Laws Don't Cage You, They Free You: 7 Kingdom Principles
Dr RJ Sing, 22 min
Originally preached as “God's Laws: Unlocking True Freedom & Purpose”
Sermon outline
God's laws are not restrictions but the built-in operating principles of His kingdom, and living by them protects your purpose and keeps the blessings of His covenant working in your life.
Main text
- Matthew 4:17
- Matthew 4:23
- Matthew 6:33
Opening
He introduces his teaching series on the Kingdom of God, naming this lesson 'Understanding the Kingdom Concept of Law, Part 5, Session 1'. He reads Jesus' first message about the kingdom from Matthew 4 and points to Matthew 6:33, then gives a set of introductory statements and asks people to write them down and go over them in their private time.
Every kingdom is governed by laws
In any civil society the rule of law is the bedrock of order and justice. A constitution sets out what the government expects of the people and what the people can expect, and laws exist to protect it. The Bible is both the constitution of the kingdom of heaven and its law book, and far from limiting us, its laws create a safe space in which we are free to thrive and reach our potential.
Illustration: Psalm 19 as a list of what the law of the Lord does for us: it revives the soul, makes wise the simple, gives joy to the heart and light to the eyes, and is sweeter than honey.
“True freedom is always circumscribed by boundaries and laws define those boundaries.”
- Psalm 19:7-11
- Matthew 4:4
1. All creation was designed to function by inherent principles
The laws of the King of heaven are built into the very structure of creation and decide how everything works. Scientists speak of gravity and thermodynamics; these laws are observable, measurable and repeatable because they never change.
Illustration: The laws of physics, gravity and thermodynamics that scientists use to explain how nature works.
“Everything that God created was designed to function by certain built-in inherent principles.”
2. These principles are natural laws
Natural law concerns the nature of a thing. What a creature needs to do to live is built into it from the start.
Illustration: Birds are not taught to fly, fish are not taught to swim, and plants produce seed that grows into plants just like the original.
“Natural law has to do with laws concerning the nature of a thing.”
3. Natural law is the standard for effective function of everything God has created
As long as plants and animals follow the laws built into them, they flourish. Violating a natural law leads to dysfunction.
Illustration: Take a fish out of water and it will malfunction and die, because it was designed to live and breathe in water.
“Violation of a natural law, on the other hand, leads to dysfunction.”
4. Laws are the key to successful existence and a guarantee of fulfilment of purpose
Obedience to law promotes prosperity and ensures success. Every creature fulfils its purpose simply by obeying the law inherent in it, and it is no different for us: as we willingly submit to God's laws, we fulfil our purpose and reach our full potential.
Illustration: All a bird has to do to fulfil its purpose is fly and reproduce, and both are governed by natural law.
“Obedience to laws promotes prosperity and ensures success.”
5. Laws protect purpose
When we obey the law we protect the purpose for which we were born. He is careful to say this is not earning right standing with God by works: that comes only through repentance and trusting in Jesus' death. Obedience means living in willing submission to Him as King, and the two greatest laws are to love God with all your heart and to love your neighbour as yourself, because love is the fulfilment of the law.
Illustration: A fish in water, a seed in the soil and a bird in the air all prosper as long as they stay where they were designed to be.
“Obey the law and it protects you. Disobey the law and you risk sacrificing your purpose.”
- Deuteronomy 6:5
- Leviticus 19:18
- Matthew 22:37-40
- Romans 13:10
6. The purpose for law is to protect the constitutional covenant
Laws make sure the provisions of a constitution are carried out fairly for every citizen. In the kingdom of heaven, God's laws protect the terms of His covenant with creation, and because that covenant is one God established Himself, He alone swore the oath, by Himself.
Illustration: The constitutional right not to be convicted until proven guilty, protected by the law that requires a trial.
“The constitutional government of the Kingdom of Heaven is backed up by laws of God which are the expressions of His unshakable and unchanging word.”
- Hebrews 6:13-17
7. Laws are the conditions of the covenant
Laws are the terms under which the covenant operates. The King's covenant spells out blessings for keeping it and consequences for breaking it; as long as we keep its conditions, all its benefits are active in our lives.
Illustration: A product warranty: use it according to the manufacturer's terms and it performs as designed; break the terms and the warranty is void.
“If we violate the covenant the blessing clause shuts down and the consequence clause kicks in.”
Putting it into practice
- See the Bible as the constitution and law book of the kingdom you belong to.
- Stop viewing God's laws as restrictions and see them as boundaries that set you free.
- Love God with all your heart and love your neighbour as yourself.
- Live in willing submission to Jesus as King, remembering that right standing comes through repentance and faith, not works.
- Keep the conditions of the covenant so that its blessings stay active in your life.
Closing
He closes the lesson with the warranty picture and says the next lesson will be Session 2 of understanding the kingdom concept of law. He tells his listeners he loves and values them and that teaching them the Word of God is his great joy and passion.
In his words
- “In reality, laws are designed to free us to pursue unlimited options by providing a safe environment where we can live in peace and we can live in security and in confidence.”
- “Regardless of what you think, the Bible is absolutely true.”
- “In fact, the Bible is the best regulator of civil society.”
- “Obey the law and it protects you. Disobey the law and you risk sacrificing your purpose.”
- “If we violate the covenant the blessing clause shuts down and the consequence clause kicks in.”
Every scripture in this message
- Matthew 4:17
- Matthew 4:23
- Matthew 6:33
- Psalm 19:7-11
- Matthew 4:4
- Deuteronomy 6:5
- Leviticus 19:18
- Matthew 22:37-40
- Romans 13:10
- Hebrews 6:13-17