Sermon: Christ and the Scriptures
Scripture: Matthew 5:17-20
In this week’s lessons, we see what Jesus’ view of Scripture was and how he used it in his ministry.
Theme: Jesus and the Bible
It is not at all uncommon in our seminaries today for a young man to be taught that if he stands firm on a high view of Scripture as the church in previous ages has always done, he runs the danger of bibliolatry or Bible-worship. That is to say, he runs the danger of actually worshiping the Bible instead of the Lord Jesus Christ, and of placing it on a pedestal that even Jesus himself did not assign to it. This argument against the traditional view of the Christian church on Scripture sounds valid to some persons and even seems pious. But it is misleading, and as used in the hands of some teachers it has greatly harmed the unwary. In opposition to this debilitating and erroneous approach the careful student of the Bible must maintain that Christ so identified himself with Scripture and so interpreted his ministry in the light of Scripture that it is impossible to weaken the authority of the one without at the same time weakening the authority of the other. To accept Christ’s teachings is at the same time to accept his high view of God’s Word.
What did the Lord Jesus Christ teach about the Bible? He taught many things and on many occasions. But by far the most comprehensive answer the Lord ever gave to this question is contained in the verses to which we come now in our study of the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus said, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5:17-20).
According to these verses Jesus taught that he did not come to supplant the Scriptures or to oppose them. He came to fulfill them and to fulfill them precisely. In later studies we will look at the specific ways in which Jesus Christ did fulfill the Scriptures. Today we want to look in a general way at the truths he taught about them.
Study Questions:
What is bibliolatry? How do those with a high view of Scripture counter this charge against them?
What did Jesus teach about Scripture?
Prayer: Pray for opportunities to talk with others about the Bible and the truthfulness of what it teaches.
Key Point: To accept Christ’s teachings is at the same time to accept his high view of God’s Word.
