Matthew 5:1-16: The Giving of the Law

Introduction: This morning we are beginning a mini-series on the Sermon on the Mount, found in the Gospel of Matthew chapters 5-7. This is a fascinating piece of literature in Matthew because it is the first major teaching of Jesus in this book, and it encapsulates all his essential teachings for the rest of the book. This is Jesus’ manifesto. In this sermon, Jesus takes virtually all the common knowledge and wisdom of the Israelites concerning the Torah, the Law of Moses, as well as their social interactions and flips all of that supposed wisdom on its head. Over the next five weeks we will be studying this sermon together and seeking to understand and implement what Jesus is teaching his followers. To that end, I encourage each of you to commit to reading and meditating on these three chapters, Matthew 5-7, multiple times a week over the next five weeks. As followers of Jesus we should be saturating our minds with his teachings and allowing them to move from our minds to the ways we go about our lives.

This morning we are starting at the beginning of Matthew 5 and will read through verse 16. As we read and study this passage, Now, as we read, be very aware of what Jesus is saying about those who truly are the followers of God. It seems to be extremely counter-intuitive and might be difficult to grasp in one morning, but we will work through it together this morning. If you still find yourself struggling at the end of our gathering, please pull me or one of the other church leaders aside and express your questions or concerns. We are here to help you.

Now, let us seek the feast the Lord has laid out for us by reading Matthew 5:1-16 together.

How to recognize those who follow Christ:

I. They Rely on God (3-6)

A. They are poor in spirit

B. They mourn

C. They are meek

II. They Live for God (7-9)

A. They hunger and thirst for righteousness

B. They are merciful

C. They are pure in heart

D. They are peacemakers

III. They are Persecuted (10-12)

A. For the sake of righteousness

B. They are reviled, persecuted, and slandered because of Christ

IV. They are Salt and Light (13-16)

A. They are the Salt of the Earth

1. Salt comes from the earth but is more than just a rock. It is naturally an enhancer.

2. However, if salt does not have flavor, it is basically just a rock.

B. They are the Light of the World

1. Light cannot be hidden

2. Light is not hidden

Closing: Brothers and sisters, I ask you this morning, do these characteristics define your life? Are you poor in spirit, not always looking to build your own name larger? Do you mourn over the sin and injustices in this world? Are you meek and humble, satisfied with the amount God has given you in life? Do you hunger and thirst for righteousness, hating your sinful rebellion against God? Are you merciful, even to those who deserve no mercy? Are you pure in heart, desiring what is good and right for all you meet? Are you a peacemaker? Have you been so devoted to righteousness that you have been persecuted? Are you hated and slandered because you have counted the cost and found Christ worthy of all you can give him? Are you salt, enhancing the lives of the people around you with the joy of the Gospel? Are you light, incapable of being hidden, bearing good news and good works to your neighbors and families? If you can answer yes to these questions Christian, no matter your situation in life, you are so very blessed because you one of those who follow Christ. You are glorifying Him through your attitude, desires, and actions.

But what about those who cannot answer yes to those questions? What about those who are prideful, uncaring about the needs of their fellow humans, uncaring about their sin that is destroying themselves as well as the sin that is making the whole earth groan? What about those who show no mercy, or those who plot to create disunity in the Bride of Christ? What about those who have never experienced persecution or hatred because no one has ever been impacted enough by Christ in them to feel the need in their sinful hearts to respond? What about those who appear to be salt, but have no ability to enhance the world around them because the flavor of Christ and his good news is not in them? What about those who claim to be beacons of light, yet bring no illumination to the dark world around them? To those I say this: tremble and repent.

Tremble because Christ is jealous for the glory he deserves, and you are robbing him of it and blaspheming his name through your false representation of him. Tremble because he will one day return and will take what is rightfully his and deal justice to all. But if you sit there trembling this morning seeking a way to make restitution for your treason, take heart and repent.

Repent because Christ is patient in holding back his wrath against your treason. Repent because Christ offers forgiveness freely for those who believe he is Lord and repent of their sins. Repent because the lost and dying world we are in needs followers of Jesus who will be his righteous representatives, working to restore his goodness to the world! Repent because Jesus is good and true and worth everything.

May we all recognize and love the truly upside-down nature of the Kingdom of God and seek to bring it to our neighbors and live in it for all eternity. Let’s pray.