The Sermon on the Mount is one of the most famous sermons in history, having been quoted in books and movies for centuries. It serves as a foundational teaching for the Christian faith and is found in the bible in the book of Matthew 5-7. In the sermon, Jesus teaches his disciples the importance of the law, how to live a blessed life, and the greatest commandments.
Jesus began his sermon by speaking on the Kingdom of Heaven. He mentioned, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Here Jesus is telling us that humility is the key to entering into the presence of God and His Kingdom. He also taught us that we should be very selective in monitoring our thoughts, for our thoughts lead us to words and actions. He said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery;’ but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
Jesus continues His sermon by teaching us how to pray and gives us what we now refer to as the Lord’s Prayer. He taught us how to forgive those who wrong us, how to love our enemies, and most of all how to handle our possessions and money. He said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal.”
It’s clear from this sermon that Jesus was conveying a message of instruction, edification, and love to his listeners. From his words, Jesus showed his disciples that God can never be found in material things but rather in the heart. To further illustrate this, Jesus provided parables to explain key aspects of the Bible. The main point being that all of us should rely on direct communication with God, humility and forgiveness in all things, being of service to others, having faith and trust in God, and never being tempted to sin.
Today, the Sermon on the Mount continues to be studied, applied, and utilized by the faithful. Pastors use the message to guide their sermons, artists use it to create paintings and sculptures, churches use the message to create meaningful life experiences and shared moments with others, and everyday people draw inspiration from it. The profound impact of Jesus’ teaching continues to spread throughout the world and provides unity, love, and blessing to many people.
Background Information on the Bible
The Bible, also known as the Holy Scripture, is the single most influential religious source for Christians, being composed of 66 books which together constitute the Christian canon. It is composed of various books, including the Old Testament and the New Testament. The books of the Bible vary in genre and source, ranging from history to prophecy. The Bible provides guidance for all aspects of everyday life and is the cornerstone of Christian faith and lifestyle.
The Old Testament of the Bible includes the law, which outlines key commandments and moral instruction. It also includes stories which serve as examples and warnings of what can happen with wrongful behavior and misguided decision-making. The New Testament builds on the law and includes the stories, teachings, and promises of Jesus. The New Testament serves as a reminder and guide of Jesus’ love, faithfulness, and grace.
Relevant Data
The Sermon on the Mount is located in the book of Matthew 5-7, spanning three chapters. It is considered one of the most famous passages in the Bible, and some of its teachings have been quoted and referred to in many works since its first dissemination.
Central to the sermon is the idea that one should rely on direct communication with God, love their neighbor, and never be tempted to sin. Jesus emphasizes the importance of humility, forgiveness, and love. He de-emphasizes the importance of material possessions and encourages living lives characterized by spiritual and moral purity.
Perspectives from Experts
John MacArthur, noted bible commentator and pastor of Grace Community Church, believes the Sermon on the Mount has three main messages: The Kingdom of Heaven, righteousness, and proclamations of blessing. He states in his commentary, “The Sermon on the Mount is one of the fullest, clearest, and most complete summaries of the Christian life, and of obedience to God’s will.”
Warren W. Wiersbe, an author and bible study teacher, believes the Sermon on the Mount is an invitation to a better lifestyle. He writes, “The Sermon on the Mount is an invitation to Kingdom living—the life God wants us to live so we can be good citizens of His heavenly Kingdom. If we really understand and apply its teaching, the results in our lives will be truly amazing…”
Matt Chandler, church pastor, author, and president of The Gospel Coalition, explains that the Sermon on the Mount is not a “self-help” sermon but rather a sermon about Jesus and the authority under which He lived and served. Matt states in a preaching session, “He didn’t write laws to make you a really good person; He wrote laws to demonstrate to you that you couldn’t be one.” Matt further explains that the sermon is a call to absolute obedience and trust in Jesus, and only through Him can one achieve the beatitude promised in the kingdom.
Analysis
The Sermon on the Mount contains many timeless messages that are still relevant today. Jesus teaches us the importance of humility, forgiveness, and loving our neighbors. He instructs us on how to handle money, possessions, and the law. Furthermore, Jesus encourages us to rely on a direct communication with God, rather than relying on material things or trying to be good on our own.
Modern culture has altered the understanding of this sermon. Often the Sermon on the Mount is viewed as a “self-help” type of sermon, where one performs certain works as a means of becoming a “good person.” This distorts Jesus’ original intent of the sermon and instead emphasizes a legalistic approach to righteousness. The purpose of this sermon is not to be a “self-help” manual, but to be an invitation to a better lifestyle and an understanding of God’s divine authority.
Jesus’s Intent
When Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount, his mission was to ensure that his disciples, as well as all people, heard the truth about the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus was teaching his followers about love, justice, humility and grace. He wanted those that listened to be able to recognize the importance of all of these core values, and to act upon them in their lives. Jesus wanted all people, regardless of ethnicity or religious background, to realize that their previous understandings of righteousness was wrong, and that only God could provide true righteousness.
Jesus also sought to remind all people that the Kingdom of Heaven was a spiritual kingdom, and that it could not be found in material things. He wanted his listeners to realize the importance of prayer, forgiveness, and faith. He wanted to break the chain of guilt, fear and materialism that weighed on the hearts of so many of his people. The goal of the Sermon on the Mount was to free all people from the bondage of the law and to invite them into the light of true freedom and love.
Influence and Significance
Although 2,000 years have passed since Jesus delivered his famous sermon, the impact of this message can still be seen throughout the world today. No matter a person’s religious preference, the Sermon on the Mount serves as a reminder of love, justice, and righteousness and a call to embrace these values in our lives. Through its words, art, literature, and music, the message of the Sermon on the Mount continues to spread, reminding us of the power of Jesus’ teachings and the truth of the gospel.
The Sermon on the Mount is one of the foundations for Christian faith and lifestyle. Through its teachings, Jesus demonstrates the importance of humble submission to God, loving and forgiving your neighbor, and relying on a direct communication with God. The message has remained timeless and still serves as a powerful reminder of the grace, justice and unconditional love of God.
Application
After centuries, the Sermon on the Mount still has practical implications for today. Jesus’ words can offer hope and guidance to those who are struggling to make sense of the world and their place in it. It invites us to love despite our differences and to serve others as Jesus commands us. By relying on Jesus’ words and instruction, one can live a full, rich and meaningful life.
More importantly, the Sermon on the Mount reminds us that our eternal destiny is solely dependent on our relationship with God. Jesus’ words show us the path to salvation and preparing us for eternity with God. Jesus teaches us that no amount of wealth or earthly possessions can compare to the love and grace of God.
Contextual Understanding
As with any biblical passage, it is important to understand the historical context in which the sermon was delivered. Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount to a crowd of lay people. He was offering up his instruction as a teacher to his students and was attempting to show them how they could enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. He was trying to impart a message of spiritual understanding and righteousness to those who had been oppressed by the corrupt religious leaders at the time.
Jesus was also demonstrating to the people that their prior attempts at justice had been misguided, and that they needed to listen to God’s words in order to achieve genuine righteousness. Through his illustrations and parables, Jesus was able to guide the people away from their false understanding of justice and into an understanding that could only be found in God. This is the context in which Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount.
Conclusion
The Sermon on the Mount is one of the most famous and influential sermons in history. It serves as the basis for many Christian teachings and demonstrates the power and love of God. Through its words, Jesus was able to remind his listeners of the importance of prayer, humility, and forgiveness. His words still ring true today and can guide those who seek to build a better world.
