Living the Jesus Way: Teachings from the Mount
Summary
### Summary
Today, we gathered to reflect on the profound teachings of Jesus Christ, particularly focusing on the Sermon on the Mount as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew. This sermon, spanning chapters 5 through 7, is the longest recorded teaching of Jesus and serves as a comprehensive guide for how His followers should live. Jesus gathered His disciples and taught them what it means to be a follower of His, emphasizing that their lives should reflect His ways, attitudes, and characteristics.
Jesus began by blessing those who are "poor in spirit," "those who mourn," and "the meek," among others, highlighting the values of humility, compassion, and righteousness. He then called His followers to be the "salt of the earth" and the "light of the world," urging them to influence others positively and shine the light of God's love and truth. Jesus clarified that He did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it, emphasizing that true righteousness goes beyond mere external compliance to the law and involves a heart fully devoted to God.
Throughout the sermon, Jesus contrasted traditional teachings with His deeper, more heart-centered interpretations. For example, He expanded the commandment against murder to include anger and insults, and the commandment against adultery to include lustful thoughts. He also taught about the importance of integrity, urging His followers to let their "yes" be "yes" and their "no" be "no."
Jesus addressed various aspects of life, including giving to the needy, prayer, fasting, and the pursuit of heavenly treasures over earthly ones. He warned against anxiety, encouraging His followers to trust in God's provision and seek His kingdom first. He also spoke about the importance of not judging others hypocritically and the necessity of discerning true teachings from false ones.
In conclusion, Jesus emphasized that those who hear His words and put them into practice are like wise builders who build their houses on solid rock, able to withstand life's storms. This week, I challenge each of us to read and meditate on the Sermon on the Mount, using it as a mirror to examine our lives and ask ourselves if we are truly living the Jesus way.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Beatitudes and True Blessedness: Jesus begins the Sermon on the Mount by pronouncing blessings on those who embody humility, compassion, and righteousness. These Beatitudes challenge us to recognize our spiritual poverty and our need for God's grace, promising comfort and fulfillment to those who seek righteousness and mercy. [32:30]
2. Being Salt and Light: As followers of Jesus, we are called to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. This means influencing others positively and shining the light of God's love and truth in a dark world. Our actions and attitudes should reflect the values of heaven, making God's presence known to those around us. [36:52]
3. Heart-Centered Righteousness: Jesus reinterprets the law to focus on the heart's intentions rather than mere external compliance. He teaches that anger is akin to murder and lust to adultery, emphasizing that true righteousness involves a heart fully devoted to God. This calls us to examine our inner thoughts and attitudes, not just our outward actions. [39:37]
4. Trusting in God's Provision: Jesus addresses the common human anxieties about daily needs, urging His followers to trust in God's provision. He reminds us that God cares for the birds and the lilies and will surely care for us. Our primary focus should be seeking God's kingdom and righteousness, trusting that all other needs will be met. [46:35]
5. Building on a Solid Foundation: Jesus concludes by comparing those who hear and obey His teachings to wise builders who build their houses on rock. This metaphor underscores the importance of grounding our lives in Jesus' teachings, ensuring that we can withstand life's inevitable storms. Our faith and actions must be rooted in the solid foundation of Christ's words. [51:02]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[23:03] - Introduction and Gratitude
[24:13] - Insights from FAU Football Chaplaincy
[25:36] - Jesus' Teaching on the Hillside
[27:01] - Context of the Sermon on the Mount
[28:23] - Crowds Gather to Hear Jesus
[29:43] - Audience of the Sermon
[31:00] - Purpose of the Sermon on the Mount
[32:30] - The Beatitudes
[36:52] - Salt and Light
[38:14] - Fulfillment of the Law
[39:37] - Heart-Centered Righteousness
[43:47] - True Acts of Righteousness
[46:35] - Trusting in God's Provision
[48:05] - Judging Others
[49:35] - Beware of False Prophets
[51:02] - Building on a Solid Foundation
[52:36] - Living the Jesus Way
[54:13] - Challenge for the Week
[55:47] - Closing Prayer and Commitment Song
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 5:3-12 (The Beatitudes)
2. Matthew 5:13-16 (Salt and Light)
3. Matthew 7:24-27 (Building on a Solid Foundation)
#### Observation Questions
1. What are the characteristics of those who are blessed according to the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:3-12?
