WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.280 Welcome to the Willow Ridge Sermons Podcast, where you can listen to audio from our most 00:00:09.280 --> 00:00:13.960 recent sermons and more. Thanks for listening, and be sure to add this show to your library 00:00:13.960 --> 00:00:16.900 if you'd like to automatically receive new episodes each week. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:36.120 So there's a couple of glitches that we're working through, but we do have our men's ministry has got a lot of things going on. 00:00:36.180 --> 00:00:40.940 There's a lot of parts and opportunities for you engaging that. We want to encourage you to. 00:00:41.340 --> 00:00:46.960 But I would like to encourage you, if you have your Bible, and I hope that you do, to join me in Matthew chapter 5. 00:00:47.200 --> 00:00:50.200 A couple things really quick. If you're a first-time guest, there's a lot of you. 00:00:50.460 --> 00:00:54.960 If you're a first-time guest, my wife and I will be back at the back here at our Connect table. 00:00:54.960 --> 00:00:59.600 We would love for you to stop by there for one moment so that we could greet you and we could thank you for being here. 00:00:59.940 --> 00:01:03.780 And then also, if you don't have a Bible, if you don't have a copy of God's Word, there's some free ones back there. 00:01:04.100 --> 00:01:07.540 And so we want to encourage you to go back and to stop and to get one of those. 00:01:07.680 --> 00:01:12.800 Now, as that song says, I got a long way to go and a short time to get there. 00:01:13.440 --> 00:01:17.920 But praise God, it's not because of announcements, right? It's because of baptisms. 00:01:18.280 --> 00:01:23.600 So I want to read for you. We will be in Matthew 5 today, but I want to read to you out of Psalm 1, verses 1 and 2. 00:01:23.800 --> 00:01:24.400 It says, 00:01:29.880 --> 00:01:32.240 Would you join me in prayer? 00:01:32.240 --> 00:01:40.720 But his delight, his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. 00:01:41.200 --> 00:01:42.180 Would you join me in prayer? 00:01:43.020 --> 00:01:47.300 God, I thank you so much for this time that we could be here and that we could gather together. 00:01:48.040 --> 00:01:52.000 Lord, as alive as your Word is, Lord, would it speak to us? 00:01:52.080 --> 00:01:58.900 Would you work through the power of your Holy Spirit to draw us to you for your name and your glory? 00:01:59.580 --> 00:02:01.380 And it's in Jesus' name we pray. 00:02:02.180 --> 00:02:02.500 Amen. 00:02:03.600 --> 00:02:03.920 Amen. 00:02:04.220 --> 00:02:09.900 I want to ask you a couple questions as we get into, we're going to look at verses 17 through 20 here in just a moment. 00:02:09.900 --> 00:02:17.400 But I want to ask you a question, each of us, different backgrounds, different reasons, different upbringing, different spiritual experiences, right? 00:02:17.460 --> 00:02:23.380 Like there's a lot of similar in the stories that are here, but also a lot of differences that are here. 00:02:23.580 --> 00:02:27.380 But I want to ask you to think within you of who you are as a person. 00:02:27.700 --> 00:02:30.060 Number one, what does God's Word mean to you? 00:02:31.100 --> 00:02:33.920 What does God's Word mean to you? 00:02:34.560 --> 00:02:35.860 Is it authoritative? 00:02:36.860 --> 00:02:38.440 Are you dependent on it? 00:02:38.520 --> 00:02:40.260 Are you thirsty for it? 00:02:40.320 --> 00:02:46.980 And then in a very similar mindset, what value, what value do you place on God's Word? 00:02:47.980 --> 00:02:55.320 As followers of Jesus Christ, what we hold to and cling to is a great depth of value that this book is not just a book for us. 00:02:56.140 --> 00:03:07.900 It's a precious letter written by God, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, the God, our means of salvation, our God, our perfecter of our salvation, our author of our salvation. 00:03:07.900 --> 00:03:18.760 That this is God's letter, this is God's story to you and to I, where He tells us not simply moral stories, but His plan of redemption through the person of Jesus Christ. 00:03:20.020 --> 00:03:26.480 We hold to this value as believers, or at least we should. 00:03:28.080 --> 00:03:29.000 We should. 00:03:30.680 --> 00:03:36.260 Jesus, as He's teaching on the Sermon on the Mount, as we're beginning to work our way through Matthew, 00:03:37.500 --> 00:03:43.040 He comes as He's going to transition to a different part of His teaching, 00:03:43.780 --> 00:03:56.660 and He does so, Jesus is going to share His view of Scripture, His view of the importance of and the value of God's Word. 00:03:56.780 --> 00:03:57.520 So would you join me? 00:03:57.580 --> 00:03:59.720 We'll read all the way through, 17 through 20. 