04 19 20 The Beatitudes
Notes
Transcript
THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
1. In Matthew 5-7, we have recorded the most famous sermon that has ever been preached...
a. Commonly referred to as The Sermon On The Mount
b. It has touched more hearts, and in turn has sparked more sermons than any other
2. But what is Jesus talking about in this sermon?
a. What is the theme?
b. What is the content of this sermon?
3. As we begin this series of lessons on The Sermon On The Mount, these are some of the questions
we shall try to answer.
To begin, let’s try to determine the theme of the sermon...
I. THE THEME
A. THE SETTING HELPS TO DETERMINE THE THEME...
1. In Mt 3:1-3, we read of the preaching of John the Baptist
a. Who was sent to prepare the way of the Lord
b. The theme of his preaching concerned “the kingdom of heaven”
2. In Mt 4, we read of the beginning of Jesus’ ministry
a. After His temptation, Jesus begins preaching a message similar to
John’s - Mt 4:17
b. His preaching in Galilee pertained to the “gospel of the kingdom” - Mt 4:23
This study guide is adapted from Executable Outlines © Mark A. Copeland 2007
THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT
INTRODUCTION
B. A PHRASE USED REPEATEDLY REVEALS THE THEME...
1. “for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” - Mt 5:3
2. “for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” - Mt 5:10
3. “...shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven” - Mt 5:19
4. “...shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven” - Mt 5:19
5. “...will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven” - Mt 5:20
6. “Your kingdom come” - Mt 6:10
7. “But seek first the kingdom of God” - M
t 6:33
8. “. . . shall enter the kingdom of heaven” - Mt 7:21
Both the s
etting and the use of a particular phrase should lead us to conclude that the theme of Jesus’
sermon on the mount is: “ The Gospel Of The Kingdom Of Heaven.” With this in mind, let’s briefly
consider the c
ontent of the sermon...
II. THE CONTENT AND ITS BASIC DIVISIONS
A. THE CITIZENS OF THE KINGDOM...
1. Their character and blessedness - Mt 5:3-12
2. Their relation to the world - Mt 5:13-16
B. THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF THE KINGDOM...
1. In contrast to traditional interpretations and applications of the Law - M
t 5:17-48
2. With respect to man’s relation to God - Mt 6:1-33 3. With respect to man’s relation to
man - Mt 7:1-12
This study guide is adapted from Executable Outlines © Mark A. Copeland 2007
THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT
INTRODUCTION
C. THE EXHORTATION TO ENTER THE KINGDOM...
1. The “beginning” of the way - Mt 7:13-14
2. The “progress” along the way - Mt 7:15-20
3. The “end” of the way - Mt 7:21-27
a. Contrasting “sayers” with “doers” 21-23
b. Contrasting “hearers” with “doers” 24-27
Before we examine the sermon any closer, it may be helpful to define the expression “kingdom of heaven”
so we can better appreciate and apply the teachings of Jesus found in this sermon…
III.DEFINING THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN
A. COMPARING IT WITH THE KINGDOM OF GOD...
1. Some try to make a distinction (e.g., Scofield Reference Bible)
2. But a quick comparison of the gospels indicate that the terms refer to the same thing
a. Cf. Mt 4:17 with M
k 1:14-15
b. Cf. M
t 5:3 with Lk 6:20
c. Cf. M
t 13:31 with M
k 4:30-31
3. We find that Matthew used the expression “kingdom of heaven” almost exclusively,
while the other gospel writers used the phrase “kingdom of God”
4. It may be that since Matthew wrote his gospel to the Jews, he chose to used the
phrase “kingdom of heaven”...
a. Because of the Jews’ reluctance to use the name of God (out of reverence)
b. Because of the Jews’ misconception of the coming kingdom
1) Many anticipated a physical kingdom
2) The expression “heaven” (literally, “heavens”) would emphasize a spiritual
Kingdom
This study guide is adapted from Executable Outlines © Mark A. Copeland 2007
THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT
INTRODUCTION
B. INVOLVES FOUR INTERRELATED CONCEPTS...
1. God’s kingship, rule, or recognized sovereignty
a. The term “kingdom” as used by the Jews often stressed the abstract idea of rule
or dominion, not some geographical area surrounded by physical boundaries
b. Possibly used this way by Jesus in Lk 17:21
c. It is used this way by Jesus in Mt 6:10 (“Thy kingdom come; thy will be done”) -Thus, the “kingdom of heaven” is wherever the God of heaven is allowed to rule in
the hearts of men
2. It is spiritual in nature
a. Not a physical kingdom - Jn 18:36
b. But one that is spiritual - Ro 14:17
3. Its visible manifestation today is in the form of the Lord’s church
a. Which is the community of souls in whose hearts God is recognized as
Sovereign
b. That the church constitutes the kingdom on earth, consider:
1) How the term “church” and “kingdom” were used interchangeably - Mt
16:18
2) Comments made to those who were in the church - Co 1:13; 1 Th 2:12 3
3) The description of those in the churches of Asia - Re 1:4,6,9
4. It also involves the “new heavens and new earth”
a. The “kingdom of heaven” has a future element as well as a present one
b. Its future aspect is spoken of by:
1) Jesus in M
t 25:34
2) Paul in 1 Co 15:50; 2
Ti 4:18
3) Peter in 2 Pe 1:10-11
c. Peter described the coming of its future state in 2 Pe 3:10-13
This study guide is adapted from Executable Outlines © Mark A. Copeland 2007
THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT
INTRODUCTION
C. SUMMARY OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN...
1. In the present sense...
a. It is found wherever the sovereignty of God is accepted in the hearts of men
b. It is a spiritual kingdom, for God rules in the hearts of men
c. Its outward manifestation today is the Lord’s church
d. The kingdom was “inaugurated” on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2
2. In the future sense...
a. The kingdom will be “culminated” with the coming of the Lord
b. It will include that “new heavens and new earth” described by Peter and John
c. It will be experienced only by those in the church who are submitting to God’s
will - Mt 7:21-23; 2
Pe 3:13-15a
CONCLUSION
1. With this understanding of the “kingdom of heaven,” we will more likely...
a. Appreciate the character and blessedness of the citizens of the kingdom (Mt 5:3-16)
b. Understand the need for the righteousness expected of its citizens (Mt 5:17-7:12)
c. Respond to the exhortation to enter the kingdom if we have not done so (Mt 7:13-27)
2. Our next study will concentrate on “the beatitudes” (Mt 5:3-12), in which we examine the
character and blessedness of those who are citizens of the kingdom of heaven Have you
responded to the exhortation to enter the kingdom? Remember the words of our Lord to
Nicodemus in Jn 3:3-5.
This study guide is adapted from Executable Outlines © Mark A. Copeland 2007