1. Christ’s Moral preaching
Article 20

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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)

5. 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

6. 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?

7. Matthew 5: 1-12
The Beatitudes

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

9. Matthew 5: 17-20
Teaching about the Law

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

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

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

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

14. 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

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

16. 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.