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I Did Not Come to Destroy But to Fulfill

Text: Matthew 5:1-20
4 October 2015

THE EXAMPLE OF JESUS IN FULFILLING THE SCRIPTURE

“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.”   Matthew 5:17

1. The Lord Jesus is the best example

a) There is no greater example of one fulfilling the Scriptures
b) He had fullness of understanding to fulfill the Scriptures

2. He came to fulfill all of Scripture

a) “Fulfill” means to obey in fullness
i) Internally
ii) Externally
b) Jesus was obedient to all of Scripture
c) All of that which was written about Him, He obeyed as God’s will for Him

3. He did not come to destroy

a) There were those who came to destroy (eg. Pharisees)
i) By distorting the Scriptures
ii) By adding to the Lord’s Word, like traditions
b) Jesus did not come to destroy the Law and the Prophets
i) He wanted to allay the fears of the people
ii) He could not destroy the Scriptures

REASONS FOR JESUS BEING A GREAT EXAMPLE OF FULFILING THE SCRIPTURE

1. He had a high sense of purpose

a) He came into this world with a great sense of purpose
b) This purpose was what He was sent to do by His Father
c) His sense of purpose drove Him to fulfill the Scriptures
d) His whole life was to fulfill this purpose

2. He had a high regard for His Father and the Scriptures

a) For His Father
i) There was a close relationship between Father and Son
ii) All that He had said, Jesus would do.
b. For all of Scripture
i) As a whole
“The Law or the Prophets”   Matthew 5:17
ii) Every little letter or stroke
“For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.”   Matthew 5:18
iii) Every part of the Scripture is important
iv) God meant for all of His Scripture to be fulfilled
v) Jesus fulfilled the Scriptures due to His high regard for His Father

PRACTICAL STEPS TO FULFILLING THE SCRIPTURE

1. Read the Scriptures

a) Morning and evening
b) Giving due regard for the Scriptures each day

2. Understand the Scriptures

a) Seek wisdom to understand
b) Develop greater fullness of understanding

3. Practise the Scriptures

a) In life and ministry
b) With a great sense of purpose