2. Sermon on the Mount Matthew 5-7
Today we continue studying the greatest
sermon by the greatest preacher!
Matthew 5-7
Sermon
on the
Mount

3. Kingdom Righteousness
Introduction
Kingdom Righteousness
Matt. 5:20: For I say to you, that unless your righteous-ness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.
In vv Jesus gives 6 concrete examples of the superior righteousness required in His kingdom.
Jesus helps those with good and honest hearts (i.e., Matt. 5:3-6) to see themselves as God sees them.
Jesus gets to the “heart” of true righteousness for that is where it begins…the heart! Matt. 15:17-20
The Sermon on the Mount

4. Six Concrete Contrasts…
Introduction
Six Concrete Contrasts…
Murder begins in the heart (vv )
Adultery begins in the heart (vv )
Jesus’ teaching on MDR (vv )
Jesus’ teaching on swearing (taking of oaths) (vv )
Jesus’ teaching on personal retaliation (vv )
Jesus’ teaching on loving our enemies (vv )
The Sermon on the Mount

5. before it’s manifested
As we continue on this morning let us remember:
Sin originates in
the heart, long
before it’s manifested
by overt action!!
Righteousness
of the
Kingdom
Matthew 6:1-18

6. Matthew 6:1-4 Very real threat! Must be on guard for this sin!
6. Benevolence
Matthew 6:1-4
Law of Moses put emphasis on generosity toward the needy: Deut. 15:7-11; Prov. 29:7; Psa. 41:1-2
Jesus issues a stern warning in verse 1. Why?
Very real threat!
Must be on guard for this sin!
Far more grievous and prevalent than thought!
There is as much need for “alms” today as was true in the times of Jesus.
The Sermon on the Mount

7. Matthew 6:1-4 Patting one another on the back.
6. Benevolence
Matthew 6:1-4
Many today mimic the self-righteousness of the Pharisees in regards to benevolence:
Patting one another on the back.
The giving of philanthropic awards and honors.
Name dropping.
Seeking the accolades of men is dangerous! Acts 5:1-11
The Sermon on the Mount

8. Matthew 6:1-4 Self-righteousness loves to show off!
6. Benevolence
Matthew 6:1-4
Self-righteousness loves to show off!
Self-righteousness’ motive is the praise of men; and that’s all they will get! Matt. 6:2
Metaphor used for drawing attention: “sound a trumpet before you.”
We need to let God “toot our horn” : Matt. 6:3-4
Think! How petty and shallow it is to choose the applause of men rather than the applause of God: Acts 11:29-30; Heb. 6:10
The Sermon on the Mount

9. Matthew 6:1-4 Who love to be noticed & commended by men.
6. Benevolence
Matthew 6:1-4
Matthew’s gospel identifies hypocrites as those:
Who love to be noticed & commended by men.
Who do good works for self-glorification.
Who operate on a double-standard.
Who break God’s Word in God’s name.
Who mask wickedness as sincerity.
Jesus said hypocrites “have” their reward: when they receive the praise of men they have been “paid in full.”
The Sermon on the Mount

10. Matthew 6:1-4 The hypocrite is the most important thing in his life.
6. Benevolence
Matthew 6:1-4
Why is hypocrisy so vehemently condemned in Scripture?
The hypocrite is the most important thing in his life.
In essence, he makes himself a god.
No wonder Jesus saves His most scathing denunciations for hypocrites: Ex. 20:3; Matt. 23
The Sermon on the Mount

11. We must quietly perform our charitable deeds.
6. Benevolence
Matthew 6:1-4
“let not your left hand know what your right hand is doing.”
We must quietly perform our charitable deeds.
Romans 2:7
We must be patient!
Psalm 27:14
1 Corinthians 4:5
Our benevolence is for “God’s eyes only”!
Consider the sheep of Matthew 25:31ff.
We seek neither the praise of others or of ourselves!
“secret” is a relative term that is aimed at the motive of our heart: Mk. 12:42-44; Lk. 21:2-4; Rom. 15:26; 1 Cor. 11:9
The Sermon on the Mount

12. Matthew 6:1-4 “alms” comes from same word as righteousness.
6. Benevolence
Matthew 6:1-4
Helping the needy is an act of righteousness and kindness.
“alms” comes from same word as righteousness.
Right: God desire our generosity because it is the right thing to do! 1 Jn. 3:17
Acquittal: Generosity makes us acceptable in His sight: Matt. 25:40
What will the Lord say about your benevolence on that Great Day? Matt. 25:31-46
The Sermon on the Mount

