The King's Sermon

The Setting of the Sermon

Have you ever noticed how much we go crazy for all things ‘Happily Ever After’?

It’s amazing how many stories and movies and books have kings, queens, princes, princesses, knights, swords, and castles...

I mean, think about it… We live in a democratic republic in the USA. Shouldn’t our fairy tales all be about systems of checks and balances where in order to live happily ever after your bill of happiness must first be ratified in the House and Senate before avoiding a veto on the desk of a man who probably won’t be sitting at that same desk 4 years later?

Seriously though… We looooove kingdom stories. Why?

From Arendelle and Agrabah to Prince Eric’s Castle to Alice in Wonderland, Disney alone has some 50+ kingdoms of their own!

Why do we long for kingdom enchantment? We were made for it. We will one day live, not in a democracy, but in a Kingdom ruled by Christ Himself. This is written, not only in the pages of Scripture, but on our hearts!

According to Romans, we even know deep down how to behave in Christ’s Kingdom. It’s written on our hearts.

Illustration: Like Billy Sunday of yesteryear assuming playing cards were always wicked and should not have any place in the life of a Christian, we too can make assumptions regarding the conduct and choices that should mark out a Christian as separate from the world.

Jesus repaints the picture. Better yet, Jesus is the original artist of the picture. It is up to us to make sure that our conception of the Christian life matches this one painted over 2,000 years ago on a Galilean hillside.

It’s to that painting, that portrait, we turn now...

Matthew 5 KJV

1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: 2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, 3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. 10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. 13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. 14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. 17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. 21 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: 22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. 23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. 25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. 26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing. 27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. 29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. 30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. 31 It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: 32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery. 33 Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: 34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne: 35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. 36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. 37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil. 38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. 41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. 42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. 43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? 48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Matthew 5

Illustration: Like Billy Sunday of yesteryear assuming playing cards were always wicked and should not have any place in the life of a Christian, we too can make assumptions regarding the conduct and choices that should mark out a Christian as separate from the world.

Jesus repaints the picture. Better yet, Jesus is the original artist of the picture. It is up to us to make sure that our conception of the Christian life matches this one painted over 2,000 years ago on a Galilean hillside.

It’s to that painting, that portrait, we turn now...

First, we cannot look at this passage on it’s own. Oh no!

If you read this passage without understanding the rest of the gospel of Matthew, you will likely walk away with a list of rules that you cannot in any earthly way possibly keep.

Seriously, you have not chance of obeying what Jesus

So what does all this mean, and why is it written?

We have to read it in context. And since we don’t have the 2.5 hours it would require to read the entire 28 chapters of Matthew, allow me to give you a quick summary of the beginning and the ending...

Literary & Historical Context

We must remember the context of the sermon in the Gospel of Matthew

Matthew begins by calling attention to the sins of God’s people ()

Matthew ends by calling attention to the death of God’s Messiah

Last 8 chapters are all consumed with the last week of Jesus’ life before the crucifixion

In other words, Matthew doesn’t end his Gospel after this sermon as if the main points were:

This is what Jesus taught.

This is how Jesus showed us what it means to be a disciple. This is what it looks like.

This is what it looks like

This is how you ought to behave and think.

These are the attitudes you are to have, now go and do it!

We must remember the context of the sermon in the history of redemption

How does it fit with the story of the OT

A central theme of Jesus’ sermon is this one word: fulfillment

King James Version Chapter 5

Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. (5:17)

Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

verse 18 – Not one little iota or dot will pass from God’s law until everything is fulfilled

The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., ). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

Jesus doesn’t contradict the Old Testament – He fulfills it

God’s grace is not anti-God’s-law – it fulfills it!

Romans – Paul said, I wouldn’t know lust except the law said Thou shalt not covet

I wouldn’t know salvation unless the law stuck it’s pointy finger in my face proving YOU HAVE SINNED! SINNER!

Without the law, we would not know God’s grace.

Think about it– If you think you’ve never sinned against anything, why would you need forgiveness and mercy?

Without God’s grace, we are dead in our trespasses and sins

Over and over again phrases like:

f

Over and over again phrases like:

- Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying

The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., ). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

Matthew is very concerned with showing the seamless continuity between his Gospel and the Old Testament

Matthew is very concerned with showing the seamless continuity between his Gospel and the Old Testament

Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah

New and better Moses

Like Moses escaping massacre as a baby in the basket on the Nile River – Baby Jesus was providentially delivered from a massacre of children in Bethlehem –

Then the phrase used in – “he went up into a mountain” is the very same wording used in the Septuagint (the Greek OT) to describe Moses going up the mountain to receive the law

Matthew 5:1

Matthew’s Jewish audience would have understood this clearly

Just as Moses delivered the law from the mountain, Jesus fulfills the law from the mountain

In the same way that Moses spoke with authority, the end of says that Jesus spoke with authority

Even the very structure of Matthew’s gospel points to Moses and the law

Moses authored 5 books: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy

Matthew gives us 5 different blocks teaching from Jesus

Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; 2 Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house. 3 For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house. 4 For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God. 5 And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after; 6 But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.

