Sermon on the Mount part 5 “Jesus & The Bible” Matthew 5:17-20

INTRO> We are just going to jump right into todays text! One that I am very excited about. The name of this series is “Jesus Uncensored” and we are letting Jesus speak for himself on issues, today we see Jesus speak about the Bible. Very controversial, yes!

*ILL> In the 19th Centry Charles Spurgeon was facing a lot of controversy for preaching the bible and believing it. There where many people who defended the Bible and rightly so but Spurgeon had a different approach.  On January 22, 1888 In a sermon entitled “The Lover of God’s Law filled with Peace.” “How do I defend the Bible? The same way that I would defend a lion… I simply open the cage and let him out.”

CONTEXT> I want to do just that today. But even better I want to look at what Jesus believed about the Bible. Jesus is answering an assumed question in this text. His teaching is outlandish and people are thinking “Is he teaching something different, is he doing away with God’s law and word? So, What did Jesus believe about the Bible?

1. Jesus believed that the bible points to him. v17

• • • “Do not think I have come to abolish the Law or Prophets..abolish but fulfill” We have to first notice that Jesus says the law AND the prophets. He was speaking of the entirety of the OT as how he saw it.
    • The key is the word “fullfill” here. It means “to add meaning to or to fill out.”

*ILL> Warren Wiersbe’s illustration of a acorn. That’s what Jesus does to the OT, you can’t have the NT without the OT and visa versa. Jesus does NOT do away with Mosses.

APP> The main point of the bible is Jesus, not you. John Calvin, writing in the preface to Pierre-Robert Olivétan’s 1535 translation of the New Testament.
He [Christ] is Isaac, the beloved Son of the Father who was offered as a sacrifice, but nevertheless did not succumb to the power of death. He is Jacob the watchful shepherd, who has such great care for the sheep which he guards. He is the good and compassionate brother Joseph, who in his glory was not ashamed to acknowledge his brothers, however lowly and abject their condition.He is the great sacrificer and bishop Melchizedek, who has offered an eternal sacrifice once for all. He is the sovereign lawgiver Moses, writing his law on the tables of our hearts by his Spirit. He is the faithful captain and guide Joshua, to lead us to the Promised Land. He is the victorious and noble king David, bringing by his hand all rebellious power to subjection. He is the magnificent and triumphant king Solomon, governing his kingdom in peace and prosperity. He is the strong and powerful Samson, who by his death has overwhelmed all his enemies. This is what we should in short seek in the whole of Scripture: truly to know Jesus Christ, and the infinite riches that are comprised in him and are offered to us by him from God the Father. If one were to sift thoroughly the Law and the Prophets, he would not find a single word which would not draw and bring us to him. . . . Therefore, rightly does Saint Paul say in another passage that he would know nothing except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. APP> Jesus is the living word of God.

2) Jesus believed that the bible is true. v18

• What Jesus says here in v18 is so outlandish. It IS the highest view of scripture one can have and he does it under 3 headings.

1. Because the Bible is inspired. “heaven and earth will pass away but not the law” Jesus is saying that nature will pass away but God’s Word will not, so that means that it is super natural. God inspired. “All scripture is breathed out by God…” 2 Tim 3:16 I do not believe in dictation but inspiration. “Who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit..” Acts 4:25
2. Because all the words are inspired. “not an iota, not a dot” Jesus is having fun here, he is referring to the very smallest letters and stroke of the hebrew language. *ILL> Emil Brunner was good friends with Karl Barth but view the scriptures differently he even admitted this, “The doctrine of Verbal Inspiration was already known to pre-Christian Judaism and was probably also taken over by Paul and the rest of the Apostles.” Emil Brunner (The Christian Doctrine of God (London: Lutterworth, 1949), 107.)
3. Because the Bible is authoritative. “will be accomplished” There isn’t a single verse that doesn’t carry authority. Jesus believed that’s why he taught, “For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.” – John 12:49-50

APP> Do you know what this means? It means you can’t pick and choose. “If you believe what you like in the gospels, and reject what you don’t like, it is not the gospel you believe but yourself.” St. Agustine

APP> I know what many of you are thinking, what about the New Testament? “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” John 14:25-26

3) Jesus believed the bible can change your life.

• • • “ Therefore whoever relaxes..” That word therefore is important! Jesus is saying in light of all of that, here is the application.

APP> The Bible is to be be believed and obeyed.

• • • “righteousness… will never enter.” We have to be careful though… we have to check out motives for obeying.

APP> The scriptures search us deeply but they lead us to Christ.

Big Idea > Jesus loved and lived the scriptures and so should we.

“Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes;
and I will keep it to the end.

Give me understanding, that I may keep your law
and observe it with my whole heart.

Lead me in the path of your commandments,
for I delight in it.

Incline my heart to your testimonies,
and not to selfish gain!

Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things;
and give me life in your ways.

Confirm to your servant your promise,
that you may be feared.

Turn away the reproach that I dread,
for your rules are good.

Behold, I long for your precepts;
in your righteousness give me life!”

Psalm 119:33-40