2. How does Jesus describe the role of His followers in the world in Matthew 5:13-16?
3. What does Jesus compare those who hear and obey His teachings to in Matthew 7:24-27? [51:02]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus emphasize humility, compassion, and righteousness in the Beatitudes? How do these qualities reflect the values of the kingdom of heaven? [32:30]
2. What does it mean to be the "salt of the earth" and the "light of the world"? How can these metaphors be applied in our daily lives? [36:52]
3. In what ways does Jesus' teaching on anger and lust in Matthew 5:21-30 challenge traditional understandings of the law? How does this reflect a heart-centered approach to righteousness? [39:37]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the Beatitudes. Which of these characteristics do you find most challenging to embody in your life? How can you work on developing this trait? [32:30]
2. Jesus calls us to be the "salt of the earth" and the "light of the world." Can you think of a recent situation where you had the opportunity to influence others positively? How did you respond, and what could you do differently next time? [36:52]
3. Jesus teaches that true righteousness involves a heart fully devoted to God. Are there areas in your life where you are more focused on external compliance rather than internal transformation? How can you shift your focus? [39:37]
4. Jesus urges us to trust in God's provision and not to be anxious about our daily needs. What are some specific anxieties you are currently facing? How can you practice trusting God more in these areas? [46:35]
5. Jesus warns against judging others hypocritically. Have you ever found yourself judging someone without first examining your own faults? How can you practice more grace and understanding in your interactions with others? [48:05]
6. Jesus concludes the Sermon on the Mount by emphasizing the importance of building our lives on His teachings. What practical steps can you take this week to ensure that your life is grounded in the solid foundation of Christ's words? [51:02]
7. The pastor challenged us to read and meditate on the Sermon on the Mount this week. How will you incorporate this challenge into your daily routine? What specific time and method will you use to engage with these scriptures? [54:13]
This guide is designed to help your small group delve deeper into the teachings of Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount, encouraging both reflection and practical application in your daily lives.
Devotional
Day 1: True Blessedness in Humility and Compassion
Jesus begins the Sermon on the Mount by pronouncing blessings on those who embody humility, compassion, and righteousness. These Beatitudes challenge us to recognize our spiritual poverty and our need for God's grace, promising comfort and fulfillment to those who seek righteousness and mercy. Jesus highlights the values of being "poor in spirit," "those who mourn," and "the meek," among others. These qualities reflect a heart that is humble, compassionate, and deeply aware of its need for God. By embracing these attitudes, we align ourselves with the kingdom values that Jesus taught and lived.
The Beatitudes are not just a list of virtues but a roadmap to true blessedness. They call us to a countercultural way of living that prioritizes spiritual wealth over material wealth, mourning over indifference, and meekness over power. As we meditate on these blessings, we are invited to examine our own lives and ask whether we are living in a way that reflects these kingdom values. Are we seeking righteousness and mercy, or are we caught up in the pursuits of this world? Jesus promises that those who embody these qualities will find true comfort and fulfillment in Him. [32:30]
Matthew 5:3-5 (ESV): "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to embrace humility and compassion more fully? How can you seek God's grace to embody these Beatitudes today?
Day 2: Being Salt and Light
As followers of Jesus, we are called to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. This means influencing others positively and shining the light of God's love and truth in a dark world. Our actions and attitudes should reflect the values of heaven, making God's presence known to those around us. Jesus uses the metaphors of salt and light to illustrate the transformative impact His followers should have on the world. Salt preserves and enhances flavor, while light dispels darkness and reveals truth.
Being salt and light is not just about doing good deeds but about living in a way that points others to God. It involves being intentional in our interactions, showing kindness, and standing up for what is right. As we live out these values, we become a beacon of hope and truth in a world that desperately needs it. Jesus calls us to let our light shine before others so that they may see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven. This is a high calling that requires us to be mindful of our influence and to seek God's guidance in all that we do. [36:52]
Matthew 5:13-16 (ESV): "You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden."
Reflection: How can you be a positive influence in your community this week? What specific actions can you take to shine the light of God's love and truth to those around you?
Day 3: Heart-Centered Righteousness
Jesus reinterprets the law to focus on the heart's intentions rather than mere external compliance. He teaches that anger is akin to murder and lust to adultery, emphasizing that true righteousness involves a heart fully devoted to God. This calls us to examine our inner thoughts and attitudes, not just our outward actions. Jesus challenges the traditional understanding of the law by going deeper into its true meaning and purpose. He shows that God's standards are not just about external behavior but about the condition of our hearts.
Heart-centered righteousness means that we must be vigilant about our inner life, guarding against anger, lust, and other sinful attitudes. It requires us to cultivate a heart that is pure, loving, and fully devoted to God. This kind of righteousness is not something we can achieve on our own; it is a work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. As we surrender our hearts to God, He transforms us from the inside out, enabling us to live in a way that truly honors Him. [39:37]
Matthew 5:21-22 (ESV): "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.' But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment."
