Do you remember in your freshman English class learning about the importance of a thesis statement? In case you forgot, a thesis statement is a short, but clear explanation of the purpose and direction of a paper. Matthew 5:16-20 is Jesus’s thesis statement in the Sermon on the Mount; it tells us his purpose and his direction.
His purpose is two fold. He is going to explain who He is in relation to the teaching of the Old Testament. Then, he is going to explain to his listeners what God requires from citizens of his kingdom.
