Sermon on the Mount Themes - Essay Example

Background Before I begin talking about Matthew I would like to provide a brief background and history. The first three gospels are known as synoptic because they are based on the same events. Many passages from all three can be placed side by side as evident parallels. The arrangement and presentation of the historical facts in the synoptic gospels are dictated by the purposes of a written gospel. The purposes of the gospel are to edify, rekindle faith and defend against enemies. Matthew illustrates this fact throughout" He records accusing words (23:24) comforting words (28:20) and motivating words" S.M Muller, 1998. (M Black, 1967: T Zahn, 1909) Give extensive evidence that Matthew originally wrote his book in Hebrew. Even those individuals that deny the external evidence that Matthew was written in Aramaic or Hebrew accept the fact that at least some of the sayings in the Gospel give evidence for an Aramaic foundation. This would require extensive research and narration before any of them would be able to be interpreted. Although this gospel doesn't name its author it is thought from earlier times that Matthew was the writer. (J Calvin, 2003) explains that originally Matthew was known as Levi (Mark 2:14), but Jesus changed His name to Matthew. (R Gundry, 1994) explains that Jesus' famous Sermon on the Mount is only recorded in Matthew. It is a masterful account of how people should live under God's authority on earth. Chapters 5 - 7 concentrate on the Sermon on the Mount especially looking at early discipleship. Matthew comments on the death and suffering of Jesus more than any of the other gospels. (M. Green, 2000) Describes how the Sermon on the Mount was delivered on a hillside it is thought to be somewhere near the Sea of Galilee where many of Jesus' disciples worked as fishermen. This sermon shows that people who think they are high and mighty do not have a place in heaven, but only those who are meek and humble acknowledging the word and commands of God. It demonstrates the humility of God's love for His people. In particular it demonstrates that God does not have favourites. Jesus wanted to make it clear that our ways are not the ways of the father and that we must love others even our enemies. Jesus did not give detailed rules instead He gave broad principles that people would have difficulty finding loopholes. Jesus was aware that some would walk away from the sermon having heard, but not taking action. Like the man who built his house on sand they would face a great fall. Yet despite their stubbornness to believe, Jesus chose to teach them the ways of the father and the principles they must apply to their lives to be accepted into God's family. Sermon on the Mount Theme's Before giving the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus had talked about righteousness (Matt. 5:17-20). This prepared the crowds for the Sermon on the Mount. When Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount the crowds were ready to listen to what God had to say. The crowds were amazed by the power of authority that Jesus gave when he presented the Sermon on the Mount. (C. H. Talbert, 2004) describes how Jesus taught the importance of having a righteous life and the true spirit of commandment - keeping. He spoke of loving one another, even your enemies and not taking revenge on those who treat us wrongly. This is true for today's society. It is easy to give in to man's way of doing things, but if we are to enter through the gates of heaven then we must do as the father wants us to do. (M. Henry, 2005) explains how this is especially difficult for a new Christian who has only just accepted God into their lives and walked away from their old lives. At first there will be sin in their lives, but as they progress as a Christian they will begin to get rid of the old and embrace the new. (Ephesians 6:12) makes it clear that ours is not a battle of flesh and blood, but against principalities, powers, against the rulers of darkness and spiritual wickedness in high places. Therefore we must remain true to God's word and not be like the foolish man who built his house on sand and did not apply the word of God to his life. A Christian has to love other people and accept them as they are. We are to be the living example of the Bible. (D.A. Carson, 2001) explains that if we study God's word and get close to Him we can have a loving relationship with God, but if we do not study or enter into a close relationship with God then He will say, " away from me you evil doer's". (Matthew 7:21) Jesus says this to warn people how important it is to have a close, loving relationship with God. Those who believe in God and follow His commands will be saved on judgement day, but those that merely prophesied in God's name, but did not follow the father's will, will not be saved. There is a real urgency about this in today's society. Jesus knew that he had to get the message through to people that they must heed His words and make the changes necessary in their lives. Today we can see the results of a society that has gone away from the Bible. The trials and tribulations we face today have happened as a direct result of people turning away from the truth of the Bible. We are told that if we put the truth of the Bible into our lives then we will be strong like the man who built his house on the rock. Yet people refuse to listen to the truth and more people are turning to other religions. Schools have thrown out every teaching of the Bible afraid that they may upset someone of a different faith. The early Church and Baptist ministers understood persecution. 