Matthew 5:17-5:26

The Spirit of the Law - Part 1

Pastor Lloyd continues his teaching from the Sermon on the Mount. Here, Jesus gets into the nitty-gritty as he addresses the Law and the Prophets and the problem of outward righteousness. Jesus turns our attention to a higher law, the law of the spirit that destroys the law of sin and death. It's a a law that changes the heart and that is what Jesus is really after, then and now.

  1. Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
  2. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
  3. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
  4. For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
  5. Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
  6. But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
  7. Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
  8. Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
  9. Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
  10. Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.