Pastor Tommy explores Matthew 5:17-20 in this week’s message, explaining Jesus’s statement that he came to fulfill, not abolish, the law and prophets. He emphasizes that “the law and prophets” refers to God’s rescue plan for humanity through Israel, which Jesus claims to be fulfilling. Pastor Tommy explains that when Jesus says our “righteousness must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees,” he’s not promoting works-based salvation but highlighting that true righteousness comes through relationship with him, not merely following rules. The Pharisees mistakenly prioritized rule-following over participating in God’s mission. The sermon concludes by addressing two audiences: those investigating Jesus are encouraged to pursue relationship with him, while believers are reminded not to fall into the trap of trying to earn God’s love through good works, but rather to do good works from a relationship with Jesus so others can see him.
Reflection Questions
- What stuck out in today’s message? What did you find challenging and encouraging? Did you learn anything new? Have you ever had a time when someone misunderstood something you said?
- Read Matthew 5:17-20. What is Jesus referring to when he says “the Law or the Prophets”? Why has Jesus come according to the passage? How would the original audience have understood the idea that Jesus is “fulfilling the law and the prophets”? What would they thinking and feeling hearing these words?
- Are there areas of your faith that have added additional worldly expectations or requirements? How can you re-align those areas to the righteousness Jesus explains in this passage?
- In your own words, write a definition for righteousness from what you have observed.. In what ways or areas of life do you try to achieve your own righteousness? What role do you see your works (actions) playing in your faith journey?
