1. Matthew 5–6: the Sermon on the Mount
Mike Taylor
Forest of Dean Community Church
Sunday 22 January 2017

2. The NIV has 15 headings for these chapters:

3. The NIV has 15 headings for these chapters:
Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount
The Beatitudes
Salt and Light
The Fulfillment of the Law
Murder
Adultery
Divorce
Oaths
Eye for Eye
Love for Enemies
Giving to the Needy
Prayer (including Lord's Prayer)
Fasting
Treasures in Heaven
Do Not Worry

4. The NIV has 15 headings for these chapters:
Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount
The Beatitudes
Salt and Light
The Fulfillment of the Law
Murder
Adultery
Divorce
Oaths
Eye for Eye
Love for Enemies
Giving to the Needy
Prayer (including Lord's Prayer)
Fasting
Treasures in Heaven
Do Not Worry

5. The NIV has 15 headings for these chapters:
Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount
The Beatitudes
Salt and Light
The Fulfillment of the Law
Murder
Adultery
Divorce
Oaths
Eye for Eye
Love for Enemies
Giving to the Needy
Prayer (including Lord's Prayer)
Fasting
Treasures in Heaven
Do Not Worry

6. The NIV has 15 headings for these chapters:
Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount
The Beatitudes
Salt and Light
The Fulfillment of the Law
Murder
Adultery
Divorce
Oaths
Eye for Eye
Love for Enemies
Giving to the Needy
Prayer (including Lord's Prayer)
Fasting
Treasures in Heaven
Do Not Worry

7. The Beatitudes
Do Not Worry
Hope for the future

8. The Beatitudes
Do Not Worry
Hope for the future
Prayer, Fasting
Fulfillment of Law
Relationship with God

9. The Beatitudes
Do Not Worry
Hope for the future
Prayer, Fasting
Fulfillment of Law
Relationship with God
Murder, Adultery
Divorce, Oaths
Relationships with people

10. The Beatitudes
Do Not Worry
Hope for the future
Prayer, Fasting
Fulfillment of Law
Relationship with God
Murder, Adultery
Divorce, Oaths
Relationships with people
Eye for Eye
Love for Enemies
Forgiving

11. The Beatitudes
Do Not Worry
Hope for the future
Prayer, Fasting
Fulfillment of Law
Relationship with God
Murder, Adultery
Divorce, Oaths
Relationships with people
Eye for Eye
Love for Enemies
Forgiving
Salt and Light
Christian witness

12. The Beatitudes
Do Not Worry
Hope for the future
Prayer, Fasting
Fulfillment of Law
Relationship with God
Murder, Adultery
Divorce, Oaths
Relationships with people
Eye for Eye
Love for Enemies
Forgiving
Salt and Light
Christian witness
Giving to the Needy
Treasures in Heaven
Money

13. A manifesto at the start of Jesus' ministry
That is why it covers so much ground.

14. In the Old Testament (Exodus 34:29) ...

15. But in the New Testament ...

16. Problem: over-familiarity with soundbites

17. Problem: over-familiarity with soundbites
The meek shall inherit the earth
Salt of the earth
Turn the other cheek
The left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing
Judge not

18. Look beyond cliches: the sermon is shocking

19. Look beyond cliches: the sermon is shocking
“God blesses those who are humble,
for they will inherit the whole earth.”
— Matthew 5:5.

20. Look beyond cliches: the sermon is shocking
“If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.
But I say, if you are even angry with someone,
you are subject to judgment!”
— Matthew 5:21b-22a.

21. No pictures for this one!
Look beyond cliches: the sermon is shocking
“You must not commit adultery.
But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust
has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
— Matthew 5:27b-28.
No pictures
for this one!

22. Look beyond cliches: the sermon is shocking
“Do not resist an evil person!
If someone slaps you on the right cheek,
offer the other cheek also.”
— Matthew 5:39b.

23. Look beyond cliches: the sermon is shocking
“Don’t store up treasures here on earth …
Store your treasures in heaven.”
— Matthew 6:19-20a.

24. Look beyond cliches: the sermon is shocking
“Don't worry about tomorrow.”
— Matthew 6:34a.

25. Look beyond cliches: the sermon is shocking
“Love your enemies!
Pray for those who persecute you!”
— Matthew 5:44b.

26. Completely contrary to C21 Western civilisation
Self-reliance

27. Completely contrary to C21 Western civilisation
Self-reliance
Jesus emphasises reliance on God and others.

28. Completely contrary to C21 Western civilisation
Self-reliance
Jesus emphasises reliance on God and others.
Acquisition (“I worked hard for this, I earned it”)

29. Completely contrary to C21 Western civilisation
Self-reliance
Jesus emphasises reliance on God and others.
Acquisition (“I worked hard for this, I earned it”)
Don't store up treasure.

