Series Introduction Series

Series Introduction

Matthew 5: 1-2

I would like to begin laying the groundwork for a series of messages I hope to preach on The Sermon on the Mount. I think we would all agree that Jesus was the greatest preacher to ever open the pages of God’s Word and expound upon a passage. In chapters 5-7 of Matthew we have the longest recorded message that Jesus preached. It is commonly known as the Sermon on the Mount. Surely if the greatest of all preachers felt impressed to preach this message, it would be beneficial for us to take the time to consider the words He preached and seek to apply that message to our lives.

When someone mentions the Sermon on the Mount, most people immediately think of the Beatitudes, and that is certainly an important part of the message Jesus preached. That was the introduction of the message, but if that is all we take away from this powerful message, we have missed much truth and benefit for our lives.

So, as we begin to establish a foundation for this series of messages, I want to take a few moments to introduce this passage and seek to prepare our hearts for the great truth and direction that is to follow. The first thing that we need to consider is:

I. The Context of the Message – It is vitally important, regardless of the passage of Scripture we choose to study, to establish the proper context of the passage. Many have wandered into doctrinal error because they approached a passage out of context. It also helps understand the passage when we have an idea of the setting and circumstances surrounding that passage. First, we need to consider the context of this message:

A. Biblically – As we begin, it would be beneficial to understand the biblical context. Jesus had just begun His public ministry. John the Baptist, the last of the Old Testament prophets, had been preaching and preparing the way for Jesus to come on the scene. The Messiah had come, but all were not ready or prepared for His coming.

We need to understand that the Jews had just come through the “400 silent years.” There has been no Word from God since Mal.4:6 – And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse. The Old Testament focused on the law and man’s need of salvation. The law revealed the sin in all our lives and our inability to achieve God’s righteous standard. The New Testament opens with the coming of Messiah, the means of salvation for all. The Old Testament looked toward Mount Sinai, while the New Testament looked toward Mount Calvary. God’s plan of redemption, revealed in the Old Testament through types and pictures, was to be fulfilled in the sacrifice of Christ upon the cross. The Old Testament ends with a warning of judgment, while the New Testament opens with grace and a promise of blessedness to those who put their faith and trust in Christ.

B. Socially – We also need to take a moment to consider the social context of this message. As Jesus was born in Bethlehem the Romans had conquered Israel and all of the Jews were under the authority of the Roman Empire. Most of them utterly detested the Romans and desperately desired to be freed from their rule. Many times in the Gospels we find the people wanting to make Jesus their king. They did not view Him as the Messiah, Savior of the world; most viewed Him as the one who would bring about their deliverance from Rome.

That line of thought greatly hindered the Jews and it continues to hinder many today. When Jesus is not considered in His proper context, men fail to see Him as they should. He was not just a great man, who had great wisdom and compassion; He was the Son of God who came to redeem us from our sin. As we move through these verses, we must keep our perspective of Jesus in its proper context.

C. Spiritually – We also need to take a moment to consider the spiritual context of this message. At this time in Jewish history there were four primary groups, and a smaller group that dwelt in and around Jerusalem. Their social, political, and biblical views were all different.

1. Pharisees (Traditionalists) – These were the most powerful and numerous of the Jews. They held a strict adherence to the Law of Moses and sought to separate themselves from the Hellenistic influence of the Romans. These made up the majority of the Sanhedrin.

2. Sadducees (Modernists) – Although not as numerous as the Pharisees, these held much influence due to their financial prosperity. They embraced the Hellenistic lifestyle and were liberal in their doctrine. They denied any life after death and a literal resurrection.