The Authority of the Scriptures

The Gospel of Matthew The Authority of the Scriptures - Matthew 5:17-20 February 9, 2025 I hated this part of my prior job as a manager. But often, if a guest had a problem, they requested "a manager." When that happened, I always asked my staff "what happened?" and "what did you say?" and "what was their response?" This generally gave me the opportunity to understand the situation and address it correctly. The problem was that often, I responded in the same manner that my staff did, but because I was wearing a suit, they took my response more seriously than theirs. Why? Because they saw that I had "authority." That is the reality of authority. As we continue in our sermon series in Matthew, and continue in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus will - not only - express His authority, but also the authority of the Scriptures. You may recall, last week, we looked at the character traits of the disciple of Jesus from the Beatitudes and briefly looked at the conduct of that disciple. Today, Jesus, sort of, introduces the rest of His Sermon on the Mount with a bit of a transitional paragraph. In this transitional paragraph, Jesus preemptively answers the question: What about the Law and the Prophets? The Law and the prophets includes the entirety of the Old Testament. I think we see this a little bit when we get into the Transfiguration, which Matthew covers in chapter 17, when Moses and Elijah appear with Jesus on the mountain. You see, they both acted as representatives of the Old Testament scriptures. What we will see from Jesus is an absolute confirmation of the authority of the Scriptures, particularly the Scripture of His day - the Old Testament. Let's see what He says in Matthew 5:17-20: 17 "DO NOT THINK THAT I HAVE COME TO ABOLISH THE LAW OR THE PROPHETS; I HAVE NOT COME TO ABOLISH THEM BUT TO FULFILL THEM. 18 FOR TRULY, I SAY TO YOU, UNTIL HEAVEN AND EARTH PASS AWAY, NOT AN IOTA, NOT A DOT, WILL PASS FROM THE LAW UNTIL ALL IS ACCOMPLISHED. 19 THEREFORE WHOEVER RELAXES ONE OF THE LEAST OF THESE COMMANDMENTS AND TEACHES OTHERS TO DO THE SAME WILL BE CALLED LEAST IN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN, BUT WHOEVER DOES THEM AND TEACHES THEM WILL BE CALLED GREAT IN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN. 20 FOR I TELL YOU, UNLESS YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS EXCEEDS THAT OF THE SCRIBES AND PHARISEES, YOU WILL NEVER ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN. Here's the main idea that I want to focus on from this text: Jesus views the Old Testament as authoritative, and so should I. Back in January 2022, I was supposed to preach Exodus 1-2, but I ended up coming down with COVID. I had a sermon written and prepared, and wanted to preach, but was not able to make it to church that morning. Funny enough, that was my official first Sunday as a full-time co-pastor ... so yes, I called off work on my first day of work. Since Jesus is speaking of the Old Testament Scriptures in a positive light, I was reminded of some of the information that I planned on sharing with you during that sermon: A very well-known pastor and author said in 2018 that we should "unhitch" from the Old Testament, even making the claim that Peter, James and Paul elected to "unhitch" from the Old Testament. In other words, some believe that the Old Testament is not relevant to today's church. Frankly, that's just not true. For example, one source that I came across states that there are 855 quotes in the New Testament of the Old Testament, which accounts for 27% of the New Testament. In John 7, Jesus gave special attention to the "Books of Moses" when addressing the religious leaders. In the book of Acts, which is the record of the early church, Peter, Stephen, and Paul all preached the Gospel using the Old Testament as a backdrop. Of course, the most obvious connection in the Old Testament to the Gospel is our sin nature, found all the way back in Genesis 3. This is foundational to the Gospel message. These are just a few reasons why we teach the Old Testament here at Thornydale Family Church. In addition to this, it is well documented that Jesus Himself perfectly fulfilled over 300 Old Testament Messianic Prophecies. Some time ago, a mathematician calculated the probability of someone perfectly fulfilling even eight prophecies, and the number was very close to "zero." Jesus, unapologetically, in this passage begins His defense, and maybe more importantly, His interpretation of the Law and the Prophets. So, here's what I want to do this morning with our text. We have four verses, and I think Jesus is providing for us - at least - four truths from the text in relation to the authority of the Scriptures. So, let's inquire ... HOW JESUS VIEWED THE SCRIPTURES • The Old Testament is