00:04:00.600 --> 00:04:02.040 Jesus speaks these words. 00:04:03.480 --> 00:04:07.380 For do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. 00:04:08.200 --> 00:04:11.000 I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them. 00:04:11.840 --> 00:04:22.700 For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota or dot will pass from the law until all is accomplished. 00:04:24.020 --> 00:04:31.740 Therefore, 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. 00:04:32.680 --> 00:04:38.000 For whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 00:04:39.360 --> 00:04:45.520 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and the Pharisees, 00:04:45.800 --> 00:04:50.500 you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 00:04:51.440 --> 00:04:54.640 Like I said, I've got a long way to go and a short time to get there. 00:04:55.580 --> 00:04:58.240 In true transparency about this passage of Scripture, 00:04:58.620 --> 00:05:04.160 each verse of the four verses are so packed with the truth of God. 00:05:04.180 --> 00:05:07.060 We could take a week on each one of them. 00:05:07.880 --> 00:05:12.300 But for the sake of today, as we continue to set the setting of what Jesus will say, 00:05:12.300 --> 00:05:19.340 we're going to push them together as we seek to understand what Christ is telling us. 00:05:20.460 --> 00:05:24.240 If you're curious, what do I believe or what should we believe about the Bible, 00:05:24.320 --> 00:05:28.700 I want to explain to you some theological phrases that we use 00:05:28.700 --> 00:05:33.600 and why we hold to these concerning the fullness and the truth of God's word. 00:05:34.000 --> 00:05:36.800 Number one, we believe that the Bible is inspired. 00:05:37.420 --> 00:05:42.040 And by inspired, we mean that this book has been breathed out by God. 00:05:42.140 --> 00:05:44.260 It is God's very word. 00:05:44.260 --> 00:05:49.060 And it was given to men to record, and they did so. 00:05:50.220 --> 00:05:52.860 We believe that the Bible is inerrant. 00:05:53.780 --> 00:05:56.060 There may be struggles with translations. 00:05:56.640 --> 00:05:58.760 There may be confusion that comes from that. 00:05:59.600 --> 00:06:04.400 But we believe that the Bible in its fullness is free from error. 00:06:06.000 --> 00:06:08.620 We believe that the Bible is infallible. 00:06:09.280 --> 00:06:17.360 God has done or will do all that is in God's word, all that it says, all that it promises concerning all things. 00:06:18.640 --> 00:06:24.100 We believe that God's word is authoritative, that God gives us commands. 00:06:24.500 --> 00:06:25.960 God calls us to obey. 00:06:26.860 --> 00:06:31.180 And we do so as the power of His Spirit enables us. 00:06:32.180 --> 00:06:44.120 We believe that the Bible is applicable, whether in the day of Moses, the day of Paul, the day of Augustine, the day of Martin Luther, or today. 00:06:45.140 --> 00:06:54.160 Whether in India, Russia, Iran, England, Guatemala, or the United States, God's word can be applied to our everyday life. 00:06:55.280 --> 00:07:14.260 When we believe that God's word is sufficient, that everything that you and I need to know concerning salvation and growth in our salvation and obedience to God can be found in God's word. 00:07:15.420 --> 00:07:25.300 Now, when we look at God's word, and we look at specifically who we are reading from in the words of Christ in the Sermon on the Mount, 00:07:26.160 --> 00:07:31.100 I want to begin to create a little bit of tension in your life. 00:07:31.980 --> 00:07:36.640 That your theology of the living word being Jesus, 00:07:37.480 --> 00:07:44.740 so what you believe about Jesus and the written word, the Bible, need to go hand in hand. 00:07:45.420 --> 00:07:48.080 What do I mean by that? 00:07:49.120 --> 00:07:50.380 Well, Jesus is God. 00:07:51.340 --> 00:07:52.880 And the Bible is the word of God. 00:07:53.200 --> 00:07:54.160 They go hand in hand. 00:07:55.260 --> 00:07:56.820 Jesus is sinless. 00:07:57.140 --> 00:07:58.900 And the Bible is free of error. 00:07:59.220 --> 00:08:00.220 They go hand in hand. 00:08:00.860 --> 00:08:04.020 Jesus did and will do what He has said. 00:08:04.300 --> 00:08:08.080 And God will fulfill all that is in His word. 00:08:08.420 --> 00:08:09.520 They go hand in hand. 00:08:10.360 --> 00:08:12.440 That Jesus isn't just the Savior. 