Sermon Central
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The Sermon On The Mount
Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Jan 3, 2014 (message contributor)
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1. Who Heard The Greatest Sermon Ever Preached?
Contributed on Jan 3, 2014
What does the Sermon on the Mount mean for us?
Who Heard the Greatest Sermon Ever Preached? Matthew 4:25-5:2 There probably haven’t been a lot of sermons preached on this particular passage, seeing it is short and acts as a transition from the healing ministry of Jesus to His teaching ministry. This does not mean that He didn’t ...read more
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2. The Golden Rule
Contributed on Aug 6, 2014
What is the "Golden Rule" all about in the eyes of Jesus?
The Golden Rule Matthew 7:7-12 Introduction The “Golden Rule” is commonly referred to in Western society, although it is commonly misused. Cynics substitute statements like “He who has the gold, rules” or “Do unto others before they do unto you” for the ...read more
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3. What Do We Learn From The Lord's Prayer
Contributed on Jul 15, 2014
What is this forgiveness thing all about?
What Do We Learn from the Lord’s Prayer? Matthew 6:7-15 I skipped over this section of the text last week when we looked at how the Pharisees used alms, prayer, and fasting as a means to bring glory to themselves rather than God. Jesus wants His true disciples to glorify God instead. The ...read more
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4. By Their Fruit
Contributed on Aug 9, 2014
There is so much conflicting teaching in the church today. How do we discern the true from the false?
By Their Fruit Matthew 7:15-20 Introduction We have always had false prophets in the world. So when Jesus tells His followers to be wary of them, He isn't saying anything new. The Old Testament is full of examples. But what is the difference between a false prophet and one who speaks truly ...read more
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5. The Solid Rock
Contributed on Aug 15, 2014
This is Jesus' altar call. What kind of disciple are you?
The Solid Rock Matthew 7:24-27 How many of us have heard the children sing “The Wise Man Built His House Upon a Rock at Vacation Bible School? And how many of us have sung the hymn “On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand” in church? Surely these words from the Sermon on the Mount ...read more
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6. More Righteousness Needed, Please
Contributed on Jun 28, 2014
How can we be more righteous than the Pharisees and the Scribes were?
More Righteousness Needed Please Matthew 5:20-26 This verse has certainly raised its concerns in the church over the centuries. But understanding this verse is key to understanding the Sermon on the Mount as a whole. What is Jesus saying when He says that “your righteousness must exceed ...read more
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7. The Affairs Of The Heart
Contributed on Jul 7, 2014
How do we escape God's righteous judgment if we are accountable to God for thinking about it?
The Affairs of the Heart Matthew 5:27-30 Introduction At the beginning of last week’s sermon (“More righteousness Needed, Please!”) we saw just how critical that verse 20 is to the interpretation of the Sermon on the Mount in general and this portion of the sermon in ...read more
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8. Showtime!
Contributed on Jul 14, 2014
How should we practice our faith in a way that honors God?
Showtime! Matthew 6:1-18 In the previous verses of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus’ emphasis on how the Scribes and Pharisees had failed to teach the whole and intended council of God. They had twisted the Scripture and replaced the righteousness of God with their own standards of ...read more
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9. The Divorce Plague
Contributed on Jul 8, 2014
How does the church deal with divorce?
The Divorce Plague Matthew 5:31-32 In many respects, Jesus’ teaching on divorce in these verses is closely linked to the topic of adultery which he has just commented upon. One leads to the other in many other cases. It is also related to hate and murder, the first topic Jesus addresses. ...read more
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10. Should We Judge
Contributed on Aug 5, 2014
Does Jesus prohibit judging one another?
Should We Judge Matthew 7:1-6 Introduction How many times have we heard “Don’t judge me?” These people claim this verse as saying that no one has a right to confront their evil actions, as though Jesus was the ultimate preacher of tolerance. Is this indeed what Jesus means ...read more
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11. As Perfect As God?
Contributed on Jul 11, 2014
How can we be as perfect as God?
As Perfect as God? Matthew 5:43-48 Jesus now makes His last demonstration of the deficiency of the Pharisees teaching. Again Jesus reminds them of a part of the Scripture “You shall love your neighbor from the Old Testament book of Leviticus. Why the words “as yourself” is ...read more
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12. The Narrow Gate
Contributed on Aug 8, 2014
There are only two ways. which way are you on?
