Sermon on the Mount: Understanding the Law – Matt. 5:17-20
Before Jesus expounds on some teachings of the Law, he first helps his hearers to understand his relationship to the Law.
Law
Jesus As the Fulfillment of the Law and Prophets
Jesus claimed to be the fulfillment of the Law and Prophets. But what did he mean? That he fulfilled some prophecy? Or something much more?
Serve One Another in Love – Galatians 5:13-14
We have been set free from the law. But not to do whatever we want. Instead, we have been set free so that we can humbly serve one another in love.
The Law vs. Grace and Mercy – John 8:2-11
As one who has experienced God’s grace, I should extend grace and mercy to others rather than hold them to a legalistic standard of law.
Faith Expressing Itself Through Love – Galatians 5:6
We are not saved by anything we could possibly do, it is a work of God received by faith. A faith that expresses itself through love.
Avoiding a Beating – Acts 22:25
As believers in Jesus we should expect to suffer. But if we can avoid a beating, while remaining faithful to Christ, then do so.
The Ten Commandments & Christianity
As a Christian, am I supposed to obey the Ten Commandments and all the other laws in the Old Testament? Just some of them? Or can I pretty much ignore them? Many Christians that I know would say yes to the first question, until you looked at the materials tag on their clothing, then they would change their answer to a yes to number 2. Few would likely admit to a yes to the third question, yet in reality I think most of us really do in practice. It appears like we follow some subset of the Old Testament law, …