Jesus Fulfills the Law and the Prophets

Matthew 5:1-16

Purpose: To live as God's salt and light in Jesus' fulfilment of the Law and the Prophets

• The True Heart of the Law & the Prophets

Matthew 5:1 When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. 2 He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying,

3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

5 "Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.

6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

7 "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

10 "Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 "Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12 "Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Jesus' Sermon on the Mount is The Message of the King (chapters 5-7)

In these beatitudes, Jesus emphasizes the kingdom of heaven (vv. 3, 10)

Jesus teaches the way of His Kingdom, how to fulfil the Law & the Prophets

Notice the emphasis on the inner, invisible, spiritual realities of God's Kingdom

• Believers are Witnesses in The Covenant of Salt

Matthew 5:13 "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. 14 "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; 15 nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven."

Jesus' disciples are the "salt' and "light' of the world

The Covenant of Salt Fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets in Christ's People

The "covenant witnessed by salt" (2 Chron. 13:5; Lev 2:13, Num 18:19)

Glorify your Father who is in heaven, let your light shine as New Covenant People

By the sheer fact that you are unashamed Christians, you witness to the world

• Jesus Fulfills the Law and Prophets!

Matthew 5:17 "Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill.  18 "For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass away from the Law, until all is accomplished.  19 "Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and so teaches others, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.  20 "For I say to you, that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven. 

The correct biblical understanding is to view all that Jesus is and does as fulfilment!

All of God's Word stands forever!

And all of God's Word is fulfilled in Jesus Christ (cf. Lk 24:44-47)

Luke 24:44 Now He said to them, "These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled."  45 Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures,  46 and He said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and rise again from the dead the third day;  47 and that repentance for forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem."

Your righteousness must surpass that of the scribes and Pharisees (cf. Mt 5-7)

How can I possibly do that? (tune in next week for Mt 5:21-48)

For us, this is about being "in" or "out" of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ!

The New Covenant written on your hearts (Jer. 31:33; Ezek. 11:19-20; 36:26-29)

See how the passage begins with Jesus' fulfillment and ends with our need?

That is, we also fulfill the Law and the Prophets by believing in Jesus the Fulfiller

Jesus Makes Fishers of Men

Matthew 4:12-25

Purpose: To be a true disciple of Jesus, calling others to follow Him!

• Jesus the King's Inaugural Message

Matthew 4:12 Now when Jesus heard that John had been taken into custody, He withdrew into Galilee; 13 and leaving Nazareth, He came and settled in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. 14 This was to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet:

15     "THE LAND OF ZEBULUN AND THE LAND OF NAPHTALI,

         BY THE WAY OF THE SEA, BEYOND THE JORDAN, GALILEE OF THE GENTILES

16     "THE PEOPLE WHO WERE SITTING IN DARKNESS SAW A GREAT LIGHT,

         AND THOSE WHO WERE SITTING IN THE LAND AND SHADOW OF DEATH,

         UPON THEM A LIGHT DAWNED."

17   From that time Jesus began to preach and say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

            Jesus begins His ministry in Capernaum

FULFILLMENT: Isaiah 9:1-2; 60:1-3

            Jesus is the Light for the nations in Galilee of the Gentiles

"From that time Jesus began to preach and say,

"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.'" (v. 17)

            This is the first and central focus of Jesus's teaching! = Repent

            The King's impartial judgment: Compare with Luke 13:1-5

Luke 13:1 Now on the same occasion there were some present who reported to Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2 And Jesus said to them, "Do you suppose that these Galileans were greater sinners than all other Galileans because they suffered this fate? 3 "I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. 4 "Or do you suppose that those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them were worse culprits than all the men who live in Jerusalem? 5 "I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish."

• Jesus the King Employs His Followers

Matthew 4:18 Now as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 19 And He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. 21 Going on from there He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and He called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him.

            Peter and Andrew, James and John

            "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." (v. 19)

The first Disciples of Jesus (see ch. 10 for the call of the 12 Apostles)

• Jesus the King Who Preaches, Teaches, and Heals

Matthew 4:23 Jesus was going throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people. 24 The news about Him spread throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all who were ill, those suffering with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, paralytics; and He healed them. 25 Large crowds followed Him from Galilee and the Decapolis and Jerusalem and Judea and from beyond the Jordan.

            He goes to the synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom

            The ill were brought to Jesus, large crowds followed Him

            Have you heard the King's message?

            Have you learned the King's teachings?

            Have you been healed by the King?

Jesus, the True Israel

Matthew 3:13 "“ 4:11

Purpose: Jesus is the perfect expression of God's people, are you fulfilled in Jesus?

• The Inauguration and Confirmation of King Jesus

Matthew 3:13 Then Jesus arrived from Galilee at the Jordan coming to John, to be baptized by him. 14 But John tried to prevent Him, saying, "I have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?" 15 But Jesus answering said to him, "Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he permitted Him. 16 After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him, 17 and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased."

