BEST.
SERMON.
EVER.
Exploring the Sermon on the Mount
In this sermon study, we walk through the Sermon on the Mount, found in Matthew chapters five through seven. It is a message that Jesus gave to multitudes about what it meant to be part of His kingdom, as people looked to follow Him and His ways.
Matthew 5:1-12 — Your Blessed Life Now
As Jesus spoke to many of His followers on a mountainside, He began with what is commonly known as “the Beatitudes.” In this part of His sermon, Jesus gives us some insights to how to live a life that is fulfilled and filled with true happiness. And what we find is that true happiness cannot be found in the places the world often tells us that it can be.
Matthew 5:13-16 — Shake and Shine
As Jesus continues to speak about how His followers will live in the world, He tells them that they will affect everything that they touch. As His followers live according to His way of living, their lives will connect with others in a powerful way. In this message, we unpack the two analogies that Jesus uses to describe how Christians should impact those around them.
Matthew 5:17-20 — True Righteousness
Apparently, based upon Jesus’ words and actions, some people thought His mission might be to overthrow or destroy the Old Testament law and prophets. Jesus very clearly says that he will not abolish the law, but rather will fulfill it. Then He points to living a righteous life. The biggest point He makes is that true righteousness can never be found in trying to focus on external deeds. True righteousness begins in the heart and then translates into holy living.
Matthew 5:21-26 — Anger Management
As Jesus begins to contrast between external righteousness and internal righteousness, he points to the law of “Thou shalt not kill.” And as He gets to the heart of the matter, we see that even the root of murder, anger, is considered sin by Jesus. In this message, we are challenged to combat anger in our lives by always reconciling with others and pursuing after peace quickly in all circumstances.
Matthew 5:27-32 — Amputating Adultery
Sexual sin has become so pervasive in our world today, that it has completely affected the way many think of others and of themselves. And we often think we are okay if we haven’t actually committed some kind of sinful, sexual act with another person. But Jesus gets to the very heart of the matter and tells us that even the attitude and act of objectification is to commit sexual sin. In this message, we are challenged to bring our minds in tune with God’s on this matter, and encouraged to find freedom and victory over this kind of sin through Jesus!
Matthew 5:33-37 — The Truth of the Matter
In our society, honesty and integrity are being pushed to the wayside. We speak and live dishonestly so often, that much of it is overlooked. It seems that we don’t even realize we’re being dishonest at times! But Jesus is calling His followers to a higher standard. As Christians, we are to speak the truth, mean what we say, and live in accordance with the words we say!
Matthew 5:38-48 — Loving Like Jesus
Yet again, Jesus takes parts of the law that the Jews had changed or reinterpreted to selfishly love themselves and spite other people. And He tells them that those who follow Him are called to a higher way of living. A radical love toward people. A love that endures insults without retaliation. A love that forfeits personal rights at time to serve other people. A love that cares more about being a blessing than keeping up appearances. And a love that goes out of its way to do good toward and pray for those that willingly oppose us.
Matthew 6:1-18 — For Real or For Show
Transitioning from talking about true righteousness and how much higher God’s standard is, Jesus begins to talk about the motive of His followers as they do their righteous deeds. The hypocrites of that day would parade their righteous deeds around trying to be seen by others. This is the kind of attitude Jesus condemns, as He points His followers to the rewarding life of living for the audience of ONE.
Matthew 6:19-24 — Who Are You Serving?
Too often, we find ourselves focused on and investing in the things of this world, to the detriment of our focus and investment into the things of God. As a result, we are actually training our affections toward earthly treasures rather than eternal ones. In this passage, Jesus teaches us that we can train our thoughts and affections toward eternal treasures if we take the time to invest in them over what this world has to offer. And the truth is, we can only serve one master, God or earthly treasures.
Matthew 6:25-34 — No Need To Worry
As if Jesus anticipated both the listeners that day, and us as well, He transitions from the thought of not focusing on earthly treasures. He knows we have certain things in this earth that are needful. And yet, instead of worrying about them, we are told in this passage to trust God in faith.
Matthew 7:1-6 — Splinters, Logs, Dogs and Hogs
One of the most well-known verses in Scripture, and yet, one of the most misinterpreted. In this message, we find that Jesus is calling us to confront people about their sin, without being judgy. We must speak the truth in love in a humble, helpful, skillful and sensitive way.
Matthew 7:7-11; 6:5-13 — Teach Us To Pray
Prayer is one of the most essential aspects of our spiritual lives. And yet, it is often one of the most neglected parts of our Christian living. In this message, we hear what Jesus has to say about prayer, and learn that God has a promise attached to our prayers, if we are praying with the right posture and attitude toward Him!
Matthew 7:13-29 — Time to Decide
Concluding Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, we see Him bring all of what He has said to a close with a call to action. He tells His listeners to make a choice: Follow Him or don’t. And He gives us three analogies to show us that His way leads to life, and any other way leads to destruction. In this message we are challenged to answer the question: what will we do with the teachings of Jesus?
We pray that this sermon study has helped you to understand the kingdom principles of Jesus, and has challenged you to live according to His wisdom and His ways!
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