“Grace and Law” 

Pastor David Moore

Old Testament reading: Jeremiah 31:31‐34 

The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah.  It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt—a covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, says the Lord.  But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.  No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, “Know the Lord,” for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more. 

Matthew was written by a Jewish man and the underlying theme is centered around Jewish thinking and practices. 

New Testament reading: Matthew 5:1‐10 & 17‐20 

Now when He saw the crowds, He went up on a mountainside and sat down.  
His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them, saying,   

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.  Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.  Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.  Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.  Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.  Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.   

V. 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.  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.  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, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.  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. 

Theme: What does it mean to be a follower of Jesus?  What are we to do in the Christian life, why we are to do, how we are to make it happen‐‐what, why, and how?  ~D. Moore 

Matthew 11:30: For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. 

“Salt and light” be a follower into the hard places, a community in decay.  Invest your time and energy in broken people and broken places.  ~D. Moore 

“Thou shall not murder” Jesus wants us to be followers in every relationship and every human encounter.   A person who makes others feel valued and welcome.  ~D. Moore 

“Thou shall not commit adultery” Jesus calls us to social integrity.  ~D. Moore

“Jesus wants us to have integrity with our spoken words” let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No’, ‘No’.  Walk in your daily life that you have sworn an oath.  ~D. Moore 

“Integrity of our possessions” Christians are to give generously and with joy.  Ultimately all we have, has been given to us on loan to be good stewards in how we support/help people, ministries, etcetera.”    ~D. Moore

Matthew 6:21:  For where your treasure is… there will your heart be also. 

“Jesus commands us to be not anxious” we should have a faith walk that is fairly even.  We are to live a life of gratitude and joy no matter what comes our way. ~D. Moore 

“We should not judge unless we will be judged” this means the relationship should be protected and maintained even if we disagree and not to take advantage of the relationship.  ~D. Moore 

A summary of the Beatitudes is how we live our lives.  Your relationship to your body, your words, your mind, and your soul is different.  Your relationship to wealth and security is different.  The deep parts of the Sermon on the Mount are that Jesus is calling us to a life of sacrifice and deep peace of fearlessness and total integrity.  It all sums up in being a light in the world.  People will see the light in your life.  ~D. Moore 

This is an amazing life.  Go out and live it, be joyful with a grateful heart. 

Have a blessed week!