1. Fulfilling God’s Law - Matthew 5:17-20
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. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished… (Matthew 5:17-18)
Marcion of Sinope

2. Fulfilling God’s Law - Matthew 5:17-20
Impossible demands
Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven…verse 19a

3. Fulfilling God’s Law - Matthew 5:17-20
Impossible demands
Jesus fulfils them to the absolute degree of perfection…for such is his divine nature…(Dietrich Bonhoeffer)

4. Fulfilling God’s Law - Matthew 5:17-20
Teachers of the law
Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven…verse 19a
but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.…verse 19b

5. Fulfilling God’s Law - Matthew 5:17-20
Teachers of the law
…We can teach it and not fulfil it…or we can fulfil its demands…and be example…such as in the visible community…the blessed community…(Bonhoeffer)

6. Fulfilling God’s Law - Matthew 5:17-20
A Better Righteousness
For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers
of the law, you will certainly not enter the
kingdom of heaven…verse 20…

7. Fulfilling God’s Law - Matthew 5:17-20
A Better Righteousness
The Disciple is able to perfectly fulfil the law because between the disciple and the law stands one - Jesus - who has perfectly fulfilled it. “Better righteousness” means following Christ in a real and active faith in Jesus’ righteousness. Jesus has given us a new law, the law of Christ.
Shepherd’s Notes…P39

8. Fulfilling God’s Law - Matthew 5:17-20
Conclusion
The only way for him to fulfil the law is by dying a sinners death on a
cross. There he embodies in his person the perfect fulfilment of the law…
Dietrich Bonhoeffer…
The Cost of Discipleship

9. Fulfilling God’s Law - Matthew 5:17-20