Introduction

  • Matthew 4:23-25
  • This sermon was a great departure from what most people thought true religion was at the time.
  • This sermon was not a call to arms for physical warfare.

It is easy to misunderstand and misapply (if we ignore context and harmony)

  • Matthew 5:14-16 – Jesus spoke in a way that everyone could understand.
  • Matthew 5:29
  • Jesus was practical and to the point.
  • Matthew 5:44
  • Matthew 6:7, 24
  • Jesus was the perfect teacher, but it is still possible to take his words out of context and misuse them.
  • Matthew 6:19; 7:1 – Is it wrong to have a bank account or judge others?
  • If we fail to understand, the mistake is ours!
  • Matthew 7:15, 7
  • Matthew 6:33

There is a balance of dos and don’ts.

  • Matthew 5:3, 11-12
  • Matthew 5:13 – Be salty, don’t be tasteless.
  • Matthew 5:20
  • Matthew 6:2
  • Matthew 7:13-14
  • We want to have this same balance that Jesus had.

Jesus taught with obvious authority.

  • Matthew 7:28-29
  • John 7:45
  • Matthew 5:17
  • There was nothing physically unique about Jesus. It was the context of His teaching.
  • Matthew 5:21
  • Matthew 5:43-44
  • Matthew 7:21-23 – Jesus is saying He will be there and be in charge at the judgment.
  • Read with reverence!