Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for January 17, 2016

“Raising the Bar” Matthew 5:17-22 Bible Study 01/17/16

This morning we return to the Sermon on the Mount and a key text which addresses the Kingdom of Heaven and its demands in relation to the Old Testament. Far from rendering the Old Testament obsolete for Kingdom subjects, Jesus demonstrates the powerful continuity between the Old Testament commands and the commands of the Kingdom of Heaven. Because Scripture points to Jesus and has its fulfillment in Him, worship Him and grow in conformity to His character.

I. Introduction

-what the Bible is not:
-Kingdom of Heaven emphasis
-Sermon on the Mount: introduction 5:1-16 and body 5:17-7:12
-Law/Prophets: Old Testament Scriptures

II. Jesus offers an important clarification (17-19)

-prohibition
-not abolish…but fulfill
-validation: jot and tittle
-the Lord’s evaluation

III. Jesus prescribes a surpassing righteousness (20)

-scribes and Pharisees
-righteousness: conformity to the character of Christ
-distinctions: spirit, internal, character…

IV. Jesus “raises the bar” through internalization (20-22)

-prohibition of murder
-angry…
-insults…
-“fool”…
-action and attitude behind the action
-application: The atrocity of the act of abortion is exceeded only by the hideous attitude behind it.

V. For further reflection

-“The biggest problem is to get Christians to stop behaving like fallen society.” (S. Briscoe)
-“The teaching of the Sermon on the Mount is not to be admired but to be obeyed.” (R. France)
-“O for grace our hearts to soften! Teach us, Lord, at length to love; We, alas, forget too often, What a Friend we have above!” (J. Newton)
-“Love like Jesus’ none can measure, Nor can its dimensions know; ‘Tis a boundless, endless river, And its waters freely flow.” (W. Gadsby)