Live Like A King

Live Like A King

Matthew 5:3-48

The Sermon On The mount Is one of the most often preached and professed of all Scripture passages, but is among the least practiced. One reason is that though many say they live by its tenets, few have ever read it. The fact is in this sermon, Jesus gave instructions which were meant to teach us how to live like kings. In the book of St. Matthew, Jesus is portrayed as the son of David who was promised to the world by the prophets. If we are to live out the greater righteousness described in the text we need to make it our own.

1. What is righteousness?

A. The Beatitudes are completely opposite to the way the world measures success and victory. The very attributes the

world values are disdained by God.

B. Self-righteousness and conceit have nothing to do with the humility and love God calls us to exhibit toward every

person and circumstance we encounter.

C. Righteous people are honorable and reliable, upright people of integrity. They believe in the absolute value of God’s

commandments as the basis for all morality.

2. How do we express righteousness?

A. Those who have entered into a real relationship with God practice the disciplines taught in the beatitudes. They work

at lining up their lives with what they are professing.

B. We don’t back down or acquiesce to the values of the world. Though we weren’t promised that we’d alter the popular

immorality of our day, we need to be the thorn in the side of sinfulness.

C. In 1Corinthians 5:9-10 Paul says, “I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: Yet not altogether

with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go

out of the world.”

3. How do we look at righteousness?

A. The commandments are still the foundation upon which righteousness stands. Jesus said, “Think not that I am come

to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill” (v. 17).

B. He went on to say, “Till heaven and earth pass, no part of the law will be done away with. Therefore, anyone who

breaks the law, or teaches others to break the least commandment, and teach others the same, shall be without

honor in the kingdom of heaven: but whoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the

kingdom of heaven. Unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in

no case enter into the kingdom of heaven” (paraphrase vv. 18-20).

4. What are some righteous values?

A. Righteous people are careful how they talk about others. If we slander another, we’re committing character

assassination, and Jesus said that’s the same as murdering them (see vv. 21-23).

B. Lust is on a par with adultery. If you look upon someone of the opposite sex with lust you’ve sinned in your heart

(see vv. 27-28).

C. “let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil” (v. 37). Don’t

swear. Let your word be your bond.

D. Repay evil with good. It’s hard for someone to stay angry or hateful toward you if you give them nothing but good

(see vv. 38-48).

The beatitudes speak of the way of righteousness and happiness. Verse 48 says, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” Make these tenets your own and know the blessings of the loving God. The only way that we can live like a king, is to be obedient to the King of glory. What do you want from life? Are you ready to be blessed? Will you start applying the beatitudes to your life today? Amen.