THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT (not instructions for this age)
2 Corinthians 5:16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.
1. THE CONTEXT OF THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT
a. Matthew 4:17 – Jesus begins his ministry preaching the kingdom of heaven at hand.
b. Matthew 4:23-24 – Jesus preached the gospel of the Kingdom and heals the sick – Isa 33:20-24, Luke 10:9.
c. Matthew 4:25 – His ministry was to Israel – Galilee, Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, Jordan = Israel.
d. Matthew 5:1 – Addressed to his disciples.
e. Kingdom mentioned 9 times in Matthew 5-7.
2. MATTHEW 5-7
a.Matt 5:3-11 – The Beatitudes – Blessing based on actions – Duet 11:26-28. We are blessed in Christ by faith – Rom 4:5-8, Eph 1:3
i. Matt 5:5 – A quote from Psalms 37:11 – Israel is promised to Ewing over the earth in Jerusalem.
ii. Members of the Body of Christ are promised a position in heavenly places – Eph 2:6, 1Thess 4:17-18.
b. Matt 5:14 - The light of Israel was the Law (vs 16) - Psalm 119:105-106, Isa 2:3, 60:3. We today shine as light not by keeping the law or good works but by proclaiming the word of life – Phil 2:15-16, 2Cor 4:4-6.
c. Matt 5:17-20 – You must keep the law and exceed the righteousness of the Pharisees to enter the kingdom of heaven. Today we are not under the law – Rom 6:14, Gal 4:9.
i. Jesus teaches true righteousness – Matt 5:21-48
ii. Paul teaches righteousness without the law, we need Christ righteousness – Rom 3:21-26, 4:22-25, 5:17-19.
d. Matt 6:14-15 – Your forgiveness is based on how you forgive. Today we are forgiven through the blood of Christ – Eph 1:7, 4:32.
e. Matt 6:25-34 – Seek the kingdom of God and all your needs will be met. Today if you don’t work you don’t eat – 2Thess 3:10-12, 1Tim 5:8.
i. This teaching of God miraculously providing your needs is tied to the kingdom/tribulation time period.
ii. Just as God had once provided for Israel he would do so again – Exo 16:14-15, Matt 14:15-20, Rev 12:14
iii. This is why the disciples could sell all they had, quit their jobs (literally) because the kingdom was “at hand”. This is not the case today, if someone sells all they have to do ministry they will be asking others to give them money (just like every missionary) – Matt 13:44, Luke 18:22, Luke 12:22-34
f. Matt 7:7-11 – This is a teaching for the kingdom/tribulation age, and has to to with those who “seek God” and “ abide in him” – John 15:7, Jer 29:11-13, Psalm 145:17-20. Today we know not what we aught to pray for (Rom 8:26) and when we make supplication to the Lord all we are promised is peace (Phil 4:6-7)
g. Matt 7:15-20 – You will know false prophets by their fruits is a teaching under the law – Matt 3:10, John 15:1-14, 1John 2:3-8. Today we know a false prophet by what they say – Act 20:29-31, Gal 1:6-9, 2Tim 2:16-19,
3. SPIRITUAL APPLICATION
a. We can learn what is righteous from this sermon as the Law shows is right from wrong – Rom 7:12, 1Tim 1:8.
b. We should seek the Lord first knowing that we can know his will today by studying the word rightly divided – Col 3:1-3.
c. When you are stablished in the word you too can be likened to one who built his house on a rock – Rom 16:25, Col 2:7.
