Why is this distinction important for understanding Jesus’ message? [01:34]
2. How does seeing the law as a “mirror” change the way someone might view God’s commands? [09:00]
3. The pastor said that living out the Golden Rule is not just about avoiding harm, but actively seeking to encourage and uplift others. What does this look like in real life? [25:08]
4. The sermon emphasized that we cannot live out this command by willpower alone, but need the Holy Spirit’s transformation. Why is this necessary, especially when dealing with people who have hurt us? [16:45]

Application Questions

1. Think of a recent situation where you were treated in a way you didn’t like. How did you respond, and how might you have responded differently if you were following the Golden Rule? [01:49]
2. The sermon talked about Jesus lifting up the poor and outcast, showing that every person is worthy of love and acceptance. Is there someone in your life or community who is often overlooked? What is one practical way you could show them respect or kindness this week? [14:15]
3. The law is described as a mirror reflecting God’s character—justice, holiness, and love. In what area of your life do you struggle to reflect these qualities, and what is one step you could take to grow? [09:00]
4. The pastor said that every person we encounter bears the image of God, even those who have hurt us. Is there someone you find it hard to treat with dignity or grace? What would it look like to see them as God sees them? [21:49]
5. The sermon mentioned that love in action is not passive, but an active pursuit of the good of others. Can you think of a specific way you could encourage or uplift someone in your family, workplace, or church this week? [25:08]
6. The fruit of the Spirit includes patience, kindness, and self-control. Which of these do you find most challenging, and what is one way you can ask the Holy Spirit to help you grow in that area this week? [17:28]
7. The pastor shared that we all want to be accepted and loved. How can you create an environment of acceptance and belonging in your small group or church? [15:28]