Sermon on the Sermon on the MountMountMatthew 5-7Matthew 5-7

Introductory ThoughtsIntroductory Thoughts

It is probable that Matthew has gathered It is probable that Matthew has gathered several teachings of Jesus—spoken at several teachings of Jesus—spoken at different times—into one sermon. different times—into one sermon.

Its focusIts focus: the righteous life of the : the righteous life of the Christian.Christian.

Its purposeIts purpose: To give a true interpretation : To give a true interpretation of God’s law. Jesus is like Moses—the of God’s law. Jesus is like Moses—the lawgiver.lawgiver.

Its settingIts setting: A mountain in Galilee.: A mountain in Galilee. Its audienceIts audience: The disciples.: The disciples.

Overview of ContentOverview of Content

1. The Beatitudes (5:3-12)1. The Beatitudes (5:3-12) Character traits of a Christian.Character traits of a Christian.

2. The Disciple’s Responsibility (5:13-2. The Disciple’s Responsibility (5:13-16)16) Affect the world by one’s life (salt & light). Affect the world by one’s life (salt & light).

3. Living a Life of Righteousness 3. Living a Life of Righteousness (5:17-7:12)(5:17-7:12) The main body of sermon.The main body of sermon.

4. Exhortations & Warnings (7:13-27)4. Exhortations & Warnings (7:13-27) Jesus focuses on “doing” these things (7:24).Jesus focuses on “doing” these things (7:24).

The BeatitudesThe Beatitudes(Matthew 5:3-12)(Matthew 5:3-12)

““Blessed”— Blessed”— describes the incomprehensible describes the incomprehensible joy of those who are spiritually fulfilled by joy of those who are spiritually fulfilled by God.God.

The poor in spiritThe poor in spirit: the person who depends : the person who depends completely on God for spiritual life.completely on God for spiritual life.

Those who mournThose who mourn: those who can feel pain at : those who can feel pain at the world’s sin and cry out to God for justice.the world’s sin and cry out to God for justice.

The meekThe meek: the self-controlled person. : the self-controlled person. Those who hunger and thirst for Those who hunger and thirst for

righteousnessrighteousness: those who seek the : those who seek the characteristics of God. characteristics of God.

The BeatitudesThe Beatitudes(Matthew 5:3-12)(Matthew 5:3-12)

The mercifulThe merciful: one who is both compassionate : one who is both compassionate and forgiving (the Good Samaritan).and forgiving (the Good Samaritan).

The pure in heartThe pure in heart: describes the honest : describes the honest heart, full of integrity, and sincerity; no false heart, full of integrity, and sincerity; no false motives.motives.

The peacemakersThe peacemakers: those who bring peace to : those who bring peace to any situation, knowing God will handle any situation, knowing God will handle judgment. judgment.

Those who are persecuted because of Those who are persecuted because of righteousnessrighteousness: living a holy life will bring : living a holy life will bring hostility from the world. hostility from the world.

The Disciple’s The Disciple’s ResponsibilityResponsibility

(Matthew 5:13-16)(Matthew 5:13-16) To be “salt & light” of the earth.To be “salt & light” of the earth. These descriptions speak about how These descriptions speak about how

Christian behavior is to affect the Christian behavior is to affect the immediate surrounding.immediate surrounding. SaltSalt: to season, preserve the world.: to season, preserve the world. LightLight: to guide others out of darkness : to guide others out of darkness

by our example.by our example. GoalGoal: to live life in such a way as to : to live life in such a way as to

influence others for good (5:16).influence others for good (5:16).

Living the Righteous LifeLiving the Righteous Life(Matthew 5:17-7:12)(Matthew 5:17-7:12)

Key conceptKey concept: Throughout this section, : Throughout this section, Jesus will call attention to thoughts, Jesus will call attention to thoughts, motivations, and attitudes, behind actions motivations, and attitudes, behind actions not just to the actions themselves.not just to the actions themselves.

““You have heard it said . . . But I say . You have heard it said . . . But I say . . .”. .” This phrase signals Jesus’ correction of what This phrase signals Jesus’ correction of what

God’s laws really meant. God’s laws really meant. Practical areasPractical areas of life: anger, oaths, of life: anger, oaths,

revenge, adultery, treatment of enemies, revenge, adultery, treatment of enemies, money, prayer, general treatment of money, prayer, general treatment of others. others.

Exhortations & WarningsExhortations & Warnings(Matthew 7:13-24)(Matthew 7:13-24)

FocusFocus: Do not simply listen to God’s word; : Do not simply listen to God’s word; do what it says (7:24; see James 1:22).do what it says (7:24; see James 1:22).

What pleases God is What pleases God is living a moral lifeliving a moral life (vv. (vv. 21-23), not a bunch of “good acts.” (Micah 21-23), not a bunch of “good acts.” (Micah 6:8)6:8)

There are two types of buildersThere are two types of builders (vv.24-27). (vv.24-27). Builds on sand: will be destroyed by storms Builds on sand: will be destroyed by storms

(life’s difficulties).(life’s difficulties). Builds on rock: will survive life’s storms.Builds on rock: will survive life’s storms. ““Rock” = the teachings of Jesus.Rock” = the teachings of Jesus.