Through the Bible GOSPELS Instruction Sermon on the Mount: Introduction Name: Date: 2011 Ronald Williams, 8306 James A Reed Rd, Raytown, MO; jrandms@sbcglobal.net
M onday: Introduction There is a lot of debate these days over what is the best way to prepare children (and change adults) to become responsible people. The three most popular ways are: Behavior modification: the use of behavior change techniques to improve behavior, such as altering an individual's behaviors and reactions to stimuli through positive and negative reinforcement of adaptive behavior and/or the reduction of maladaptive behavior through its extinction, punishment and/or therapy. 1 Education: with knowledge or education one's potential or abilities in life will increase ( knowledge is power ). 2 Genetic engineering: the alteration of an individual's genetic constitution with the aim of choosing the characteristic or trait of a newborn or changing the existing characteristic or trait of a child or adult: such as physical appearance, metabolism, and mental faculties like memory and intelligence. 3 Match the following areas with the method they describe (above): character, conduct, content. But this debate is not new to our generation. It has been going on for as long as man has been on the earth. Match the above methods with the biblical account below that illustrates it. Gen 3:5-6 4 Gen 6:4 5 Gen 19:4-9 6 Preview You have studied previously three qualities that are the foundation for man s salvation: Humility: deny your own 7 submission: deny your own 8 belief: deny your own 9 Match the following definitions with the character trait they describe: way, will, worth. Analysis How does Matt 5-7 match these three qualities? In the next few weeks you will study Jesus detailed analysis of these three areas in the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus begins in Matthew 5 by focusing on spiritual character (heart humility). STUDY Through the Bible Sermon on the Mount: Introduction (13.29) 3
In chapter 6 he contrasts two reasons for physical conduct (actions submission). Finally, in chapter 7, he explains how your mental content (knowledge belief) affects your choices and decisions. Finally, you will study three of the most important men in Jewish history and see how they illustrate man s need in each of these areas by their lack of them in their own lives. Homework (choose one) 1. How did Abram (Abraham) fail in these three qualities? 2. How did Moses fail in these three qualities? 3. How did Saul (Paul) fail in these three qualities? Bible Reading: Luke 6 Meditation Verse:??? Write the meditation verse on a 3X5 card. 4 Sermon on the Mount: Introduction (13.29) STUDY Through the Bible
T 1 uesday: Prerequisites Luke 6:12-19 shows what Jesus did before he began the Sermon on the Mount as a prerequisite to teaching: Prayed: vs. 12 And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to, 10 and continued all night in 11 to God. As you learned previously, Jesus always prepared for ministry to people with prayer to God. It was an absolute essential for effective work on earth. 2 Chose twelve: vs. 13-16 And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named ; 12 14 Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, 15 Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes, 16 And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor. Second, Jesus chose twelve men to succeed him and carry on his work when his earthly ministry was finished. Mark 3:14-15 also says why they were chosen: that they should be 13 him, and that he might send them forth to, 14 And to have power to 15 sicknesses, and to 16 devils Write 12 apostles chosen for Matt 5:1b, Mark 3:13b-19a, and Luke 6:13-16 on the Harmony of the Gospels outline. 3 Healed the multitudes: vs. 17-19 And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be 17 of their diseases; 18 And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were. 18 19 And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and 19 them all. Third, as you learned previously, Jesus showed the people that God cared about them by healing their diseases (practical ministry) before ministering to them spiritually. Write Multitudes healed for Luke 6:17-19 on the Harmony of the Gospels outline. Bible Reading: Matt 5 Meditation Verse: Luke 6:12 Write the meditation verse on a 3 X 5 card. Review the previous meditation verses. STUDY Through the Bible Sermon on the Mount: Introduction (13.29) 5
