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1. Introduction
Session 1 Notes Download
The Sermon on the Mount is Jesus’ declaration of what he wants his disciples to think and do. Therein is our value system, ethical standard, spiritual devotion, purpose for life, and destiny. Throughout history, God’s overarching aim has been to have a distinct people for Himself. He wants people who are holy and set apart from the world to belong to Him. These people are to be different from all the rest and are to love God and model holiness to attract others to His family. First, Israel were the chosen ones, God’s special covenant people who were to be different from all others. Leviticus 18:3-4 “You shall not do what is done in the land of Egypt where you lived, nor are you to do what is done in the land of Canaan where I am bringing you; you shall not walk in their statutes. You are to perform My judgments and keep My statutes, to live in accord with them; I am Yahweh your God.”
Exodus 19:5-6 The phrase “kingdom of priests” indicates that the Israelites were to serve as mediators between God and the rest of humanity. They were to live in a way that reflected God’s holiness and goodness, thereby attracting others to Him.
However, they consistently overlooked their distinctiveness as God’s people and basically integrated with other nations adopting their customs, practices, and way of life–“But they mingled with the nations and learned their practices” (Psalm 106:35).
Israel did have brief times when they obeyed and stayed separate as Balaam, the crooked prophet, acknowledged – “As I see him [Israel] from the top of the rocks, and I look at him from the hills; behold, a people who dwells apart, and will not be reckoned among the nations” (Numbers 23:9). However, Balaam devised a plan that seduced Israel into becoming just likethe Moabites.
1 Samuel 8:19-20 During the era of Samuel, Israel once again displayed a desire to emulate worldly customs and abandoned their distinct identity. History reveals that Israel miserably failed to live up to their calling and failed to accomplish God’s desire to bring the world to Him.
Christians are the ones now called to be this distinct, God-centered people who strive to glorify God and attract others to Him. When Jesus taught the Sermon on the Mount, he foresaw that his disciples would soon receive the holy spirit, which would empower them to emulate his way of life. The sermon details the precise thoughts and actions that disciples of Christ embody as they walk by the spirit. True followers of Christ are to be different–different from both the religious and the nonreligious, from the Pharisees (Matthew 6:1-18) and the Gentiles (Matthew 6:24-34). The sermon emphasizes the importance of avoiding the pitfalls of religious hypocrisy, as illustrated by the Pharisees in Matthew 5:20, and steering clear of the behaviors associated with non-believers, as cautioned in Matthew 6:8 with the directive, “Do not be like them.” We are not like everyone else. WE ARE DIFFERENT!
The sermon depicts the lifestyle Jesus expects us to model as we follow his own way of life. He is the golden example of the instruction he provided for us to follow. In the Gospels, we see his heart, thoughts, motives, and character traits by his actions. He lived every aspect of the sermon he taught. With Jesus, there is no double standard or hypocrisy. The sermon establishes a benchmark that he proved was achievable in practice. The ascended Christ sent the holy spirit to each disciple enabling him or her to live in alignment with his teaching and example.
John 14:12-14 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father. “Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. “If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.”
John 14:16-18, 26 The spirit of truth enables Jesus to be with us always.
Jesus presents a radical way of life, a genuine counterculture, with a code of ethics opposed to or at variance with the prevailing social norm. Some have said that Jesus’ teachings are a continuation of the Mosaic law and contrary to the Pauline Epistles. Jesus indeed does not contradict the moral code set forth in the Torah. Actually, he deepens our comprehension anddemands even greater adherence to them. However, it is important to note that he does not endorse every aspect of Mosaic law, particularly those pertaining to sacrificial rituals and governances.
After Jesus ascended, he called Paul to be his apostle and gave him the revelation that is now written in the Pauline Epistles (none of which contradicts the Sermon on the Mount).
Luther, Calvin, and others thought that the Sermon on the Mount taught a doctrine of salvation by human merit and good works, which is incompatible with salvation by grace and mercy. However, in this class, we will see that the opposite is true. Jesus’ teachings in the Gospels lay the foundation for his inspired teaching in the rest of the New Testament.
Ephesians 2:1-10
John Nelson Darby in the 1830’s developed a theology called dispensationalism that separates the Gospels from the church Epistles because of the misunderstanding about salvation and Jesus’ Gospel teachings. Darby is considered to be the father of modern dispensationalism, futurism, and pretribulation rapture. His dispensational theology was popularized in the early 20th century by the wide circulation of the Scofield Reference Bible and, later, with the Companion Bible by E.W. Bullinger.
Dispensationalism asserts that the Gospel teachings were primarily intended for the people prior to Jesus’ ascension and are not directly applicable to the contemporary church. Consequently, it places greater emphasis on the Pauline Epistles, often relegating the Sermon on the Mount as not directly relevant to the church today. Ironically, an openminded study of the Sermon of the Mount, without preconceived dispensational views, reveals that adherence to Jesus’ Gospel teachings are impossible without the enablement and direction of the holy spirit that one receives with the new birth. The church Epistles do not contradict the Sermon on the Mount; rather, they augment it.
