21.01.24 PM - Matthew 5:17-20

Speaker: David Oxley Questions to consider after the message: In Jesus’ day people looked to the Pharisees and scribes as being holy or good. Who do you think the world today views as being good? How do we stand out against those who might appear to be doing good so that we can act as a witness to Christ through our deeds?How can we delight in the Law of the Lord? What can act as a barrier to this?Jesus states that only those who have this surpassing righteousness will enter the kingdom of heaven (verse 20). How can this be harmonised with His statement about the poor in Spirit (those who admit their spiritual bankruptcy) entering the kingdom?Some people claim that Jesus abolished the law for the Christian and that we are only responsible for obeying the ‘law of love’. Respond to this view in light of Jesus’ words in this passage.How should you study and apply the Old Testament law today?It can be helpful to consider the law to consist of: moral, judicial and ceremonial law. In what sense has Jesus fulfilled these and why does the moral law still stand?