To Have, to Do, to Be as Christians

Introduction: Last week, I began a “basic” study of The Sermon on the Mount. This sermon from Jesus has been grossly misunderstood, people today want to make it what they believe but it basically deals with three types of people which all are probably present here this morning. It describes most every man or woman that lives and explains so much to us in our lives today in the process.

I. To Have—those who amass this world’s goods.

We all know people who really want everything and I mean everything don’t we? If they see it, they want it, some will try to acquire it, some will stand off in the distance and admire it and others will do whatever it takes to get it.

A. The Beatitudes, Deals with the world’s view of success and contentment. “that old saying, wants and needs.” We have observed this behavior haven’t we? I myself went through a time in my life that I wanted things, alot of things, shiny, loud, fast, colorful......HD you see.

B. This desire to have things creeps into the our hearts doesn't it? This past few weeks, Christmas time, any shoppers here this morning out looking for a gift, that special gift and see something you just had to have? Of course you did. Me too!

Does this desire ever raise it’s ugly head in church? The desire for stuff, for power, for attention. Sure it does. Our sinful desires do not always focus on material things do they? Scripture tells us not to boast, BUT IT FEELS SO GOOD TO HINT TO OTHERS WHAT WE HAVE DONE DOSEN’T IT? “It was my idea, I had thought of that last year, I reached out to them earlier. Success in God’s eyes I imagine cause Him to smile, that’s what we are told is the important result. Doing the work for God’s Glory.

How many “Peace Be With you’s” did you pass out last week? God knows, isn’t it great to get back a “and also with you?” Of course it is. Learning to be humble, loving, kind, to pay attention to someone with no-one. God’s way.

C. One thing about material stuff, if the thanks is not given to God, this “feeling” this want of ownership usually fails miserably doesn't it? Stuff brings cockyness, prideful, arrogance, “that better than you” attitude. That is not of God, I know what it’s like and I don’t like it. AMEN!

1. This stuff that I am mentioning this morning, usually Does not cover spiritual need..

We ask God for stuff, well in the most loving way, God knows, we even try to explain why we need or want this stuff don’t we? Then we focus on thinking, praying, asking again for this stuff. Where is our heart in this request? Is this God’s will? Is this coming to your heart through the Holy Spirit? So or are we feeling so good about this request from God? If not, it will not be satisfying at all, well, maybe at first, OHHHHHH THATS SO PRETTY!’ THEN THAT DESIRE, THAT WANT, THAT FEELING OF NEED IS GONE.

2. These desires usually do not meet Does Scripture’s test do they?

We read in the book of:

Psalm 37:4–5 “4 Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. 5 Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you.”

The very first words in this passage tells us how to act, TAKE DELIGHT IN THE LORD, and what to do and “He will help you,”

Matthew 6:18–19 “18 Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. 19 “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal.”

Matthew 6:24–25 24 “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money. 25 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing?

Matthew 6:32–33 “32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”

3 Selfish wealth Does not satisfy the soul’s emptiness.

II. To Do—those who practice good works

A. Deals with the world’s view of religion

B. This is the most common assumption

1. A misunderstanding of the Sermon on the Mount

2. It is a way to earn salvation by doing good

C. Does not cover man’s spiritual need

III. To Be—those who are what they should be

A. This is the stress of the Sermon on the Mount

1. Note where it begins: with internal character (5:1–12)

2. Points out that you have to be before you can do or have

B. This is the heart-core of Christianity

1. The stress is on works done from an inner change that has made them possible

2. 2 Corinthians 5:17 is absolutely critical

2 Corinthians 5:15–17 “15 He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them. 16 So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now! 17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”

C. This view succeeds

1. It explains having: it is not wrong to have; but having must be conditioned by being

2. It explains doing: it is not wrong to do; but doing must be energized by being.

Conclusion: Every person present is in one of these groups. In which group are you? Only the last understands the Sermon on the Mount and properly interprets Christianity.

Charles R. Wood, Sermon Outlines on the Sermon on the Mount (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 1985), 11–12.