30. Completely contrary to C21 Western civilisation
Self-reliance
Jesus emphasises reliance on God and others.
Acquisition (“I worked hard for this, I earned it”)
Don't store up treasure.
Constant busyness

31. Completely contrary to C21 Western civilisation
Self-reliance
Jesus emphasises reliance on God and others.
Acquisition (“I worked hard for this, I earned it”)
Don't store up treasure.
Constant busyness
Do not worry about tomorrow.

32. Completely contrary to C21 Western civilisation
Self-reliance
Jesus emphasises reliance on God and others.
Acquisition (“I worked hard for this, I earned it”)
Don't store up treasure.
Constant busyness
Do not worry about tomorrow.
Grudges

33. Completely contrary to C21 Western civilisation
Self-reliance
Jesus emphasises reliance on God and others.
Acquisition (“I worked hard for this, I earned it”)
Don't store up treasure.
Constant busyness
Do not worry about tomorrow.
Grudges
Love your enemies,
forgive.

34. The sermon sets an impossible standard
“Unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!”
— Matthew 5:20.

35. The sermon sets an impossible standard
“Unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!”
— Matthew 5:20.
“Be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.”
— Matthew 5:48.

36. “Nice idea, but not a realistic way to live”

37. “Nice idea, but not a realistic way to live”
“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”
— Matthew 7:24-27.

38. It makes us realise we are not perfect
“Why, then, was the law given? It was given
alongside the promise to show people their sins.”
— Galatians 3:19.

39. Are we just condemned to always fail?

40. The key is a new identity
What we do flows from who we are. When God wants to change our behaviour, he first transforms our identity.
This is right at the heart of what being a Christian is.

41. “Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new
person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”
— 2 Corinthians 5:17.

42. “Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new
person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”
— 2 Corinthians 5:17.
“Even though we were dead because of our sins, he
gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead.”
— Ephesians 2:5.

43. “Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new
person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”
— 2 Corinthians 5:17.
“Even though we were dead because of our sins, he
gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead.”
— Ephesians 2:5.
“You were dead because of your sins and because
your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God
made you alive with Christ.”
— Colossians 2:13.

44. “Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new
person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”
— 2 Corinthians 5:17.
“Even though we were dead because of our sins, he
gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead.”
— Ephesians 2:5.
“You were dead because of your sins and because
your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God
made you alive with Christ.”
— Colossians 2:13.
“My old self has been crucified with Christ.
It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.”
— Galatians 2:20.

45. “Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new
person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”
— 2 Corinthians 5:17.
“Even though we were dead because of our sins, he
gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead.”
— Ephesians 2:5.
“You were dead because of your sins and because
your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God
made you alive with Christ.”
— Colossians 2:13.
“My old self has been crucified with Christ.
It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.”
— Galatians 2:20.
“Unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.”
— John 3:3.

46. “Unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.”
— John 3:3.

47. God's grace is not only for salvation
“How foolish can you be? After starting your new lives
in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect
by your own human effort?”
— Galatians 3:3.

48. Saved by grace but living by law?

49. Saved by grace but living by law?
“My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no
longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in
this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who
loved me and gave himself for me.”
— Galatians 2:20.

50. Saved by grace but living by law?
“My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no
longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in
this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who
loved me and gave himself for me.”
— Galatians 2:20.
“So now that you know God (or should I say, now that
God knows you), why do you want to go back again
and become slaves once more to the weak and
useless spiritual principles of this world? You are
trying to earn favour with God.”
— Galatians 4:9-10a.

51. Saved by grace but living by law?
“My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no
longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in
this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who
loved me and gave himself for me.”
— Galatians 2:20.
“So now that you know God (or should I say, now that
God knows you), why do you want to go back again
and become slaves once more to the weak and
useless spiritual principles of this world? You are
trying to earn favour with God.”
— Galatians 4:9-10a.
“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord,
continue to live your lives in him.”
— Colossians 2:6, NIV.

52. Saved by grace but living by law?
“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord,
continue to live your lives in him.”
— Colossians 2:6, NIV.

53. Saved by grace but living by law?
“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord,
continue to live your lives in him.”
— Colossians 2:6, NIV.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who
remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit.
For apart from me you can do nothing.”
— John 15:5.

54. Matthew 5–6: the Sermon on the Mount
Mike Taylor
Forest of Dean Community Church
Sunday 22 January 2017