about Jesus (v.17) o Jesus uses phrasing that indicates that He knew that some within the crowd likely believed that He would overthrow the Old Testament, which leads me to believe that some Pharisees and scribes were in the crowd, as He does mention them in verse 20. o Jesus says two things here: * First, that He didn't come to ABOLISH THE LAW OR THE PROPHETS. One way of thinking about this is that Jesus says He did not come to destroy or even change it. * Rather, we see that He defined it. He clarified it. He brought to the surface, the heart of the Law and the Prophets. * In part, that's what He meant when He proclaimed that He came to... * TO FULFILL THEM * Fulfill here is the same word that we saw back in chapter 3 when Jesus sad that He said that He needed to be baptized by John TO FULFILL ALL RIGHTEOUSNESS. We determined then, that the term "fulfill" in this context meant "duty" or "obligation." * Maybe to expand on that a bit, Jesus was being perfectly obedient to the Law and Prophets. o Simply stated, we see throughout the Scriptures that Jesus fulfilled the Law in His birth, His life, His teaching, and in His death and resurrection. o Broadly stated, by fulfilling the Law and the prophets, He is pointing people to the Scriptures to honor the Word, and to help God's people to love the Word. o Even more broadly than this, Jesus makes it clear that He had authority of the Law and prophets, yet He did not contradict what it said. Why? o As already stated, because it is about Him. o He says this clearly in John 5:46 - addressing His many doubters. Here's what we see there: FOR IF YOU BELIEVED MOSES, YOU WOULD BELIEVE ME; FOR HE WROTE OF ME. o Of course, He also spoke of this with the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, Luke records in Luke 24:27 that: ... BEGINNING WITH MOSES AND ALL THE PROPHETS, HE INTERPRETED TO THEM IN ALL THE SCRIPTURES THE THINGS CONCERNING HIMSELF. o Then later, in the same chapter, He appeared to His disciples - post-resurrection - and He said to them in Luke 24:44: THESE ARE MY WORDS THAT I SPOKE TO YOU WHILE I WAS STILL WITH YOU, THAT EVERYTHING WRITTEN ABOUT ME IN THE LAW OF MOSES AND THE PROPHETS AND THE PSALMS MUST BE FULFILLED o You see, Jesus affirms that the Old Testament was about Him. o So, how do we respond to this? * Let me quote one more passage that may help answer that question: Psalm 1:1-2 says: 1 BLESSED IS THE MAN WHO WALKS NOT IN THE COUNSEL OF THE WICKED, NOR STANDS IN THE WAY OF SINNERS, NOR SITS IN THE SEAT OF SCOFFERS; 2 BUT HIS DELIGHT IS IN THE LAW OF THE LORD, AND ON HIS LAW HE MEDITATES DAY AND NIGHT. o So, we respond by delighting in His Word, meditating on it day and night. o Next, Jesus reveals that ... • The Old Testament was perfect for Jesus (v.18) o The term "truly" in verse 18, or "assuredly" is the Greek term for "amen" o It is a firm and intense affirmation of the Old Testament and its contents. o What does He say there? o NOT AN IOTA, NOT A DOT will pass ... every word, He says is perfect, complete, without fault. o An "IOTA" is sort of a small dash in the Hebrew and depending on where that dash is added to a character, it changes the word and, as a result, its meaning. o The Law was given for the purpose of God's people to be set apart for Him, to be identified as His, and so that they may not sin. o In addition to the Law and the Prophets being "perfect," He is also saying that it is timeless. That's why we can study it, even today, and still find relevance in it. o I can't help but think of a book, or a textbook. o I read a book recently, which was an updated and expanded version of the same book written back in 1984. Why did he have to update and expand the book? Times have changed. Examples are out of date and out of touch. o But, the Word of the Lord has not. Again, the writer of Hebrews, in the thirteenth chapter affirms that Jesus Himself is the same yesterday, today, and forever. o Paul says these familiar words in 2 Timothy 3:16-17: 16 ALL SCRIPTURE IS BREATHED OUT BY GOD AND PROFITABLE FOR TEACHING, FOR REPROOF, FOR CORRECTION, AND FOR TRAINING IN RIGHTEOUSNESS, 17 THAT THE MAN OF GOD MAY BE COMPLETE, EQUIPPED FOR EVERY GOOD WORK. o Jesus, with the Scriptures available at the time, affirmed that the Word of God was perfect - meaning that it was accurate, relevant, and complete. That truth remains today. o How do you view the Word of God? o Next, we see that ... • The heart of the Law is meant to be followed (v.19) o Now, I originally wrote "the Old Testament is meant to be followed," but decided to re-word it for clarity. o We've already established that Jesus fulfilled the Law, which - in part - is why Paul says in Galatians 6:2 that we are under the Law of Christ. o We also know that Jesus summarized the Law in Matthew 22 when He said, YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND. And YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF. ON THESE TWO COMMANDMENTS DEPEND ALL THE LAW AND THE PROPHETS. o In other words, while we are not "required" to follow the Old Testament Law, Jesus urges us to follow the heart of the Law, which He explains in detail in this chapter and during His teaching ministry. o Recall, just a few moments ago, we talked about the importance of the IOTA. o Jesus expands on this idea here in verse 19. o He affirms - yet again - how good the Word - the Law and the prophets - is. o Not only is the Word good, but He also warns that anyone who does not follow it completely - remember what we talked about earlier - is in danger of losing their eternal rewards. o Paul talks about these rewards in 1 Corinthians 3. Let's pick up this discussion in verses 13-15, 13 EACH ONE'S WORK WILL BECOME MANIFEST, FOR THE DAY WILL DISCLOSE IT, BECAUSE IT WILL BE REVEALED BY FIRE, AND THE FIRE WILL TEST WHAT SORT OF WORK EACH ONE HAS DONE. 14 IF THE WORK THAT ANYONE HAS BUILT ON THE FOUNDATION SURVIVES, HE WILL RECEIVE A REWARD. 15 IF ANYONE'S WORK IS BURNED UP, HE WILL SUFFER LOSS, THOUGH HE HIMSELF WILL BE SAVED, BUT ONLY AS THROUGH FIRE. o More concisely in 2 Corinthians 5:10, Paul says: 10 FOR WE MUST ALL APPEAR BEFORE THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST, SO THAT EACH ONE MAY RECEIVE WHAT IS DUE FOR WHAT HE HAS DONE IN THE BODY, WHETHER GOOD OR EVIL. o Jesus is teaching that ignoring, reducing, or "relaxing" - which is a term used elsewhere to mean "breaking" - the Law will lose these rewards. o This means that the Law is meant to be followed. o Jesus told His disciples that if they loved Him that they will follow His commands. o James told us that when we break one law, we are guilty of breaking them all. o We all know that we have broken - at least one law - so what does this mean for you and me? o I love what Guzik said about this: The law sends us to Jesus to be justified, because it shows us our inability to please God in ourselves. But after we come to Jesus, He sends us back to the law to learn the heart of God for our conduct and sanctification. o So, we go to Jesus. o Next, and lastly ... • The Old Testament demands righteousness (v.20) o Again, just like we saw in the Beatitudes, we fall short, each day. o Paraphrasing J. Vernon McGee: * The Law is good. (Paul affirms this later in Galatians 3). * The Law demands perfection. * The Law presents a high standard. * If one wants to be saved by the Law, he must be perfect. * This is why we must be saved by grace, because we cannot fulfill the Law. o Romans 8:1-4 also reminds us that Jesus came to fulfill the Law, in part by following the Law perfectly, and as such, was the only One who can be the substitutionary Lamb of God for us. o Hebrews 4:15 reminds us that Jesus did not sin. o What does Jesus mean that our righteousness has to exceed that of the Pharisees and the scribes? o Remember Paul, in Philippians 3 listed all his qualifications? o Remember then, that he realized that it wasn't enough? o The Pharisees and scribes were viewed as super devout and super religious. o Jesus is reminding them - and us as modern readers - that it is not enough. We know this because of the rest of chapter 5. o You see, they were more interested in the letter of the Law than the heart of the Law. o I saw this story last week that illustrates this perfectly: In early 1992, tenants let three apartments in an Orthodox neighborhood in Israel burn to the ground while they asked a rabbi whether a telephone call to the fire department on the Sabbath violated Jewish law. Observant Jews are forbidden to use the phone on the Sabbath, because doing so would break an electrical current, which is considered a form of work. In the half-hour it took the rabbi to decide "yes," the fire spread to two neighboring apartments. o So, Jesus, as we'll see in the coming weeks, will break down and interpret the real meaning of the Law - the heart of the Law - which will remind us of our inadequacy. Why though? Why does Jesus do this? o Once again, to draw us to saving faith, through Jesus. o We mentioned this last week, but if you weren't here, or you don't remember, here it is again. o Jesus requires a changed heart. A heart that is made new. o When your heart has been cleansed by the blood of Jesus, you are no longer slaves to sin, but slaves to righteousness, in agreement with God. o Do you have a changed heart? We've seen this morning that Jesus views the Old Testament as authoritative, and so should I. So, do you? Do you see the Scriptures the way Jesus did? One writer said that we are to have a Christocentric view of the Scriptures. Are you being informed by the Word of God? Are you being led by the Word of God? Are you being changed by Word of God? Let's pray. 2