Shocking Truths: Sermon on the Mount Insights

1. Matthew 5–6: the Sermon on the Mount Mike Taylor Forest of Dean Community Church Sunday 22 January 2017

2. The NIV has 15 headings for these chapters:

3. The NIV has 15 headings for these chapters: Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount The Beatitudes Salt and Light The Fulfillment of the Law Murder Adultery Divorce Oaths Eye for Eye Love for Enemies Giving to the Needy Prayer (including Lord's Prayer) Fasting Treasures in Heaven Do Not Worry

4. The NIV has 15 headings for these chapters: Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount The Beatitudes Salt and Light The Fulfillment of the Law Murder Adultery Divorce Oaths Eye for Eye Love for Enemies Giving to the Needy Prayer (including Lord's Prayer) Fasting Treasures in Heaven Do Not Worry

5. The NIV has 15 headings for these chapters: Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount The Beatitudes Salt and Light The Fulfillment of the Law Murder Adultery Divorce Oaths Eye for Eye Love for Enemies Giving to the Needy Prayer (including Lord's Prayer) Fasting Treasures in Heaven Do Not Worry

6. The NIV has 15 headings for these chapters: Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount The Beatitudes Salt and Light The Fulfillment of the Law Murder Adultery Divorce Oaths Eye for Eye Love for Enemies Giving to the Needy Prayer (including Lord's Prayer) Fasting Treasures in Heaven Do Not Worry

7. Hope for the future The Beatitudes Do Not Worry

8. Hope for the future The Beatitudes Do Not Worry Relationship with God Prayer, Fasting Fulfillment of Law

9. Hope for the future The Beatitudes Do Not Worry Relationship with God Prayer, Fasting Fulfillment of Law Relationships with people Murder, Adultery Divorce, Oaths

10. Hope for the future The Beatitudes Do Not Worry Relationship with God Prayer, Fasting Fulfillment of Law Relationships with people Murder, Adultery Divorce, Oaths Eye for Eye Love for Enemies Forgiving

11. Hope for the future The Beatitudes Do Not Worry Relationship with God Prayer, Fasting Fulfillment of Law Relationships with people Murder, Adultery Divorce, Oaths Eye for Eye Love for Enemies Forgiving Salt and Light Christian witness

12. Hope for the future The Beatitudes Do Not Worry Relationship with God Prayer, Fasting Fulfillment of Law Relationships with people Murder, Adultery Divorce, Oaths Eye for Eye Love for Enemies Forgiving Salt and Light Christian witness Giving to the Needy Treasures in Heaven Money

13. A manifesto at the start of Jesus' ministry That is why it covers so much ground.

14. In the Old Testament (Exodus 34:29) ...

15. But in the New Testament ...

16. Problem: over-familiarity with soundbites

17. Problem: over-familiarity with soundbites • The meek shall inherit the earth • Salt of the earth • Turn the other cheek • The left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing • Judge not

18. Look beyond cliches: the sermon is shocking

19. Look beyond cliches: the sermon is shocking “God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth.” — Matthew 5:5.

20. Look beyond cliches: the sermon is shocking “If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment. But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment!” — Matthew 5:21b-22a.

21. Look beyond cliches: the sermon is shocking “You must not commit adultery. But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” — Matthew 5:27b-28. No pictures for this one!

22. Look beyond cliches: the sermon is shocking “Do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also.” — Matthew 5:39b.

23. Look beyond cliches: the sermon is shocking “Don’t store up treasures here on earth … Store your treasures in heaven.” — Matthew 6:19-20a.

24. Look beyond cliches: the sermon is shocking “Don't worry about tomorrow.” — Matthew 6:34a.

25. Look beyond cliches: the sermon is shocking “Love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!” — Matthew 5:44b.

26. Completely contrary to C21 Western civilisation Self-reliance

27. Completely contrary to C21 Western civilisation Self-reliance Jesus emphasises reliance on God and others.

28. Completely contrary to C21 Western civilisation Self-reliance Jesus emphasises reliance on God and others. Acquisition (“I worked hard for this, I earned it”)

29. Completely contrary to C21 Western civilisation Self-reliance Jesus emphasises reliance on God and others. Acquisition (“I worked hard for this, I earned it”) Don't store up treasure.

30. Completely contrary to C21 Western civilisation Self-reliance Jesus emphasises reliance on God and others. Acquisition (“I worked hard for this, I earned it”) Don't store up treasure. Constant busyness

31. Completely contrary to C21 Western civilisation Self-reliance Jesus emphasises reliance on God and others. Acquisition (“I worked hard for this, I earned it”) Don't store up treasure. Constant busyness Do not worry about tomorrow.

32. Completely contrary to C21 Western civilisation Self-reliance Jesus emphasises reliance on God and others. Acquisition (“I worked hard for this, I earned it”) Don't store up treasure. Constant busyness Do not worry about tomorrow. Grudges

33. Completely contrary to C21 Western civilisation Self-reliance Jesus emphasises reliance on God and others. Acquisition (“I worked hard for this, I earned it”) Don't store up treasure. Constant busyness Do not worry about tomorrow. Grudges Love your enemies, forgive.

34. The sermon sets an impossible standard “Unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!” — Matthew 5:20.

35. The sermon sets an impossible standard “Unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!” — Matthew 5:20. “Be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.” — Matthew 5:48.

36. “Nice idea, but not a realistic way to live”

37. “Nice idea, but not a realistic way to live” “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.” — Matthew 7:24-27.

38. It makes us realise we are not perfect “Why, then, was the law given? It was given alongside the promise to show people their sins.” — Galatians 3:19.

39. Are we just condemned to always fail?

40. The key is a new identity What we do flows from who we are. When God wants to change our behaviour, he first transforms our identity. This is right at the heart of what being a Christian is.

41. “Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” — 2 Corinthians 5:17.

42. “Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” — 2 Corinthians 5:17. “Even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead.” — Ephesians 2:5.

43. “Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” — 2 Corinthians 5:17. “Even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead.” — Ephesians 2:5. “You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ.” — Colossians 2:13.

44. “Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” — 2 Corinthians 5:17. “Even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead.” — Ephesians 2:5. “You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ.” — Colossians 2:13. “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.” — Galatians 2:20.

45. “Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” — 2 Corinthians 5:17. “Even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead.” — Ephesians 2:5. “You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ.” — Colossians 2:13. “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.” — Galatians 2:20. “Unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” — John 3:3.

46. “Unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” — John 3:3.

47. God's grace is not only for salvation “How foolish can you be? After starting your new lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort?” — Galatians 3:3.

48. Saved by grace but living by law?

49. Saved by grace but living by law? “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” — Galatians 2:20.

50. Saved by grace but living by law? “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” — Galatians 2:20. “So now that you know God (or should I say, now that God knows you), why do you want to go back again and become slaves once more to the weak and useless spiritual principles of this world? You are trying to earn favour with God.” — Galatians 4:9-10a.