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The Ethics of the Sermon on the Mount

The Ethics of the Sermon on the Mount. The Justice of the Kingdom of God. An Ethics of the Kingdom of God . The Beatitudes reflect how God desires to be among those who are in most need: the poor, those who mourn, the meek, the hungry and thirsty.

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The Ethics of the Sermon on the Mount

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  1. The Ethics of the Sermon on the Mount The Justice of the Kingdom of God

  2. An Ethics of the Kingdom of God • The Beatitudes reflect how God desires to be among those who are in most need: the poor, those who mourn, the meek, the hungry and thirsty. • Presents a life “lived at the limits of human possibility.” • It is a life where God is in charge; our actions and being reflect the God of Jesus which includes forgiveness, sharing, no judgment, no retaliation, no anger, no adultery, etc… • Ethical Repercussions?

  3. An Ethics That Calls Us To Perfection • Our moral life makes sense only if we have a good relationship with Abba/Father (God). • It is our vocation to be “children of the father” and thus, perfect. • If we are all children of God, then we are all brothers and sisters; therefore we must consider how our actions will affect others at all times. • Jesus describes God as generous to all: “he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous.”

  4. An Ethics That Makes Us Righteous • To be righteous is to act with justice; it is not only about what we do, but about what we receive. • Righteous is best translated as “to be put in the right” – we are made righteous through the loving action of God (GRACE) • By living the way Jesus taught in the Sermon, we become “right” before God because He sees His Son, living in us.

  5. As Eschatological Ethics • Eschatological = “pertaining to the end of time” or the “fullness of time.” • The Kingdom of God refers to a different time than the ordinary; it comes when God reveals Himself and the present time encounters God. • It is a time filled with tension; gives us a glimpse of the possibility of God’s goodness. • Examples: • A journey – You begin a journey because you have a glimpse of what will be at your destination, but you do not truly realize its awe until you arrive • Strives for the infinite good – Jesus is the bridge that helps us see the Kingdom and thus strive to reach it.

  6. An Ethics to be Right With One Another • The Commandments teach us the value of respecting the “other” (God, parents, neighbour, spouse). • The Sermon is a call to act on behalf of the other (the poor, the meek, the mourning). • How we treat each other is central to Jesus’ teachings: “For I was hungry and you gave me food…Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” (Mt. 25:35-40)

  7. A Gospel Ethics • Gospel means “good news” – to live life the way Jesus calls will bring goodness to all • If the Sermon is considered the cornerstone of our Christian faith, can we assume these teachings are as stringent as the Ten Commandments? • Jesus invites us to love; this love changes our relationship with God dramatically because it requires action. • It is “good news” because the Kingdom of God has come and our commitment to this life will bring it to its fullness

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