The weightier matters of the law
January 8, 2012
Introduction
Are you focusing on the wrong things? What is it that really matters? In Matthew 23, Jesus confronted the Pharisees on a number of issues. Maybe we need to ask, who were the Pharisees? We find out something about the Pharisees from one who was a Pharisee. In (Acts 26:5 NKJV), Paul said, "They knew me from the first, if they were willing to testify, that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.
Here is Jesus statement in (Mat 23:23 NKJV) "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.
This morning we focus out attention on the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith.
Body
I. Justice.
- How do Justice and mercy fit together?
(James 2:13 NKJV) For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
- So what is the justice we are talking about?
Κρίσις krisis
Thayer Definition:
1) a separating, sundering, separation
1a) a trial, contest
2) selection
3) judgment
3a) opinion or decision given concerning anything
3a1) especially concerning justice and injustice, right or wrong
3b) sentence of condemnation, damnatory judgment, condemnation and punishment
4) the college of judges (a tribunal of seven men in the several cities of Palestine; as distinguished from the Sanhedrin, which had its seat at Jerusalem)
5) right, justice
1. I want to focus on “right” – To do the right thing.
(Gen 18:25 NKJV) "Far be it from You to do such a thing as this, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be as the wicked; far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?"
2. So doing right and being judge are combined together as Abraham reasons with God.
3. Herod knew John the Baptist was a just man.
(Mark 6:20 NKJV) for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him. And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.
4. The Bible speaks of just men.
(Heb 12:23 NKJV) to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect,
II. What about Mercy?
A. Returning to the verse we cited earlier.
(James 2:13 NKJV) For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
1. Being judgmental in the way that Jesus condemns.
(Mat 7:1-5 NKJV) "Judge not, that you be not judged. {2} "For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. {3} "And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? {4} "Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye'; and look, a plank is in your own eye? {5} "Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.
2. Mercy is to tempter what we say to others.
“But by the grace of God, there go I”
(1 Cor 4:5-7 NKJV) Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one's praise will come from God. {6} Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other. {7} For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?
B. Mercy that responds to others needs.
(James 2:13-18 NKJV) For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. {14} What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? {15} If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, {16} and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? {17} Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. {18} But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
III. What about faith?
A. We must have faith in God.
(Heb 4:1-3 NKJV) Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. {2} For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. {3} For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said: "So I swore in My wrath, 'They shall not enter My rest,' " although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
B. We must be faithful.
1. God expects faithfulness of us.
(Mat 24:44-46 NKJV) "Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. {45} "Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? {46} "Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing.
C. Will we be faithful to others?
1. A good and faithful spouse.
2. Are we faithful and committed to our role as parents?
3. Are we faithful to our employer?
4. Am I a faithful person?
Conclusion
I. The weightier matters of the law
(Mat 23:23 NKJV) "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone
1. Am I just and fair with other people?
2. Am I a faithful person?
3. Am I faithful to God?
Scripture quotations marked "NKJV™" are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.