17th century British Baptist pastor Hercules Collins wrote from prison to his church: "For, as a tree is known by his fruit, so is a Christian by a patient wearing [of] Christ's cross." (http://pastorsteveweaver.wordpress.com/2008/01/14/a-theology-of-persecution-exposition-of-matthew-1016-25/) This Statement sums up the meaning of Matthew 7 v21 - 29 by explaining the fruit of the spirit is much more than calling oneself a Christian, but involves undergoing persecution whilst still keeping the faith. When Collins talks of wearing a cross I do not think he means a literal cross. Though there have been cases such as British Airways refusing a worker to wear her cross because it might upset someone of a different religion. When Collins talked of wearing a cross I believe he meant holding to one's religion. Today it is more and more difficult to hold onto our belief because we face so much persecution from people who do not want us to believe. Many Christians have been killed because they would not deny their religion. Jesus knew when He gave the Sermon on the Mount that people would face much persecution and was warning them of the future. If we cling to our faith we are welcomed into heaven. Repentance is vital to a Christians' salvation, one must be holy and faithful to God at all times. A Christian must confess their sins and aim to live righteously in the Lord. The walk a Christian has with God must be loyal and righteous. There may be times when we get it wrong, but as long as we come back to God and repent then He will forgive us. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus makes it clear that there is no place in heaven for the proud or boastful and that we must seek the father's will. If we look at today's society in particular places like the God Channel we can see that some preachers are more concerned over their appearance than they are with God. They want to be accepted by people rather than God. (Matthew 6:33) teaches us that we must seek first the kingdom of God. God is not concerned about how many material possessions we have He is more concerned about our heart and the intention behind giving something to someone. (Matthew 19:16) talks of a young rich ruler who wrongly believes that he can get into heaven by good works, but those who enter heaven do so by faith. This is the whole essence of the Sermon on the Mount. It is Jesus saying to the people that they must put faith first and by God's grace they will enter heaven. There is no place in heaven for rich and poor, everyone is equal. Jesus knows that not everyone who is listening to His word will follow it through. Jesus knows there is only a short time to witness to people and makes it clear to them how to be received into heaven. There is a sense of urgency because Jesus wants people to enter heaven, but has to tell them if they don't change their ways they won't enter heaven. Jesus' teaching challenges people because this kind of teaching is very new to them. Never before have they witnessed this amount of authority or passion from any of the other Pharisees' or teachers' of the law. (R. A. H, Douglas, 1993) explains that Jesus makes the point of referring to himself to show the crowds that on judgment day they will come before Him and be judged. "Have we not" many will complain and say it is unfair. The accused will say that they have done many things in God's name, but they may have done them for their own credit. "I never knew you" going to Church every week and claiming that you are a Christian for social power does not mean that you know God. Plenty of people dress their best and put on their best hat to attend Church just so they can have a social life or be respected for going to Church. Away from Church that person may be completely opposite. They may participate in activities that God would not approve of yet when it comes to Sunday they put on their best frock and attend Church. Week in week out they miss the point. They find no pleasure in reading the Bible or getting closer to God as far as they are concerned that is a chore. These are the people that Jesus was referring to when He said those that build their house on the sand. The real point here is that we must do more than just attending weekly Church meetings and even mid week ones. We must humble ourselves before God and invite Him into our lives. We must read the Bible and get to know the will of God so we can apply it to our lives. Matthew evangelised to the Palestinian Jews presenting Jesus as the Jewish Messiah and teaching them that the