Reflection: What inner attitudes or thoughts do you need to surrender to God today? How can you cultivate a heart that is fully devoted to Him?
Day 4: Trusting in God's Provision
Jesus addresses the common human anxieties about daily needs, urging His followers to trust in God's provision. He reminds us that God cares for the birds and the lilies and will surely care for us. Our primary focus should be seeking God's kingdom and righteousness, trusting that all other needs will be met. Jesus' teaching on anxiety is a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness and care for His creation. He uses the examples of birds and flowers to illustrate how God provides for even the smallest of His creatures.
Trusting in God's provision means letting go of our worries and placing our confidence in His ability to meet our needs. It involves seeking His kingdom first, knowing that He will take care of the rest. This is not a call to passivity but to active faith, where we prioritize our relationship with God and His purposes above all else. As we do this, we experience the peace and security that comes from knowing that our Heavenly Father is in control. [46:35]
Matthew 6:25-26 (ESV): "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?"
Reflection: What anxieties or worries do you need to surrender to God today? How can you actively seek His kingdom and trust in His provision?
Day 5: Building on a Solid Foundation
Jesus concludes by comparing those who hear and obey His teachings to wise builders who build their houses on rock. This metaphor underscores the importance of grounding our lives in Jesus' teachings, ensuring that we can withstand life's inevitable storms. Our faith and actions must be rooted in the solid foundation of Christ's words. Jesus' parable of the wise and foolish builders highlights the critical importance of not just hearing His words but putting them into practice.
Building on a solid foundation means that we take Jesus' teachings seriously and apply them to our daily lives. It involves a commitment to living out His principles, even when it is challenging or countercultural. As we do this, we build a life that is resilient and able to withstand the trials and difficulties that come our way. Jesus promises that those who build their lives on His words will stand firm, no matter what storms they face. [51:02]
Matthew 7:24-25 (ESV): "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock."
Reflection: Are there areas of your life where you are not fully living out Jesus' teachings? What steps can you take to build a stronger foundation on His words today?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Jesus, one day he gathers his disciples when disciples, you know, those ones that were the closest to him was ones who, uh, had, had believed and embraced for who he was as the son of God, as the Messiah of God. And then we've said this many times that during that time, they may not have completely grasped what the Messiah was going to do. They knew he was going to bring freedom, but, but in their mind, they're, they're thinking kind of earthly freedom, physical freedom from tyranny, but throughout his Jesus, as the Messiah was bringing spiritual freedom that we just sing about that they knew him." [25:36] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the pure. Blessed are those who are in heart for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." [35:29] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden, nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others. So they may see your good works and give glory to your father who is in heaven." [36:52] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air. They neither sow nor reap nor gather in the barns, and yet your heavenly father feeds them. Are you not more value than they?" [46:35] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Ask, and it will be given to you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be open to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, would give him a serpent?" [48:05] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "The Sermon on the Mount, this teaching of Jesus, the Sermon on the Mount is not a way to earn entrance into heaven. This is not what this teaching is about. Jesus is not saying, hey, if you do these things, if your life looks like this, if you have these characteristics, if you have these attitudes, if the actions of your life look like this, then this will earn you entrance into the kingdom of heaven. This will earn your salvation. This is not what he's teaching." [31:00] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "He's saying, make sure that your life, the foundation of your life is the rock, Jesus Christ. Make sure God's word is the foundation of your life and everything that your life is built upon. Because if it's not, when the rains come and the floods hit and the storms hit your life, it will crumble." [52:36] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "My challenge is that you read Matthew chapter 5, chapter 6, and chapter 7, and you may, decide to read it by, by reading every chapter every day. And for this week, you read all three chapters every day. You may take one chapter a day and kind of just contemplate on it and dig into it. Some of you are thinking, well, I can't do that. I need you to explain it to me. No, you don't." [54:13] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "You can simply take the word of God and as you start to dive into, you start to read it, you can pray, Holy Spirit, would you give me insight into this scripture? Holy Spirit, will you do something? Will you either convict me, show me, teach me something to do, show me changes I need to make in my life." [54:13] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The Sermon on the Mount, this longest recorded teaching that we have in scripture of Jesus. He made it very clear on that mountainside that as a follower of Jesus, as someone who has believed in him as the Messiah, your Messiah, that our lives should be lived in a noticeably different way than others. That the characteristics of my life as a believer and a follower of Jesus, that the attitudes of my life, that the conduct of my life, that the thoughts, the heart of my life should reflect Jesus." [52:36] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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