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    Matthew 5:1-16 Lesson 7

    Read both the "King James Bible" and the "New Living Translation."

    In this lesson:  

    "The Sermon on the Mount"
     
    The Sermon on the Mount has been called "the constitution for the citizens of God's kingdom."  What the Ten commandments are to the Old Testament the Sermon on the Mount is to the New Testament. This is the most studied sermon in history, yet its message continues to challenge us today.  Jesus gave The Sermon on the Mount on a hillside near the city of Capernaum.  Because of its importance, the next seven lessons will be devoted to it.  As you read Matthew 5:1 through 7:29 look for two lines of teaching, God's perfect and holy standards, and His great grace offered to sinners.
     
    The Beatitudes (5:3-11) teach us how to live and shows the shallow faith of the Pharisees who seeped themselves in religious legalism rather than true faith. No one can attain the degree of perfection laid out in the Sermon on the Mount (5:48), and Jesus begins the beatitudes with that in mind ("Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven").  Failing to meet the standards laid out in The Sermon on the Mount forces Christians to recognize their spiritual deficits (Romans 3:20) and     acknowledge that only the grace of God and faith in Jesus Christ can guarantee salvation (Galatians 3:24). 

    The Sermon on the Mount.

    (Unknown artist)
    Study Tip:
     
    It helps to study more than one Bible translation.  As you read, scroll back
    and forth between the "King James Bible" and the "New Living Translation" below.

    Also, check the margin notes in blue and click on the links. 

    The Gospel According to St. Matthew

    The King James Bible    ​

    Matthew 5:1-16
    Kingdom citizens

    1And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:

    2And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
     
    3Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
     
    4Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
     
    5Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. 
     
    6Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
     
    7Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
     
    8Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
     
    9Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
     
    10Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
     
    11Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
     
    12Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
     
    13Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
     
    14Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
     
    15Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
     
    16Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.             ​
    ​Margin notes: 
     
    "And when he was set." (5:1) - "And when he sat down."
     
    "Blessed are the poor in spirit." (5:3) "Blessed are the spiritually humble."
     
    "Blessed are they that mourn." (5:4) - Mourn over their sins, for they will be comforted and pardoned (2 Corinthians 7:10).
     
    "Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth." (5:5) - Paraphrased from Psalm 37:11.
     
    "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness." (5:6) - When you "hunger" for righteousness you are acknowledging God.  He is our righteousness
     
    "Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy." (5:7) - See 2 Samuel 22:26.
     
    "Rejoice." (5:12) - Be happy if you are persecuted for your faith (1 Peter 4:13-14).  This is a excellent verse to remember when feeling dejected.
     
    "So persecuted they the prophets which were before you." (5:12) - As stated in Acts 7:52.
     
    "If the salt have lost his savour." (5:13) - "If the salt has lost its flavor."  Salt is used to flavor and preserve food.  When a little salt is rubbed into meat, it will slow the decaying process.  Jesus is using salt as a metaphor for Christians.  Like salt without flavor, Christians who don't live their faith or preserve the word of God are of little help.
     
     "Ye are the light of the world." (5:14) - Proverbs 4:18 tells us that "the path of the just is as the shining light."  The message is reinforced in Philippians 2:15.    
     
    "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works." (5:16) - Another metaphor, let your light shine, not to impress people but to honor God.  Do family friends and co-workers see your shining light?

                                                  New Living Translation 
     

    Matthew 5:1-16             
    The Sermon on the Mount
     
    1 One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around him,

    2 and he began to teach them.
     
    The Beatitudes 
      
    3 "God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him,
          for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
     
    4 God blesses those who mourn,
          for they will be comforted.
     
    5 God blesses those who are humble,
          for they will inherit the whole earth.
     
    6 God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice,
          for they will be satisfied.
     
    7 God blesses those who are merciful,
          for they will be shown mercy.
     
    8 God blesses those whose hearts are pure,
          for they will see God.
     
    9 God blesses those who work for peace,
          for they will be called the children of God.
     
    10 God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right,
          for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
     
    11 "God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers.
     
    12 Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.
     
    Teaching about Salt and Light
     
    13 "You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. 
     
    14 "You are the light of the world-like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

    This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible.  However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
    Today's questions:
     
    1. What is the purpose of the Sermon on the Mount?

    2. Why "rejoice" about being persecuted? (5:11-12)
    ​
    3. What lesson can be learned from this passage?   
                                                                            

    To learn more, explore your Bible.  ​These lessons shouldn't be your only contact with God.    ​

    Answers: (Do you agree?) ​
    ​
    1. The purpose of the Sermon on the Mount is to show mankind that we cannot find salvation by living under the Mosaic Law and the Old Testament.  Except for Jesus Christ, no one can meet the standards laid out on the Mount.  Can you name a successful peacemaker in the world today?  Who can honestly say that their heart is pure and that they "hunger and thirst for justice?"  How do we become "meek?"  In His sermon, Jesus is setting the stage to reveal the true path to salvation, the acceptance of God's grace.  Belief in Jesus Christ is the way to please God.
     
    Additional note:  The wisdom in Jesus' day held that wealth and power were blessings from God and those who were poor were being punished.  Jesus challenged that belief.  He wanted His followers to understand that material things are only temporary.

    2. Christians rejoice when being persecuted because it strengthens their relationship with God and showcases their faith in Jesus.  Persecution takes the focus off earthly rewards and reminds believers that they can only expect perfection in heaven.  But know, that Christian bliss doesn't come from being persecuted, it comes from the reason for the persecution, Jesus Christ. Remember, those who give up their faith aren't oppressed.
    ​ 
    3. The lesson in this segment is to recognize mans spiritual bankruptcy, to mourn sin (in ourselves and others), to be meek and merciful, to seek righteousness, to love God with all your heart and to be a peacemaker (it is hard to keep peace, but even harder to make peace where it doesn't already exist).  These are things we can not do without Christ. 
    Advice from Jesus:
     
    Take the time to read Matthew 5:9 when you're angry at others.
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    Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress Books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; "The Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies"; "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers published by Barbour publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course the "King James Bible".  All were critical in putting these lessons together.
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