00:08:12.700 --> 00:08:14.900 That Jesus also is the Lord. 00:08:14.900 --> 00:08:20.140 The King that Matthew has been describing to us. 00:08:21.340 --> 00:08:25.040 And as the King is authoritative, so is God's word. 00:08:25.280 --> 00:08:26.740 They go hand in hand. 00:08:27.960 --> 00:08:32.860 Jesus speaks truth into real life, everyday circumstances. 00:08:34.120 --> 00:08:38.260 And the Bible carries with it the same level of daily application. 00:08:39.040 --> 00:08:40.160 They go hand in hand. 00:08:41.380 --> 00:08:46.200 Jesus Christ is the only means of salvation. 00:08:46.620 --> 00:08:48.680 He is the way, the truth, and the life. 00:08:49.820 --> 00:08:54.820 And the Bible teaches us all that we need for salvation. 00:08:55.940 --> 00:09:07.160 So when we look at the Sermon on the Mount, as we have over the last several weeks, we see that Jesus has this group that has come to Him. 00:09:07.920 --> 00:09:09.060 Some are followers. 00:09:09.060 --> 00:09:09.400 Some are followers. 00:09:09.400 --> 00:09:11.580 Some are not. 00:09:12.260 --> 00:09:13.480 Some are curious. 00:09:14.200 --> 00:09:16.200 Some have just been invited. 00:09:17.160 --> 00:09:19.940 Maybe that describes the group that we have here today. 00:09:21.540 --> 00:09:30.260 And Jesus, so far, in Matthew 5, has done something as He looks out over this oppressed, beaten, tired group. 00:09:31.380 --> 00:09:33.820 And He defines for them what it means to be blessed. 00:09:34.620 --> 00:09:43.160 And then He challenges them, those that are His followers, to go and impact the world for God. 00:09:44.420 --> 00:09:47.140 He says, be the salt of the earth. 00:09:48.220 --> 00:09:56.380 Live a life that points people to Jesus and carries with it the evidence and the fruit, the taste of the gospel. 00:09:58.380 --> 00:10:11.880 He says to be the light of the world, to be that not just who lives, but who shines light in the darkest places, to share the message of the gospel. 00:10:12.720 --> 00:10:14.540 All with a goal in mind. 00:10:15.500 --> 00:10:27.680 The goal in Matthew 5, 16, in the same way, let your light shine before others so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. 00:10:28.380 --> 00:10:34.500 It's the actions of every individual who came forth. 00:10:35.800 --> 00:10:37.600 It's not what they have done. 00:10:38.340 --> 00:10:40.320 It's what Christ has done. 00:10:41.220 --> 00:10:46.760 And so we applauded, not their bravery, but the goodness of God. 00:10:52.600 --> 00:10:54.880 But Jesus is going to do something. 00:10:55.880 --> 00:10:57.920 We'll begin next week and see this. 00:10:58.980 --> 00:11:00.180 That is huge. 00:11:01.760 --> 00:11:04.480 Jesus is going to do something that is controversial. 00:11:06.060 --> 00:11:12.380 Jesus is going to do something that's going to cause the religious elitists of the day to say, 00:11:12.600 --> 00:11:13.940 do you believe what He just said? 00:11:16.100 --> 00:11:22.180 Jesus is going to go forth in a group of statements, and He's going to begin each of them by saying, 00:11:23.220 --> 00:11:31.620 you have heard that it was said to those of old, you shall not murder, and whoever murders will be liable to judgment. 00:11:32.400 --> 00:11:35.320 Jesus quotes the Old Testament. 00:11:36.600 --> 00:11:38.120 Jesus speaks to the law. 00:11:38.700 --> 00:11:40.880 Now remember, this is the New Testament we're looking at. 00:11:41.040 --> 00:11:42.400 It hasn't been written. 00:11:42.720 --> 00:11:43.880 It's being lived. 00:11:44.080 --> 00:11:45.660 So He speaks to their scripture. 00:11:46.920 --> 00:11:51.520 And then Jesus will say, after each one of these, I believe, six statements, 00:11:52.520 --> 00:12:04.240 but I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment. 00:12:05.920 --> 00:12:08.480 You've heard it said you should not commit adultery, 00:12:09.100 --> 00:12:15.660 but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful interest has already committed adultery in his heart. 00:12:15.660 --> 00:12:18.580 You have heard that it is said to those of old, 00:12:18.700 --> 00:12:23.440 you shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what is sworn. 00:12:23.680 --> 00:12:25.440 But I say to you, do not take an oath at all. 00:12:27.360 --> 00:12:31.480 Jesus is going to establish Himself in light of scripture, 00:12:31.740 --> 00:12:35.540 in the fullness of what scripture is doing and pointing to. 00:12:36.480 --> 00:12:40.820 And that's what we see found here in Matthew 5, 17 through 20. 00:12:42.340 --> 00:12:44.900 Oh, the fullness of what Jesus is saying. 