The Sermon on the Mount was given by Jesus while seated. Jesus is the greatest Rabbi. This signified by Him taking the Law, which was predominately given in the negative, and turning it around “inside out” to a positive teaching message.
Moses went up on the mountain to receive the Law; he came back down. However, Jesus sat on the mountain and delivered the law—calling people to live on top of the mountain.
Jesus spoke to “disciples.” These were not just the Twelve. These were people like you and me. These were ordinary men and women who wanted to hear what Jesus had to say.
Jesus presents to us the most beautiful and difficult truths in the Word of God. Can anyone really live by the Sermon on the Mount in the real world? Can anyone actually do what Jesus says and still survive in the real world?
1. It’s not about what others think: Jesus taught us that we cannot “perform” to achieve God’s approval.
Christianity is not a performance-based religion.
o You cannot give enough…
Matthew 6:1-2 "Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. 2 "Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.”
The word “have” in the phrase “have their reward” is the same word used on receipts at that time meaning “paid in full.”
o You cannot pray well enough…
Matthew 6:5 "And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.”
Matthew 6:7-8 "And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”
Jesus taught us how to pray simply…
(Three requests for the kingdom)
Our Father in heaven, hallowed by your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.
(Three requests for this life… until the kingdom comes)
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
o You cannot look “spiritual” enough…
Matthew 6:16 "And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.”
2. It’s about what God thinks: Jesus taught us that we can be blessed only when we fully trust in God.
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.
Christianity is a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
o Depend on God, not material things.
Matthew 6:19-20 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.”
This verse does not mean it is sinful to prepare for the future or our children’s future.
Proverbs 13:22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the sinner’s wealth is laid up for the righteous.
o Trust in God without worry or fear.
Matthew 6:25 "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?”
Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Matthew 6:34 "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
o Let God’s grace flow through you to others.
Matthew 7:1-2 "Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.”
