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

3. Kingdom Righteousness 5:17 – 7:12 Re: God’s Expectations For Us 6:19-34  Anxious worry vs. Trusting God vv. 25-34  Jesus illustrates the folly of worrying about basic needs vv. 26-30  God takes care of the birds & flowers  Are we not more valuable than these?

4. The Sermon On The Mount (Matt. 5-7) Kingdom Righteousness 5:17 – 7:12 Re: God’s Expectations For Us 6:19-34  Anxious worry vs. Trusting God vv. 25-34  “Gentiles” (those not in the kingdom) do not live the way Jesus instructs vv. 32a, 19-24  They “eagerly seek” things of this life… indicates where they have placed their heart

5. The Sermon On The Mount (Matt. 5-7) Kingdom Righteousness 5:17 – 7:12 Re: God’s Expectations For Us 6:19-34  Anxious worry vs. Trusting God vv. 25-34  No need for kingdom citizens to do this…God already knows our needs v. 32b  If we worry (anxious) over such things, we are no different than the unbelievers

6. The Sermon On The Mount (Matt. 5-7) Kingdom Righteousness 5:17 – 7:12 Re: God’s Expectations For Us 6:19-34  Anxious worry vs. Trusting God vv. 25-34  The Exhortation v. 33  Not just seek the kingdom…“seek FIRST the kingdom & its righteousness” 5:20 – 6:18  Things we need will be supplied

7. The Sermon On The Mount (Matt. 5-7) Kingdom Righteousness 5:17 – 7:12 Re: God’s Expectations For Us 6:19-34  Anxious worry vs. Trusting God vv. 25-34  The object of worry = the future  Jesus cautions…“Tomorrow will care for itself” v. 34  Tomorrow may not even come Jas 4:13-15

8. The Sermon On The Mount (Matt. 5-7) Kingdom Righteousness 5:17 – 7:12 Re: God’s Expectations For Us 6:19-34  Anxious worry vs. Trusting God vv. 25-34  We must give God the only day we have… TODAY  Spend this day “seeking” this kingdom and practicing true kingdom righteousness

9. The Sermon On The Mount (Matt. 5-7) Kingdom Righteousness 5:17 – 7:12 As Compared To Hypocrisy 7:1-5  An often misunderstood verse…“Judge not, that you be not judged” v. 1  Many interpret this to forbid all judgments  Cannot be correct…consider 7:15-16  How could we determine a “false” prophet?

10. The Sermon On The Mount (Matt. 5-7) Kingdom Righteousness 5:17 – 7:12 As Compared To Hypocrisy 7:1-5  Jesus forbids hypocritical judgment v. 5  We are warned about the “standard” used in judging others…what we choose for others will be used against us v. 2

11. The Sermon On The Mount (Matt. 5-7) Kingdom Righteousness 5:17 – 7:12 As Compared To Hypocrisy 7:1-5  We should take care of self first before trying to judge others vv. 3-5  Remove the 2X4 out of your own eye before trying to remove the splinter out of another’s eye

12. The Sermon On The Mount (Matt. 5-7) Kingdom Righteousness 5:17 – 7:12 As Compared To Hypocrisy 7:1-5  We should be mindful of our own sins and temptations when helping others Gal 6:2  David illustrates our “tendency” to be so aware of others’ guilt while being blind to our own sins 2 Sam 11:2 – 12:6

13. The Sermon On The Mount (Matt. 5-7) Kingdom Righteousness 5:17 – 7:12 Re: Sharing & Seeking The Kingdom 7:6-12  The kingdom cannot be “forced” onto any who do not desire it  If they despise or do not appreciate truth, we must recognize them for what they are… “dogs” and “swine” v. 6

14. The Sermon On The Mount (Matt. 5-7) Kingdom Righteousness 5:17 – 7:12 Re: Sharing & Seeking The Kingdom 7:6-12  Such “undiscerning” individuals are content with vile things of the world…they reject the holy things of God cp. 2 Pet 2:22

15. The Sermon On The Mount (Matt. 5-7) Kingdom Righteousness 5:17 – 7:12 Re: Sharing & Seeking The Kingdom 7:6-12  Remember our work 5:13-16  If people will not respond to “salt” & “light,” we have to accept their “unreceptiveness” and move to others more willing to listen cp. Mt 10:14 Acts 13:46 18:6

16. The Sermon On The Mount (Matt. 5-7) Kingdom Righteousness 5:17 – 7:12 Re: Sharing & Seeking The Kingdom 7:6-12  Re: seeking the kingdom for ourselves…  We must “ask”…“seek”…“knock” v. 7  Verbs = present active (Keep on asking… Keep on seeking…Keep on knocking)  It is something we always do

17. The Sermon On The Mount (Matt. 5-7) Kingdom Righteousness 5:17 – 7:12 Re: Sharing & Seeking The Kingdom 7:6-12  Those who “seek first the kingdom”… 6:33 they will be rewarded v. 8  Jesus reassures us of the truthfulness of His words by reminding us God is better than any earthly father vv. 9-11

18. The Sermon On The Mount (Matt. 5-7) Kingdom Righteousness 5:17 – 7:12 Re: Sharing & Seeking The Kingdom 7:6-12  Do not misunderstand this “reassurance”  There is a caveat re: this “asking”  It is not “Aladdin’s Lamp” or a “blank check”  Our asking must be “in faith” Jas 1:5-8

19. The Sermon On The Mount (Matt. 5-7) Kingdom Righteousness 5:17 – 7:12 Re: Sharing & Seeking The Kingdom 7:6-12  Our asking must be according to the will of God 1 Jn 5:14-15  Many times, a child will ask something of a parent that is denied because it would not be in the child’s best interest to be given