00:12:45.660 --> 00:12:50.940 As He will build on the truth of what is in God's word, 00:12:51.560 --> 00:12:57.740 not by the ways of the world, but by who Christ is. 00:12:58.400 --> 00:13:01.520 So Jesus is going to point us to four things that we can take today 00:13:01.520 --> 00:13:05.660 and apply for the truth of God's word in our life. 00:13:06.180 --> 00:13:06.400 All right? 00:13:06.400 --> 00:13:11.180 Number one, number one, God's word is necessary. 00:13:11.940 --> 00:13:13.560 God's word is necessary. 00:13:15.060 --> 00:13:16.440 Look back with me at verse 17. 00:13:17.440 --> 00:13:22.520 Do not think that I've come to abolish the law or the prophets. 00:13:23.160 --> 00:13:27.340 I've not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them. 00:13:28.360 --> 00:13:31.480 Jesus says, listen, I don't come to destroy God's word, 00:13:31.960 --> 00:13:35.760 but instead I come to fulfill it. 00:13:37.160 --> 00:13:42.740 You see, the fullness of scripture is not found in a moralistic reading. 00:13:43.260 --> 00:13:49.340 The truth of scripture finds their fulfillment, their goal, their purpose 00:13:49.340 --> 00:13:52.940 in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. 00:13:53.600 --> 00:14:00.020 That when we read scripture, what we find is scripture is pointing us not to something, 00:14:00.620 --> 00:14:06.740 but all of scripture in the fullness of it is pointing us to someone being Jesus. 00:14:08.540 --> 00:14:10.660 And so he stands before these people. 00:14:11.280 --> 00:14:12.920 He says, I'm not here to destroy it. 00:14:13.080 --> 00:14:14.780 I'm here to fulfill it. 00:14:15.000 --> 00:14:22.240 And so he fulfills the law by his complete and perfect obedience. 00:14:23.140 --> 00:14:32.320 He fulfills the prophecies, each detail spoken about who he is by living his life. 00:14:33.320 --> 00:14:39.800 He fulfills the sacrificial system that is laid out for Israel to follow 00:14:39.800 --> 00:14:46.240 by himself becoming the sacrificial lamb and his death on the cross. 00:14:47.320 --> 00:14:50.340 Jesus will say in John chapter 5, verse 39, 00:14:51.160 --> 00:14:55.760 you search the scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life. 00:14:56.160 --> 00:15:01.000 And it is they that bear witness, Jesus says, about me. 00:15:03.320 --> 00:15:06.900 That all the scriptures point to him. 00:15:08.040 --> 00:15:14.680 You see, the scriptures are necessary because the scriptures tell us who Jesus is. 00:15:15.420 --> 00:15:16.260 All of them. 00:15:18.280 --> 00:15:19.880 So let's look at the Old Testament. 00:15:21.520 --> 00:15:21.900 Right, Bo? 00:15:22.020 --> 00:15:24.660 Well, Jesus isn't born until the New Testament, right? 00:15:24.980 --> 00:15:28.300 This is how this happens, but we believe in the eternal nature of Christ. 00:15:29.420 --> 00:15:30.740 The divinity of Christ. 00:15:31.820 --> 00:15:35.920 And God is not calling us to a moralistic reading of scripture. 00:15:36.140 --> 00:15:40.420 He's inviting us to understand and know fully who God is. 00:15:41.800 --> 00:15:43.100 So three stories. 00:15:44.440 --> 00:15:52.520 While Joseph in the Old Testament be applied to how you and I are called to live and to forgive others, 00:15:53.060 --> 00:15:54.320 even in our innocence, 00:15:55.320 --> 00:16:01.200 it points to how Jesus is perfect and completely innocent. 00:16:01.200 --> 00:16:14.540 And he is the one who can and serve a sentence that he did not deserve and forgive those who placed him under that sentence. 00:16:15.540 --> 00:16:17.020 We see the story of God. 00:16:17.020 --> 00:16:17.580 We see the story of David. 00:16:18.220 --> 00:16:21.560 We see specifically the story of David and Goliath. 00:16:22.500 --> 00:16:28.760 And how we can apply the truth of that story is how you and I can overcome fears by trusting God. 00:16:28.820 --> 00:16:29.340 And we can. 00:16:29.940 --> 00:16:30.360 We can. 00:16:30.480 --> 00:16:35.200 We can overcome the matters before us in obedience of living and following him. 00:16:35.380 --> 00:16:38.080 How afraid you are to witness will do it in the power of Christ. 00:16:38.280 --> 00:16:41.020 How afraid you are to worship will do it in the power of Christ. 00:16:41.200 --> 00:16:42.460 There's a greater story. 00:16:43.300 --> 00:16:48.120 And the story is pointing to Jesus about how Jesus came to defeat the giant. 00:16:48.280 --> 00:16:50.360 The one giant that we can't kill. 00:16:50.620 --> 00:16:52.460 The one giant that we can't slay. 00:16:52.720 --> 00:16:55.700 That Jesus came and he slayed the giant of sin. 00:16:57.440 --> 00:17:01.420 And only that can be done by God. 00:17:03.080 --> 00:17:04.520 We see Moses. 