Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1-3)

Intro

(Most questions are derived from John Stott “The Beatitudes” or “Sermon on the Mount”)

What is it that we are looking for in life?

What places does the world around turn to in order to find these things?

If we as believers know the way we should be looking to find these things why don’t we always turn there?

Tonight we are going to start this study in the Sermon on the Mount and we will begin with the the Beatitudes. We call them the Beatitudes because that word is derived from it’s Latin root beatitudo but it simply means “blessed”. It isn’t hard to figure out why that is the word used to describe this scripture as it starts out each verse from 3-11. The Greek word is makários; A prose form of the poetic mákar (n.f.), blessed one. Blessed, possessing the favor of God, that state of being marked by fullness from God. It indicates the state of the believer in Christ.

As we look down through these Beatitudes we see a list of ideals that while admirable they can seem unattainable or impossible. A picture of a perfect person which of course they are and yet that doesn’t mean that we should just pass them off or ignore them. Instead we are to see them as ideals that we are to strive for, ideals we should be progressively moving towards, knowing full well that we will not be able to fully attain it but that we should be trying nonetheless.

So as we begin to look at this scripture let’s first see where it lies in the context of the rest of Matthew

Summarize Context

Matthew is the account of Christ told from the perspective of the Disciple Matthew or to give his Hebrew name Levi. Matthew was a tax collector and as such does not fit the mold that we would assume someone like Jesus would want surrounding His earthly ministry and yet as we look at the men that Jesus surrounded himself with Matthew not only fits but it makes perfect sense that Jesus would choose him. In Mark 2:14 we see the call of Matthew from his tax office and then in the next verse Jesus is sitting in Matthews home surrounded by Matthews friends (other tax collectors and sinners) eating and drinking. When the Scribes and Pharisees saw this they were appalled that Jesus would do such a thing but Jesus makes his point emphatically clear in verse 17. Mark 2:17 “When Jesus heard it, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.””

Jesus was not interested in the “right” kind of people to make Himself look good or to make His ministry seem relevant or to up His credentials, instead Jesus was only interested in bringing sinners to repentance. Matthew was a sinner in need of repentance. The book of Matthew along with Luke are the only two Gospels that record the birth of Jesus. He starts in Chapter 1 with the genealogy of Jesus from David through to Jesus along the lineage of Jesus and then moves into the account of Jesus’ birth. We don’t get a lot of detail here like we do in Luke. We know that Mary is betrothed to Joseph and that when she is found to be pregnant Joseph tries to put her out quietly from the marriage but is told by an angel not to do so because, Matthew 1:20 “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.” Jesus is born at the end of Chapter 1, the wise men visit at the beginning of Chapter 2 and then they flee into Egypt from the threat of Herod. The threat was very real because as Matthew 2:16-18 points out Herod has all children under the age of 2 years old put to death. At the end of Chapter 2 Jesus and His family return to Israel and settle in the region of Galilee in the town of Nazareth.

Chapter 3 is mostly about John the Baptist’s ministry from his preaching to his appearance and his calling by God as Matthew 3:3 “For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight.’ ”” As chapter 3 comes to a close we tie the two of them together as John baptizes Jesus and the Lord gives his blessing on Jesus, Matthew 3:17 “And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.””

So we have pretty much flown through the life of Jesus from birth to adulthood without giving much detail but it is here that we see Jesus’ ministry begin, and it begins in temptation. The first temptation of the bread in verses 1-4. The second temptation of safety from destruction in verses 5-7 and then the third temptation of pride and power in verses 8-11. Jesus then leaves Nazareth and makes his home in Capernaum and begins to preach, Matthew 4:17 “From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.””

This preaching continues and He calls Peter and Andrews to be His disciples, He then returns to Galilee and preaches there and all the while news of Him is spreading. He is both preaching and doing miracles at this time which is causing great multitudes to follow Him. That is our context of the Sermon on the Mount. He is at the beginning of his Ministry and the multitude is there to hear and experience what this new preacher has to say and to see if maybe they can be healed or catch a glimpse of his miracles.

