Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

A reminder - Please: Turn off your cell phone or set to vibrate only Turn off sound to all electronic devices Use the nursery or cry room if your child is fussy Get up during the preaching only if absolutely necessary (please sit in back if you must leave early)

The Amazing Teaching of Jesus Matthew 7:28-29 The Sermon on the Mount brings both comfort and challenge The Sermon on the Mount forces us back into the humility of true righteousness - submission to the Lord’s will

Amazed Multitudes Matthew 7:28 Jesus had been ministering in Galilee, and was now teaching a multitude of people from many areas Jesus was not interested in popularity - people are fickle - He was compassionate to the multitudes They were amazed - astonished - struck out - shocked - practically overwhelmed

Amazed Multitudes Matthew 7:28 How could an untrained man whose friends were untrained say such things? Greek educational philosophy has resulted in degrees = credentialed and qualified Many people make the same mistake in evaluating ministry qualifications

Amazed Multitudes Matthew 7:28 Qualification for ministry is dependent on love for God & His Word and necessary spiritual gifts & calling Jesus was not trained by other Rabbis and did not teach as did other Rabbis

Teaching with Authority Matthew 7:29 The scribes & Pharisees taught by quoting and discussing what the ancient Rabbis had said By the time of Jesus, authority had shifted from the Scriptures to the traditions / teachings of the Rabbis Jesus quoted the Scriptures, but never other people to gain credibility

Teaching with Authority Matthew 7:29 Each Beatitude is a factual statement that Jesus proclaims on His own authority Jesus’ contrasts the teaching of the scribes with His own teaching - “but I say to you.” (Matthew 5:21-48)

Teaching with Authority Matthew 7:29 Every declaration Jesus makes is based in His own authority as God incarnate - not opinion Jesus corrects the religious practices of the Pharisees with His own commands of what to do and not do

Teaching with Authority Matthew 7:29 Jesus’ three prohibitions in (6:19-34; 7:1-5; 7:6) are commands, not suggestions In the last section of the sermon, Jesus places Himself as the judge who will condemn the self-righteous

Responding to the Sermon The Sermon on the Mount is an authoritative message to which you will be held accountable by God The elements within the sermon must be taken in their context or they lead to error and heresy Serious examination of your life compared to Jesus’ commands reveals you cannot keep them on your own

Responding to the Sermon Those who do not recognize their failure & sinfulness are in trouble and need to reevaluate their position Entrance into the kingdom of heaven begins with being poor in Spirit - God gives grace to the humble Poverty of spirit  mourning over sin  meekness  hunger & thirst for righteousness

Responding to the Sermon Pursuing righteousness results in being merciful, pure in heart, a peacemaker, suffering for righteousness. Developing the characteristics of the Beatitudes results in living a very different way than the world The truly righteous avoid the trap of self-righteousness - they are wise to hear and heed Jesus’ teachings

Conclusion Jesus spoke with authority: you submit to it & are blessed or ignore / reject & reap the consequences God’s invitation is open, but where your treasure is, your heart will be also

Conclusion Where is your heart? Are you humble, wise and righteous? or proud, foolish and self-righteous?

Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