00:17:05.560 --> 00:17:12.180 And Moses can be a plot in our life of what it looks like to lead a group of rebellious people 00:17:12.180 --> 00:17:18.000 and to remind them over and over and over again of God's faithfulness. 00:17:18.800 --> 00:17:21.020 But we see Jesus as a greater Moses. 00:17:23.020 --> 00:17:30.000 Who came to set a people enslaved by sin. 00:17:31.260 --> 00:17:34.340 And only that can happen by God. 00:17:35.480 --> 00:17:42.080 You see, we need scripture because scripture points us to we need Jesus. 00:17:43.660 --> 00:17:45.000 He came to fulfill. 00:17:46.400 --> 00:17:47.240 Number two. 00:17:48.100 --> 00:17:48.700 Number two. 00:17:49.900 --> 00:17:53.280 We see that God's word is perfect. 00:17:54.420 --> 00:17:55.920 God's word is perfect. 00:17:57.020 --> 00:18:01.960 For truly I say to you, verse 18, for truly I say to you until heaven and earth pass away, 00:18:02.060 --> 00:18:09.380 not an iota, not a dot will pass from the law until all is accomplished. 00:18:10.380 --> 00:18:11.880 God's word is true. 00:18:13.340 --> 00:18:17.760 Jesus questioned the skeptical theology of the day. 00:18:19.200 --> 00:18:20.320 Jesus was quick. 00:18:20.320 --> 00:18:30.420 We'll see this to point out from the Pharisees and the Sadducees and the scribes their misinterpretation of the theology of God's word. 00:18:30.740 --> 00:18:37.420 But Jesus never, not one time, questioned the historical accuracy of the Bible. 00:18:38.580 --> 00:18:48.100 In fact, over the course of history, there are four biblical stories that have been questioned more than others to if they are historically true. 00:18:50.480 --> 00:18:59.380 And creation with Adam and Eve, the flood with Noah, Sodom and Gomorrah, and Jonah. 00:19:00.280 --> 00:19:03.620 And people say, well, I'm not sure that really happened. 00:19:04.740 --> 00:19:11.180 Well, here's what we believe about the perfection of God's word and the perfection of Christ and the perfection of Christ's teaching. 00:19:11.740 --> 00:19:20.720 Jesus referenced all four of these, not as an illustration of a story to tell, but the historical accuracy. 00:19:22.060 --> 00:19:29.520 You see, to believe in the perfection of Christ is to believe in the perfection of God's word. 00:19:30.900 --> 00:19:37.260 C.S. Lewis said it best, that Jesus is either a liar, a lunatic, or Lord. 00:19:38.840 --> 00:19:44.940 You can't cling to the perfection of Christ and believe that God's word is less than. 00:19:46.680 --> 00:19:50.380 He is Lord and His word is perfect. 00:19:51.600 --> 00:19:56.540 The third, God's word must be obeyed and taught. 00:19:58.180 --> 00:20:00.520 God's word must be obeyed and taught. 00:20:00.680 --> 00:20:07.060 Verse 19, therefore, whoever relaxes one of these commandments, 00:20:07.400 --> 00:20:08.960 or I'm sorry, let me start all the way over. 00:20:09.820 --> 00:20:14.300 Therefore, whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments 00:20:14.300 --> 00:20:19.340 and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. 00:20:19.900 --> 00:20:24.720 But whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 00:20:25.540 --> 00:20:28.120 God's word is to be obeyed and taught. 00:20:29.120 --> 00:20:37.720 In the relationship with Christ, Jesus says, if you love me, you will keep my commandments. 00:20:37.720 --> 00:20:39.020 John 14, 15. 00:20:39.520 --> 00:20:45.460 It's very important that Jesus does not say, if you keep my commandments, you will love me. 00:20:46.880 --> 00:20:51.640 Jesus doesn't start from the external and work inward to the internal. 00:20:52.580 --> 00:20:56.360 Your love for Christ will not come out of obedience to the law. 00:20:57.100 --> 00:21:02.860 But your love for Christ should stir within you through the power of the Holy Spirit, 00:21:03.200 --> 00:21:06.580 the obedience who comes from the one who you profess. 00:21:09.780 --> 00:21:16.160 If you love me, if you love me, you will keep my commandments. 00:21:17.500 --> 00:21:22.880 God's word must be the instruction of our life and the means of our ministry. 