In the second sermon of our series through Matthew 5-7, we looked at Matthew 5:17-48 to consider Jesus’ teachings and high standards of righteousness. We saw how Jesus is the fulfillment of the enduring Scriptures as He brings many Old Testament promises and anticipations to reality through His coming. The Scriptures’ enduring qualities also mean that its righteous commandments still need to be obeyed today - not for salvation, but in gratitude for sanctification. The religious leaders added various exceptions and watered down God’s commands to support their claims of righteousness. However, through six examples, Jesus' teaching drives us to a deep need for forgiveness through the Gospel and calls His disciples to aim high in righteous living. Jesus teaches that true righteousness is not an external appearance of obedience, but an internal transformation of the heart.
