The Sermon On The Mount (Matt. 5-7) …. Lesson 1 – General Introduction Overview Memorable public addresses have often “defined” men in pursuit of

The Sermon On The Mount (Matt. 5-7)

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Lesson 1 – General Introduction Overview

Memorable public addresses have often “defined” men in pursuit of a chosen cause

History is laden with “great speeches” There can be no greater “cause” for men to

pursue than the kingdom of heaven



The kingdom of heaven – The King Himself came to deliver its laws

Mt 4:17 Jn 1:17 This “sermon” emphasizes the nature of His

kingdom & the righteousness of its citizens



The kingdom of heaven – Sadly, it is misunderstood & malpracticed

Some reject it, saying it is not “do-able” or not even practical cp. 5:29, 38-42, 43-48



The kingdom of heaven – Sadly, it is misunderstood & malpracticed

Others abuse it by applying it only in settings of “social reform” rather than personal transformation cp. 5:9 7:1-5



Every kingdom has a “charter” or some “defining documents”

This sermon can be viewed as the “charter to the heavenly kingdom”



The “charter to the heavenly kingdom” Citizen “description” 5:3-12, 13-16 True kingdom righteousness 5:20 6:1-18

(proper moral & spiritual behavior) Faith & trust in God 6:25-34 7:7-11



The “charter to the heavenly kingdom” Treating others right 5:21-48 7:1-5, 12 The importance of obeying the King

7:21-23, 24-27



It could easily be preached today Times aren’t that different Eccl 1:9-10 Fleshly pursuits Titus 2:11-12 1 Pet 2:11 Inferior human wisdom 1 Cor 1:18-25 Men are to be “persuaded” 2 Cor 5:11, 20


Lesson 1 – General Introduction Setting

Hearing the phrase “Sermon On The Mount” usually makes us think about Matthew 5-7

However, we cannot forget Lk 6:12-49 Preached in Jesus’ 2nd year of public work

[Year Of Popularity]



The Chronology provided by Luke… Jesus returns to Galilee following His being

tempted by Satan Lk 4:14-15 First Nazareth rejection Lk 4:16-30 Heals many at Capernaum Lk 4:38-39



The Chronology provided by Luke… Jesus calls first disciples Lk 5:1-11, 27-32 Jesus selects 12 apostles Lk 6:12-19

Spoken in “Great Galilean Ministry”



Spoken in “Great Galilean Ministry” Most likely, delivered somewhere near

Capernaum Traditionally, on the Horns of Hattin (double

hill W of Sea of Galilee)


Horns of

Hattin





Lesson 1 – General Introduction Outline

Any good sermon has a structured outline… its main points clearly seen & easy to follow

A “logical progression of thought” This “sermon” is no different…Jesus is the

greatest Preacher of all!!” 7:28-29


Lesson 1 – General Introduction Outline

Citizens In Heaven’s Kingdom 5:3-16 Righteousness Of Heaven’s Kingdom

5:17 – 7:11 Invitation To Heaven’s Kingdom 7:12-27 The Teacher Himself 7:28-29


Lesson 2 – Kingdom Citizens 5:3-12 Citizens of any kingdom must live in ways

and be people that please the king This sermon begins with a description of

the “characteristics” Jesus desires in the citizens of the heavenly kingdom They are known as “The Beatitudes”


Lesson 2 – Kingdom Citizens 5:3-12 The Beatitudes

“Usual” standards by which men measure happiness or blessedness are not even discussed by Jesus Jn 18:36

From a Latin word meaning “consummate bliss or happiness; blessedness”



Appropriately called this because they describe the “true” (spiritually) happy person

These “traits” are not……hereditary (hair, eye color; DNA)…product of environment (language, accent)



These “traits” are entirely self-willed, chosen cp. Lk 14:26-33

A person “chooses” to be spiritually poor; mournful; hungry & thirsty for righteousness



Neither are these “traits” competing factors Not describing 8 different citizens, each one

blessed differently cp. 1 Cor 12:1, 4, 7-11 They describe the disciple of Christ

Each citizen possesses all these “traits”



The kingdom citizen is different in what he thinks, feels, values, admires, seeks

He is submissive, not self-righteous He comes to God aware of his own failures…

very much aware of his own emptiness



He is not “mighty,” obtaining what he wants or needs by force or deception

He is patient and kind…dependent upon God He yields himself to (his wants & rights) to

the needs of others



Most of them are about SELF (#’s 1-4, 6) A couple of them are about how he views

OTHERS (#’s 5, 7) Only one is about how the WORLD views him

(# 8)



The Poor In Spirit v. 3 To be “spiritually impoverished; bankrupt” To be totally aware of one’s need for God Poor men are desperately needy…they can

only beg Lk 16:20-21


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The Sermon On The Mount (Matt. 5-7) …. Lesson 1 – General Introduction Overview Memorable public addresses have often “defined” men in pursuit of