The Sermon on the Mount Series Matthew 5-7 1) The Christian’s Character (5:1-12) - Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount – Matthew 5:1-2 (Crowds and disciples) - Turning Your Attitudes Upside Down – Matthew 5:3-6 (The Beatitudes – Part 1) - Turning Your Attitudes Upside Down – Matthew 5:7-12 (The Beatitudes – Part 2) 2) The Christian’s Influence (5:13-16) - Being an Obvious Christian – Matthew 5:13-16 (Salt and light) 3) The Christian’s Righteousness (5:17-48) - Surpassing Righteousness – Matthew 5:17-20 (Jesus and the law) - Will the Real Murderer Please Stand Up? – Matthew 5:21-26 (Murder and anger) - How to Ruin Your Love Life – Matthew 5:27-32 (Adultery and divorce) - Honest to God – Matthew 5:33-37 (Oaths) - Radical Love over Revenge – Matthew 5:38-42 (Eye for an eye) - Radical Love over Hate – Matthew 5:43-48 (Love your enemies) 4) The Christian’s Motivation (6:1-34) - Being a Secret Christian – Matthew 6:1-8, 16-18 (Giving, praying, fasting) - Talking to Your Heavenly Father – Matthew 6:9-15 (The Lord’s Prayer) - Your Heart on the Line – Matthew 6:19-24 (Treasures in heaven) - Not to Worry – Matthew 6:25-34 (Seek first the kingdom) 5) The Christian’s Relationships (7:1-12) - Judging Others / Judging Yourself – Matthew 7:1-6 (Do not judge) - God Wants You to Ask – Matthew 7:7-12 (Ask, seek, knock) 6) The Christian’s Destiny (7:13-29) - Genuine Christianity – Matthew 7:13-23 (The narrow gate) - Doing What You Hear – Matthew 7:24-29 (Wise and foolish builders) Note: You can access full text copies of all eighteen messages in the series at the following web address: http://www.rayfowler.org/sermons/sermon-on-the-mount/ Please include the following notice on any distributed copies: By Ray Fowler © Ray Fowler Website: http://www.rayfowler.org/ “Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount” Matthew 5:1-2 (Crowds and disciples) I. A famous section of Scripture A. One of the most written about portions of Scripture B. Longest teaching of Jesus recorded in Scripture II. A misunderstood section of Scripture A. Wrong interpretations: 1) plan of salvation 2) charter for world peace 3) future application only B. True interpretation: 1) the good news of the kingdom 2) true righteousness is a matter of the heart 3) this is how a disciple of Jesus Christ lives III. Law versus gospel A. Parallels between Jesus and Moses B. Differences between Jesus and Moses C. Grace and forgiveness IV. Crowds and disciples A. Crowds and disciples both present B. Addressed primarily to the disciples V. Jesus the master teacher A. Jesus taught with authority B. Jesus spoke directly to the heart “Turning Your Attitudes Upside Down” Matthew 5:3-6 (The Beatitudes – Part 1) Introduction to the Beatitudes: - Beatitude means blessing – good news! - Focus on inward character rather than outward conduct - These blessings are both present and future I. The poor in spirit (3) A. Those who confess their need for God - Isaiah 57:15, 64:6; Luke 18:13; Philippians 3:7-9; Rev 3:17 B. The blessing promised: “the kingdom of heaven” - Isaiah 61:1; Matthew 9:12-13 II. Those who mourn (4) A. Those who grieve over sin 1) personal sin: Psalm 51:17; Isaiah 6:5; Romans 7:24 2) the sins of others: Psalm 119:136; Ezekiel 9:4 B. The blessing promised: “comfort” - Isaiah 61:2-3; 2 Corinthians 7:10; 1 John 1:9; Revelation 21:4 III. The meek (5) A. Those who humbly submit to God and others - Psalm 25:9; Numbers 12:3; Matthew 11:29; 1 Peter 2:23 B. The blessing promised: “inherit the earth” - Psalm 37:11; 1 Corinthians 3:21; Revelation 21:1-3 IV. Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (6) A. Those who long for God’s will and God’s ways - Psalm 42:1-2; Matthew 6:10, 33; Romans 3:10; Philippians 3:10 B. The blessing promised: “filled” - Psalm 107:8-9; John 6:35; Philippians 1:6; 2 Peter 3:13 “Turning Your Attitudes Upside Down” Matthew 5:7-12 (The Beatitudes – Part 2) I. The merciful (7) A. Those who show compassion for people in need 1) giving to the needy (Proverbs 14:21; Matthew 6:2) 2) forgiving others for their sins (Matthew 18:33; Hebrews 2:17-18) B. The blessing promised: “mercy” - Proverbs 11:17; Matthew 6:12; James 2:13 II. The pure in heart (8) A. Those who walk with integrity before God (Psalm 24:3-6) 1) the unclean heart (Psalm 51:6; Prov. 20:9; Jeremiah 17:9; Matt. 5:19-20) 2) only God can