Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount, part 1

Roman Catholic Church located North of Galilee

Sermon on the Mount

PREVIEW OF THE SERMON

FOREWORD

Jesus’ first major discourse has come to be called “The Sermon on the Mount.” It presents a broader coverage of the principles of His teachings than any other. We will see these principles evidenced in practice throughout His earthly ministry. They are principles to be lived by all believers.

The “sermon” was delivered early in His ministry. He had withstood the devil’s three great temptations and had begun to introduce the kingdom of heaven. At least some of the twelve disciples—later apostles—had been called and were with Him on this occasion. The impact of His works and message is seen at the beginning of this lesson.

KEY TEXT: “...Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:14,1 5).

I. THE BEGINNING OF CHRIST’S MINISTRY

Matthew 4:23-25

23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.

24 And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those that were possessed with devils, and those that were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.

25And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis (ten cities), and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan.

A. The Gospel of the Kingdom: Jesus came first unto His own, the Jew (John 1:11; Acts 13:46). He went to the people, and His message was, first of all, the good news that the long-awaited kingdom of God was at hand. The time of fulfillment had come. His hearers were well acquainted with the promise. It meant that a heaven sent Deliverer would be given to redeem them from Adam’s fall. Now He was here, both teaching and preaching the gospel of the grace of God.

B. His Healing Identity: Some 744 years earlier, the Prophet Isaiah recorded words which ultimately described the ministry of the prom­ised Messiah, including His healing miracles. (Read Isaiah 35:1-10.) While physical infirmities and sicknesses do not always mean that the sufferer is being chastened for some personal sin, the bodily flesh is included in man’s inheritance of Adam’s sinful nature. The “whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now” (Rom. 8:22) . The “whole creation” surely includes man in his en­tirely—spiritual and physical. Even the earth and its numerous crea­tures fell under the curse of God (Gen. 3:14-19).

Healing miracles serve at least two purposes: (1) They relieve the afflicted of their sicknesses and diseases; and (2) they claim the attention of the sufferers and those who witness the healings. The Spirit bore witness to Jesus’ divine power, setting the stage for the hearing and confirmation of the gospel. “The common people heard him gladly” (Mark 12:37). Generally, the chief priests, Pharisees, and rulers rejected Him and His message, for political reasons. (Read John 11:45, 53). However, many of the chief rulers believed on Him secretly (John 12:42, 43). Nicodemus, for example, recognized Him as “a teacher come from God: for no man can do these things that thou doest, except God be with him” (John 3:1, 2). But he used the cover of night, momentarily, to protect his seat on the Council. (See John 7:50-53 and 19:38-40.)

II. THE EARLY RESPONSE

Beginning in all Galilee, Jesus’s fame reached the whole of Syria on the north and east, Decapolis to the southeast, Jerusalem and all Judaea to the south, and the region east of the Jordan River. Josephus, the credible Jewish historian, says, “There were about two hundred cities and towns in Galilee, and all, or most of them, Christ visited.” At this early stage, His fame went abroad, and the sick and diseased were brought to Him, even from afar. The great multitude of followers apparently were convinced of the truth and authority of His message. Matthew 5:1,2

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

2  And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying....

A. His Listeners: It seems that the crowd had been gathering from far and wide for some time, for they were evidently the same “mul­titudes” referred to in the preceding verse. Verse 5 may indicate that He tried to withdraw from the masses of people, possibly for a time of rest. But if so, the people were insistent on hearing Him. His “disciples” followed Him, and it appears that so did the multitude. The word “disciples” simply means “followers,” and 4:25 above speaks thus of the multitudes. At any rate, Matthew 7:28 shows that “the people” heard the “sermon.”

B. The Setting and Procedure: “He went up into a mountain.” This has been determined to have been Kurn Hattin, or Horns of Hattin possibly located west of the Sea of Galilee, though currently the possible site is on top of the Sea (both locations will be shown. The current location pilgrims visit was donated by Benito Mussolini and a Roman Catholic Church was built on that land in the 1930’s.

Horns of Hattin or Kurn Hattin

Horns of Hattin was the recognized place before Benito Mussolini changed the location

 

Sitting was the Jewish position for teaching. Whatever His purpose in sitting, it soon became evident that the people expected to be taught, and Matthew says “He taught them.” Teaching is the more communicate method of instruction. Though this discourse has come to be referred to as a “sermon,” the method is of less importance that the content of His message. Surely the subject matter is heavy with instruction, or learning.

LIVING THE LESSON

We never know when the Lord may be “setting the stage” for a learning situation. It pays to cultivate a sensitive perception of His movements, lest we miss valuable opportunities to advance in the knowledge and wisdom of God. In this lesson, it is apparent that He had been preparing a multitude for this particular occasion. The setting seems almost incidental. It seems not to have been on the Sabbath when the people gathered for learning and worship. In­stead, a great “outdoor amphitheater” was necessary to accommo­date the crowd, most of whom had evidently come to witness more miracles.

In this instance, “the teacher come from God” could be trusted to dispense only the truth. Today, when the devil knows his time is short, we must ever be alert to evidences of possible deception. Later on, Jesus Himself gave warning after warning against being deceived. For instance, the orthodox Pharisees were not to be trusted as an example in works, though they were almost radical concerning the letter of the law of Moses (Read Matthew 23:1-12). It has become imperative that we even be wary of those who quote the Biblical teachings of the Church verbatim, but inject heresy into their expositions of those teaching. It has been noted that the com­ing Antichrist will “think to change times and “laws” (Dan. 7:25). Although the Antichrist is not yet revealed, “even now are there many antichrists” employed in his service. The editor of Endtime Magazine says, “The message of the Antichrist will be change, change; everything must change. Does this sound familiar?” Yes, it does sound familiar! When “change” becomes an obsession, it is time to “try the spirits”! Meddle not with them that are given to change (Proverbs 24:21 b).

The people in Jesus’ time observed His works; then they followed Him into the mountain to hear His words. Undoubtedly, many be­lieved His gospel message, but we know from reading the four Gospels that many rejected Him. He based His ministry on the law and the prophets; what we know as the Old Testament. (Read Luke 24:27.) Today we have also the New Testament, heralding His earthly ministry along with the apostles’ doctrine. We must insist on staying with these absolute truths. There will be miracles from God, but we are warned that miracles-working will also attend the spirit of Anti­christ! Paul’s admonition in Romans 16:17, 18 has never been more timely than now: “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.”

  

If you have never accepted or if you have fallen away from Jesus Christ here are three steps you need to take to be saved:

You must admit you are a sinner, confess your sin to Jesus, repent (turn from all you know is wrong), ask Jesus to come in your heart, and begin to follow Jesus by reading and obeying his word and go to a bible believing church that teaches his word. And tell someone what Christ Jesus Has Done For You (Rev 12:10)  

May God through Christ bless you!

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