13. Matthew 6:5-15 7. Prayer Affirms prayer is a learned behavior.
“The disciples asked Jesus, ‘Teach us to pray.’”
Affirms prayer is a learned behavior.
Not acquired haphazardly, requires practice and diligence.
Prayer can be hazardous to our spiritual life if done improperly.
Think of how evil it is to pray to be seen of men!
The Sermon on the Mount

14. 7. Prayer
Matthew 6:5-15
Jesus’ response did not include posture, place, time or attire.
Jesus focuses on the heart and what to include in our prayers.
No greater privilege than prayer: Think “Starbreather”!
No activity is more critical to our spiritual welfare than proper and diligent prayer.
In prayer we come face to face with God!
The Sermon on the Mount

15. Matthew 6:5-15 7. Prayer No hypocritical prayer: Matt. 6:5-6
No wonder the same principles governing alms govern prayer.
No hypocritical prayer: Matt. 6:5-6
No paganistic prayer: Matt. 6:7-8
Model prayer: Matt. 6:9-15
We don’t need a literal closet, but it does require unvarnished sincerity and a sharp focus.
The Sermon on the Mount

16. Matthew 6:5-15 7. Prayer Repetition “ok,” vain repetition “NO!”
“A cousin to hypocritical prayer is pagan prayer.” (Chumbley, p. 118)
Repetition “ok,” vain repetition “NO!”
“pray without ceasing,” but a prayer’s length does not determine its effectiveness: 1 Thess. 5:17
Essential is quality of heart, not quantity of words: Matt. 15:18; 23:14
Vain repetition: view prayer like a rabbit’s foot, a magical charm.
The Sermon on the Mount

17. 7. Prayer
Matthew 6:5-15
Much speaking in prayer is not necessary: Matt. 6:8
God knows what we need, but still wants us to ask (think ‘parent’).
Jesus has shown us how not to pray, now He turns and tells us how to pray: Matt. 6:9-15
The Sermon on the Mount

18. Matthew 6:9-15 7. Prayer v. 9: “In this manner, therefore, pray…”
Ironically many do to Jesus’ model prayer exactly what He forbade: vain repetition!
v. 9: “In this manner, therefore, pray…”
Unequivocally a model prayer, not something to be blindly recited from rote memory.
Such a view of prayer is wrong! Prayer is not a ‘good luck charm’ or a ‘rabbit’s foot’!
The Sermon on the Mount

19. Matthew 6:9-15 7. Prayer v. 9a: “Our Father in heaven…”: Heb. 4:16
Jesus prayer contains two sections: 1) the things of God, and 2) the needs of man.
Things of God: vv. 9-10
v. 9a: “Our Father in heaven…”: Heb. 4:16
v. 9b: “Hallowed be Your name…”: Psa. 145:1-3
v. 10: “Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”: Lk. 17:20-21; 2 Tim. 4:18
The Sermon on the Mount

20. 7. Prayer
Matthew 6:9-15
Jesus prayer contains two sections: 1) the things of God, and 2) the needs of man.
Needs of man: vv
v. 11: “Give us this day our daily bread.”: Rom. 1:20-21; Jas. 1:17
v. 12: “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive others”: Matt. 18:22-35; Matt. 6:14-15
v. 13: “And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”: 1 Cor. 10:13; Jas. 1:13-14; Gen. 4:6-7
The Sermon on the Mount

21. 7. Prayer
Matthew 6:9-15
“To God belongs the kingdom—He alone is the sovereign Ruler; to Him belongs the power—He alone has the strength to provide for man’s needs; and to Him belongs the glory—forever.”
Chumbley, p. 123
Doxology: words of praise to God:
v. 13: “For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.”: Rom. 1:20-21; Jas. 1:17
The Sermon on the Mount

22. Matthew 6:9-15 Summary on prayer: Sincerity in prayer: Matt. 6:5
Solitude in prayer: Matt. 6:6
Simplicity in prayer: Matt. 6:7
Security in prayer: Matt. 6:8
The Sermon on the Mount

23. Matthew 6:16-18 8. Fasting Jesus teaches on fasting:
Abstain from food; sacrifice the physical to focus on the spiritual.
For example, Day of Atonement: Lev. 16:29-31
Hypocrites use fasting , like alms giving and prayer, as a method of self-promotion: Matt. 6:16
Jesus assumes His followers will fast, but gives no instructions on frequency, length, occasion or method. His concern is motive!
The Sermon on the Mount

24. The world hates hypocrites!
Conclusion
Lord willing, next time we’ll continue our study on the Sermon on the Mount.
Christ’s teaching here is the greatest and clearest challenge to religious hypocrisy ever given.
The world hates hypocrites!
Millions upon millions reject the truth because of hypocritical Christians.
Are you part of the problem, or part of the solution?!
The Sermon on the Mount