OceanSide church of Christ

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SERMON ON THE MOUNT

Matthew 5-7

Victor M. Eskew

 

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.        Jesus’ longest sermon, three chapters, 111 verses of which 107 are Jesus’ words.

 

B.         Many names given to the sermon:

The Ordination of the Twelve, The Manifesto of the King, The Magna Charta of the Kingdom

 

C.        Quote by William Barclay:

            The Sermon on the Mount is greater even than we think.  Matthew in his introduction wishes us to see that this is the official teaching of Jesus; that it is the opening of Jesus’ whole mind to the disciples; that it is the summary of the teaching which Jesus habitually gave to his inner circle.  The Sermon on the Mount is nothing less than the concentrated memory of many hours of heart to heart communion between the disciples and their Master (The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. I, Barclay, p. 87)

 

D.        The central theme is found in Matthew 5:48.

 

Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

 

I.          BE HAPPY (Matt. 5:1-12)

 

II.        BE INFLUENTIAL (Matt. 5:13-16)

 

III.      BE RIGHTEOUS (Matt. 5:17-48)

 

IV.       BE SINCERE (Matt. 6:1-18)

 

V.         BE LOYAL (Matt. 6:19-34)

 

VI.       BE FAIR (Matt. 7:1-6)

 

VII.     BE DILIGENT (Matt. 7:7-12)

 

VIII.    BE OBEDIENT (Matt. 7:13-27)

 

CONCLUSION

 

     “It seems certain that no other speech ever delivered has so influenced man as the Sermon on the Mount.  Its contents, so superior to any production of man, prove the deity of it author.  Its teaching is out of harmony with any school of philosophy or of religion of that day; hence, their brightest lights could not have produced it.  It is not eclectic, that is, its contents are not a collection of the best thoughts of that and previous ages.  Its teaching is distinct, revolutionary, challenging every school of religious thought of the times, both Jewish and heathen.  It is not the product of the times, but of Deity” (Annual Lesson Com-mentary, 1939, R.L. Whiteside, “The Citizens of the Kingdom,” p. 251).