“The Sermon on the Mount”

    Few passages in the Bible are more misunderstood and misapplied than the Sermon on the Mount. Often people will take single verses or phrases from Matthew 5-7 and disregard the context. It is important that we have a TOTAL VIEW of this important sermon before we attempt to study the various divisions of this passage. 


THEME: Christ gives the theme in 5:17-20 TRUE RIGHTEOUSNESS as opposed to the false righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees. It is important to remember that the people looked to the Scribes and Pharisees as their role models and examples of the things of God. They set the rules and determined what was holy and unholy. One reason why the Scribes and Pharisees hated Jesus was because He exposed their shallowness and deceit in this sermon. READ MT. 23.

PURPOSES: I believe there are three basic purposes for Christ giving this sermon: 

1. To tell His followers what true righteousness was, as opposed to the false righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees.
2. To describe the Law of His kingdom, the spiritual principles He uses to Govern the lives of men.
3. To relate His message to the Old Testament law and the tradition of  The Scribes and Pharisees. 

THREE MISTAKES: Many people make one (or all) of three mistakes when studying the Sermon on the Mount. 

1. They apply it to Nations when it is only for individuals.
2. They apply it to the UNSAVED when it is for BELIEVERS.
3. They make it into a "Christian law" to be obeyed, when it is really a description of what a Christian is like when the Holy Spirit is working through his life (Rom. 8:1-4).

SUGGESTED OUTLINE 

I. TRUE RIGHTEOUSNESS PICTURED BY CHRIST 4:1-48
    Key verse 5:48 "Be ye therefore perfect." 

1. Positive righteousness is INWARD 5:1-16.
2. Negative sin is INWARD 5:17-48
       MURDER ADULTERY SWEARING RETALIATION

II. TRUE RIGHTEOUSNESS PRACTICED BY BELIEVERS 6:1-7, 12

1. In his WORSHIP relationship to God 6:1-18. Key verse: 6:1
       GIVING FASTING PRAYING 
2. In his WEALTH relationship to the world 6:19-34; key verse 7:12 
3. In his WALK relationship to men 7:1-12 key verse 7:12

III. TRUE RIGHTEOUSNESS PROVED BY TESTS 7:13-29
    Key verse 7:20, "Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them"

1. The test of SELF-DENIAL: "Will I walk the narrow way?" 7:13-14
2. The test of FRUIT BEARING: "What comes from my life?" 7:15-20
3. The test of OBEYING HIS WILL: "Am I doing as well as SAYING?" 7:21-29 

THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT AND SALVATION: Millions of people think they can be saved by obeying the Sermon on the Mount. They think it is easier than trying to obey the Ten Commandments. How Foolish!! Nobody was ever saved by obeying ANY law. (Gal. 2:16, 3:10-11) and the Sermon on the Mount is much more strict than Moses' law! Under Moses Law, if a man murdered another, he was guilty, but Jesus says that heart hatred is the same as murder. Lust is adultery in the heart. 


Keep in mind that the Beatitudes come first. They describe the kind of person, who under the power of the Spirit, can live the way Matthew 5-7 describes. 
NOTICE THE BEATITUDES: 

1. poor in spirit - this means humble before God
2. mourn - this means sorrow for sin, repentance
3. meek - waiting before God for His mercy
4. hunger and thirst - asking for God's righteousness
5. merciful - condemning self, not others
6. pure in heart - this is the result
7. peacemakers - trying to win others to Christ
8. persecuted - this happens to all who live Godly lives 

The Sermon on the Mount does not mention the Holy spirit or the blood of Christ; yet the basis for it is Calvary, and the power to live it is the Holy Spirit