Christ’s Moral preaching Article 20

Jesus challenges us to go beyond the letter of the Old Law The struggle Christians tend to struggle with Christ’s moral teachings more than with other aspects of the faith. WHY? Jesus challenges us to go beyond the letter of the Old Law He reveals the deeper moral truths that the Law intended to teach us He perfectly fulfills the Old Law and ushers in the New Law Living the New Law, with the grace given by the Holy Spirit, helps us to return to original holiness and justice

Our moral choices are made… …based on what truly brings us into full communion with God and with one another We go beyond legalistic morality to show love of God and love of neighbor in all we do Our WELL-FORMED consciences help us to do good and avoid evil

Wisely, Jesus responds: Jesus is Challenged “Teacher, which Commandment in the law is the greatest?” IT’S A TRICK!! Wisely, Jesus responds: “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. The second is like it: you shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole law and prophets depend on these two commandments.” (MT 22:36-40)

Matthew 5-7 (a “mini-Gospel”) The Beatitudes The sermon on the mount Matthew 5-7 (a “mini-Gospel”) The Beatitudes Salt of the Earth, Light of the World Teaching about the Law Teaching about Anger, Adultery, Divorce, and Oaths Teaching about Retaliation and Love of Enemies Teaching about Almsgiving, Prayer, and Fasting Teaching about Poverty of Heart Teaching about Judging Others, Relying on God, and The Golden Rule Teaching about Discipleship The Result of Acting on Jesus’ Teachings

Read your portion of the Sermon on the Mount. Your Task: Read your portion of the Sermon on the Mount. Summarize your reading in a way your classmates will understand. Explain how Jesus is teaching us the full meaning of the Old Law in this passage. Why might this be even more difficult to follow than the Old Law? What is one specific action that you (as students at NDCL today) can take to live out this teaching of Christ?

Matthew 5: 1-12 The Beatitudes

Salt of the Earth, Light of the World Matthew 5: 13-16 Salt of the Earth, Light of the World

Matthew 5: 17-20 Teaching about the Law

Teachings about Anger, Adultery, Divorce, and Oaths Matthew 5: 21-37 Teachings about Anger, Adultery, Divorce, and Oaths

Teachings about Retaliation and Love of Enemies Matthew 5: 38-48 Teachings about Retaliation and Love of Enemies

Teachings about Almsgiving, Prayer, and Fasting Matthew 6: 1-18 Teachings about Almsgiving, Prayer, and Fasting

Teachings about Poverty of Heart Matthew 6: 19-34 Teachings about Poverty of Heart

Teachings about Judging Others, Relying on God, and The Golden Rule Matthew 7: 1-12 Teachings about Judging Others, Relying on God, and The Golden Rule

Teachings on Discipleship Matthew 7: 13-23 Teachings on Discipleship

Matthew 7: 24-29 Those who hear these words and act on them will be like a wise man who built his house on a rock. Those who hear these words but do not act on them will be like a fool who built his house on sand.