1. The Sermon On The Mount (Matt. 5-7) …

3. Lesson 1 – General Introduction Overview  Memorable public addresses have often “defined” men in pursuit of a chosen cause  History is laden with “great speeches”  There can be no greater “cause” for men to pursue than the kingdom of heaven

4. The Sermon On The Mount (Matt. 5-7) Lesson 1 – General Introduction Overview  The kingdom of heaven –  The King Himself came to deliver its laws Mt 4:17 Jn 1:17  This “sermon” emphasizes the nature of His kingdom & the righteousness of its citizens

5. The Sermon On The Mount (Matt. 5-7) Lesson 1 – General Introduction Overview  The kingdom of heaven –  Sadly, it is misunderstood & malpracticed  Some reject it, saying it is not “do-able” or not even practical cp. 5:29, 38-42, 43-48

6. The Sermon On The Mount (Matt. 5-7) Lesson 1 – General Introduction Overview  The kingdom of heaven –  Sadly, it is misunderstood & malpracticed  Others abuse it by applying it only in settings of “social reform” rather than personal transformation cp. 5:9 7:1-5

7. The Sermon On The Mount (Matt. 5-7) Lesson 1 – General Introduction Overview  Every kingdom has a “charter” or some “defining documents”  This sermon can be viewed as the “charter to the heavenly kingdom”

8. The Sermon On The Mount (Matt. 5-7) Lesson 1 – General Introduction Overview  The “charter to the heavenly kingdom”  Citizen “description” 5:3-12, 13-16  True kingdom righteousness 5:20 6:1-18 (proper moral & spiritual behavior)  Faith & trust in God 6:25-34 7:7-11

9. The Sermon On The Mount (Matt. 5-7) Lesson 1 – General Introduction Overview  The “charter to the heavenly kingdom”  Treating others right 5:21-48 7:1-5, 12  The importance of obeying the King 7:21-23, 24-27

10. The Sermon On The Mount (Matt. 5-7) Lesson 1 – General Introduction Overview  It could easily be preached today  Times aren’t that different Eccl 1:9-10  Fleshly pursuits Titus 2:11-12 1 Pet 2:11  Inferior human wisdom 1 Cor 1:18-25  Men are to be “persuaded” 2 Cor 5:11, 20

11. The Sermon On The Mount (Matt. 5-7) Lesson 1 – General Introduction Setting  Hearing the phrase “Sermon On The Mount” usually makes us think about Matthew 5-7  However, we cannot forget Lk 6:12-49  Preached in Jesus’ 2nd year of public work [Year Of Popularity]

12. The Sermon On The Mount (Matt. 5-7) Lesson 1 – General Introduction Setting  The Chronology provided by Luke…  Jesus returns to Galilee following His being tempted by Satan Lk 4:14-15  First Nazareth rejection Lk 4:16-30  Heals many at Capernaum Lk 4:38-39

13. The Sermon On The Mount (Matt. 5-7) Lesson 1 – General Introduction Setting  The Chronology provided by Luke…  Jesus calls first disciples Lk 5:1-11, 27-32  Jesus selects 12 apostles Lk 6:12-19  Spoken in “Great Galilean Ministry”

14. The Sermon On The Mount (Matt. 5-7) Lesson 1 – General Introduction Setting  Spoken in “Great Galilean Ministry”  Most likely, delivered somewhere near Capernaum  Traditionally, on the Horns of Hattin (double hill W of Sea of Galilee)

15. The Sermon On The Mount (Matt. 5-7) Horns of Hattin

16. The Sermon On The Mount (Matt. 5-7)

19. Lesson 1 – General Introduction Outline  Any good sermon has a structured outline… its main points clearly seen & easy to follow  A “logical progression of thought”  This “sermon” is no different…Jesus is the greatest Preacher of all!!” 7:28-29

20. The Sermon On The Mount (Matt. 5-7) Lesson 1 – General Introduction Outline  Citizens In Heaven’s Kingdom 5:3-16  Righteousness Of Heaven’s Kingdom 5:17 – 7:11  Invitation To Heaven’s Kingdom 7:12-27  The Teacher Himself 7:28-29

21. The Sermon On The Mount (Matt. 5-7) Lesson 2 – Kingdom Citizens 5:3-12  Citizens of any kingdom must live in ways and be people that please the king  This sermon begins with a description of the “characteristics” Jesus desires in the citizens of the heavenly kingdom  They are known as “The Beatitudes”

22. The Sermon On The Mount (Matt. 5-7) Lesson 2 – Kingdom Citizens 5:3-12 The Beatitudes  “Usual” standards by which men measure happiness or blessedness are not even discussed by Jesus Jn 18:36  From a Latin word meaning “consummate bliss or happiness; blessedness”

23. The Sermon On The Mount (Matt. 5-7) Lesson 2 – Kingdom Citizens 5:3-12 The Beatitudes  Appropriately called this because they describe the “true” (spiritually) happy person  These “traits” are not…  …hereditary (hair, eye color; DNA)  …product of environment (language, accent)

24. The Sermon On The Mount (Matt. 5-7) Lesson 2 – Kingdom Citizens 5:3-12 The Beatitudes  These “traits” are entirely self-willed, chosen cp. Lk 14:26-33  A person “chooses” to be spiritually poor; mournful; hungry & thirsty for righteousness

25. The Sermon On The Mount (Matt. 5-7) Lesson 2 – Kingdom Citizens 5:3-12 The Beatitudes  Neither are these “traits” competing factors  Not describing 8 different citizens, each one blessed differently cp. 1 Cor 12:1, 4, 7-11  They describe the disciple of Christ  Each citizen possesses all these “traits”

26. The Sermon On The Mount (Matt. 5-7) Lesson 2 – Kingdom Citizens 5:3-12 The Beatitudes  The kingdom citizen is different in what he thinks, feels, values, admires, seeks  He is submissive, not self-righteous  He comes to God aware of his own failures… very much aware of his own emptiness

27. The Sermon On The Mount (Matt. 5-7) Lesson 2 – Kingdom Citizens 5:3-12 The Beatitudes  He is not “mighty,” obtaining what he wants or needs by force or deception  He is patient and kind…dependent upon God  He yields himself to (his wants & rights) to the needs of others

28. The Sermon On The Mount (Matt. 5-7) Lesson 2 – Kingdom Citizens 5:3-12 The Beatitudes  Most of them are about SELF (#’s 1-4, 6)  A couple of them are about how he views OTHERS (#’s 5, 7)  Only one is about how the WORLD views him (# 8)

29. The Sermon On The Mount (Matt. 5-7) Lesson 2 – Kingdom Citizens 5:3-12 The Beatitudes Ê The Poor In Spirit v. 3  To be “spiritually impoverished; bankrupt”  To be totally aware of one’s need for God  Poor men are desperately needy…they can only beg Lk 16:20-21

30. The Sermon On The Mount (Matt. 5-7) …