The Teachings of Christ: Sermon on the Mount

1. Christian Doctrine 1 / Dr. Billings The Teachings of Christ:Sermon on the Mount

2. Christian Doctrine 1 / Dr. Billings Prayer of the WeekWinfred Ernest Garrison: Mariner’s Prayer  Thy sea, O God, so great; My boat so small,It cannot be that any happy fate; Will me befall,Save as Thy goodness opens paths for me,Through the consuming vastness of the sea. Thy winds, O God, so strong; So slight my sail.How could I cub and bit them on the long; and salty trail,Unless Thy love were mightier than the wrathOf all the tempests that beset my path? Thy world, O God, so fierce; And I so frail.Yet, though its arrows threaten oft to pierce; My fragile mail,Cities of refuge rise where dangers cease,Sweet silences abound, and all is peace. Thy sea, O God, so great,My boat so small.

3. Christian Doctrine 1 / Dr. Billings Patron Saint of the WeekIrenaeus of Lyons born in Turkey, emigrated to Lyons, France; became bishop. played decisive role in fixing the canon of the New Testament. He went through all the books of the New Testament, and all the candidates … and gave reasons for and against the canonicity of each book. Source: Universalis.com QUOTATION: The Lord of all gave to His apostles the power of the gospel, and by them we also have learned the truth, that is, the teaching of the Son of God—as the Lord said to them, 'He who hears you hears Me, and he who despises you despises Me, and Him Who sent Me' [Lk.10:16]. For we learned the plan of our salvation from no other than from those through whom the gospel came to us.

4. Christian Doctrine 1 / Dr. Billings Red Letter Points • Who is St. Irenaeus? • According to the Beatitudes, who are blessed, why are they blessed, why is this shocking? • Has Jesus come to abolish the Law? And what “law” that Jesus is referring to? • “You have heard it said… but I say to you…”: explain what Jesus is speaking of here and why this way of speaking is significant of His authority. • List three of the examples Jesus offers that illustrate how He “fulfills” the Law. • What are four unifying themes in all of these “fulfillments” of the Law?

5. Christian Doctrine 1 / Dr. Billings Matthew 5:1-12: The Beatitudes (“Sermon on the Mount” beginning) • According to the Beatitudes, who are blessed, why are they blessed, why is this shocking? • NOTE: Beatitude from “blessed”; a list of blessings (curses also found) • Who are “blessed,” according to Jesus? - The poor, the humble, the persecuted, those who mourn, the peacemakers • Why are they blessed? • Things will be well for them in the kingdom of God • God will provide what they desire • Why is this shocking? (“an explosion”) • This is counter to what the world considers “blessed” (wealth; honor; security; joy; victory, strength) • The perspective in light of heaven up-ends our own.

6. Christian Doctrine 1 / Dr. Billings Matthew 5:17-48: Fulfilling the Law(“Sermon on the Mount”) Has Jesus come to abolish the Law? And what “law” that Jesus is referring to? • Jesus says he “fulfills, not abolishes” the Law. This implies that Jesus does not mean to contradict or destroy the Law, but to complete it. • The Law: he is referring to the Torah; the law of Moses; handed down through Judaism; binding laws of God that shape the Jewish community (“613 mitzvot “ - commandments). • Core of law: the Ten Commandments; Core of Jesus’ teaching: The Double Commandment

7. Christian Doctrine 1 / Dr. Billings Matthew 5:17-48: Fulfilling the Law(“Sermon on the Mount”) “You have heard it said… but I say to you…”: explain what Jesus is speaking of here and why this way of speaking is significant of His authority. • He is expressing the “fulfillment” of the Law – what it is truly about. • He expresses His authority to do so by saying “But I say…” placing Himself as a new Law-giver • Matthew portrays him as a new Moses (the Law-giver), placing the sermon on “the mount” (even in 5 parts, like the Law of Moses).

8. Christian Doctrine 1 / Dr. Billings Matthew 5:17-48: Fulfilling the Law(“Sermon on the Mount”) List three of the examples Jesus offers that illustrate how He “fulfills” the Law. • Law: “Thou shalt not kill.” • Jesus: do not be angry • Law: “Thou shalt not commit adultery.” • Jesus: do not even look lustfully; treat with honor • Law: You may “write a certificate of divorce…” • Jesus: Marriage is lifelong commitment • Law: “You shall not swear falsely…” • Jesus: Make everything you say absolutely truthful • Law: “an eye for an eye” • Jesus: Turn the other cheek; give cloak; go another mile

9. Christian Doctrine 1 / Dr. Billings Matthew 5:17-48: Fulfilling the Law(“Sermon on the Mount”) What are four unifying themes in all of these “fulfillments” of the Law? • The Law remains valid; • It is intensified, not relaxed; • We must move through the “letter” to the “spirit”; • We must move beyond the prohibition of evil to the action of good; to love of God and neighbor.

10. Christian Doctrine 1 / Dr. Billings Church of the Beatitudes

11. Christian Doctrine 1 / Dr. Billings Church of Beatitudes

12. Christian Doctrine 1 / Dr. Billings Mount of Beatitudes

13. Christian Doctrine 1 / Dr. Billings TERMS • Beatitudes: blessings; teachings of Jesus concerning who it is that is blessed. • The Law: the Torah; the teaching of God’s commandments in Judaism; also called the “Law of Moses”

14. Christian Doctrine 1 / Dr. Billings The Teachings of Christ:The Sermon on the Mount