00:21:24.620 --> 00:21:27.640 It's why when we gather here, whether it be a small group, 00:21:27.920 --> 00:21:31.080 it's why we gather when it's a men's group or a women's group, 00:21:31.160 --> 00:21:32.960 when we gather in a discipleship study, 00:21:33.160 --> 00:21:34.880 when we gather in kids' ministry, 00:21:35.180 --> 00:21:36.880 when we gather in student ministry, 00:21:37.200 --> 00:21:38.660 when we gather in young adult, 00:21:38.780 --> 00:21:39.820 when we gather in adult, 00:21:39.940 --> 00:21:41.760 when we gather in senior ministry, 00:21:42.000 --> 00:21:43.940 when we gather in worship today, 00:21:44.100 --> 00:21:47.260 it's why these aren't the thoughts of Bo or the thoughts of Joel 00:21:47.260 --> 00:21:48.480 or the thoughts of Dave, 00:21:48.700 --> 00:21:49.660 the thoughts of Don, 00:21:49.740 --> 00:21:50.600 the thoughts of you. 00:21:52.080 --> 00:21:53.660 It's the truth of God's word. 00:21:54.620 --> 00:21:56.220 And we're to obey. 00:21:57.480 --> 00:21:59.220 And when we fall short, 00:21:59.940 --> 00:22:03.380 we cling to the grace of what God gives us. 00:22:04.900 --> 00:22:05.880 And then lastly, 00:22:07.620 --> 00:22:08.580 lastly, 00:22:09.940 --> 00:22:15.140 God's word is internal and eternal. 00:22:16.900 --> 00:22:18.140 Verse 20. 00:22:20.140 --> 00:22:21.000 For I tell you, 00:22:21.940 --> 00:22:23.360 unless your righteousness 00:22:23.360 --> 00:22:27.520 exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, 00:22:27.880 --> 00:22:29.840 you will never 00:22:29.840 --> 00:22:31.580 enter 00:22:31.580 --> 00:22:33.640 the kingdom 00:22:33.640 --> 00:22:35.420 of heaven. 00:22:37.420 --> 00:22:38.780 Now let me tell you, 00:22:39.320 --> 00:22:43.180 this would have been striking words 00:22:43.180 --> 00:22:45.580 for those in the audience. 00:22:47.140 --> 00:22:48.340 A righteousness 00:22:48.340 --> 00:22:51.620 greater than the scribes, 00:22:51.620 --> 00:22:53.740 a righteousness 00:22:53.740 --> 00:22:56.200 greater than the Pharisees, 00:22:57.200 --> 00:23:00.420 the admired religious rulers of the day. 00:23:01.420 --> 00:23:02.600 I don't know if you think 00:23:02.600 --> 00:23:04.740 that you're a rule follower in life. 00:23:05.460 --> 00:23:07.980 I'm married a rule follower in life. 00:23:08.420 --> 00:23:09.340 And by nature, 00:23:09.420 --> 00:23:11.960 I'm not a rule follower in life. 00:23:11.960 --> 00:23:14.680 And God's working in me every day. 00:23:15.920 --> 00:23:18.220 Let me tell you about these rule followers. 00:23:19.780 --> 00:23:25.120 They followed 248 regulations. 00:23:26.520 --> 00:23:32.140 They followed 365 prohibitions. 00:23:33.140 --> 00:23:35.400 You think you've got a lot to worry about? 00:23:36.500 --> 00:23:37.760 Imagine these guys. 00:23:39.520 --> 00:23:40.120 And they, 00:23:40.120 --> 00:23:41.920 in their own works, 00:23:42.920 --> 00:23:44.820 were considered 00:23:44.820 --> 00:23:46.620 the elite. 00:23:48.340 --> 00:23:49.420 But Jesus says, 00:23:49.560 --> 00:23:50.660 but there's a problem. 00:23:51.980 --> 00:23:55.000 There's a problem that is going to happen within them. 00:23:58.440 --> 00:24:00.780 And that what is taking place 00:24:00.780 --> 00:24:04.060 is on the surface. 00:24:05.620 --> 00:24:06.960 And it's not 00:24:06.960 --> 00:24:08.360 impacted 00:24:08.360 --> 00:24:09.800 to the heart. 00:24:12.620 --> 00:24:14.020 Jesus is going to say, 00:24:14.400 --> 00:24:17.020 you've heard it 00:24:17.020 --> 00:24:17.840 said, 00:24:18.040 --> 00:24:19.120 do this. 00:24:21.240 --> 00:24:23.820 And then Jesus will build on that. 00:24:25.020 --> 00:24:25.860 And say, 00:24:26.020 --> 00:24:27.240 but it's going to begin 00:24:27.240 --> 00:24:28.820 with 00:24:28.820 --> 00:24:30.180 your 00:24:30.180 --> 00:24:31.540 heart. 00:24:34.060 --> 00:24:35.540 I'd like to call the band 00:24:35.540 --> 00:24:36.540 up on stage 00:24:36.540 --> 00:24:39.040 as we prepare 00:24:39.040 --> 00:24:40.280 to go back into worship. 00:24:42.840 --> 00:24:43.640 R.T. France 00:24:43.640 --> 00:24:44.680 said this about 00:24:44.680 --> 00:24:46.460 verse 20 00:24:46.460 --> 00:24:47.460 in Jesus' words. 00:24:48.960 --> 00:24:49.720 He said, 00:24:49.820 --> 00:24:51.220 Jesus is not talking about 00:24:51.220 --> 00:24:52.360 beating the scribes 00:24:52.360 --> 00:24:53.120 and Pharisees 00:24:53.120 --> 00:24:54.160 at their own game. 00:24:56.000 --> 00:24:57.100 He's not talking 00:24:57.100 --> 00:24:57.920 about being a better 00:24:57.920 --> 00:24:58.880 rule follower. 00:25:00.020 --> 00:25:01.300 But about a different 00:25:01.300 --> 00:25:01.860 level 00:25:01.860 --> 00:25:03.620 or concept 00:25:03.620 --> 00:25:05.140 of righteousness 00:25:05.140 --> 00:25:06.100 altogether. 