The Sermon on the Mount: Experiencing God’s Kingdom on Earth
Digital Logos Edition
Overview
What is the Sermon on the Mount? In Matthew 5-7, Christ climbs a mountain with his disciples and from there gives his most famous sermon. He starts by describing those who are members of his heavenly kingdom (Matt 5:3-10). They are the poor in spirit, the mourners, the meek, those who hunger for righteousness, the merciful, etc. Those who are truly heavenly citizens don’t just have a profession of faith but experience a faith that changes their life and character—they are new creations in Christ (2 Cor 5:17). Christ warns those listening to his sermon of potential deception—if their righteousness was not greater than the Pharisees and teachers of the law, they would not enter the kingdom of heaven (Matt 5:20). The Pharisees simply had a legalistic, external religion that had not changed their inner character. They were deceived, and sadly, many religious people are deceived today. Like the Pharisees, they perform their acts of righteousness to be seen and honored by others, instead of to be seen and honored by God (Matt 6:1-8, 16-18). Throughout Christ’s sermon, he describes the righteousness of his kingdom citizens. They must practice honesty instead of deception (Matt 5:33-36), forgiveness instead of vengeance (Matt 5:21-26, 6:14), purity instead of lust (Matt 5:27-30), simplicity instead of indulgence (Matt 6:19-24), prayerfulness instead of worry (Matt 6:9-13, 25-34), and much, much more. Christ concludes his sermon by warning those listening that not everybody who calls Christ, “Lord” will enter the kingdom, but only those who do the will of the Father (Matt 7:21-23). Many will simply listen and not act on Christ’s words, and they will be exposed at the final judgment (Matt 7:26-27). Therefore, we must study Christ’s words to affirm that we have entered God’s kingdom, to live according to its precepts, and to usher in its final form through diligent prayer (Matt 6:10, Rev 21-22). Lord, let your kingdom be fully formed in us and in our world. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven!
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- Describes the righteousness of Christ’s kingdom citizens.
- Explains Christ’s words to affirm that we have entered God’s kingdom.
- Shows how to live according to its precepts.
- Title: The Sermon on the Mount: Experiencing God's Kingdom on Earth
- Author: Gregory Brown
- Series: Bible Teacher's Guide
- Publisher: Gregory Brown
- Print Publication Date: 2019
- Pages: 402
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Reader Edition
- Resource ID: LLS:SRMNMNTKNGDMRTH
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2022-11-11T19:11:09Z
Gregory Brown earned his MA in religion and MA in teaching from Trinity International University, a MRE from Liberty University, and a PhD in theology from Louisiana Baptist University. He has served over eighteen years in pastoral ministry and currently serves as a chaplain and professor at Handong Global University, teaching pastor at Handong International Congregation, and as a Navy Reserve chaplain.
Greg married his lovely wife, Tara Jayne, in 2006, and they have two daughters, Saiyah Grace and Hannah Saje. He enjoys going on dates with his wife, playing with his daughters, reading, writing, studying in coffee shops, working out, and following the NBA and UFC. His pursuit in life, simply stated, is “to know God and to be found faithful by Him.”
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