• Jesus is the Better Adam and the True Israel

Matthew 4:1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry.

Matthew 4:3 And the tempter came and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." 4 But He answered and said, "It is written, "MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.'"

Matthew 4:5 Then the devil took Him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written,

         "HE WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS CONCERNING YOU';

         and

         "ON their HANDS THEY WILL BEAR YOU UP,

         SO THAT YOU WILL NOT STRIKE YOUR FOOT AGAINST A STONE.'"

7 Jesus said to him, "On the other hand, it is written, "YOU SHALL NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR GOD TO THE TEST.'"

Matthew 4:8 Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; 9 and he said to Him, "All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me." 10 Then Jesus said to him, "Go, Satan! For it is written, "YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY.'" 11 Then the devil left Him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him.

Jesus quotes: Deuteronomy 8:3; 6:16; 6:13; 10:20

Jesus was in the desert 40 days & nights

This parallels Israel's 40 years of wondering under Moses in the desert

            Jesus shows us the right way to depend on God, unlike Israel

            Where Adam failed, Jesus is Victorious! (cf. Genesis 3 the temptation of Adam)

            Where Israel failed, Jesus Succeeded! (cf. Exodus & Deuteronomy)

            Jesus fulfills perfectly the failed roles of both Adam and Israel

            Though Jesus was tempted, yet He is without sin (Hebrews 4:15)

Jesus knows our weakness but succeeds where all men have failed

            Because Jesus is the better Adam and True Israel, only in Jesus are we fulfilled!

Are You Prepared For the King?

Matthew 3:1-12

Purpose: To prepare the way for the King in your life.

• Repent, For the Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand!

Matthew 3:1 Now in those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, 2 "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." 3 For this is the one referred to by Isaiah the prophet when he said,

         "THE VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS,

         "MAKE READY THE WAY OF THE LORD,

         MAKE HIS PATHS STRAIGHT!'"

            FULFILLMENT: Isaiah 40:3 carries the weight of the chapter.

            In Isaiah, the prophet is announcing the need to prepare a highway for the

return of the Jewish exiles from captivity to their homeland, Israel.

In Matthew, John is recognized as fulfilling Isaiah's message, and it is the people

themselves who must prepare their lives to be ready for God the King to be with

them, in them, baptize them, and lead them!

The Kingdom of God has arrived in Jesus the God King! It's time to turn!

• Confess Your Sins

Matthew 3:4 Now John himself had a garment of camel's hair and a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then Jerusalem was going out to him, and all Judea and all the district around the Jordan; 6 and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, as they confessed their sins.

• Bear Fruit in Keeping with Repentance

Matthew 3:7   But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 "Therefore bear fruit in keeping with repentance; 9 and do not suppose that you can say to yourselves, "We have Abraham for our father'; for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham. 10 "The axe is already laid at the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 11 "As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you 1with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 "His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear His threshing floor; and He will gather His wheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire."

Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

            Bear fruit in keeping with repentance!

            Do not suppose that you can claim father Abraham!

            The axe, that's wrath, is laid at the root. Bear fruit or be cut off!

            John baptizes with water.

Jesus, God the King, is greater! He baptizes with the Holy Spirit!

Prophecy Fulfilled in Jesus Christ

Matthew 2

Purpose: God fulfilled His promises in Jesus's Childhood

• The King's Birthplace Prophesied and Fulfilled

Matthew 2:1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, 2 "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him." 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 They said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet:

6       "AND YOU, BETHLEHEM, LAND OF JUDAH,

         ARE BY NO MEANS LEAST AMONG THE LEADERS OF JUDAH;

         FOR OUT OF YOU SHALL COME FORTH A RULER

         WHO WILL SHEPHERD MY PEOPLE ISRAEL.'"

7   Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him." 9 After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way.

The Babe is King Jesus

King Jesus is Greater than King Herod

            FULFILLMENT of: Birthplace, Micah 5:2

                        Micah is an 8th c. prophet, contemporary of Isaiah, 760 B.C. to Judah

Jesus Is Born the Shepherd Ruler

God Sovereignly watches over the Babe King Jesus (2:12)

Does a baby have any decision about where he is born?

• God Sovereignly Protects the Babe King Jesus a Second Time, Fulfilling Scripture

Matthew 2:13 Now when they had gone, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Get up! Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is going to search for the Child to destroy Him." 14 So Joseph got up and took the Child and His mother while it was still night, and left for Egypt. 15 He remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: "OUT OF EGYPT I CALLED MY SON."