00:25:07.620 --> 00:25:08.180 And through the 00:25:08.180 --> 00:25:09.580 testimony of Christ, 00:25:10.480 --> 00:25:11.440 He will speak 00:25:11.440 --> 00:25:12.600 of the 00:25:12.600 --> 00:25:13.900 imparted righteousness 00:25:13.900 --> 00:25:15.400 that comes 00:25:15.400 --> 00:25:15.980 from Him 00:25:15.980 --> 00:25:17.460 and that 00:25:17.460 --> 00:25:18.160 penetrates 00:25:18.160 --> 00:25:18.960 to the very 00:25:18.960 --> 00:25:20.280 fabric 00:25:20.280 --> 00:25:20.940 and being 00:25:20.940 --> 00:25:22.600 not just 00:25:22.600 --> 00:25:23.560 of what you do, 00:25:24.240 --> 00:25:24.960 but of who 00:25:24.960 --> 00:25:25.460 you are. 00:25:27.320 --> 00:25:27.800 You see, 00:25:28.460 --> 00:25:30.640 we say 00:25:30.640 --> 00:25:31.320 and it's 00:25:31.320 --> 00:25:31.780 true, 00:25:33.400 --> 00:25:34.520 Jesus died 00:25:34.520 --> 00:25:35.380 for your sin. 00:25:36.680 --> 00:25:37.640 That's true. 00:25:38.640 --> 00:25:39.920 That is so true. 00:25:40.920 --> 00:25:41.700 And if you're here 00:25:41.700 --> 00:25:42.100 today 00:25:42.100 --> 00:25:43.760 and you've never 00:25:43.760 --> 00:25:44.920 professed 00:25:44.920 --> 00:25:45.720 Jesus Christ 00:25:45.720 --> 00:25:46.680 as Lord and Savior, 00:25:47.100 --> 00:25:47.640 let me tell you what. 00:25:50.020 --> 00:25:51.160 every sin, 00:25:51.980 --> 00:25:53.140 every fault, 00:25:53.860 --> 00:25:54.780 every failure, 00:25:55.320 --> 00:25:58.280 every sinful word, 00:25:58.500 --> 00:25:59.800 every sinful action, 00:26:00.140 --> 00:26:01.520 every sinful motive, 00:26:01.740 --> 00:26:03.440 every sinful thought. 00:26:04.440 --> 00:26:06.140 Jesus came 00:26:06.140 --> 00:26:08.220 and He died 00:26:08.220 --> 00:26:08.240 and He died 00:26:08.240 --> 00:26:09.880 so that you 00:26:09.880 --> 00:26:10.800 would be forgiven. 00:26:12.520 --> 00:26:13.700 The Apostle Paul 00:26:13.700 --> 00:26:14.560 talks about it 00:26:14.560 --> 00:26:15.920 in his life. 00:26:16.800 --> 00:26:17.660 The Apostle Paul 00:26:17.660 --> 00:26:18.800 being the chief sinner 00:26:18.800 --> 00:26:20.940 in what it looks like 00:26:20.940 --> 00:26:21.540 in the forgiveness 00:26:21.540 --> 00:26:22.200 of Christ. 00:26:23.640 --> 00:26:24.360 And isn't that great? 00:26:25.480 --> 00:26:26.480 That I don't care 00:26:26.480 --> 00:26:27.660 how bad you are, 00:26:27.780 --> 00:26:28.620 you can come 00:26:28.620 --> 00:26:30.600 and lay it down 00:26:30.600 --> 00:26:32.600 and Jesus forgives you. 00:26:33.860 --> 00:26:34.720 That's part 00:26:34.720 --> 00:26:35.740 of the story, folks. 00:26:36.780 --> 00:26:37.900 That's not the fullness 00:26:37.900 --> 00:26:38.740 of the gospel. 00:26:40.320 --> 00:26:40.780 You see, 00:26:40.840 --> 00:26:41.600 when you bring 00:26:41.600 --> 00:26:43.120 Jesus your sin, 00:26:44.060 --> 00:26:44.780 He gives you 00:26:44.780 --> 00:26:45.720 something in return. 00:26:47.100 --> 00:26:47.980 He gives you 00:26:47.980 --> 00:26:48.820 something in your 00:26:48.820 --> 00:26:50.100 spiritual standing 00:26:50.100 --> 00:26:52.800 that He imparts 00:26:52.800 --> 00:26:54.580 His righteousness 00:26:54.580 --> 00:26:56.100 to you. 00:26:57.640 --> 00:26:58.360 You see, 00:26:58.440 --> 00:26:58.980 in your standing 00:26:58.980 --> 00:26:59.700 before God, 00:27:00.600 --> 00:27:02.360 you are not 00:27:02.360 --> 00:27:03.780 holy and acceptable 00:27:03.780 --> 00:27:04.660 because of the things 00:27:04.660 --> 00:27:05.260 that you've done. 00:27:07.740 --> 00:27:09.080 That in your standing 00:27:09.080 --> 00:27:09.920 before God, 00:27:10.240 --> 00:27:11.260 you are holy 00:27:11.260 --> 00:27:12.540 and acceptable 00:27:12.540 --> 00:27:13.620 because of what 00:27:13.620 --> 00:27:15.140 Jesus has done. 00:27:16.460 --> 00:27:17.300 In the fullness 00:27:17.300 --> 00:27:18.300 of the truth 00:27:18.300 --> 00:27:19.380 of this word 00:27:19.380 --> 00:27:21.200 that He came 00:27:21.200 --> 00:27:22.340 to fulfill. 00:27:24.120 --> 00:27:25.660 So that in Christ 00:27:25.660 --> 00:27:26.880 and in Christ alone, 00:27:27.960 --> 00:27:29.600 when God sees you, 00:27:30.600 --> 00:27:31.880 He does not see 00:27:31.880 --> 00:27:32.880 your shortcomings 00:27:32.880 --> 00:27:34.460 and your failures, 00:27:34.880 --> 00:27:36.420 but He sees 00:27:36.420 --> 00:27:38.060 the blood 00:27:38.060 --> 00:27:39.540 of Jesus. 00:27:42.680 --> 00:27:43.880 We prayed for you 00:27:43.880 --> 00:27:44.340 this morning. 