new faith was rooted in Judaism. According to S.M Miller, 1998 Matthew was written around [C. 75] Matthew concentrates specifically on what the good news is and the words that Jesus spoke. (5:9)" S.M Muller, 1998. Role Models In the past there have been some good British Christian role models. John Smyth was an early Baptist minister and the founder of the Baptist denomination. Edwin Robertson was a leading figure in the international ecumenical movements and in religious broadcasting. He served the Baptist Church for over 70 years and wrote over 60 books. There are many more Church role models that I could mention, but just to add a few more Thomas Hunt, J.L. Hall, David Bernard and Charles Fox Parham all of influential roles in the Church. Commentary of Matthew 7: 21 - 29 21 Jesus addresses the crowds gathered around Him explaining that it isn't enough to worship the father, but they must do deeds as well. To enter heaven the will of the father must be put into place and we must have a close, loving relationship with God. 22 On judgement day many will proclaim they knew God and prophesised or cast out demons in His name, but they do not really know Him. They did not follow His teachings or commands. 23 God will say to these people that He never knew them and they will face His judgment. 24 Jesus uses a parable to explain a very important point, that everyone who reads God words and follows them will withstand God's judgement. Jesus uses a picture of two houses and explains that one was built without any foundation and one was built with a foundation. He uses these examples to demonstrate the strength of a person founded in scripture and the weakness of a person who does not read scripture and does not know God. 25 Jesus continues this picture by describing how easily the storms of life can make a person without God's foundation fall, but those that are strongly rooted in God will stand against any of the storms that life throws at them. The storms are representative of the troubles we face through life. 26 Those that hear God's word and read the Bible, but do not put them into practise in their lives is like a foolish man who will not withstand the storms of life. It is not enough to say that you believe in the Lord that will not save an individual. Having the correct theology about Jesus will not save. Believing in God and following His will, will save you. 27 When the troubles of life and the temptations of the flesh come to test a person only those that are rooted in God will stand. Those who are not rooted in God will fall and not enter the kingdom of heaven. 28 The crowds were astounded by Jesus' teaching because it was given with passion and authority unlike any other teacher of the law. The crowds knew that there was something different about Jesus. 29 Jesus taught with authority and power and this was new to the crowds they had not seen it before even with the teachers of the law. Conclusion I have come to the conclusion that the Sermon on the Mount was perhaps one of Jesus' most important sermons because it foretells the coming kingdom of God and how by obeying God and worshipping Him people can enter the kingdom of God. Matthew (7: 13 - 14) Matthew is a character that goes through a complete transformation of being a man that was working for the Roman government as a tax collector to witnessing to Jewish Christians as one of Jesus' twelve apostles. In Matthew we see the true glory and grace of God working in Matthew's life. We witness how God can transform a person and make them a new creation. In my opinion Matthew tells it more closely and personally than any of the gospels. In conclusion Matthew is a good gospel to learn of God's plan on earth and in the coming kingdom of heaven. 2,479 Bibliography C. H. Talbert, Reading The Sermon On The Mount: Character Formation And Decision Making In Matthew 5-7 By: University of South Carolina Press 2004 D.A. Carson, Jesus' Sermon on the Mount and His Confrontation with the World (Toronto: Global Christian Publishers, 2001), 138. M, Black, An Aramaic Approach to the Gospels and Acts (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1967). M. Henry, Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged Hendrickson Publishers 2005 M. Green, The Message of Matthew (The Bible Speaks Today) Inter-Varsity Press 2000 R. A. H, Douglas Matthew (Interpretation, a Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching) By: Westminster John Knox Press, 1993 (http://pastorsteveweaver.wordpress.com/2008/01/14/a-theology-of-persecution-exposition-of-matthew-1016-25/) 29/05/2008 J Calvin, "Harmony of Matthew, Mark, and Luke," translated by William Pringle in Calvin's Commentaries (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2003), 368. Gundry, R. A Survey of the New Testament. G.R.: Zondervan, 1994 S.M. Muller, Get Into The Bible. Journey through the Greatest Story of All Time. 1998, 278. T Zahn, Introduction to the New Testament, Vol. 2, J. M. Trout et al., transls. (Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1909), pp. 573-580. Melissa Mickie38@hotmail.com Read More