20. The Sermon On The Mount (Matt. 5-7) Kingdom Righteousness 5:17 – 7:12 Re: Sharing & Seeking The Kingdom 7:6-12  This is the “wants” vs. “needs” argument  To illustrate, consider Paul’s request in 2 Cor 12:7-10  We need to learn appreciation for the Divine answer “NO” when it is necessary

21. The Sermon On The Mount (Matt. 5-7) Kingdom Righteousness 5:17 – 7:12 Re: Sharing & Seeking The Kingdom 7:6-12  Jesus concludes the main body of His sermon by addressing how we are to treat others v. 12  We’ve come to call it “The Golden Rule”

22. The Sermon On The Mount (Matt. 5-7) Kingdom Righteousness 5:17 – 7:12 Re: Sharing & Seeking The Kingdom 7:6-12  God’s unselfish love & concern in caring for us (vv. 9-11) should motivate us in how we treat others  Sadly, there may not be a more least practiced verse than this one

23. The Sermon On The Mount (Matt. 5-7) Kingdom Righteousness 5:17 – 7:12 Re: Sharing & Seeking The Kingdom 7:6-12  Usually, selfishness gets in the way  How many personal relationships would be improved if this “rule” were practiced?  How many problems in local churches would be solved if this “rule” were practiced?

24. The Sermon On The Mount (Matt. 5-7) Kingdom Righteousness 5:17 – 7:12 Re: Sharing & Seeking The Kingdom 7:6-12  This “rule” is the Law & the Prophets  It summarizes and fulfills what is found in the 1st covenant Lev 19:18 Mt 22:36-40 Rom 13:9-10

25. The Sermon On The Mount (Matt. 5-7) The Kingdom’s Invitation 7:13-27  Jesus has concluded His preaching 7:12  He outlined what is expected of citizens in heaven’s kingdom (character & work) 5:3-16  He explained “true kingdom righteousness” and contrasted it with the Jews’ shallow self-righteousness 5:17 – 6:18 7:1-5

26. The Sermon On The Mount (Matt. 5-7) The Kingdom’s Invitation 7:13-27  Jesus has concluded His preaching 7:12  He taught about anxious worry and trusting God… where “the Gentiles” fail 6:19-34  He exhorted “Asking…Seeking…Knocking” and treating others as you would want to be treated 7:6-12

27. The Sermon On The Mount (Matt. 5-7) The Kingdom’s Invitation 7:13-27  All that remains is an “Invitation”  A good gospel sermon should have one  Truth can be powerfully presented  But at last the preacher (even God) cannot compel men to respond…all he can do is invite men to comply

28. The Sermon On The Mount (Matt. 5-7) The Kingdom’s Invitation 7:13-27  Jesus’ “invitation” contrasts man’s 2 options for eternity in 4 different ways  He urges His hearers to consider not only the choice, but the consequences of that choice  Roads that lead to life or death  Fruit that is either good or bad

29. The Sermon On The Mount (Matt. 5-7) The Kingdom’s Invitation 7:13-27  Jesus’ “invitation” contrasts man’s 2 options for eternity in 4 different ways  He urges His hearers to consider not only the choice, but the consequences of that choice  Respect or disregard for Divine authority  Houses that stand or fall in certain storms

30. The Sermon On The Mount (Matt. 5-7) The Kingdom’s Invitation 7:13-27 The 2 Roads 7:13-14  The first words = an “appeal” v. 13a  The “narrow” (strait) gate is to be chosen  That which is small, restrictive; compressed  Agony is involved Lk 13:24 cp. Jude 3  Jesus recommends an “uninviting” way

31. The Sermon On The Mount (Matt. 5-7) The Kingdom’s Invitation 7:13-27 The 2 Roads 7:13-14  The first way described v. 13b  It is “broad” with a “wide” gate  The opposite of the way He recommended  It is “appealing” because it is easier to travel, less restrictive; one will have lots of company

32. The Sermon On The Mount (Matt. 5-7) The Kingdom’s Invitation 7:13-27 The 2 Roads 7:13-14  The first way described v. 13b  Generally speaking, man has historically displayed an inclination to do whatever is the easiest  He chooses the “path of least resistance”

33. The Sermon On The Mount (Matt. 5-7) The Kingdom’s Invitation 7:13-27 The 2 Roads 7:13-14  The first way described v. 13b  This “easier path” will not end well…it ends with certain death, “destruction”  Any joy while traveling it is only “fleeting” and destructive Heb 11:24-26 1 Pet 2:11

34. The Sermon On The Mount (Matt. 5-7) The Kingdom’s Invitation 7:13-27 The 2 Roads 7:13-14  The second way described v. 14  It is “narrow” with a “small” gate  It can be “discouraging” because it is harder to travel, more restrictive & demanding; one will not have much company (maybe none)

35. The Sermon On The Mount (Matt. 5-7) The Kingdom’s Invitation 7:13-27 The 2 Roads 7:13-14  The second way described v. 14  Those who dare to choose the “harder path” will be glad they did…it ends in “life”  To travel this way requires the “pure heart” and “single eye” 5:8 6:19-24

36. The Sermon On The Mount (Matt. 5-7) The Kingdom’s Invitation 7:13-27 The 2 Roads 7:13-14  The second way described v. 14  Jesus will later repeat His characterizations of the “many” and the “few” in some of His parables Mt 20:16 22:14

37. The Sermon On The Mount (Matt. 5-7) The Wide Gate…The Broad Way  Easy; unrestricted…room for every opinion  Man does what comes “naturally”  Superficial hypocrisy is the “norm”  You’ll have lots of company…you’ll end up dead The Strait Gate…The Narrow Way  Difficult; restricted  Boundaries marked by the revealed will of God  You’ll have few companions…you’ll end up alive

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