You Are Set Free

New Year, New You: You Are Set Free

The opinio legis (_______________ of the _______) is the notion that human beings are born spiritually _______________ or basically _________. In matters concerning God, human nature is sufficient for man at least in part to _________ God’s favor and to _______________ heaven, if not by _______________ works, then at least by a _________________ to believe.

They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, due to the hardness of their hearts. (Eph 4:18) ___________

You were dead in your trespasses and sins, (Eph 2:1) _________

For the mind-set of the sinful flesh is hostile to God, since it does not submit to God’s law, and in fact, it cannot. (Ro 8:7) ___________

[Jesus said] “So then, be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Mt 5:48)
Certainly, I was guilty when I was born. I was sinful when my mother conceived me. (Ps 51:5)

  1. Be what God has __________ you to be in ___________.

You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its flavor [μωραίνομαι (mō-rai-no-mai)], how will it become salty again? Then it is no good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled on by people. (Mt 5:13)

The point is that un-salty salt is _______________. It is being _____________ to its very nature.

14 You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 People do not light a lamp [λύχνος (luk-nos)] and put it under a basket [μόδιος (mo-dee-os)]. No, they put it on a stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 In the same way let your light shine in people’s presence, so that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven. (Mt 5:14-16)
I am the Lord. I have called you in righteousness. I will hold on to your hand, and I will guard you. I will appoint you to be a covenant for the people, to be a light for the nations, (Is 42:6)
the Lord said: It is too small a thing that you should just be my servant to raise up only the tribes of Jacob and to restore the ones I have preserved in Israel, so I will appoint you to be a light for the nations, so that my salvation will be known to the end of the earth. (Is 49:6)
When Jesus spoke to them again, he said, “I am the Light of the World. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (Jn 8:12)
 [Jesus said] As long as I am in the world, I am the Light of the World.” (Jn 9:5)

  1. Righteousness is not something you _______________ but a _________ you receive from God.

17 “Do not think that I came to destroy [καταλύω (ka-ta-loo-ō)] the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy them but to fulfill [πληρόω (play-ro-ō)] them. 18 Amen I tell you: Until heaven and earth pass away, not even the smallest letter, or even part of a letter, will in any way pass away from the Law until everything is fulfilled. (Mt 5:17–18)
Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I said you are gods’? (Jn 10:34).
 [Jesus said] This was to fulfill the word which is written in their Law: ‘They hated me for no reason.’ (Jn 15:25)
It is written in the law, “By different tongues and by foreign lips I will speak to this people, and even so, they will not listen to me, says the Lord.” (1 Co 14:21).
All this happened to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: (Mt 1:22)
He stayed there until the death of Herod. This happened to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.” (Mt 2:15)
When he arrived there, he settled in a city called Nazareth. So what was spoken through the prophets was fulfilled: “He will be called a Nazarene.” (Mt 2:23)
But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, because it is proper for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John let him [be baptized]. (Mt 3:15)
He did this to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: (Mt 4:14)
[Jesus said] You search the Scriptures because you think you have eternal life in them. They testify about me! (Jn 5:39)
So whoever breaks [λύω (loo-ō)] one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever practices and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (Mt 5:19)
Indeed I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and experts in the law, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. (Mt 5:20)
Chad Bird: They were extremely committed to the minutia of the Law. They focused on [outwardly] keeping every aspect of the Law.
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to be baptized by John at the Jordan. 14 But John tried to stop him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you come to me?” 15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, because it is proper for us to fulfill [πληρόω (play-ro-ō)] all righteousness [δικαιοσύνη (dee-kai-o-synē)].” Then John let him [be baptized]. (Mt 3:13–15)

We do not need a legal righteousness that is _________________ by our _____________________ keeping God’s Law. No, through God-given faith in Jesus we _______________ the righteousness that allows us to “enter the kingdom of heaven” from the perfect Law Keeper our Savior ___________ Christ.

Points to Ponder

  1. What is one thing that stood out for you from this week’s message?

  2. How can your daily actions shine a light that points others toward God?

  3. Share an example of a time you felt you made a difference in someone’s life through your faith.

  4. How can we balance living by God’s commands with the understanding that Jesus has fulfilled the Law?

  5. What are some specific ways our church can be salt and light in the community this week?

Homework: Mark 1