On Sunday we had a single worship service as I began a new sermons series in the Sermon on the Mount. For the next 5 weeks we will look at Matthew 5:17-48. In this section of Jesus’ sermon he provides a deep look beneath the letter of the Mosaic Law right into the spirit behind it. Five times in this section of the sermon Jesus says, “You have heard that it was said…” For these five weeks we will look at how Jesus shines his light on his law.
In verses 21-25 Jesus illumines the sixth commandment “You shall not commit murder.” Jesus says that way before the physical act of murder is committed the human heart has already transgressed the law of love. Anger and abusive language put one in danger of the fires of hell long before they manifest themselves in murder.
Pharisees and teachers of the law had tried to excuse themselves by relaxing the standards of the law and honoring only the letter. Jesus does not allow that kind of justification. So what is the hope? Who can stand secure when the spirit of the law demands utter holiness and purity?
Jesus began this section of his sermon by saying, “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.” It is Christ alone who honors the letter and the spirit of the Law of God. It is Jesus who alone stands innocent in a world of people who have fallen short of God’s glory. In Christ we see that the product of our anger and insults did indeed result in murder. It is in the cross that we face both our guilt and hope. He fulfilled the law and the prophets for us. It is there that he accomplished what we could not. Faith in the crucified and risen Christ alone is our hope of salvation from the fires of hell.
We closed our service with a statement of faith taken from Romans 3:21-25.
“But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood.”
Pastor Scott
In verses 21-25 Jesus illumines the sixth commandment “You shall not commit murder.” Jesus says that way before the physical act of murder is committed the human heart has already transgressed the law of love. Anger and abusive language put one in danger of the fires of hell long before they manifest themselves in murder.
Pharisees and teachers of the law had tried to excuse themselves by relaxing the standards of the law and honoring only the letter. Jesus does not allow that kind of justification. So what is the hope? Who can stand secure when the spirit of the law demands utter holiness and purity?
Jesus began this section of his sermon by saying, “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.” It is Christ alone who honors the letter and the spirit of the Law of God. It is Jesus who alone stands innocent in a world of people who have fallen short of God’s glory. In Christ we see that the product of our anger and insults did indeed result in murder. It is in the cross that we face both our guilt and hope. He fulfilled the law and the prophets for us. It is there that he accomplished what we could not. Faith in the crucified and risen Christ alone is our hope of salvation from the fires of hell.
We closed our service with a statement of faith taken from Romans 3:21-25.
“But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood.”
Pastor Scott
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