The Righteousness of the Kingdom

Introduction

Christ comes to second portion of Sermon on Mount, dealing w/righteousness of Kingdom/how it works out in practical terms in lives of his disciples. Must be careful in studying this passage. Possible to come to serious error if not understood correctly. Need to define our terms clearly, comparing Scripture with Scripture so we get it all right when we interpret/apply Words of Christ in this text.

• Some Definitions in verses 17
• Destroy(17) -greek word used here mean, literally, either destroy or overthrow. (Mark 15:29; Acts 5:39)
• The Law and the Prophets(17)- used together refers to the Old Testament Scriptures as whole, esp as expressions of God's commands-describes God's standard of righteousness (Rom 3:20,21). Confirm Interp. of text-- cf vs 19 ref to commands. Christ is referring to commands of God in Old Testament.
• Fulfill (17)-lit. fulfill, establish, confirm, or present fullness of; WHICH ONE? Note Christ opposing this word to destroy/overthrow; context also helps-rest of chapter sets forth his authoritative interpretation as well as confirmation of abiding validity of Law-so word here means establish/confirm.
• With these definitions now prepared to interpret
• Christ first teaches us what he did not and what he did come to do about the Law (17)
• Do not think-don't let it enter into your mind, don't go there-where? Don't think what?
• That I have come to overthrow the Law-Christ says, Do not think I have come to set the righteous demands of God in the Law or prophets aside, to teach you that you do not have to listen to what the Law says or what the prophets demand. Many in modern church set aside OT; say does not apply, ESP Law. For many OT a closed book, not think obed to imp., "We are in Christ/no longer under the Law." Christ says this is wrong-did not come to give that kind of freedom. Paul himself said he was under Christ's Law.
• I have not come to overthrow them but to confirm them-What the Law/Prophets wrote, Christ came to establish as the revealed will of God-will do so in greater precision in this sermon. Will keep Law himself. Christian, your Lord says the Law and the Prophets still apply to you-you may not discount them.

• Christ goes on then to reinforce and explain clearly what this means to the believer (18-19)
• He first declares the abiding validity of the Law (18)-references to Greek and Hebrew letters. Jesus words are a restatement of OT proverb-Isa 40:8; Ps 119:89-the enduring character of Word of God. What Jesus saying: so long as heaven/earth endure Law will cont in force. Some things changed- ceremonial, no offering of animals, but principle still applies; civil, no theocracy but principles still apply (e.g., death penalty, honest business practices), moral law unchanged!!
• Therefore--no believer may break the commandments of God or teach others to do so-1 of 2 roads will be chosen by the one claiming to follow Jesus-may choose to break/teach others to break commands of OT-Jesus: will be called least in Kingdom; alternately, may choose to practice/teach others to practice commands of OT-Jesus: will be called great in Kingdom. While your salvation will not be in question, your standing in Kingdom at Christ's return will be.
• If you are a believer/Christian then you are expected by Jesus to obey his commands-both NT and OT. You may not break the Law of God, ignore commands of prophets and remain guiltless in God's eyes.
• Potential problem-does this not make us legalists/theonomist? Overthrow grace by Law? No, here is why:
• The conformity Christ is speaking of is not outward conformity but conformity that issues from the heart (20)

• With Scribes and Pharisees it was outward-6:1-2, 5; 23:1-7,23,25,27-28
• For the believer it is a matter of the Spirit's work-Jer 31:33; Rom 2:29; 2 Cor 5:17-the Spirit part of regenerating work, writes Law on heart/mind of believer; now wants to obey commands; does w/joy; thus obedience not a matter of legalism but of new obedience wrought in life by Spirit of Christ.
• If a believer you walk by Spirit-and your walk is one that accords w/commands of God; Christ has given you a heart to obey his Law; if you love him you will keep the Law; in this way your righteousness surpasses that of Scribes/Pharisees. If no love for obedience, then still lost in sins. Must go to Christ-you need to be saved because you are not a new creature/do not have a new heart.

Conclusion

Christ's disciples/Christians are known by their obedience to his commands in Scrip of Old/New Testaments.

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Rev. Arthur J. Fox, Pastor
10 Spruce Street
Middletown, PA 17057
(717) 944-5835