A HIGHER STANDARD更高的標準馬 Mat 5:17-20

Mat 5:17-20 Do not think that I have come to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to destroy but to fulfill. (18) For truly I say to you, Till the heaven and the earth pass away, not one jot or one tittle shall in any way pass from the Law until all is fulfilled. (19) Therefore whoever shall relax one of these commandments, the least, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of Heaven. But whoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of Heaven. (20) For I say to you that unless your righteousness shall exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall in no case enter into the kingdom of Heaven.

IntroductionThe Sermon on the Mount is for

ChristiansSecular critics: Not attainableTheological critics: A guide for

Christian livingYet, Jesus is different

Jesus’ Important Message (1)In continuity with the

OTConsistent with the

authority OTJesus came to fulfill the

Law and prophets

Jesus’ Important Message (2)Leading OT and into NT as God’s

progressive revelationThe righteousness we have in

Christ, is beyond what the Pharisees’ and Scribes’ righteousness through works

Jesus’ Important Message (3)

We follow the Law of Christ◦ "This is the covenant that I will make with them after

those days, says the Lord; I will put My Laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them,"

We follow not just the words but also the spirit of the law.◦ Rom 7:6 But now we having been set free from the

Law, having died to that in which we were held, so that we serve in newness of spirit and not in oldness of the letter.

Law on the tablets

Law written on the tablet of heartLaw written on the tablet

Jesus’ a higher standard of ethics“You shall in no case enter into the

kingdom of Heaven” is a warning.◦Not as guides◦ Jesus is emphatic! ου μη ◦Psa 119:89 Forever, O Jehovah, Your Word

is settled in the heavens. Difference between relationship and

fellowship with the Lord

The standards shall not be trivializedLeast in the Kingdom of God who

diminishes, trivializes, or does not live these standards.

Great in the Kingdom of God who honors and follow these standards.

The sermon on the mount isThe discipleship lessons Jesus

teachesThe messages are the standard by

which Christian shall live, These standards are Kingdom

values consistent with the nature of God.

ApplicationMust I uphold it? But I can’t do it?

◦For Paul says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Php 4:13

ConlusionThe messages in the Sermon on the Mount are

for ChristiansThey are hard to follow by human meansJesus expects us to follow these Kingdom

values and ethicsChristians can follow Jesus teachings because

◦ Our faith in Christ◦ Our power for following them comes from a Spirit-

transformed life