W ednesday: spiritual character Jesus begins the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5 by focusing on spiritual character (heart humility). Fill in the table below with the key word(s) from each verse that shows character. Spiritual: Character Matthew 5 :3 Poor in 20 :4 :5 21 22 :6 Hunger and thirst for 23 :7 24 :8 25 in heart :9 26 :10-12 Suffer for 27 sake :13 :14-16 28 29 :17-20 Your 30 :21-26 31 to your brother :27-32 32 :33-37 H 33 :38-42 34 evil :43-48 35 your enemies Examples: humility Abram, Moses and Saul demonstrate a lack of humility that illustrates man s need for it. Abram Abram s lack of humility is shown by the change of name God gave him (gen 17:5) instead of 36 ( exalted father ), God calls him 37 ( father of multitudes ). God knew he needed more humility and the new name was a constant reminder to Abraham. Moses The Jews revered Moses because God gave him the law the first five books of the Bible. He is also honored because he led Israel for 40 years in the wilderness. But before he was ready to 6 Sermon on the Mount: Introduction (13.29) STUDY Through the Bible
serve God in any way, he needed to learn humility. Moses had already learned to do great things (humanly speaking Acts 7:22). And he already knew that he was God s instrument to deliver Israel from Egypt (Acts 7:25). Unfortunately, he tried to avenge Israel by himself instead of waiting for God to do it (Exod 2:11-12). The Israelite saw through Moses hypocrisy and said so. As a result, Moses had to keep sheep in the desert for 40 years so he could learn humility. Only then could God use him. He learned his lesson well because when the time came to deliver Israel, Moses was reluctant to go. His first excuse was,? 38 (Exod 3:11) God s answer was, I will go with you (vs. 12). His second excuse was, What should I say your 39 is (vs. 13)? In vs. 14 God answers,. 40 His third excuse was, But they won t 41 me (4:1). So God gave him three signs: his 42 became a venomous 43 (vs. 2-5), his 44 became 45 (vs. 6-8) and 46 turned into 47 (vs. 9). In fact, Moses learned his lesson so well that Joshua commented that Moses was the 48 man on earth. Saul Saul (Paul) admits his need for humility to the Philippians. Fill in the blanks below with the key word(s) that shows things Paul could have boasted about (in the flesh). Phil 3:4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: 5 49 the eighth day, of the stock of, 50 of the tribe of, 51 an Hebrew of the ; 52 as touching the law, a ; 53 6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the ; 54 touching the righteousness which is in the law,. 55 Fill in the blanks below with the key word(s) that shows how Paul overcame pride. Phil 3:7 But what things were gain to me, those I 56 for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have, 57 and do count them but, 58 that I may win Christ, Bible Reading: Matt 6 Meditation Verse: Matt 5:13 Write the meditation verse on a 3 X 5 card. Review the previous meditation verses. STUDY Through the Bible Sermon on the Mount: Introduction (13.29) 7
T hursday: physical conduct Next, in chapter 6, Jesus contrasts two reasons for physical conduct (actions submission): hypocrisy and honesty. Fill in the table below (Matt 6) with the key word(s) from each verse that shows conduct. Physical: conduct Matthew 6 Hypocrisy Honesty John 5:44 Openly: for men Secretly: for God 59 60 61 62 63 Matt 6:1-2 Matt 6:3-4 :5 :6-15 :16 :17-18 :19 :20-24 :25-30 :31-34 Example Matt 23: 64 Matt 23: 65 Fill in the last row of the table above with the correct verses from Matt 23 (:1-7 or :8-12) that shows hypocrisy and honesty. Examples: submission Abram, Moses and Saul demonstrate a lack of submission that illustrates man s need for it. Abram Abram demonstrates a lack of submission by failing to completely obey God. takes 66 and 67 with him (Gen 11:31) goes to 68 instead of Canaan (Gen 11:31) takes 69 to Canaan (Gen 12:4) instead of staying in Canaan, he goes to 70 (Gen 12:10) instead of staying in Canaan, he goes to 71 (Gen 20:1) Moses Moses last excuse seems to show his lack of submission (Exod 4:13), send by whom thou wilt send. This lack of submission is why God got angry. So God sends 72 to be Moses mouth (vs. 14-17). Only then does Moses completely submit (though it still seems reluctant). 8 Sermon on the Mount: Introduction (13.29) STUDY Through the Bible
