Gateway Visalia
The Way
The Message That Changed the World! Matthew 5:17-20 Pastor Ed Kemp January 23 & 26, 2025
Locations & Times
GateWay Church
1100 S Sowell St, Visalia, CA 93277, USA
Thursday 6:45 PM
Sunday 8:30 AM
Sunday 10:00 AM
Sunday 11:30 AM
Introduction
And Jesus was going about in all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people. Matthew 4:23
Gospel = good news
Greeks: announce a victory
Romans: emperor worship
Jesus: the kingdom of God has arrived
Greeks: announce a victory
Romans: emperor worship
Jesus: the kingdom of God has arrived
Humility
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5 “Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5 “Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.
Justice
6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Peace
9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
10 “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
10 “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Beatitude people exhibit humility, justice & peace in order to be salt and light in their world:
Since a new order is being instituted what about the old?
Good news
“I have come…I tell you…”
Since a new order is being instituted what about the old?
Good news
“I have come…I tell you…”
#1. A lesson of PERSPECTIVE
“Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. 18 For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.
Fulfill: to fill FULL
“Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. 18 For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.
Fulfill: to fill FULL
#2. A lesson of COMMITMENT
19 others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them
Annul: to completely DESTROY
19 others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them
Annul: to completely DESTROY
#3. A lesson in MOTIVATION
20 righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.
Surpasses: a river that OVERFLOWS
20 righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.
Surpasses: a river that OVERFLOWS
So What?!
#1. Fulfilling the law means I love God’s thoughts.
#2. Keeping and teaching means living in that love.
#3. Surpassing righteousness means I hunger and thirst.
Conforming our behavior to the law has value, but filling our hearts with the love of God makes it meaningful.
The Way
Matthew 5:17-20
The Message That Changed the World!
Prayer Requests:
Group Discussion: Tell the other members of the group of a time, a job, a relationship, a class or sport that was easier because you loved it and you were really motivated.
Read: Matthew 5:1-20
In verses 17 & 18 Jesus says he came to fulfill the law and accomplish all that it said of Him. What is your favorite part of the Old Testament? Which part of it do you feel most knowledgeable? Do you have a favorite Psalm or Proverb?
In verse 19 Jesus says we are to “…keep and teach…” the Old Testament. How can you incorporate more of the Old Testament into your personal devotional reading? If you read one proverb per day you can read all the proverbs in one month. If you read one psalm per day you can read all the psalms in 5 months. Is there one Old Testament book you could all agree on and divide it up so that you take a chapter a day and read through it?
In verse 20 Jesus says our righteousness must surpass the legalistic Pharisees. Do you ever find your faith in Christ being just external standards of behavior? How do you internalize your obedience to Christ? What’s one area you have difficulty obeying Christ? What commands of Christ can you list as a group?
If obeying Christ is supposed to resemble more of a marriage relationship than an obedient traffic law driver, how do you live that out? In what ways is relating to Christ like relating to a spouse? Maybe God as Father is an easier concept for you, how do you treat God like you’d treat your father?
Matthew 5:17-20
The Message That Changed the World!
Prayer Requests:
Group Discussion: Tell the other members of the group of a time, a job, a relationship, a class or sport that was easier because you loved it and you were really motivated.
Read: Matthew 5:1-20
In verses 17 & 18 Jesus says he came to fulfill the law and accomplish all that it said of Him. What is your favorite part of the Old Testament? Which part of it do you feel most knowledgeable? Do you have a favorite Psalm or Proverb?
In verse 19 Jesus says we are to “…keep and teach…” the Old Testament. How can you incorporate more of the Old Testament into your personal devotional reading? If you read one proverb per day you can read all the proverbs in one month. If you read one psalm per day you can read all the psalms in 5 months. Is there one Old Testament book you could all agree on and divide it up so that you take a chapter a day and read through it?
In verse 20 Jesus says our righteousness must surpass the legalistic Pharisees. Do you ever find your faith in Christ being just external standards of behavior? How do you internalize your obedience to Christ? What’s one area you have difficulty obeying Christ? What commands of Christ can you list as a group?
If obeying Christ is supposed to resemble more of a marriage relationship than an obedient traffic law driver, how do you live that out? In what ways is relating to Christ like relating to a spouse? Maybe God as Father is an easier concept for you, how do you treat God like you’d treat your father?