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Matthew 5:17-20 NIV

“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. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

MAIN IDEA

Life in the Kingdom is a life of obedience.

GOING DEEPER
Questions from this weeks message.

1. What insight, principle or observation from this week’s message did you find to be most helpful, eye opening or troubling? Please explain.

2. What has been your experience with the abuse of rules in religion? Why do you think religion’s rules become so tiresome?

3. People often struggle with the idea that the Christian faith has rules and it can push them away from the faith. Why do you think a right understanding is important when it comes to rules in the faith?

4. Some Christians have thought that Jesus did away with the law or rules, what does Jesus say about this in Matthew 5:17? How do you explain that Jesus fulfilled the law and prophets?

5. Read Matthew 5:18-19. Jesus seems big on obedience. Have you ever thought about heaven being arranged as to our obedience? How does that reality impact your thoughts on obedience?

6. Read Matthew 5:20. The pharisee’s were very religious law keepers, what do you think Jesus meant by this? How could we have righteousness that surpasses theirs?

7. Read Romans 3:20-22. How does this help us understand what Jesus means about having a greater righteousness and also that he fulfills the law?

8. Read Romans 6:15-16. How does this passage explain more fully that Jesus has not abolished the law and that we are still called to obedience?

9. In what ways do you need to alter your view on the rules within the Christian faith? How might the truth that “we obey from a position of already being in the family rather than trying to get in” help? Why is motivation important when it comes to growing weary in obedience

SUMMARY POINTS

Religion says…   You do this, and you will get that. No one can do ‘this’ perfectly.   

The desire to try to follow the rules, together with our inability to do it perfectly, creates fertile soil for hypocrisy. 

Though nothing has been abolished everything has been fulfilled. 

Life in the Kingdom is a life of obedience. 

Although we could not be made right by the law, the law is what is right. 

 Our obedience is not to gain God’s favor but a result of having it.

 Obedience is not to get something; it is because you are someone. 

 Life in the Kingdom is a life of obedience. 

CALL TO ACTION

Have you put your faith in Jesus. If not, then Admit, believe and commit your life to him.

If you are a child of God consider if you are trying to obey from your own strength rather then from God’s Spirit in you and a transformed heart.