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How Does Christ Fulfill the Law?
'Ready Answer' by Charles WhitakerJesus Christ, as the goal of the Law, embodies its ultimate purpose and intent. In Matthew 5:17, He declares that He did not come to abolish the Law but to fulfill it, using the Greek word *pleroo*, which means to make full, to complete, or to bring into effect. This fulfillment does not signify an end or abolition of the Law, as He contrasts it with the notion of destroying or dissolving it. Instead, He emphasizes that not even the smallest part of the Law will pass away until all is accomplished, pointing to a future beyond His earthly ministry when heaven and earth themselves pass away. Further insight comes from Romans 10:4, where Christ is described as the *telos* of the Law, meaning its goal, culmination, or intended result. Various translations render this as Christ being the completion, consummation, or ultimate aim of the Law, indicating that all the Law points toward Him and reflects His character. This does not imply that the Law is terminated, but rather that He is its object and exemplar, bringing its purpose to fullness. Through His teachings and work, the understanding of the Law is made complete, enabling obedience in both letter and spirit. Additionally, in Romans 3:31, it is affirmed that faith does not destroy the Law but upholds it, showing that faith and Law work collaboratively to shape believers into what the Law truly intends.
Christ Our Passover
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJesus Christ is the goal of the law, embodying the righteousness attainable only through trust in Him. The law points to this righteousness, and its very purpose is the establishment of love, which Christ personifies in both His life and His death. He fulfilled the law perfectly, exemplifying God's desires in everything He did. We are to grow into His likeness, striving toward the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. If one seeks to understand the meaning and substance of the Old Testament law, they must study Christ, for He is the standard toward which all are to strive. The end and goal of the law, like everything in God's purpose, is to bring us to be like Christ. His actions and life, detailed extensively in Scripture, provide a clear focus for understanding what Christianity is about. Christ is revealed as Creator, Prophet, Priest, King, Redeemer, Savior, Deliverer, Provider, Healer, High Priest, and the Lamb of God, among many other roles. At Passover, the focus narrows to Him as the sacrificed Lamb of God, slain for the sins of the whole world, highlighting His role as the object of the Bible and the essence of salvation.
God's Law Is Eternal
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsMany say that God's laws have been abolished, even though Jesus taught that until heaven and earth pass away, not one jot or tittle of the Law will disappear.
Four Views of Christ (Part 6)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughChrist provides a model of how to live a godly life in the flesh, living life the way God lives it. Using His light, we can navigate our way in this world.
It is Done! The Perfect Peace of God
Sermon by Mark SchindlerIn the peace offering, Christ is the priest, offeror, and offering. Since all parties share the peace offering as a meal, it exemplifies a peaceful communion.
Offerings (Part One)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughThe burnt offering shows Christ giving Himself completely to God as God's portion. It represents a life fully devoted to God, which is what truly satisfies Him.
The Sacrifices of Leviticus (Part 1)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughLike geodes, hiding magnificent structural and aesthetic designs, the biblical types, emblems, or allegories are deceptively simple on the surface.
God's Merciful Course Correction
Sermonette by David F. MaasBecause of Israel's sinful heart, God has made a course correction, namely crafting a new and improved Covenant with a lengthy heart transplant operation.
The Sacrifices of Leviticus (Part 2)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe sacrifices were neither insignificant nor barbaric, but a teaching tool for us. In the burnt offering, we see Christ in His work for the already redeemed.
Offerings (Part Three)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughThe meal offering (grain offering) represents fulfilling our duty to our neighbor. he materials used in the meal offering symbolize Jesus' perfect character.
The Offerings of Leviticus (Part One): Introduction
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughThe offerings of Leviticus, though not necessary under the New Covenant, are invaluable for teaching about Christ in His roles as sacrifice, offerer, and priest.
Offerings (Part Two)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughThe sacrifices teach us about the mind, heart, and character of Jesus. The burnt offering symbolizes complete devotion to God in every aspect of life.
Strategies for Escaping Babylon (Part Six)
Sermon by David F. MaasAll the New Testament writers warned about false prophets trying to sever the symbiotic relationship between law and grace, law and faith, law and works.
Our Part in the Sanctification Process (Part Ten): Cultivating the Fruit of Self Control
Sermon by David F. MaasIt is impossible to cultivate self-control unless one uses God's Spirit to reprogram the desires of the heart from self-centeredness to submission to God.
No Real Love Without God
Sermon by John O. ReidLoving God is the greatest calling we have been given, a command that surpasses all others in importance. We are to love the Lord with all our heart, with every faculty and power, holding Him supreme above all beings or things with tremendous ardor and zeal. This means devoting our lives to Him in service, submitting our intellect to His will, and loving His law and gospel more than our own thoughts and decisions. We must be willing to surrender all our faculties to His teaching and guidance, dedicating our intellectual abilities to Him. With all our physical and mental strength, we are to labor to please and glorify Him by becoming like Him in all that we do. The first four commandments reveal how we show direct love toward God. We must have no other gods besides Him, allowing nothing to take precedence over our commitment to Him. We are to avoid making idols, whether physical or in the form of lifestyles, intellect, beauty, strength, wealth, or escapes we turn to in weakness. Loving God requires us to fight against these distractions and rid ourselves of them. We must honor His name in all aspects of our lives—our marriages, childrearing, business practices, and what we allow into our minds—representing Him with integrity. Keeping the Sabbath as holy time, from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday, is a sign of our love and obedience to Him. It is a time to rest from ordinary duties, to engage in meaningful Bible study, to visit the sick, to encourage one another, and to be refreshed spiritually while attending services. God's love toward us is the foundation of our ability to love Him. He first loved us, even when we were ignorant of His way and did not desire it, wanting the best for us when we did not know what was good for ourselves. His love is shown in the world He has given us, in the rain that falls on the just and unjust, in His patience toward us, and most profoundly in sending His Son as a sacrifice so we might be reconciled to Him. We perceive His love because He laid down His life for us, and in like manner, we are to lay down our lives for others. As we actively love others, both within and outside the church, in the same manner that God loves us, His love is perfected in us, and we grow in His nature, going on to perfection. Loving God produces a desire to live His way, and His commandments are essential to that life. Obedience to His Word trains us to become just like Him, reflecting His nature. For those who conscientiously observe and work to obey His doctrine, the love of God is perfected, establishing an intimate relationship with Him and His Son. True love in the heart will be reflected in our way of living, showing that we belong to Him. If we harbor hatred or grudges toward others, we do not have His love within us. Perfect love casts out fear, and as we grow in love and trust in Him, we can stand boldly before Him, taking on His nature. We are to love Him because He first loved us, and this love is not our own but His love working in us, shaping us to love others as He does.
The Signs of God (Part One)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeJesus was not against signs at all, but against hardness of heart that was unwilling to believe unless personally entertained or impressed.