Adult Bible Study GuideApr • May • Jun 2014Adult Bible Study Guide

Apr • May • Jun 2014

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Christ and His LawContents

1 Laws in Christ’s Day 2 Christ and the Law of Moses 3 Christ and Religious Tradition 4 Christ and the Law in the Sermon on the Mount 5 Christ and the Sabbath 6 Christ’s Death and the Law 7 Christ, the End of the Law 8 The Law of God and the Law of Christ 9 Christ, the Law and the Gospel10 Christ, the Law and the Covenants11 The Apostles and the Law12 Christ’s Church and the Law13 Christ’s Kingdom and the Law

Christ and His LawOur Goal

WE WILL study the law, especially the question of why so many

Christians—misunderstanding the relationship between law and grace

—have fallen into the trap of denying the continued validity of

the Ten Commandments,thus unwittingly helping the

attempt to “overthrow” God’s law.

Christ and His LawLesson 4, April 26Christ and His LawLesson 4, April 26

Christ and the Law in the Sermon on the Mount

Christ and the Law in the Sermon on the MountKey Text

Matthew 5:17, 18 NKJV

“ ‘DO NOT think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot, or one tittle will by no

means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.’ ”

Christ and the Law in the Sermon on the MountInitial Words

THE SERMON on the Mountcovers three chapters divided into

four sections.The third, Matthew 5:17–48, is where Jesus gives us a new and deeper perspective on the law

(which theologians call the antitheses, cases in which sharp

contrasts are presented).

Christ and the Law in the Sermon on the MountQuick Look

1. “One Jot or Tittle” (Matthew 5:17, 18)2. Murder and Adultery (Matthew 5:21-32)3. Promises and Retaliation (Matthew 5:33-48)

Christ and the Law in the Sermon on the Mount1. “One Jot or Tittle”

Matthew 5:17, 18 NASB

“ ‘DO NOT think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not

come to abolish but to fulfill.For truly I say to you, until heaven

and earth pass away,not the smallest letter or stroke shall

pass from the Law until all is accomplished.’ ”

1. “One Jot or Tittle”A Great Emphasis

JESUS BEGINS this section with the assurance that He has not come to abolish “the Law or the Prophets.”

Many see this as a formulaic expression for the entire Old

Testament (see also Matt 7:12,Acts 13:15, Rom 3:21). His purpose

was to “fulfill” the law and the prophets, not to do away with them.

1. “One Jot or Tittle”A Great Emphasis

The word used for “fulfill” (plero) literally means to “fill up” or

“complete.” It carries the sense of “filling to the brim.”

The immediate context shows that Jesus did not come to destroy

Scripture but to reveal its inner essence. Jesus confirms the

perpetuity of the law.

Christ and the Law in the Sermon on the Mount2. Murder and Adultery

Matthew 5:21-32 NKJV“ ‘WHOEVER IS angry with his brother without a cause…and…says “Raca!” shall be in danger of the council. …

Whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed

adultery with her in his heart.’ ”

2. Murder and AdulteryFrom the Decalogue

JESUS DOES not focus on the act itself but on the motive and intents

of the one who commits the act.The person who purposes to take a

life has gone through a period of deliberation. The sin took place before the terrible deed. Many

potential murderers are stopped only by a lack of opportunity.

2. Murder and AdulteryFrom the Decalogue

Often the sole purpose of harsh words or cursing is to evoke

negative feelings in the victim. It’s not just those who carry through

with the crime who are guilty of murder but also those who speak

harsh words to others or who even harbor murderous thoughts.

2. Murder and AdulteryFrom the Decalogue

In the context of the law of Moses, adultery took place when a married person was sexually involved with

someone other than a spouse.The law was very clear that both parties found guilty of adultery

should be put to death.

2. Murder and AdulteryFrom the Decalogue

Adultery often starts long beforethe acts are committed.

It begins at the very moment when an individual lustfully desires

another person, married or single, to whom he or she is not married.

Christ and the Law in the Sermon on the Mount3. Promises and Retaliation

Matthew 5:33-48 NKJV

‘ ‘DO NOT swear at all…. But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is

from the evil one. …Love your enemies, bless those

who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and

persecute you….’ ”

3. Promises and RetaliationFrom the Mosaic Law

THE MOSAIC law, from which Jesus quotes, is listed in a section of

Leviticus that condemns a number of deceptive practices.

It is evident that Jesus’ concern is with the intentions. Anyone who

makes a promise with no intention of fulfilling it has made a conscious

decision to sin.

3. Promises and RetaliationFrom the Mosaic Law

Rather than making promises that may not even be in the power of the

individual to fulfill,a Christian should be a person of

integrity whose “yes” means “yes” and “no” means “no.”

3. Promises and RetaliationFrom the Mosaic Law

The law called for the offender to suffer the same experience as the victim.

This principle is there to limit retaliation; that is, to keep people from extracting more from a wrong done to them than they are rightfully entitled

to extract. Thus, in many ways,this law was to ensure that justice was

not perverted.

3. Promises and RetaliationFrom the Mosaic Law

Jesus focused on the Christians’ response to people who try to take

advantage of them.Rather than seeking opportunities

for revenge, Christians should “retaliate” with kindness, something

that we can do only through the grace of God working within us.

Christ and the Law in the Sermon on the MountFinal Words

LOVE IS the binding principle in God’s law. Jesus elevates the principle of love: love challenges the Christian to be always honest in his dealings with others and God; love allows a person to react in kindness when he has been wronged; and love empowers the individual to treat the enemy as he himself would like to be treated.