The great mystery remained concealed until it was unveiled to the Apostle Paul, for had the devil known the outcome of Jesus’ death, he would not have crucified him (1 Corinthians 2:7-10). Hence, the Sermon on the Mount remains silent on the accomplishments of Christ’s death and resurrection. It is in the Pauline Epistles that the full scope of what was accomplished on the cross is made known. The sermon addresses the practical aspects of living after accepting Christ’s work, while Paul’s letters articulate both the doctrine of the new birth and its practical application. Although the Sermon on the Mount does not delve into the doctrine, it aligns with the practical application. It focuses on the transformation that occurs as we walk by thespirit and obey our Lord.
The sermon is not a set of rules and regulations designed to transform oneself without the help of God and Christ. On the contrary, truly understanding and applying the teaching require supernatural intervention, which profoundly deepens the disciple’s relationship and dependence on his or her Father and Lord. When the instruction is faithfully followed, a supernatural transformation takes place.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.
Jesus deals with attitudes of the mind. He does not tell us religious rituals or formulas as the Pharisees demanded.
Matthew 5:3-12 “Blessed” in this context describes a divinely bestowed enablement and well-being which provides holiness and happiness. Jeremiah 17:7-8 “Blessed is the man who trusts in Yahweh, whose trust is Yahweh. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” Indeed, we enjoy feelings of happiness and holiness as we live with these virtues, but the greater blessing is stated in the second half of each beatitude. The humble will receive the Kingdom of heaven, mourners are comforted, the hungry are satisfied, the pure in heart will see God. The double blessing lies in our partial experience of the eight blessings both now and in the future when Christ returns.
If you want to alter your life by enhancing your relationship with God and our Lord Jesus Christ, if you want to become a much better person who is supernaturally changed from the inside out, then Jesus’ teaching is for you. Once the true meaning of his instructions has been grasped, it is only necessary to begin putting them faithfully into practice to get immediate results. The magnitude and extent of these results will depend solely upon the sincerity and thoroughness with which they are applied. Personal transformation is a journey that requires commitment, self-reflection, honesty, courage, and continuous effort. If you are afraid to change and unwilling to put forth the effort right now, then perhaps you need more time to experience your need for what is being offered.
As we study the beatitudes, the following will be explored:
The post 1. Introduction first appeared on Living Hope.
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Session 1 Notes Download
The Sermon on the Mount is Jesus’ declaration of what he wants his disciples to think and do. Therein is our value system, ethical standard, spiritual devotion, purpose for life, and destiny. Throughout history, God’s overarching aim has been to have a distinct people for Himself. He wants people who are holy and set apart from the world to belong to Him. These people are to be different from all the rest and are to love God and model holiness to attract others to His family. First, Israel were the chosen ones, God’s special covenant people who were to be different from all others. Leviticus 18:3-4 “You shall not do what is done in the land of Egypt where you lived, nor are you to do what is done in the land of Canaan where I am bringing you; you shall not walk in their statutes. You are to perform My judgments and keep My statutes, to live in accord with them; I am Yahweh your God.”
Exodus 19:5-6 The phrase “kingdom of priests” indicates that the Israelites were to serve as mediators between God and the rest of humanity. They were to live in a way that reflected God’s holiness and goodness, thereby attracting others to Him.
However, they consistently overlooked their distinctiveness as God’s people and basically integrated with other nations adopting their customs, practices, and way of life–“But they mingled with the nations and learned their practices” (Psalm 106:35).
Israel did have brief times when they obeyed and stayed separate as Balaam, the crooked prophet, acknowledged – “As I see him [Israel] from the top of the rocks, and I look at him from the hills; behold, a people who dwells apart, and will not be reckoned among the nations” (Numbers 23:9). However, Balaam devised a plan that seduced Israel into becoming just likethe Moabites.
1 Samuel 8:19-20 During the era of Samuel, Israel once again displayed a desire to emulate worldly customs and abandoned their distinct identity. History reveals that Israel miserably failed to live up to their calling and failed to accomplish God’s desire to bring the world to Him.
Christians are the ones now called to be this distinct, God-centered people who strive to glorify God and attract others to Him. When Jesus taught the Sermon on the Mount, he foresaw that his disciples would soon receive the holy spirit, which would empower them to emulate his way of life. The sermon details the precise thoughts and actions that disciples of Christ embody as they walk by the spirit. True followers of Christ are to be different–different from both the religious and the nonreligious, from the Pharisees (Matthew 6:1-18) and the Gentiles (Matthew 6:24-34). The sermon emphasizes the importance of avoiding the pitfalls of religious hypocrisy, as illustrated by the Pharisees in Matthew 5:20, and steering clear of the behaviors associated with non-believers, as cautioned in Matthew 6:8 with the directive, “Do not be like them.” We are not like everyone else. WE ARE DIFFERENT!
