The Key to the Sermon on the Mount

The Sermon on the Mount – found in Matthew Chapters 5-7 – is one of the most extensive and important teachings of Jesus in the Bible. It is quoted often, from church pulpits to college classrooms to common sayings in everyday conversations. However, it is rarely treated as a complete sermon with interrelated parts such as main points, sub-points, etc. In fact, most pastors and commentators don’t teach it as a sermon at all but as a collection of teachings that they then interpret individually.

I believe that this is a mistake that takes away from the power of Jesus’ message and causes many misinterpretations of what He is saying. I believe that Jesus taught this sermon as a whole and we should study it as a whole. This is the clearest, most practical, and most logical explanation of what Jesus teaches us in Matthew Chapters 5- 7.

The key to understanding the Sermon on the Mount as a whole is twofold:

1) We must understand that Jesus is teaching His disciples – people who have already committed themselves to following Him – how to live in the kingdom of God, under God’s reign and authority. Living according to the Sermon on the Mount is not a prerequisite for salvation but is a privilege that brings blessings and happiness to the follower of Jesus. These are not new instructions to people He does not know but rather "Blessed are you – you will be really and truly happy – when you live this way."

2) We must understand that Jesus was using a teaching device not commonly used today where the teacher stated the main points and then expounded on them in reverse order. The Beatitudes then become the main points and the rest of the sermon explains their practical applications. Compare the Beatitudes and corresponding verses as listed below:

Matt. 5:10  Blessed are the persecuted…….is explained by Matt. 5:11-20    

Matt. 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers……is explained by Matt. 5:21-26

Matt. 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart……is explained by Matt. 5:27-37

Matt. 5:7 Blessed are the merciful………...is explained by Matt. 5:38-48

Matt. 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger…..is explained by Matt. 6:1-18

Matt. 5:5 Blessed are the meek……………is explained by Matt. 6:19-34

Matt. 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn…...is explained by Matt. 7:1-6

Matt. 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit…….is explained by Matt. 7:7-23

As we study the Sermon in the way we’ve outlined above, we will make some connections and discover some truth that will change the way we live. To help us along the way, for the next eight weeks I will be writing daily devotionals that will be based on the Beatitude and the corresponding scriptures for that week. 

Pray with me: Lord, I want to understand your Word and know you better. As we study the Sermon on the Mount, help each and every one of us to learn from you and to have the courage and fortitude to apply them to our lives. Continue to pray as you feel led... 

Please use this blog for personal devotional use and feel free to share it with friends and family. However, all publishing rights are reserved. No reproduction or publication of this blog is permitted without the permission of the author, Pastor Randy Brockett of New Song Foursquare Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado. To contact Pastor Randy, email him at randybrockett@yahoo.com.