God tells Joseph and Mary to flee to Egypt with Jesus

            FULFILLMENT: "out of Egypt" Hosea 11:1; Numbers 24:8; Exodus 4:22

            These OT passage refer to Israel, but here Jesus fulfills them

            Jesus is the True Israel

• Even the Evil Schemes Against Jesus are a Fulfillment

Matthew 2:16 Then when Herod saw that he had been tricked by the magi, he became very enraged, and sent and slew all the male children who were in Bethlehem and all its vicinity, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the magi. 17 Then what had been spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled:

18     "A VOICE WAS HEARD IN RAMAH,

         WEEPING AND GREAT MOURNING,

         RACHEL WEEPING FOR HER CHILDREN;

         AND SHE REFUSED TO BE COMFORTED,

BECAUSE THEY WERE NO MORE."

            FULFILLMENT: Jeremiah 31:15

            Jeremiah is a 7th c. prophet to Judah

• God Sovereignly Watches Over the Babe King Jesus a Third Time (2:19, 22)

Matthew 2:19 But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, and said, 20 "Get up, take the Child and His mother, and go into the land of Israel; for those who sought the Child's life are dead." 21 So Joseph got up, took the Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Then after being warned by God in a dream, he left for the regions of Galilee, 23 and came and lived in a city called Nazareth. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophets: "He shall be called a Nazarene."

God tells Joseph and Mary to return with Jesus to Nazareth

            FULFILLMENT: He shall be called a Nazarene

            The reputation of the Babe King Jesus was Predetermined, Prophesied, Fulfilled

The theme of the despised Messiah is repeated in Matthew 8:20; 11:16"“19; 15:7"“8

            Psalms 22:6"“8, 13; 69:8, 20"“21; Isaiah 11:1; 49:7; 53:2"“3, 8; Daniel 9:26; John 1:46

"Fulfilled in Christ: The Old is Gone, the New Has Come"
Matthew 1:1-25

Purpose: Because Jesus fulfills God's prophesies, only in Jesus are we fulfilled!

1. Beginning With The End in Mind: God's Mission Fulfilled in Christ!

Because Jesus Perfectly fulfills God's Plan, We are saved today
Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you 1always, even to the end of the age."

Acts 2:22 "Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know "” 23 this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of 1godless men and put Him to death. 24 "But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held 3in its power.

Jesus is the end of the law and God's Amen! (Paul)

Rom. 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

2Cor. 1:20 For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us.

Jesus fulfills all things written in the Law, Prophets, and Psalms (The Gospel of Luke)

Luke 24:44 Now He said to them, "These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled." 45 Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46 and He said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.

Jesus is with us to the end of the age as we make disciples of all nations!

Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you 1always, even to the end of the age."

2. Structure of Matthew's Gospel

I. Prophesied and Only King (chs. 1-2), Birth of Jesus the Christ/Messiah/Anointed
II. Prepare for the King (ch. 3), John the Baptist & the Baptism of Jesus
III. The Preparation of the King (chs. 3-4), The Beginnings of Jesus' Public Ministry
IV. The Message of the King (chs. 5-7, Jesus speaks all of this), Jesus' Sermon on the Mount
V. The Manifestation of the King (Healings & Testing: chs. 8-9), Jesus' Public Ministry
VI. The King's Commission (ch. 10), Jesus' Calls and Commissions the Twelve as Apostles
VII. Opposition to the King (chs. 11-12), Jesus' Continued Ministry of Teaching & Preaching
VIII. Pictures of the Kingdom (ch. 13), Jesus Teaches in Kingdom-of-Heaven Parables
IX. The King's Sovereignty (chs. 13-19), Miracles & Teachings Testifying of Jesus' Holy Power
X. Formal Presentation & Rejection of the King (chs.19-25), Jesus Sets His Way to Jerusalem
XI. The King's Triumph and Reign (26:1 - end), The Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus
XII. The King's Mission to All Nations (28:18-20)

3. Matthew's Gospel: Jesus Fulfills the Law and Prophets!

Matthew's Main Theme: The kingdom of heaven has come and Jesus is the Messiah = Christ = King = "Anointed One." This is proven by the way that Jesus' life and ministry, in every detail, is a fulfillment of all of the OT. Jesus came to fulfill the Law. Matthew 5:17 "Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill." He is the fulfillment and He Himself fulfills.

Matthew's Discipleship Theme: The true disciple is one who understands Jesus Christ and His teachings as opposed to others around Him who consistently fail to understand. A true disciple is persecuted and perseveres, he "keeps on keeping on" even when there is persecution. False followers fall away. We may not know the difference between the "tares" and the "wheat" until the time of "harvest."

Jesus is Prophesied and Only King (chapters 1-2),

Birth of Jesus the Christ/Messiah/Anointed

1:1-17 The Lineage of Jesus from Abraham onward
Covenant Implications with God's Providence in the lives of the lineage

1:18-25 The birth of Jesus
The angel appears to Joseph
"His name shall be Jesus for He will save His people from their sins"
FULFILLMENT of: Is. 7:14; 9:6; 8:10