The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5, 6, and 7) is a significant scripture called the "key of the whole bible", useful for evangelism and salvation. Aurelius Augustine stated that acting upon the sermon is "building on a rock". The Preacher, Jesus Christ The preacher is Jesus, the virgin-born Son of God and God incarnate. He went up on a mountain in Galilee, retreating from those seeking physical healing, intentionally addressing their souls, as spiritual matters are "far more important than physical" things. He sat down to teach, following the custom of the time. He "opened His mouth," signifying fluency, clarity, and the boldness required to speak divine truth, which human nature resists. The Audience The audience comprises crowds (unconverted) and disciples (converted). The unconverted crowds include the untaught/unconcerned, the self-righteous (who interpret the law externally and are ignorant of its spiritual majesty), and the false Christian (who hold an empty profession of faith lacking spiritual power). The disciples, representing the converted, are characterized by their attitude (being "poor in spirit," sorrowful over sin and relying on grace) and their life (being "doers" of Christ's words, not just hearers). The sermon is intended for believer and unbeliever alike today. The Aim or Purpose Jesus ascending the mountain symbolizes him as a new Moses. The sermon's central aim is not to give a new ethical code or legal system. Instead, Christ's purpose is to: 1. Restore the Law's Majesty: He removes the "false interpretations" of the scribes and Pharisees, who had reduced the law to an achievable standard....

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The speaker focuses on discussing the life and teachings of Ambrose, an Italian bishop from Ephesus in the late 300s who had a significant influence on Western Christian worship practices, particularly hymns. He also delves into his controversies with Nestorius over Mary's role as the God-bearer and contrasting it with Apollinarianism, which denied Jesus Christ's full humanity by claiming he only had a divine mind. The speaker then transitions to discussing Aurelius Augustine of Hippo, who initially struggled with his faith but found inspiration in Bishop Ambrose's preaching. He moved away from Manichaeism and embraced Christianity around 386 or 387, becoming a bishop by 19. The speaker outlines various theological controversies that Augustine was involved in, including Donatism, Pelagianism (which denied inherited sinful nature), and his arguments against Apollinarius' views on Jesus not having a human mind. They also delve into Neoplatonism and its influence on early Christian thought, along with the historical context of the Roman Empire being intertwined with state religion at that time.

In this sermon we conclude this visit to Paradise Lost. This is our 6th and final glimpse into our 1st parents' ruin. Please open to Genesis 3:7-24. First let me trace the outline of these 18 verses: Mankind RUNNING v. 7-8 God SEEKING v. 9 Mankind BLAMING v. 10-13 God JUDGING v. 14-19 Mankind BELIEVING v. 20 God COVERING v. 21 Mankind WORSHIPING v. 22-24 God ACCEPTING v. 22-24 Now, let's stand and ask God to illumine our hearts as we read these verses.Genesis 3:7-24. And as we stand together, listen to God's flawless record of the spiritual death of Adam and Eve as evidenced by their running and hiding! As Soon as the word came to God's Throne that Adam and Eve had fallen to the Tempter's lies, God the Savior set off for the Garden. It was God who went looking for His fallen creatures. It is God who today seeks and saves those who are lost. It is God's will that all should come to the truth of His salvation, but so many do not. When God came seeking, Adam and Eve ran and hid. In fact, the most glaring reality of our lost-ness and fallen-ness is the way we run and hide from God. That is one of the reasons many do not come to where God's Word is taught. When God's Word is taught God is near. When God is near, sinful and fallen man runs and hides. People even to this day still do not seek after God. One of the most vivid results of the Fall is the way sin captures and ruins all of us who are Adam's children. Just a few of the more notable sinners in the world who have come to Jesus serve as powerful examples of this truth. Saint Augustine One day in August 386, a professor of rhetoric named Aurelius Augustine sat despondently in his garden. Although the son of a Christ

Confessions by St. Augustine of Hippo - Book 2 - Chapter 1 through 10

The City of God by St. Augustine - Book 2, Chapters 18 through 29

City of God by St. Augustine - Book 2 - Chapter 1 through 17

Confessions by St. Augustine - Book 2, Chapters 1 through 10