The Sermon on the Mount – God’s law of the heart

A new sermon series at

Penge Baptist Church

Introduction to the Sermon

• Mt 5:1-2 “Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them.”

• Can we accept Jesus’ authority in our lives?

• A set of laws, or guidelines for true discipleship?

• Making us realise how much we need God!

• The key issue of the heart:– I will give you a new heart and put a

new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. (Ezekiel 36:26)

– “This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.” (Jeremiah 31:31-34)

• A new heart and a restored relationship with God….

• ….but very challenging commands!

THE BEATITUDES God’s law of the heart (1)

Matthew 5:3-12

Penge Baptist Church 9th September 2012

Matthew 5:3-12

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.

Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

The beatitudes

• The meaning of “blessed” is “fortunate”

• The structure of the text– Beatitudes of progression– Beatitudes of fruitfulness

“Beatitudes of progression”

• “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

“Beatitudes of progression”

• “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”

“Beatitudes of progression”

• Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

• Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

“Beatitudes of fruitfulness”

• Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

• Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

“Beatitudes of fruitfulness”

• Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

“Beatitudes of fruitfulness”

• Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

The beatitudes and Jesus’ character

• Poor in spirit• Mourning• Meek• Hungering and thirsting for

righteousness• Merciful• Pure in heart• Peacemaker• Persecuted because of

righteousness.

The beatitudes and a restored relation with

God• Having the kingdom of heaven. • Being comforted. • Inheriting the earth. • Being filled. • Being shown mercy. • Seeing God. • Being called sons of God. • Having the kingdom of heaven.

Satan’s “anti-beatitudes”

• Being proud and self sufficient

• Unrepentant for sin

• Arrogantly resisting God’s will

• Not seeking righteousness

• Being unforgiving

• Worshipping idols of the world

• Being selfishly ambitious

Allow the text to question us…..

• “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)