Sermon On The Mount (Intro) Series

Message #1

Matthew 5:1-12 “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,…”

In all of the preaching of Jesus, the Sermon on the Mount is the most beloved of true believers. There should be no doubt that what is contained in this sermon is relevant today.

The significance of this sermon is seen in the fact that what the Lord taught is repeated in the epistles to the churches of the New Testament.

It is very important that we know what we believe, but it is equally important to know how to behave. In these three chapters (5-7) of Matthew’s gospel there is a wealth of doctrinal and practical teaching.

In our text we find some wonderful things that can and should be applied to our lives on a daily basis.

#1. THE PLACE from which the sermon was preached. “And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain:…”

Our Lord is seen teaching and ministering in a variety of places – a Shore line, the deck of a boat, the base of a tree, in the Temple, a Synagogue, a Garden, a grave yard, the ridge of a valley, jut to mention a few.

Here we find He has selected a mountain place and His choice of this place is significant for three reasons.

It speaks of His humility. Matthew 8:20 Jesus said, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

While the Scribes and Pharisees sat in Moses’ chair in the temple perverting and corrupting the Law; Jesus, who is “the Truth” could find no better place than a mountain from which to deliver His life-changing message.

It speaks of His availability This wasn’t one of the Holy Mounts; it was a common, ordinary mountain. The Lord is illustrating here that there is not just one specified place in which men can approach Him as was the case in the Old Testament. It is our privilege as New Testament believers to be able to approach the Lord anywhere at any time.

It speaks of His credibility. The first verse in Matthew’s gospel speaks of Christ’s royal linage. Matthew’s purpose was to introduce Christ to the Jewish people as the promised Messiah. In keeping with the theme of royalty, it is significant that Christ is seen in an elevated place delivering this all important message.

#2. THE POSTURE from which the sermon was preached. “…and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: 2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them,…”

In Jesus’ day, it was customary for the teacher to sit and the students or congregation to stand. This was a practice that Jesus followed throughout His ministry (Matthew 13:2, 24:3, 26:55; Mark 9:35; Luke 4:16-20; John 8:2).

His posture demonstrates authority. In this sermon, Jesus spoke with an authority infinitely transcending that of the Jewish leaders. In this instance, His sitting was emblematic of the King sitting upon His throne, or the Judge upon the bench. Without the fear or favor of man, He openly proclaimed the truth, and did so with liberty and authority. This can be seen from what we read at the close of the Sermon.

Matthew 7:28-29 “And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: 29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.”

#3. THE PERSONS to whom the sermon was preached. “…when he was set, his disciples came unto him:”

It was for His Disciples Primarily. His disciples would ultimately be given the responsibility of reaching the multitudes; therefore, Christ felt it necessary to instruct them in the ways of righteousness.

It was also heard by the listeners at the Perimeter. Matthew 7:28 “And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:” Two thoughts come to mind…

1) I’m reminded that those who are not believer’s know what He expects of a believers life.

2) I’m also reminded that there are some believer’s who are not disciples because they now what He expects in the life of a disciple.

#4. THE PURPOSE for which the sermon was preached. The Sermon on the Mount...

Gives Direction for the Christian life. Following His direction will insure the blessings of God upon our lives as His disciples. Matthew 7:24-25 “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.”