Saul Paul gives the key to his salvation when he describes why the Jews (as a nation) rejected Jesus (Rom 10:1-5). In vs. 1 he expresses his desire for Israel to be saved (just like he was). Vs. 2 says they have a zeal for God but lack the proper knowledge of how to be saved (just like he did). Vs. 3 says they are ignorant of God s righteousness so they try to establish their own righteousness (works I believe this is the reason Saul was so strong in his persecution of the church. He was trying to establish his own righteousness (Gal 1:13-14) because he constantly felt guilty (Acts 9:5). But no matter how much he did, it wasn t enough.) That was somewhat true under the law in the O.T. (vs. 5), but not in the N.T. where Christ is the righteousness of God (vs. 4). So what did they (and Saul) need? Vs. 3 tells you submission. Notice carefully the words Saul used when he met Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:3-6). In vs. 5 & 6 he calls him 73 (a title of submission). Also in vs. 6 notice Saul s question for Jesus [what will you have me to? 74 His very first concern after submitting to Jesus as Lord was doing what Jesus wanted. Bible Reading: Matt 7 Meditation Verse: Matt 6:19-21 Write the meditation verse on a 3 X 5 card. Review the previous meditation verses. STUDY Through the Bible Sermon on the Mount: Introduction (13.29) 9
F riday: mental content Finally, in chapter 7, Jesus explains how mental content (knowledge belief) affects your choices and decisions. Fill in the table below (Matt 7) with the key word(s) from each verse that shows false/ faulty knowledge. Mental: content Matthew 7 :1-6 False 75 :7-12 False 76 requests :13-14 False, 77 :15-20 False 78 :21-23 False 79 :24-27 False 80 Examples: belief Abram, Moses and Saul demonstrate a lack of belief that illustrates man s need for it. Abram People always think of Abram as a man of faith (and he is), but he also shows a surprising a lack of belief earlier in his life. Paul understood this. In Rom 4:19-21 he records Abraham is 81 in faith. But this is not until the age of 100. It s only afterwards that Abraham becomes 82 in faith (vs. 20) and 83 (vs. 21). Before that time he exhibits a lack of faith by not trusting God to: provide food during the 84 in Israel (Gen 12:10) protect him in 85 (Gen 12:11-13) provide a son through 86 (Gen 16:1-4) protect him in 87 (Gen 20:1-2) It was only after more than 25 years of testing (Gen 11-21) that Abraham finally was ready to receive God s fullest blessing a son. God s first call was sometime before he was 75 years old but Isaac wasn t born until he was 100 years old. Only then does Abraham show a walk of faith that is exemplary to us all (Heb 11:17-19). Moses Moses seems to have had one bout with doubt (Num 20:7-12). Instead of trusting God to bring water from the rock by, 88 Moses 89 the rock twice. God was angry with Moses because what he did pictures working for God s salvation instead of asking for it 10 Sermon on the Mount: Introduction (13.29) STUDY Through the Bible
through grace. That s why he wasn t allowed to enter the promised land (just like anyone who trusts in his own works can t enter heaven). Saul Romans 10:6-10 shows that Israel (and Saul) needed to 90 that God raised Jesus from the dead. Why? Because in the N.T. righteousness is based on his faith (not your own). Bible Reading: Luke 18:18-23 Meditation Verse: Matt 7:13-14 Write the meditation verse on a 3 X 5 card. Review the previous meditation verses. STUDY Through the Bible Sermon on the Mount: Introduction (13.29) 11
