Sermon On The Mount

1. Sermon On The Mount Lesson #1: Introduction - New Kingdom Living

2. Introduction • A new kingdom was promised: • The Old Testament foretold of a new kingdom which can never be destroyed (Da. 2:44; Isa. 2:1-6; Hb. 12:24-28). • A new covenant was promised in the Old Testament (Jer. 31:31; Hb. 8:7-13). • Jesus preached the new kingdom is at hand and promised to build his church/kingdom (Mt. 4:17, 23-25; 16:18; Mk. 9:1). • Jesus preached a new message and promised a new birth (Mt. 5-7; Jh. 3:5). • A new king, age, message, kingdom, birth, and system was built and established by Jesus in these “last days” (Ac. 2:47; Col. 1:13; Hb. 1:1-2; 11:6; 9:15; Mt. 28:18-20; I Pt. 2:21-25; Jh. 16:33).

3. The Greatest Sermon Preached • Jesus preached a message that described the required character of those who would live in the new kingdom. • The audience included all sorts of people who recognized the authority of Jesus (Mt. 7:29). • Jesus attracted rich, poor, leaders, tax collectors, adulterers, etc. • Jesus confirmed His message with miracles (Mt. 4:17, 23-25). • We need to study the Sermon on the Mount because: • It necessitates a new birth (Jh. 3:5). • It reveals the mind of Jesus who was God in the flesh (Jh. 16:33). • It is the way to true happiness (I Pt. 2:21-25; Mt. 5:1-12). • It is the best means of evangelism (Mt. 28:18-20). • It pleases God (Hb. 11:6). • It will be the standard by which we will be judged (Jh. 12:48). • The Sermon on the Mount is the manifesto of the new kingdom.

4. Christian Character • New character qualities must be possessed. • We live according to the spirit and not flesh (Ro. 8:8-11). • We live lawfully and not a lawless life (Mt. 7:21-23). • We must grow in Christ-like qualities (II Pt. 1:2-4). • We are friends of God and not enemies (Ro. 5:5-11; Jm. 4:4). • We are a new creation and old things have past away (II Co. 5:17) • We do not live for ourselves any longer (II Co. 5:15). • We have new affections and have killed the flesh (Col. 3:1-17; Ga. 2:24). • We are slaves of righteousness, not slaves of sin (Ro. 6:4, 17). • Possessing the qualities described by Jesus will result in true happiness! • Jesus offers an inner joy that no one can take away from you. • Jesus’ divine nature and words are the source of happiness.

5. Misery Is A Key To Happiness! • “Blessed” means happy, joyful, glad, rejoicing, contentment and well-being. It is a state of mind. • Jesus says blessed (happy) are the poor in spirit, mourners, persecuted, hungry, thirsty, etc. How can this be? (Mt. 5:1-12) • Real happiness comes from our attitude toward the trials of life (Jm. 1:2-4). • The world view is that happiness comes from being a go-getter, pushy, macho, rich, popular, famous, etc. • True happiness depends on our attitude, not external evidence or circumstance. • Our delight is in the law (Ps. 1:1-6; Pr. 3:1-10; Rev. 1:3). • Our delight is in worship of God (Ps. 65:1-4; 105:1-5; 128:1-6). • We look forward to dying in the Lord (Re. 2:10; Ph. 1:21-26). • Our joy comes from knowing we are doing right (Jm. 4:17). • Contentment is better than riches (I Tm. 6:6-10). • Our prayer (heart’s desire) is to rejoice always (Ph. 4:4-6; Ro. 10:1). • Don’t worry; Be happy (Mt. 6:33).

6. How Is Happiness Determined? • The world says external things will make us happy such as having fun, parties, recreation, popularity, success, prosperity, TV, fairy tales, etc. • The political world says military strength, PC/values, welfare, and justice will provide peace, safety and happiness. • The religious world says outward piety, ritual, liberal, legalistic and traditional work and worship will make us happy. • Kingdom living means we must be in opposition to popular political, worldly and religious expectations. • It is difficult to enter the kingdom (Mt. 7:13-14; 19:23-25). • Our righteousness must exceed even other religious people (Mt. 5:20). “Going to church” is not enough. • We will suffer persecution for righteousness sake (Mt. 5:11-12). • We must obey God rather than man (Ac. 5:29). • We must live in the world, but not be of the world (Jh. 17:12-21). • The Lord’s kingdom is not of this earth (Jh. 18:36). • Jesus did not bring peace on earth, but a sword (Mt. 10:34).

7. Other Views Of Happiness • Pharisees –Traditional and Legalistic. Focused on the past (Nostalgia). • Sadducees – Modernism and Liberalism. Focused on the present. • Essenes – Separation and Isolation. • Zealots – Political, Revolutionary, Social Activists • Jesus says, “You are ALL wrong!” The kingdom is inside of you (Jer. 31:33; Mt. 5:20). • Many profess to be Christians are living in contradiction to The Faith (Jude 3; Ti. 1:16). Beware of hypocrisy! • We must bear each others burdens and do good to all people (Ga. 6:1-10). • We can sincerely do good works and still be lost because of lawlessness (Mt. 7:21-23). • Some may hear, but not do God’s will (Mt. 7:24-27). • We can neglect our duties to others (Mt. 25:41-46). • We can go through the motions with the wrong motives (Mt. 6:1-18; I Co. 13:1-3). • We must walk in righteousness, not sin (Jh. 12:32-36). • We can know and be assured of salvation (I Jh. 1:5-10; 2:3-11).

8. What Motivated Jesus? • Jesus’ motivation (Mt. 9:36; 14:14; 15:32; 4:23-25; 5:17-20): • He really cared for people. • He had compassion on the people. • His heart broke for people. • He saw the people as lost sheep looking for a shepherd (Spiritually). • He attracted all sorts of people. • He was focused on training his disciples. • What motivates us to speak to others the words of Jesus? How do we view other people? Are people attracted to us? • When we have the same attitude as Jesus toward people, then we will attract all sorts of people.

9. Conflicts • Popular expectations of the Messiah were earthly in nature among the people, even His disciples (Mt. 18:1-5; 17:1-4; 16:18-19; 20:20-28; Ac. 1:6; Lk. 24:21). • The Old Testament system was to be abolished upon fulfillment of the prophecies. Jesus said, “…But I say unto you…” (Mt. 7:15-19; 5:17-19, 21-22, 27-28, 33-34, 38-39, 43-44; Ga. 3:24; Ro. 15:4; Col. 2:14-17; Hb. 8; Isa. 2:1-6; Jer. 31:31). • Religious hypocrisy is an unacceptable practice (Mt. 23; 6:1-18; Jh. 12:42-43; Lk. 18:9-14). Simply going through the motions is not good enough!

10. Concluding Thoughts • A general outline of the Sermon on the Mount is as follows: • Character of the citizens of the kingdom (5:1-12). • Righteousness of the kingdom (5:13-7:6). • Exhortation to enter the kingdom (7:7-29). • The Old Testament ends with a curse (Mal. 4:6). The New Testament begins with the potential of every believer (5:1-2) and ends with a promise (Re. 22:20). Praise Be to God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit! • The Sermon on the Mount calls for self-examination and self-inspection • Examine yourself whether you are in the faith (II Co. 13:5; I Co. 11:27-29). • Examine your own work (Ga. 6:4). • Examine your priorities (Mt. 6:33). • Examine the thoughts you meditate upon (Ph. 4:8). • Examine your compliance with the God’s standard of truth and righteousness (Jh. 8:30-32; Ro. 10:1-4). • True happiness requires the right character and attitude. Are you ready for the change?