The Mount //Week 4// The Heart of God’s Kingdom

Matthew 5:17 NIV 17“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.

The Hebrew word: תּוֹרָה (Torah) Does not merely mean “law.”

It more literally means: instruction; teaching; guidance.

Jesus is the Fulfillment of the Law - The Law Correctly Understood and Represented

Jesus is the Fulfillment of the Law - The Word Correctly Understood and Represented

Jesus is the Lens of the Law - He Brings Clarity to What God’s Heart Has Always Been

Matthew 5:18 NIV 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.

Psalm 19:7–10 NIV 7 The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. 8 The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. 9 The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous. 10 They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb.

Matthew 5:19-20 NIV 19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

God is not looking for managed behavior.

He’s looking for transformed hearts.

Jesus is the Fulfillment of the Law - The Law Correctly Understood and Represented

Jesus is the Lens of the Law - He Brings Clarity to What God’s Heart Has Always Been

3. Jesus Points Out the Process of the Law - It Always Starts In Our Hearts

Matthew 5:21-26 NIV

21“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. 23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift. 25 “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26 Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.

Matthew 5:27-29 NIV 27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.

Jeremiah 31:33 NIV 33 “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.”

Ezekiel 36:26–27 NIV 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.

Romans 8:1-4 NIV 1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

Matthew 5:48 NIV Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Jesus is the Fulfillment of the Law - The Law Correctly Understood and Represented

Jesus is the Lens of the Law - He Brings Clarity to What God’s Heart Has Always Been

Jesus Points Out the Process of the Law - It Always Starts in Our Hearts