The sermon depicts the lifestyle Jesus expects us to model as we follow his own way of life. He is the golden example of the instruction he provided for us to follow. In the Gospels, we see his heart, thoughts, motives, and character traits by his actions. He lived every aspect of the sermon he taught. With Jesus, there is no double standard or hypocrisy. The sermon establishes a benchmark that he proved was achievable in practice. The ascended Christ sent the holy spirit to each disciple enabling him or her to live in alignment with his teaching and example.
John 14:12-14 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father. “Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. “If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.”
John 14:16-18, 26 The spirit of truth enables Jesus to be with us always.
Jesus presents a radical way of life, a genuine counterculture, with a code of ethics opposed to or at variance with the prevailing social norm. Some have said that Jesus’ teachings are a continuation of the Mosaic law and contrary to the Pauline Epistles. Jesus indeed does not contradict the moral code set forth in the Torah. Actually, he deepens our comprehension anddemands even greater adherence to them. However, it is important to note that he does not endorse every aspect of Mosaic law, particularly those pertaining to sacrificial rituals and governances.
After Jesus ascended, he called Paul to be his apostle and gave him the revelation that is now written in the Pauline Epistles (none of which contradicts the Sermon on the Mount).
Luther, Calvin, and others thought that the Sermon on the Mount taught a doctrine of salvation by human merit and good works, which is incompatible with salvation by grace and mercy. However, in this class, we will see that the opposite is true. Jesus’ teachings in the Gospels lay the foundation for his inspired teaching in the rest of the New Testament.
Ephesians 2:1-10
John Nelson Darby in the 1830’s developed a theology called dispensationalism that separates the Gospels from the church Epistles because of the misunderstanding about salvation and Jesus’ Gospel teachings. Darby is considered to be the father of modern dispensationalism, futurism, and pretribulation rapture. His dispensational theology was popularized in the early 20th century by the wide circulation of the Scofield Reference Bible and, later, with the Companion Bible by E.W. Bullinger.
Dispensationalism asserts that the Gospel teachings were primarily intended for the people prior to Jesus’ ascension and are not directly applicable to the contemporary church. Consequently, it places greater emphasis on the Pauline Epistles, often relegating the Sermon on the Mount as not directly relevant to the church today. Ironically, an openminded study of the Sermon of the Mount, without preconceived dispensational views, reveals that adherence to Jesus’ Gospel teachings are impossible without the enablement and direction of the holy spirit that one receives with the new birth. The church Epistles do not contradict the Sermon on the Mount; rather, they augment it.
The great mystery remained concealed until it was unveiled to the Apostle Paul, for had the devil known the outcome of Jesus’ death, he would not have crucified him (1 Corinthians 2:7-10). Hence, the Sermon on the Mount remains silent on the accomplishments of Christ’s death and resurrection. It is in the Pauline Epistles that the full scope of what was accomplished on the cross is made known. The sermon addresses the practical aspects of living after accepting Christ’s work, while Paul’s letters articulate both the doctrine of the new birth and its practical application. Although the Sermon on the Mount does not delve into the doctrine, it aligns with the practical application. It focuses on the transformation that occurs as we walk by thespirit and obey our Lord.
The sermon is not a set of rules and regulations designed to transform oneself without the help of God and Christ. On the contrary, truly understanding and applying the teaching require supernatural intervention, which profoundly deepens the disciple’s relationship and dependence on his or her Father and Lord. When the instruction is faithfully followed, a supernatural transformation takes place.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.
Jesus deals with attitudes of the mind. He does not tell us religious rituals or formulas as the Pharisees demanded.
Matthew 5:3-12 “Blessed” in this context describes a divinely bestowed enablement and well-being which provides holiness and happiness. Jeremiah 17:7-8 “Blessed is the man who trusts in Yahweh, whose trust is Yahweh. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” Indeed, we enjoy feelings of happiness and holiness as we live with these virtues, but the greater blessing is stated in the second half of each beatitude. The humble will receive the Kingdom of heaven, mourners are comforted, the hungry are satisfied, the pure in heart will see God. The double blessing lies in our partial experience of the eight blessings both now and in the future when Christ returns.
If you want to alter your life by enhancing your relationship with God and our Lord Jesus Christ, if you want to become a much better person who is supernaturally changed from the inside out, then Jesus’ teaching is for you. Once the true meaning of his instructions has been grasped, it is only necessary to begin putting them faithfully into practice to get immediate results. The magnitude and extent of these results will depend solely upon the sincerity and thoroughness with which they are applied. Personal transformation is a journey that requires commitment, self-reflection, honesty, courage, and continuous effort. If you are afraid to change and unwilling to put forth the effort right now, then perhaps you need more time to experience your need for what is being offered.
As we study the beatitudes, the following will be explored:
The post 1. Introduction first appeared on Living Hope.
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