The Key to the Sermon on the Mount (Devotional Day 1)
The Sermon on the Mount – found in Matthew Chapters 5-7 – is one of the most extensive and important teachings of Jesus in the Bible. It is quoted often, from church pulpits to college classrooms to common sayings in everyday conversations. However, it is rarely treated as a complete sermon with interrelated parts such as main points, sub-points, etc. In fact, most pastors and commentators don’t teach it as a sermon at all but as a collection of teachings that they then interpret individually.
I believe that this is a mistake that takes away from the power of Jesus’ message and causes many misinterpretations of what He is saying. I believe that Jesus taught this sermon as a whole and we should study it as a whole. This is the clearest, most practical, and most logical explanation of what Jesus teaches us in Matthew Chapters 5- 7.
The key to understanding the Sermon on the Mount as a whole is twofold:
1) We must understand that Jesus is teaching His disciples – people who have already committed themselves to following Him – how to live in the kingdom of God, under God’s reign and authority. Living according to the Sermon on the Mount is not a prerequisite for salvation but is a privilege that brings blessings and happiness to the follower of Jesus. These are not new instructions to people He does not know but rather "Blessed are you – you will be really and truly happy – when you live this way."
2) We must understand that Jesus was using a teaching device not commonly used today where the teacher stated the main points and then expounded on them in reverse order. The Beatitudes then become the main points and the rest of the sermon explains their practical applications. Compare the Beatitudes and corresponding verses as listed below:
Matt. 5:10 Blessed are the persecuted is explained by Matt. 5:11-20
Matt. 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers is explained by Matt. 5:21-26
Matt. 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart is explained by Matt. 5:27-37
Matt. 5:7 Blessed are the merciful is explained by Matt. 5:38-48
Matt. 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger is explained by Matt. 6:1-18
Matt. 5:5 Blessed are the meek is explained by Matt. 6:19-34
Matt. 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn is explained by Matt. 7:1-6
Matt. 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit is explained by Matt. 7:7-11
As we study the Sermon in the way we’ve outlined above, we will make some connections and discover some truth that will change the way we live. To help us along the way, I have organized our study in two ways -- in website form with menus at the top of each page and also as a 40 day devotional book. So feel free to browse the menus and find what you are interested in or, if you want to be really blessed, read one devotional each day and then take time to think and pray about how to apply it to your life.
Pray with me: Lord, I want to understand your Word and know you better. As we study the Sermon on the Mount, help each and every one of us to learn from you and to have the courage and fortitude to apply them to our lives. Continue to pray as you feel led...
For further study: There are many good books out there but the outline of the Sermon on the Mount above is fairly unique as far as I know. To dig deeper into the Beatitudes and the Sermon on the Mount, see the 40 articles listed in the menus above or click the link below to find other books on the Beatitudes and the Sermon on the Mount.
The Sermon on the Mount – found in Matthew Chapters 5-7 – is one of the most extensive and important teachings of Jesus in the Bible. It is quoted often, from church pulpits to college classrooms to common sayings in everyday conversations. However, it is rarely treated as a complete sermon with interrelated parts such as main points, sub-points, etc. In fact, most pastors and commentators don’t teach it as a sermon at all but as a collection of teachings that they then interpret individually.
I believe that this is a mistake that takes away from the power of Jesus’ message and causes many misinterpretations of what He is saying. I believe that Jesus taught this sermon as a whole and we should study it as a whole. This is the clearest, most practical, and most logical explanation of what Jesus teaches us in Matthew Chapters 5- 7.
The key to understanding the Sermon on the Mount as a whole is twofold:
1) We must understand that Jesus is teaching His disciples – people who have already committed themselves to following Him – how to live in the kingdom of God, under God’s reign and authority. Living according to the Sermon on the Mount is not a prerequisite for salvation but is a privilege that brings blessings and happiness to the follower of Jesus. These are not new instructions to people He does not know but rather "Blessed are you – you will be really and truly happy – when you live this way."
2) We must understand that Jesus was using a teaching device not commonly used today where the teacher stated the main points and then expounded on them in reverse order. The Beatitudes then become the main points and the rest of the sermon explains their practical applications. Compare the Beatitudes and corresponding verses as listed below:
Matt. 5:10 Blessed are the persecuted is explained by Matt. 5:11-20
Matt. 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers is explained by Matt. 5:21-26
Matt. 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart is explained by Matt. 5:27-37
Matt. 5:7 Blessed are the merciful is explained by Matt. 5:38-48
Matt. 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger is explained by Matt. 6:1-18
Matt. 5:5 Blessed are the meek is explained by Matt. 6:19-34
Matt. 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn is explained by Matt. 7:1-6
Matt. 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit is explained by Matt. 7:7-11
As we study the Sermon in the way we’ve outlined above, we will make some connections and discover some truth that will change the way we live. To help us along the way, I have organized our study in two ways -- in website form with menus at the top of each page and also as a 40 day devotional book. So feel free to browse the menus and find what you are interested in or, if you want to be really blessed, read one devotional each day and then take time to think and pray about how to apply it to your life.
Pray with me: Lord, I want to understand your Word and know you better. As we study the Sermon on the Mount, help each and every one of us to learn from you and to have the courage and fortitude to apply them to our lives. Continue to pray as you feel led...
For further study: There are many good books out there but the outline of the Sermon on the Mount above is fairly unique as far as I know. To dig deeper into the Beatitudes and the Sermon on the Mount, see the 40 articles listed in the menus above or click the link below to find other books on the Beatitudes and the Sermon on the Mount.
To be a part of the conversation about the article above, or even if you just want to read what everyone else is saying about it, go to the The Key to the Sermon on the Mount Comments Page.
To leave your comments, helpful hints, and suggestions about this website overall, use the Comments section of Pastor Randy's blog.
This article is Day 1 of the 40 Day Devotional; the next devotional is Day 2.
Please use this website for personal devotional use and feel free to share it with friends and family. However, all publishing rights are reserved. No reproduction or publication of this blog is permitted without the permission of the author, Pastor Randy Brockett. To contact Pastor Randy, email him at [email protected].
To leave your comments, helpful hints, and suggestions about this website overall, use the Comments section of Pastor Randy's blog.
This article is Day 1 of the 40 Day Devotional; the next devotional is Day 2.
Please use this website for personal devotional use and feel free to share it with friends and family. However, all publishing rights are reserved. No reproduction or publication of this blog is permitted without the permission of the author, Pastor Randy Brockett. To contact Pastor Randy, email him at [email protected].
