10 Jan 13: Jesus Fulfills the Law and/ Abraham Justified by Faith

**Read Matthew 5:17-48 and Romans 4:1-12

I. Sermon on the Mount - Jesus Fulfills the Law

- In Matthew 5:17-48, Jesus continued His teaching of the disciples.  He has been talking about salvation not by works (following the law) but through faith.  Because of this, the pharisees and the scribes have been accusing Jesus of teaching people not to follow the law.  All he wanted to share is He fulfills the law and we  can't inherit the kingdom of God just by following the Law.  You should also have faith and a change in your heart and attitudes.  Many of us can be a testimony that when we first accepted Jesus and followed his way, that it changed the way we act, how we socialized, and other things in our life drastically.  We tried to avoid the change, but we can't hide from the works of the holy spirit.  Our goodness must come from what God does in us, and not what we can do by ourselves.  It must be God-centered, not self-centered.  It  must be to please God and not to please other people and the world.  Finally, it must go beyond merely keeping the Law to a loving obedience of the principles behind the Law.  We can all look like a saint but still not inherit the kingdom of God.  God judges our hearts as well as our deeds, for it is in heart that God can see our true faith.  People will know if you are a follower of Jesus, not because of what you say but of what you do and the good fruit that you bear.

- In verses 21-30, Jesus expanded the law.  We commit sin not just by doing murder but by having anger in our heart without a cause or holding a grudge.  Before we spend time with God, pray, and give our offering, we must first clear our hearts and get rid of all grudges or anger.  Second, Jesus talked about adultery.  He explained that without actual physical contact and just by looking and lusting on another woman, we have already committed adultery.  He then added to pluck out that eye which sinned because it is better to go to heaven with one eye than to have both but be thrown into hell.  Finally, Jesus taught His disciples that marriage is sacred and binding.  He explained that the only reason that God will approve for a divorce is if is because of sexual immorality or adultery.  In our world this days, there are many excuses from being divorce such as irreconcilable differences.  This is one of the most common ground for divorce these days.  People are getting married quickly without valuing the true meaning of marriage.  This is the reason why there is now a saying "You are not American if you didn't have at least 1 divorce".  

-In verses 33-37, Jesus told us not to swear falsely or "shall not bear false witness to your neighbor".   This means no gossiping or talking bad about other people, specially if you're doing this to destroy his/her name and glorify your own.  In verses 38-42, Jesus explains what true righteousness is, which is not bound by what the other do to you.  Finally, in verses 43-48, Jesus preaches about love.  It is not just loving your family and friends, but also loving your enemies; and not just that, but to do good against the people who hate you and pray for those who persecute you.  Remember what we studied in Matthew 5:9,

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God."

II. Abraham Justified by Faith

- In Romans 4:1-12, Paul used Abraham, whom the Jews acknowledged as their forefather, as an example for righteousness.  Abraham should not have been justified just by following the Law but because he had faith in God.  His faith was so strong that he agreed to sacrifice his son, Isaac, whom he waited for 100 years before he was born.  He knew that God has promised his descendants to multiply and prosper and God will not harm Isaac.  This is a great sign of righteousness.  If God called you to sacrifice one of your children, would you do it?  We all know that this is what God did for us, He showed His love that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).

- In verses 4-5, Paul explained that we do not work for our salvation.  We can do great things, from feeding the hungry, helping the poor, and taking care of the ill but all this is nothing without trusting God's promise.  A person that has committed a crime but changed and started having faith in God and repented will more likely have a place in the Kingdom rather than a rich person who gave some money to the poor but does not glorify God and instead boast of what he has accomplished and done here on earth.  No other "religion" teaches God accepting unrighteous people in His kingdom just by trusting Him and asking for forgiveness.  This is what sets Christianity apart from everything else.  

- In verses 6-8, Paul then illustrated how even King David, who committed adultery and murder, was accepted by the Father because he believed and repented.  And with Jesus dying in the cross for our sins, all God wants from us is to have a personal relationship with Him, be His friend, trust in Him, and ask for forgiveness for it was stated in 1 John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness".

- Sometimes we wonder, if we are saved through faith, do we have enough faith?  Is my faith strong enough to save me?  This is the wrong attitude.  We need to remember that Jesus saves and His love is strong enough no matter how little our faith is.  We did not earn salvation from actions or our powerful faith but it is a gift of God because He loves us.

III. Proverbs for Today/3:1-6 (NKJV)

Guidance for the Young

1 My son, do not forget my law,
But let your heart keep my commands;
2 For length of days and long life
And peace they will add to you.
3 Let not mercy and truth forsake you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart,
4 And so find favor and high esteem
In the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct[a] your paths.

IV. Old Testament Readings:
Genesis 23, Genesis 24:1-51 and Psalms 9:13-20

Prayer: Father God, we thank you for being faithful.  We thank you for the gift of salvation that you promised us. We ask for your guidance.  Show us the way to your Kingdom.  We know that it is not because of our actions but your grace that we are saved.  Continue to bless us, heal us, and forgive our sins.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.