INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY
A. The Speaker: Jesus Christ, The Prince of Preachers.
1. Qualifications: He is Eternal Wisdom (Jn. 1:18) and the
Eternal Word (Jn. 1:1ff.)
2. Preparation for this sermon was done through the miraculous
works of the previous chapter. The people would be disposed to
listen and to heed the bearer of this power, (Matthew Henry's
Commentary on the Whole Bible , vol. 5 p. 37).
B. The Location: A common mountain in Galilee. The Son of God
had no man- made pulpit, nor man-made holy place from which to
preach, but instead a God-made mountain. As the law of Moses came
from a mountain, so did the law of Christ.
1. Tradition places the scene at the "Horns of Hattin,"
a twin peaked elevation overlooking the Sea of Galilee and the
plain of Genesareth. Keil has suggested a site near Capernaum
as the probable location. (Baker's Bible Atlas ,
1974 ed., p. 204)
2. Use a Bible Atlas or handbook to locate the "Horns of
Hattin."
3. Mountain versus Plain: It is difficult to determine if the
Matthew account and Luke account are two versions of the same
sermon or the basically the same sermon delivered on two separate
occasions. The compilation of both accounts give us a summary
of His main teachings as well as a collection of His representative
sayings. (Halley, p.500)
C. The Occasion: When and Why?
1. When: According to Nelson's Harmony of the Gospels
, during the second year of His public ministry. Specifically,
during the period of His ministry known as the Galilean ministry,
perhaps during the midsummer of A.D. 28.
2. Why: To show that following in His footsteps involves action
(beginning with repentance), not just belief. However, this action
is based on spiritual precepts rather than rote adherence to the
Law of Moses.
D. The Audience Then: The Disciples and the Multitude.
1. The Disciples (Lu. 6:13) They followed Him because of love
and because they wanted to learn. They were willing students,
with the ability to understand the lessons given. It was imperative
for them to understand because they were destined to teach others.
2. The Multitude (Mt. 7:28) While the message was directed towards
the disciples, the people heard it. The fame of His miracles had
gathered this crowd and Jesus would take advantage of their presence
to instruct them.
E. The Audience Now: All Who Would Come to the Father (Jn.
14:6; Gal. 4:7)
Some have called the Sermon on the Mount God's plan of salvation,
others have said it is a "charter for world peace."
Some would say that it does not apply today, but is for a future
time. However, Mt. 5:20 gives us the key to its application. The
main theme is true righteousness. Righteousness implies proper
conduct and proper conduct flows out of a man's character. (Warren
Weirsbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary , Vol. 1,
pp. 20,21) The application is for every man that would be in a
right (eous) relationship with God.
F. More On The Message
1. A detailed exposition for Jesus' hearers of what repentance
involves.
2. It is a picture of life in God's Kingdom on earth (the church)
and in heaven. Everyone who puts God in charge will live by these
guidelines!
3. The most detailed exposition of God's ethical standards to
be found in the Bible. By reflecting God's character and revealing
His will, these standards become relevant to us today.
4. "The Sermon on the Mount describes the way in which men
are freed to live when they commit themselves to the kingdom of
Jesus!" (Larry Richards, The Teacher's Commentary
, p. 540)
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