The Barn Christian Fellowship

COURSE PURPOSE AND SUMMARY

Purpose 

The purpose for conducting this course is to establish in each believer an understanding of the principles of character taught by Jesus in The Sermon on the Mount.  In this course, we will make a verse by verse study of Matthew Chapters 5, 6 and 7. Through this course each student should be challenged by the words of Jesus to new levels of Christlikeness.

Outline

Introduction

1. The Beatitudes - Matthew 5:1-12.
2. Salt And Light - Matthew 5:13-16.
3. Sins of the Heart - Matthew 5:17-48.
4. Doing Good - Matthew 6:1-7:27.

Reading

Read chapters 5-7 of Matthew's gospel.

References

• 1. Yandian, R 1983 Let Your Light Shine. Springfield: Whitaker House.
• 2. Martin Lloyd-Jones, D 1959-60 Studies in the Sermon on the Mount: Varsity Press
• 3. Richards, L O 1970. Creative Bible Teaching Chicago: The Moody Bible Institute.
• 4. Barnette, H H 1961 Introducing Christian Ethics. Nashville: Broadman Press.
• 5. Geisler, N L 1971 Ethics: Alternatives and Issues. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House.
• 6. Pierce, T B 2000 Ministerial Ethics - A Guide for Spirit Filled Pastors. Springfield: Logion Press.
• 7. Winston, B Be a Manager For God's Sake - Essays about the Perfect Manager .
• 8. http://www.saltinstitute.org/
• 9. Fisher, J 1988 Real Christians Don't Dance Minneapolis: Bethany House Publishers
• 10. Vine, WE 1985 Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words. London: Marshall Morgan & Scott.WE
• 11. Worrell, A S 1904 The Worell New Testament Springfield: Gospel Publishing House

Lesson 1 - Introduction

Outline

• 1. The Importance of studying The Sermon on the Mount.
• 2. Applying the Word.
• 3. The Role of Faith.
• 4. Opposition.
• 5. Background to The Sermon On The Mount.

 1. The Importance of Studying The Sermon on the Mount.

 1.1 The following are reasons why a believer should make a study of character:

• 1.1.1 A solid foundation for living.
• 1.1.2 A Christian responsibility.
• 1.1.3 Self-examination is healthy.
• 1.1.4 To be an example to others.

 1.2 The best and most complete answer comes from 2 Timothy 3:14-17.

 1.3 One of the purposes of the Word is to correct, it is to train in righteousness. The Word will make believers wise, so that they can fulfil their destinies in Him.

1.4 Therefore God's Word must have a two-fold effect in the life of a believer:

• 1.4.1 It must reveal God and
• 1.4.2 It must transform lives. Ephesians 4:1

1.5 How can God's Word transform lives? What role does the Holy Spirit play in this transformation?

1.6 One of our major problems in the body of Christ is that of knowing about God as opposed to knowing God.

2. Applying the Word - (James 1:21-22)

2.1 A believer who only takes in the Word without either giving it out or putting it into practice is like a person who eats and never exercises, the true benefit comes with the putting out.

2.2 This is the difference between knowledge and wisdom. Knowledge is taking in the Word, while when this is practically applied, a person becomes wise.

2.3 God has always wanted a mature character, and so has attempted to instil His nature into man.

• 2.3.1 God gave instructions to Adam, to Noah, and to Moses, The Ten Commandments. These were given to God's people directly by Him, and remain one of the most important pronouncements of ethics and morality known to mankind. 
•  2.3.2 As mankind moved from Law to Grace, Jesus gave one of the most profound teachings recorded by Matthew as The Sermon on the Mount.  
• 2.3.3 He followed this by giving revelation of how character is to be formed through men like Paul, James, and John.

   Law                                                                                                         Grace

2.4 God gave the Law with the idea of showing His standard.

• 2.4.1 Paul says that the Law is pure and holy (Romans 7:12), yet only when Christ indwells man can he fulfil the righteous requirement of the Law (Romans 8:4).

2.5 This is where the Sermon on the Mount fits in as it is a transition between the two. Jesus frequently refers to the Law (or the interpretation of the Law by the Pharisees) during His teaching, however He adds, "But I say to you."

2.6 As we journey through the Bible we see that with some chose to apply the instructions of God and so were transformed, while others did not.

• 2.6.1 We find Joseph, who chose God and became one of the greatest examples of integrity.
•  2.6.2 Jacob only applied the Word after an encounter with God. Only then was he transformed from a self-centred man going his own way into someone of character, fulfilling his destiny.  
• 2.6.3 Moses, God's man of meekness, who stands head and shoulders above a rebellious generation, then obeys and then disobeys God in striking a rock! 
• 2.6.4 Judas spent 3 years walking with Jesus, did not apply the Word and remained a thief. 
• 2.6.5 Gehazi, the servant of Elisha, saw miracles, yet chose material blessing ahead of the call of God. 
• 2.6.6 Annanias and Sapphira had a great opportunity to be used in the early church after being involved with the disciples but lied to the Holy Spirit and never fulfilled their destinies. 
• 2.6.7 Even the nation of Israel disobeyed, marring God's plan of redemption as God punished the entire nation for its failure.

3. The Role of Faith

3.1 The Sermon on the Mount, like any other Bible teaching, cannot be lived out in one's own strength. It can only be achieved through faith and by the power of the Holy Spirit.

3.2 Responding by faith is an essential part of growth. It is never enough just to have information about God. James 2:19-20

3.3 "Intellectual assent to true information, even absolute confidence that the information is truth, is useless in itself. There must be a response."[1]

3.4 God is concerned with transformation, with making us something we're not. And continued response to God, continued application of faith is essential for growth.

3.5 Jesus said that obedience is sourced in love. "He who has my commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves me."

3.6 Responsiveness, then, springs from love for God and can never be confused with a mechanical, forced conformity to rules or standards.

4. Opposition - James 1:12-18

4.1 God is not the author of temptation. God is holy and pure and nothing evil can stem from Him.

4.2 The devil is not to blame for all temptation. He is not God; he cannot be everywhere at the same time. He cannot possibly be responsible for tempting every human being on earth.

4.3 Temptation is mainly from the flesh, from the fallen nature and attempts to defeat us through our minds.

4.4 Notice the "reward" for enduring temptation: a crown of life! (There are obviously other benefits to coming through temptation, namely, experiencing His glory and displaying the victory of God to others!)

4.5 How did Jesus deal with temptation? Matthew 4:1-11

• 4.5.1 Matthew 4:1-11 tells us that Jesus dealt with temptation by quoting the Word! (What is interesting is that Satan also quotes the Word, however, out of context, which is so appropriately answered by Jesus when He says `You shall not tempt the LORD your God.'

Table 1.1: Comparing David's Temptation to Joseph's

1 Corinthians 10:13

[1] Richards L. O. 1970 Creative Bible Teaching Chicago: The Moody Bible Institute

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