The Sermon on the Mount

Matthew 5-7

The story of the Sermon on the Mount certainly belongs in any accounting of the life of Jesus. In it, Jesus sets forth rules for his kingdom and makes some of his most memorable observations. Because of its length, we find it necessary to divide the sermon into several parts to study it.

Before we begin, we will ask the student to read the sermon in its entirety. Look for and identify the verse or verses that you think states best the main idea of the whole sermon, and write it down.

THE BEATITUDES - PART ONE

I. FACTS ABOUT THE BEATITUDES.

A. "BLESSED" - makarizo, "happy or pronounce happy."

B. FORM: BLESSING ON THE CHARACTER TRAIT, FOLLOWED BY A

CORRESPONDING BLESSING.

C. A COMPOSITE, ONE THING MADE OF MANY PARTS. TRAIT AND BLESSING.

II. THE BLESSINGS:

A. POOR IN SPIRIT. Humble before God ( Luke 18:9-14 ). The man who realizes that he is a sinner seeks the kingdom.

B. THEY THAT MOURN. Not all that mourn( 2 Cor. 7:10 ), but those who mourn their sins. Christians who suffer in this life are promised comfort ( Psa. 126:5-6; Rom. 8:18 ).

C. THE MEEK. Gentile, mild, not soon given to anger or resentment. Gentle giants ( Mat. 26:53 ). They shall inherit the earth.

D. THEY THAT HUNGER AND THIRST AFTER RIGHTEOUSNESS. Must have it in abundance. Not just for God’s word but conditions of right. Jesus fulfills our needs ( John 4:13-14; 6:35 ).

E. THE MERCIFUL. Kindness in excess of fairness. Forgiveness ( see also Matt. 6:12; 18:21-35 ). Not limited to forgiveness.

F. PURE IN HEART. Purity of life begins with a pure heart. How do we insure a pure heart? ( Phil. 4:8; Col.3:1-2 ). The pure in heart will seek God ( 1 John3:1-3 ).

G. THE PEACEMAKERS. ( Rom. 12:18 ). Go out of our way, take the first step ( Mat. 18:15 ). Like God ( 2 Cor. 5:18-21 ).

H. THE PERSECUTED ( 2 Tim. 3:12 ). Great is your reward in heaven.

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION:

1. What is a beatitude?

2. What do we mean when we say the Beatitudes are a composite?

3. Do the blessings seem like they would naturally follow the character traits described in the Beatitudes?

4. Could a man be a peacemaker, and not meek or merciful, and still be called a "child of God" as the beatitude promises?

5. Give an example of one who was poor in spirit in the Bible?

6. What kind of person is a meek man?

7. Who satisfies our "spiritual appetite?" What is that?

8. Where does purity of life begin?

9. In what way are peacemakers like God?

10. Where is the reward for the person described by these traits?

MEMORY VERSE: Mat. 5:6