change (Psalm 51:10; Acts 15:9; Titus 3:5) B. The blessing promised: “see God” (Psalm 27:4; Heb 12:14) 1) near God in the present (Psalm 73:1,28) 2) face to face in the future (Psalm 17:15; 1 John 2:2-3; Revelation 22:4) III. The peacemakers (9) [peace and purity – Hebrews 12:14; James 3:17] A. Those who make peace between offended parties 1) with others (Proverbs 15:1; Matthew 5:23-24; Romans 12:18) 2) between others (Philippians 4:2; Ephesians 4:2-3) 3) between others and God (Isaiah 52:7; Ephesians 6:15; 2 Cor. 5:18-19) B. The blessing promised: “called sons of God” - Ephesians 2:13-14; Colossians 1:20; 1 John 3:1 IV. The persecuted (10-12) A. Those who suffer for being a Christian (insults; harm; slander) 1) for righteousness (Proverbs 29:10; John 3:20; 2 Timohty 3:12) 2) for Christ (John 15:20; Acts 5:41; 1 Peter 4:14-16) B. The blessing promised: “the kingdom of heaven” (Rejoice!) 1) great and future reward (Romans 8:18; Hebrews 11:26) 2) treated the prophets the same way (Luke 6:26) “Being an Obvious Christian” Matthew 5:13-16 (Salt and Light) Basic theme: Christians are meant to be different from the world Note: The Beatitudes focus on the Christian’s character. The salt and light section focuses on the Christian’s influence. I. The salt of the earth (13) A. Jesus’ declaration: “You are the salt of the earth.” B. The meaning of the analogy: 1) This world is in moral decay. 2) Christians act as salt in the world - salt cleanses: we live pure lives in the world - salt preserves: we stand up for what is right - salt flavors: we attract people to Christ C. Warning – when the salt loses its saltiness (compromise): 1) The church loses its reputation (can’t be made salty again) 2) The church loses its mission (no longer good for anything) II. The light of the world – witness (14-16) A. Jesus’ declaration: “You are the light of the world.” Note: Jesus is the true light – we reflect his light (John 8:12) B. The meaning of the analogy 1) This world is in darkness: - It doesn’t know the way to God (Acts 26:17-18) - It doesn’t know God’s ways (Psalm 119:105) 2) Christians act as light in the world: - light shines: we stand out as followers of Jesus - light illuminates: we point people to God and his ways - light reveals: we show others how God wants us to live C. Encouragement – when your light shines brightly (witness): 1) People will see your good deeds 2) People will praise your Father in heaven “Surpassing Righteousness” Matthew 5:17-20 (Jesus and the law) I. Jesus came to fulfill the law and the prophets (17) A. He fulfilled the demands of the law: 1) He lived a perfect life of obedience to the law (Hebrews 4:15) 2) He took the law’s punishment for our sin (Galatians 3:13) B. He fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies: - Luke 24:25-27, 44; John 5:39-40 C. He revealed the true meaning of the law: - “I tell you …” (throughout Matthew 5); Romans 13:9-10 II. Jesus affirmed the continuing authority of the law (18-19) A. The word of God stands forever (Isaiah 40:8; Matthew 24:35; 2 Peter 3:18) B. Every part matters (2 Timothy 3:16; John 10:35) C. We must practice and teach all of it (Matthew 28:20; John 14:15) Note: What about the civil and ceremonial laws in the Old Testament? - separated Israel from the nations around them - provided specific applications of Biblical principles for the nation of Israel - pointed to Christ and fulfilled in his death on the cross III. Jesus proclaimed the need for a greater righteousness (20) A. The righteousness of the Pharisees and teachers of the law: 1) was self-serving (Matthew 23:5-7) 2) was partial (Matthew 23:23) 3) was external only (Matthew 23:25-28) B. The greater righteousness that Jesus commanded: 1) was testified to by the law and prophets (Romans 3:21) 2) is credited to us by faith in Christ (Philippians 3:9) 3) is worked in us by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:4) 4) is the only righteousness that will get you into heaven (Matthew 5:20) “Will the Real Murderer Please Stand Up?” Matthew 5:21-26 (Murder and anger) Two problems Jesus is addressing here: 1) People have heard different things from the Old Testament but not all have been taught correctly. 2) People limited Old Testament commandments to external actions, not inward righteousness. Jesus reveals the true intention of the law as regards the heart.