Live Your Truth?

What does the passage say?

1) Read Matthew 5:17–20 aloud as a group. Before interpreting or applying the passage, share observations about it.

1. In the preceding context, Jesus defined the good life, the blessed life. Recall this context:
   1. Who was Jesus addressing in this passage? (Matthew 5:1; cf. Matthew 4:18–22, 5:1)
   2. Where did the events of this passage take place? (Matthew 4:12–17)
   3. Overall, what was the core message of Jesus’ preaching? (Matthew 4:17, 23)
   4. Generally, how did Jesus define the blessed person? (Matthew 5:3–11)
   5. What metaphors did Jesus use to describe His listeners? (Matthew 5:13a, 14a)
   6. In light of this context, what command did Jesus issue to His listeners? (Matthew 5:16a)
   7. What was the purpose and possible result of their following His command? (Matthew 5:16b)
2. In today’s passage–
   1. How did Jesus describe His relationship with the Law and the words of the Old Testament Prophets? (Matthew 5:17)
   2. Who did Jesus identify as the least in the kingdom of heaven? (Matthew 5:19a)
   3. Who did Jesus identify as the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? (Matthew 5:19b)
   4. Who did Jesus identify as those who would never enter the kingdom of heaven? (Matthew 5:20)

2) How would you explain or summarize today’s passage in your own words?

What does the passage mean?

1. What stands out to you most as you read and consider today’s passage?
2. Read Matthew 5:17–18 and Luke 16:17. Jesus declared that He did not come to abolish the Law or the Prophets, but to fulfill them. Further, He promised that not one ‘dot’ of the Law would become void. What is the significance of the distinction Jesus made between abolishing (i.e., abrogating, annulling) the Law and Prophets, and His fulfillment (i.e., completion, consummation, perfecting) of them?

How can we apply this passage to our lives?

1. What is true life, eternal life (cf. John 17:3)?
2. What is the Bible? How do you define and describe God’s Word and its narrative?
3. From its beginning to its end, the Scriptures are all about Jesus and ultimately fulfilled in Him. Thus, true life is only found in knowing and surrendering to the Lord about which the Word speaks (cf. Hebrews 1:1–2). How would you describe the strength, depth, and breadth of your relationship with the Lord and His Word? How would you like that to grow?
4. Why can every iota and dot of the Word of God be trusted? Why do you personally trust the Word of God? What aspects of the Word of God are challenging for you to trust and yield to, and why?
5. In what specific ways do you need to repent of resisting Jesus’ authority and missing out on true life?
6. In what specific ways do you need to grow in trusting Jesus’ authority and experiencing true life?
7. In what specific ways can you lead others to Jesus and His Word in the world?

Matthew 5:17-20

Christ Came to Fulfill the Law
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. 18For 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. 19Therefore 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.

Sermon Recap

You will only find true life in total submission to the loving authority of Jesus and His Word, and in lovingly leading others to Jesus and His Word in the world. The Bible, God’s Word, is–

• divinely revealed
• supernaturally consistent
• faithfully recorded
• historically accurate
• eternally reliable
• continually relevant

You can have true life through total submission to Him, His Word, His love for you. How?

• Turn from your unrighteousness.
• Trust in His righteousness.
• Follow His Word.