00:27:47.760 --> 00:27:49.020 We prayed for each 00:27:49.020 --> 00:27:50.120 and every one of you. 00:27:52.420 --> 00:27:53.980 And it is our prayer 00:27:53.980 --> 00:27:56.980 whether this is 00:27:56.980 --> 00:27:57.920 your first time 00:27:57.920 --> 00:28:00.220 or your thousandth time. 00:28:03.100 --> 00:28:04.520 If you believe 00:28:04.520 --> 00:28:07.420 that you can stand 00:28:07.420 --> 00:28:09.900 in your own works 00:28:09.900 --> 00:28:10.640 before God 00:28:10.640 --> 00:28:13.560 and be found 00:28:13.560 --> 00:28:14.420 acceptable, 00:28:15.380 --> 00:28:17.760 you've believed a lie. 00:28:17.760 --> 00:28:21.120 but if you come 00:28:21.120 --> 00:28:21.680 today 00:28:21.680 --> 00:28:24.300 professing Christ 00:28:24.300 --> 00:28:26.640 as Lord and Savior, 00:28:28.040 --> 00:28:31.360 laying down 00:28:31.360 --> 00:28:32.000 your sin 00:28:32.000 --> 00:28:34.900 and receiving 00:28:34.900 --> 00:28:35.660 His righteousness, 00:28:37.660 --> 00:28:38.140 then, 00:28:38.400 --> 00:28:39.820 then, 00:28:40.260 --> 00:28:44.260 you will have 00:28:44.260 --> 00:28:44.880 a righteousness 00:28:44.880 --> 00:28:47.000 that exceeds 00:28:47.000 --> 00:28:47.360 that 00:28:47.360 --> 00:28:49.500 of the scribes 00:28:49.500 --> 00:28:51.600 and the Pharisees. 00:28:54.300 --> 00:28:55.420 In just a moment, 00:28:55.840 --> 00:28:57.320 we'll stand, 00:28:57.440 --> 00:28:57.760 we'll sing 00:28:57.760 --> 00:28:58.740 one last song 00:28:58.740 --> 00:29:00.200 and then I'll come back 00:29:00.200 --> 00:29:00.820 on the stage 00:29:00.820 --> 00:29:03.200 and we'll partake 00:29:03.200 --> 00:29:03.960 in the Lord's Supper 00:29:03.960 --> 00:29:04.340 together. 00:29:05.940 --> 00:29:06.640 We'll take 00:29:06.640 --> 00:29:07.280 of the bread 00:29:07.280 --> 00:29:08.140 that represents 00:29:08.140 --> 00:29:09.240 the body of Christ. 00:29:09.840 --> 00:29:10.980 The body of Christ 00:29:10.980 --> 00:29:11.520 that took on 00:29:11.520 --> 00:29:12.060 the punishment 00:29:12.060 --> 00:29:12.760 that you and I 00:29:12.760 --> 00:29:13.080 deserve. 00:29:14.480 --> 00:29:15.500 Took on the fullness 00:29:15.500 --> 00:29:16.620 of the wrath of God. 00:29:17.780 --> 00:29:18.580 We will thank 00:29:18.580 --> 00:29:19.620 that Christ did this 00:29:19.620 --> 00:29:20.320 on our behalf. 00:29:21.860 --> 00:29:22.700 And then we will 00:29:22.700 --> 00:29:23.680 partake of the cup, 00:29:24.340 --> 00:29:25.660 the new covenant 00:29:25.660 --> 00:29:26.560 in Christ. 00:29:28.600 --> 00:29:29.500 Our faith 00:29:29.500 --> 00:29:30.020 and hope 00:29:30.020 --> 00:29:31.040 placed in Him 00:29:31.040 --> 00:29:33.760 and through His blood 00:29:33.760 --> 00:29:35.900 we've been washed 00:29:35.900 --> 00:29:38.100 and made clean. 00:29:40.580 --> 00:29:41.660 If you're here today 00:29:41.660 --> 00:29:42.200 and want someone 00:29:42.200 --> 00:29:43.080 to pray with you, 00:29:43.180 --> 00:29:43.900 there will be prayer 00:29:43.900 --> 00:29:44.460 encouragers 00:29:44.460 --> 00:29:45.700 on either side 00:29:45.700 --> 00:29:46.640 of our auditorium. 00:29:47.560 --> 00:29:48.440 All we ask 00:29:48.440 --> 00:29:48.900 that you do 00:29:48.900 --> 00:29:49.680 is respond 00:29:49.680 --> 00:29:50.940 as the Spirit 00:29:50.940 --> 00:29:51.300 of God 00:29:51.300 --> 00:29:52.000 leads you today. 00:29:52.800 --> 00:29:53.260 Would you pray 00:29:53.260 --> 00:29:53.640 with me? 00:29:54.920 --> 00:29:55.320 Lord, 00:29:55.380 --> 00:29:56.380 we thank you so much 00:29:56.380 --> 00:29:58.260 for who you are, 00:29:58.980 --> 00:29:59.240 God, 00:29:59.280 --> 00:29:59.980 and what you've done. 00:30:01.060 --> 00:30:01.300 God, 00:30:01.360 --> 00:30:02.260 may we respond 00:30:02.260 --> 00:30:03.100 to you 00:30:03.100 --> 00:30:04.660 as you call 00:30:04.660 --> 00:30:05.860 and as you lead 00:30:05.860 --> 00:30:06.640 for your glory 00:30:06.640 --> 00:30:07.860 and your name. 00:30:08.480 --> 00:30:09.200 It's in Jesus' name 00:30:09.200 --> 00:30:09.580 we pray. 00:30:10.140 --> 00:30:10.320 Amen. 00:30:11.820 --> 00:30:12.440 That's it 00:30:12.440 --> 00:30:13.580 for this week's message. 00:30:14.100 --> 00:30:14.940 Be sure to check back 00:30:14.940 --> 00:30:15.540 next week 00:30:15.540 --> 00:30:16.360 for a new episode. 00:30:16.980 --> 00:30:17.700 And in the meantime, 00:30:17.960 --> 00:30:19.200 you can visit us online 00:30:19.200 --> 00:30:21.160 at willowridgechurch.org 00:30:21.160 --> 00:30:22.200 or by searching 00:30:22.200 --> 00:30:23.240 for Willow Ridge Church 00:30:23.240 --> 00:30:24.020 on Facebook, 00:30:24.360 --> 00:30:24.800 Instagram, 00:30:25.140 --> 00:30:25.580 and YouTube. 00:30:26.000 --> 00:30:26.520 Thanks again 00:30:26.520 --> 00:30:26.980 for listening. 00:30:26.980 --> 00:30:39.080 and I'll see you next week.