Now with all that let’s read the Beatitudes so we can know the lessons that Jesus was trying to impart on the multitudes. Read Matthew 5:1-12

Poor in Spirit

Therefore as we begin chapter 5 we see Jesus who has been walking around preaching and doing miracles now has quite a large following. He walks to a mountain and it is here where we have some questions as to where Jesus is at. There are two locations that seem probable according to theologians. The first is the more traditional and aptly named Mount of Beatitudes which is just outside of the city of Capernaum and which only sits less than a mile from the sea of Galilee along the north west shore. The Mount of Beatitudes is little more than a hill but the second location some claim as the site of the Sermon is further south on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee and it is called the Horns of Hattin. This site is much more mountainesque. It really doesn’t matter much what the location looks like or where it exactly lies but what matter is what Jesus taught to the multitudes in that place. And this first Beatitude is one that begins to define Jesus’ ministry as being counter-cultural.

Matthew 5:3 ““Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

What are some good things about being poor?

Let me read this to you from the late Theologian John Stott. “Right at the beginning of his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus contradicted all human judgments and all nationalistic expectations of the kingdom of God. The kingdom is given to the poor, not the rich; the feeble, not the mighty; to little children humble enough to accept it, not to soldiers who boast that they can obtain it by their own prowess.“ Stott, John, et al. The Beatitudes: p. 11.

How does Jesus’ statement in verse 3 contradict our usual idea of blessedness?

What do you think it means to be “poor in spirit”?

John Piper summarizes well the poor in spirit:

“What then is poverty of spirit?

• It is a sense of powerlessness in ourselves.

• It is a sense of spiritual bankruptcy and helplessness before God.

• It is a sense of moral uncleanness before God.

• It is a sense of personal unworthiness before God.

• It is a sense that if there is to be any life or joy or usefulness, it will have to be all of God and all of grace.”

The reason I say it is a SENSE of powerlessness and SENSE of bankruptcy and a SENSE of uncleanness and a SENSE of unworthiness, is that, objectively speaking, everybody is poor in spirit. Everybody, whether they sense it or not, is powerless without God and bankrupt and helpless and unclean and unworthy before God. But not everybody is “blessed.” (Piper, “Poor in Spirit”)

With this definition in mind can you identify some circumstances or insights which have helped you realize that you were “poor in spirit?”

In what senses do we miss God’s kingdom if we do not acknowledge our spiritual poverty?

John Stott, “To be “poor in spirit” is to acknowledge our spiritual bankruptcy before God. For we are sinners, under the holy wrath of God, and deserving nothing but his judgment. We have nothing to offer, nothing to plead, nothing with which to buy the favor of heaven.

The “poor man” in the Old Testament is one who is both afflicted and unable to save himself, and who therefore looks to God for salvation, while recognizing that he has no claim upon God. This kind of spiritual” Stott, John, et al. The Beatitudes: p. 12-13

Let’s look at this concept of Rich vs Poor in the book of Revelations. Read Rev. 3:17-22.

How does this assessment of the Laodiceans contradict their own image of themselves (v. 17)?

It is apparent that the Laodiceans were materially wealthy (v. 17). What other kinds of “wealth” might they have assumed they had accumulated?

How does Jesus (who is talking to John) describe the Laodiceans in vs. 18? Poor, Naked, and Blind

What sort of spiritual “wealth” do churches today imagine they have accumulated?

What remedy did Christ offer the Laodiceans (vv. 18–20)?

Verse 20 is often quoted as an invitation for non-Christians to believe in Jesus. But the words were originally spoken to a church. How would Christ’s invitation apply to Christians?

What did Christ promise as a result of accepting his offer (vv. 21–22)?

How do Christ’s offer and promise still apply to Christians today?

Application

Sometimes we remain sharply aware of our own failings and dependence on the Lord. In what areas do you readily acknowledge your need of God?

Other times we are like the Laodiceans, oblivious to our own poverty. In what areas do you have trouble acknowledging your neediness?

Pray

To the Laodiceans Jesus said, “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent.” Let Jesus speak those words directly to you, and respond to his voice. Pray for a fresh awareness of your spiritual poverty and his generosity. Thank him for making you part of his kingdom.