S unday: three qualities Luke 18:18-23 records an encounter between Jesus and a rich young ruler seeking salvation. Jesus response to him emphasizes that spiritual character (heart) is more important than mental content (knowledge) or physical conduct (actions) the same three areas you saw in the Sermon on the Mount. Analysis What did the rich young ruler do right? What did he do wrong? Knowledge (content: mental) without obedience (conduct: physical) is not good enough. The rich young ruler 91 the commandments (vs. 20) and 92 them (at least the ones Jesus mentioned.) But Jesus didn t quote the 10 th commandment don t 93 which seems to have been this man s weakness. Jesus exposed his lack of submission when he told him to sell all and follow Jesus the man was unwilling to do it. Submission must be shown through obedience. External obedience (conduct: physical) without internal belief is not good enough. If you study the story closer, it becomes clear that the young man s real problem was that he didn t put God first. Not only did Jesus fail to quote the 10 th commandment, he didn t quote the first four commandments about man s relationship to. 94 Why? Evidently, this young man s financial covetousness was only the outward evidence of an inward rebellion against God. Jesus exposes his hypocrisy and shows that outer works must be based on inner belief (John 6:28-29). So godly character requires the same three qualities you have seen before: submission (conduct) plus belief (content) plus humility (character). Paul states this principle in a slightly different way in 1Cor 13. Write the correct verses (1-7) in the blanks below to show which principle they teach. Mental content is not enough: 95 Even belief alone is not enough (Jms 2:19). The 96 believe that Jesus is the Son of God, but they are not submitted. Physical conduct alone is not enough: 97 Obedience without submission is hypocrisy (Matt 23). Only the proper spiritual character is good enough: 98 Guilt without true repentance is deadly (Matt 27:3-5). Even though Judas repented (regretted), it didn t lead to a change in conduct. Instead, he committed suicide. Conclusion These three qualities were so important that Jesus was always looking for people who had them. Fill in the blanks below with the word(s) that show each characteristic. Luke 7:1-10 Humility: 99 Submission: 100 STUDY Through the Bible Sermon on the Mount: Introduction (13.29) 13
Belief: 101 Luke 15:11-23 Humility: 102 Submission: 103 Belief: 104 Luke 23:39-42 Humility: 105 Submission: 106 Belief: 107 Matt 15:21-28 Humility: 108 Submission: 109 Belief: 110 That s why Jesus was especially critical of the Pharisees failure in these three areas: No Humility In Mark 7:1-6 he calls them 111 because they honor him with their 112 but their 113 is far from him. No Submission In verses 7-13 he says their worship is 114 because they reject the commandments of 115 and keep their own. 116 No Belief In verses 14-23 he exhorts the people to hear and understand. Reflection Which of these three qualities is your strongest? Which of them is your weakest? How can you improve each one? 14 Sermon on the Mount: Introduction (13.29) STUDY Through the Bible
Key 1 conduct 2 content 3 character 4 Education 5 Genetic engineering 6 Behavior modification 7 worth 8 will 9 way 10 pray 11 prayer 12 apostles 13 with 14 preach 15 heal 16 cast out 17 healed 18 healed 19 healed 20 spirit 21 Mourn 22 Meek 23 righteousness 24 Merciful 25 Pure 26 Peacemakers 27 righteousness 28 Salt 29 Light 30 righteousness 31 Reconciled 32 adultery 33 Honesty 34 resist not 35 Love 36 Abram 37 Abraham 38 Who am I? 39 name 40 I AM THAT I AM 41 believe 42 rod 43 snake 44 hand 45 leprous 46 water 47 blood 48 meekest 49 Circumcised 50 Israel 51 Benjamin 52 Hebrews 53 Pharisee 54 church 55 blameless
56 counted loss 57 suffered the loss of all things 58 dung 59 Alms 60 Prayer 61 Fasting 62 Treasure 63 necessities 64 1-7 65 8-12 66 Terah 67 Lot 68 Haran 69 Lot 70 Egypt 71 Gerar 72 Aaron 73 Lord 74 do 75 judgment 76 prayer 77 gate, way 78 prophets 79 believers 80 foundation 81 not weak 82 strong 83 fully persuaded 84 famine 85 Egypt 86 Sarai 87 Gerar 88 speaking 89 smote 90 believe 91 knew 92 obeyed 93 covet 94 God 95 1-2 96 devils 97 3 98 4-7 99 I am not worthy 100 Lord 101 say in a word, and my servant shall be healed 102 I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, 19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son 103 make me as one of thy hired servants 104 I will arise and go to my father 105 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds 106 Lord 107 Dost not thou fear God 108 the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters table 109 Lord 110 worshipped him 111 hypocrites 112 lips 113 heart
114 vain 115 God 116 traditions