2 Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house.

3 For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house.

4 For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God.

Moses himself said, “The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;” ()

5 And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after;

6 But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.

The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., ). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., ). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

One man summed it up: Like Moses, the Great Redeemer has cried out, “Let My people go.” He's removed their shackles. He's killed their harsh taskmaster. He’s buried his body in the sand. He's crushed the power of the dark Pharaoh with one plague after another, and He's led His people to freedom across the parted sea."

His is the long-awaited kingdom

The Subject of the Sermon

Matthew 5:17–20 KJV

17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

The demand of Jesus

Jesus demands a righteousness exceeding that of the scribes and Pharisees

Not more righteous deeds by human effort

Quantity

But more righteous hearts by divine grace

In other words, the righteousness Jesus speaks of is greater in quality, not quantity.

It’s about kind vs. amount

Not an outer righteousness to show everyone how good we are/look

It’s an inner righteousness that showcases the amazing grace and power of God

The first begins outward (actions, standards, etc) and goes no deeper

Eventually dies out

I.e. Christians who “wipe out”

The second begins inward and ALWAYS works itself outward

There should be evidence of this exceeding righteousness

This greater righteousness should be made obvious in our...

Attitudes (5:21-48)

Desires (6:1-18)

Ambitions (6:19-34)

Relationships (7:1-6)

The Seriousness of the Sermon

Like any good preacher, Jesus puts us on the spot

He wants us to respond. He forces a response.

There is no way around this; either you walk in His way or walk away.

No inbetween

At the end of His sermon, Jesus impresses on us the seriousness of

King James Version Chapter 7

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Matthew 7:13–27 KJV

13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. 15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

Matthew 7:13–14 KJV

13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

The options are limited (7:13-14)

You’re either on the way that leads to life

In Christ

You’re of your heavenly father

Narrow way = one way; Jesus

Or you’re on the way that leads to destruction

In Adam

You’re of your father the devil

Broad way = any way but Jesus

The fruit is evident (7:15-23)

One tree bears good fruit, the other bad fruit

You’re either producing the fruits of the Spirit

– 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, klongsuffering, kgentleness, goodness, faith,

Or you’re producing the works of the flesh

23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, tfornication, tuncleanness, vlasciviousness,

The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., ). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, avariance, aemulations, wrath, bstrife, seditions, heresies,

20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, avariance, aemulations, wrath, bstrife, seditions, heresies,

21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., ). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., ). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

The consequences are eternal (7:24-27)

Your life is not a game. It’s real

In these verses, Jesus says that when the storm hits, one house stands firm and the other self-destructs, crumbling in on top of itself

Listen to Jesus – he’s not speaking of what we may call the “storms of life” (i.e. sickness, relationship issues, financial problems, parents divorcing, etc.)

Jesus is speaking of the real, final, and utterly devastating final judgment of the one, true Almighty, Sovereign Lord of the Universe – God.

Maybe tonight? Maybe 10,000 years from now. When is not the issue… It will happen.

Jesus is saying that it doesn’t matter how you’ve propped up your house, or how you’ve fixed it up to impress others, or what your friends think of the new paint you’ve clothed it in… Unless your house is built BY HIM and ON HIM, it will fall. And its fall will be stunning.

Have you ever seen a house crumble underneath a mudslide? You know someone has lost everything. You know that the place where that family made so many memories will never be revisited… You know that if anyone was inside when it fell, at best they are seriously injured – most likely dead.

But you watch. Like a bad accident, there’s something about it that you just can’t turn away.

In response to Jesus’ teaching, do you see an exceeding righteousness in your life?

Do you have a new heart? If not, his judgment now looms over your head.

But there’s good news. It is the gospel. You can withstand this storm – this judgment of God – because there is One who was judged for you.

There is one who withstood the storm on Calvary already for you.

Christ has already been judged by God for your sin. Please, I beg of you...

Place yourself completely… totally… in Him…

Don’t rest in yourself.

Rest wholly in the King and live, thriving in His kingdom spiritually while you wander on this side of it physically.

This is the gospel.

Reflect and Discuss

How is the Sermon on the Mount different from a simple code of ethics?

How does the larger context of Matthew, including Jesus' death and resurrection, affect your understanding of the Sermon on the Mount?

How does the larger context of Matthew, including Jesus' death and resurrection, affect your understanding of the Sermon on the Mount?

Explain what Jesus means when He says our righteousness must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees.

How would you respond to an unbeliever who asks, "How can I live out the kind of righteousness Jesus is talking about in this sermon?"

How should the career ambitions of a kingdom citizen differ from those of an unbeliever?

As a believer, does the Sermon on the Mount ever sound too daunting? How should the work of the Spirit and the truths of the gospel shape your thinking?

How does the close of this sermon speak to the uniqueness of Jesus?

We cannot see anyone's heart, but are there indications that someone is or is not a citizen of Christ's kingdom?

Is the Sermon on the Mount meant to be obeyed now, or is it a set of ideals only to be achieved in eternity? Explain your answer.

In what areas of your life are you failing to manifest a righteousness that differs from the world?