Sermon on the Mount - Intro

Introduction

1. Matthew 5-7 is records a famous sermon known as The Sermon on the Mount
   • The Beatitudes
   • “Salt of the earth”
   • “Light of the world”
   • “Judge not”
   • The Golden Rule
2. Today we will introduce the Sermon by considering the THEME and the CONTENT

1. The Theme

   1. Consider the setting
      1. Matt. 3:1-3 - The preaching of John the Baptist
         1. Preparing the way of the Lord
         2. Said the kingdom of heaven is at hand
      2. Matt. 4:17 - The preaching of Jesus
         1. After His temptation He begins ministry
         2. First words, Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand
   2. Note this repeated phrase
      1. Matt. 5:3 - “for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”
      2. Matt. 5:10 - “ for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”
      3. Matt. 5:19 - “...shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven”
      4. Matt. 5:19 - “...shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven”
      5. Matt. 5:20 - “you will by no means enter into the kingdom of heaven”
      6. Matt. 6:10 - “Your kingdom come”
      7. Matt. 6:33 - “Seek first the kingdom of God”
      8. Matt. 7:21 - “...shall enter the kingdom of heaven”
   3. Therefore, the theme of The Sermon on the Mount is: “The Gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven.”

2. The Content and Divisions

   1. Citizens of the kingdom
      1. Matt. 5:3-12 - Their character and blessedness
      2. Matt. 5:13-16 - Their relation to the world
   2. Righteousness of the kingdom
      1. Matt. 5:17-48 - Contrast traditional interpretations and applications of the law
      2. Matt. 6:1-33 - Manʼs relationship to God
      3. Matt. 7:1-12 - Manʼs relationship with his fellow man
   3. Exhortation to enter the kingdom
      1. Matt. 7:13-14 - Beginning of the way
      2. Matt. 7:15-20 - Progress along the way
      3. Matt. 7:21-27 - End of the way
         1. vv. 21-23 - Contrast sayers with doers
         2. vv. 24-27 - Contrast hearers with doers

3. The Kingdom of Heaven

   1. Different than the kingdom of God?
      1. Comparison of different accounts show they are one and the same:
         1. Matt. 4:17 - “of heaven” / Mark 1:14, 15 - “of God”
         2. Matt. 5:3 - “of heaven” / Luke 6:20 - “of God”
         3. Matt. 13:31 - “of heaven” / Mark 4:30, 31 - “of God”
      2. Matthew nearly always uses “kingdom of heaven,” while others used “kingdom of God”
      3. One possible explanation of this is that Matthew wrote to a Jewish audience:
         1. The Jews were opposed to using the name of God (out of reverence)
         2. The Jews also had a misconception about the kingdom of God
            1. They were looking for an earthly, physical kingdom
            2. The use of the word “heaven” would emphasize a spiritual quality
            3. Involves several related concepts
               1. Godʼs kingship, rule, or recognized sovereignty
                  1. Luke 17:20, 21 - Kingdom is not with observation, it is within you
                  2. Matt. 6:10 - Your kingdom come, Your will be done
               2. It is spiritual in nature
                  1. John 18:36 - Not of this world (not physical)
                  2. Rom. 14:17 - Not eating and drinking, but righteousness, joy, and peace in the Holy Spirit
               3. It is visible on earth in the form of the church
                  1. The church consists of those who have obeyed the gospel
                     1. Rom. 6:17 - They had obeyed that form of doctrine
                     2. Acts 2:38, 47 - Repent and be baptized... added to the church
                  2. The church is referred to as the kingdom of God
                     1. Matt. 16:18 - Build my church... keys of the kingdom
                     2. Rev. 1:4, 6, 9 - Churches of Asia were considered part of the kingdom
               4. Those under the kingship of God here will enjoy it in the next life for eternity
                  1. 2 Pet. 1:11 - An entrance administered into the everlasting kingdom
                  2. Rev. 14:13 - Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on

Conclusion

1. The exhortation to enter the kingdom is to you
   • Matt. 7:13, 14 - Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction...
   • John 3:5 - You must be born again of water and Spirit
2. The exhortation to continue in the kingdom is to you
   • Matt. 7:24 - Hear the sayings and do them (continue in them)