The Strait Gate Matthew 7:13-14 Verse thirteen begins to conclude the Sermon on the Mount, we had mentioned in the previous sermon on the Golden Rule of the theology of the two ways which Jesus has used throughout the Sermon on the Mount. We also mentioned that the Sermon on the Mount is in many ...read more
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13. An Aye To An Eye For An Eye?
Contributed on Jul 10, 2014
Should we avenge ourselves?
An Aye to an Eye for an Eye? Matthew 5:38-42 The Bible indeed teaches “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth”. In this, Jesus is quoting the Scripture. Seeing that we have established that we have already established in our study on the Sermon on the Mount that what Jesus is ...read more
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14. As One Having Authority: Summing Up The Greatest Sermon Ever Preached
Contributed on Aug 16, 2014
Why did the common people perceive Jesus' authority as being greater than the Scribes and Pharisees?
As One Having Authority: Summing Up the Greatest Sermon Ever Preached Matthew 7:28 What is authority? Or as some of the Postmoderns today ask: “Is there any authority?” Is authority the mere power to impose values on others by force? Is authority someone who is knowledgeable about a ...read more
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15. Not Everyone Who Says "Lord, Lord"
Contributed on Aug 12, 2014
Who then can enter into the Kingdom?
Not Everyone Who Says, "Lord, Lord" Matthew 7:21-23 Introduction One of the favorite gospel songs sung in the rural Tennessee churches where I have pastored for many years is “When We All Get to Heaven”. But is everyone who sings this song going to heaven? Is everyone who has at ...read more
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16. Should We Make Oaths?
Contributed on Jul 10, 2014
the church has been conflicted for centuries whether we should make oaths or not. What does this passage teach us about oaths?
Should We Make Oaths? Matthew 5:33-37 This passage is another demonstration of the problem with the teaching of the Scribes and Pharisees. As we have noticed throughout the study, the failure of the Pharisees was more than a failure to practice what they preached. The problem is that they were ...read more
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17. It Takes Faith To Believe These Blessings
Contributed on Jun 19, 2014
Are the Beatitudes reals "be happy attitudes"?
It Takes Faith to Believe these Blessings Matthew 5:3-11 Introduction Last week in the sermon “Who Heard the Greatest Sermon Ever Preached” (available in this archive) we discussed the setting for the Sermon on the Mount. We noticed the mixed crowd of Jews and Gentiles who were following ...read more
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18. Where Do You Keep Your Valuables?
Contributed on Jul 18, 2014
What you treasure says a lot about your relationship with God.
Where Do You Keep Your Valuables? Matthew 6:19-34 Introduction The American dream seems to be the hunt to acquire possessions. Many see shows about America’s rich and famous. Preachers join in the fray telling you the secrets to getting money and lands as though the Bible were a book ...read more
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19. You Are The Salt Of The Earth
Contributed on Jun 23, 2014
Be careful, O Christian, of what you are eating and what you are offering to others to eat.
You Are the Salt of the Earth Matthew 5:13 Introduction Last week, we saw that the Beatitudes of Jesus were not the “be happy attitudes” of Robert Schuller. What Jesus says here is far more profound that the shallow interpretation that Schuller offers. Schuler gives advice which might ...read more
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20. You Are The Light Of The World
Contributed on Jun 24, 2014
Isn't Jesus "the" light of the world? Why does Jesus call us the same?
You Are the Light of the World Matthew 5:14-16 Like the previous verse concerning the believer being the “salt of the earth”, verse 14 begins with the emphatic “you”. This means that the true disciples of Jesus who hears His words and puts them into practice stands in a unique position as “the ...read more
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21. Neither Jot Nor Tittle
Contributed on Jun 27, 2014
Is Jesus making the Law binding upon Christians in these verses?
Neither Jot, nor Tittle Matthew 5:17-19 This text has many emphatic markers in the Greek which indicates that what Jesus says here is to be taken with all seriousness. We need to be reminded again that the Sermon on the Mount was preached to His disciples in the light of dividing the true ...read more