THE GREATEST SERMON EVER PREACHED
Matthew 5 v.1-16
(1) it was preached by the greatest teacher
(2) it contains the greatest truths
(3) it offers the greatest treasures
Note:-
1. The personality of the christian v 1-11
(a) v. 3 He is poor in spirit - humility because of the right sense of (1) sin, (2) of self,
(3) and of salvation.
(b) v. 4 He mourns -at the strength, the subtlety, the scourge, & the sentence of sin
" For the wages of sin is death."
(c) v. 5 He is meek - submissive to the will of God, to the word of God, and to the ways of God "now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the Earth."
(d) v. 6 He is hungry - for what? - righteousness, when? - now, Why? - necessary to stand before God.
(e) v. 7 He is merciful - sympathetic, sacrifical, & sincere -(as the good samaritan.)
(f) v. 8 He is pure in heart - he is devoted to God, directed by God, and delighted in God.
(g) v. 9 He makes peace - He knows peace (of God), he loves peace, he seeks peace for others.
(h) v. 10 He suffers persecution - persecution is to be expected, to be experienced, and so is explained v. 12 "for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you."
2. The prospects for the christian.v 7-11
Each characteristic has its comfort.
(a) v. 3 to the poor in spirit - is the kingdom of heaven
(b) v. 4 to he who mourns - is comfort.
(c) v. 5 to the meek - they shall inherit the earth, - Daniel 7 v. 22 :- "until the ancient of days came and judgement was given to the saints of the most high; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom".
(d) v. 6 the hungry - shall be filled
(e) v. 7 the merciful - shall obtain mercy
(f) v. 8 the pure - shall see God
(g) v. 9 the peacemakers - shall be called the children of God
(h)v. 12 the persecuted - shall be rewarded 2 Corinthians 4 v. 17 -
"for our light afflication, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory".
3. The power of the christian v 13
v. 13 "ye are the salt of the earth" -we are to preserve as salt,
v. 14 and to proclaim as light,
note our :-
(a) Two-fold likeness v. 13 salt - preserves, flavours, cleanses, & creates thirst.
v. 16 our light should be - natural "let", personal - "your light"; social - "that men may see"; practial - " your good works"
(b) Two-fold action v. 13 salt permeates - unconscious influence - hating corruption, light illuminates
(1)The compliment - we are to be like Christ
(2) The comparison - we are to be seen to be like Christ
(3) The command - we are to shine for Christ
(c) Two-fold purpose v. 13 i.e.as salt to salt the earth -"sirs we would see Jesus."
v. 16 as light to glorify the Father
(d) Two-fold danger v. 13 The salt can loose its savour
v. 15 the light can be hidden
