Sound The Trumpet : Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount Matthew 5:

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“Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount Matthew 5:”
by Art Sadlier
December 26th, 2010

Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount

God’s original intention in creation was to establish a kingdom on earth. Adam and Eve would live forever. They would govern the kingdom on God’s behalf. It would be a glorious kingdom in which billions of men and women would be born and live in a utopia and worship God. Adam’s sin effectively terminated that kingdom. The world became the kingdom of Satan, at least temporarily. All down through the Old Testament this re-stablished kingdom was promised to Israel. Finally, Jesus came offering the re-establishment of the kingdom to Israel.

Matthew 4:17, “From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” He was saying, "the king is here, the kingdom is offered to you." However, Israel did not realize that the literal kingdom of God on earth could only come after every living Jew repented and was saved. Individual salvation was necessary.

Israel had several problems.

1 - Israel was not looking for individual, personal salvation. Israel was looking for national salvation; they were looking for political salvation. They were looking for a military salvation which would bring freedom from Rome. They wanted the restoration of the physical aspects of the kingdom.

2 - Israel did not realize that there were conditions for establishing the earthly kingdom. The earthly kingdom could only be established for those who were members of God’s spiritual kingdom. Personal, individual salvation had to come first. This personal salvation had to come to the whole nation before the literal, earthly kingdom could be re-established.

3 - Israel did not realize that they did not qualify for the kingdom. They did not realize that they fell short of God’s requirements. They had to repent, yet they had no conviction of sin; instead they had a sense of self-righteousness.

This is the setting for the Sermon on the Mount. In Matthew 5-7 Jesus describes the character and the heart attitude of those who are in the kingdom. Jesus describes these characteristics and attitudes so that Israelis can recognize their sin and repent and qualify for the kingdom. We know that Israel did not repent, but crucified the king. Therefore, the earthly kingdom was postponed until a future day when all Israel would repent. (See Zechariah 12)

In the meantime, the Lord has established a mystery form of the kingdom. This would be a time when Christ would reign in the hearts of men and women. That is the church, the body of Christ today. When God’s time comes, He will take the church out of the world. At that time He will go back to re-establishing the literal earthly kingdom for Israel and the nations. In the meantime, in Matthew 5-7, we have the heart attitude of all those in both aspects of God’s kingdom. This applies to us as part of the mystery form of the kingdom.

We have five reasons why the Sermon on the Mount is so important.

1 – It shows the absolute necessity of the new birth. No man in his own natural abilities or strength can live up to these demands of God. Only a dynamic new nature within, can enable men to live this way.

2 – It is intended to drive men to Jesus Christ. Provision for past failures, and power to live up to God’s requirements can only be found in Christ. He is the deliverer from past sin, and the enablement to live righteously in the present.

3 – It gives God’s pattern for happiness and true success. Here we find the way of peace and joy and true contentment God intends us to have.

4 – It is a great resource for witnessing. The person who personifies these principles will attract others to him. Such a life will whet the spiritual appetite of those around us. The obedience to these principles is the church's greatest tool for evangelism.

5 – This kind of life is the only life that is pleasing to God. This is the believer’s highest motivation for following Christ’s teaching. It pleases God.

Looking for His glorious appearing! Titus 2:13