Dictionary of Bible Themes: 1660 Sermon on the Mount

1660 Sermon on the Mount

Dictionary of Bible Themes

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A collection of Jesus Christ's teaching on the theme of discipleship. It deals with the righteousness required of disciples, the way they are to perform their religious duties, and the blessing and persecution they will know as followers of Christ. It can be seen as a manifesto setting out the nature of life in the kingdom of God.

The setting of the Sermon on the Mount

Matthew 5:1; Luke 6:17 Either Jesus Christ taught similar material in two different locations, as is common in preaching, or else Luke more specifically identifies that he taught on a level place or plateau on the mountainside.

The teaching of the Sermon on the Mount

The blessings of being in the kingdom

See also Matthew 5:3-12 pp Luke 6:20-23

Jesus Christ's disciples are to have a positive influence on the world

Matthew 5:13-16

The relationship between Jesus Christ's message and the law

Matthew 5:17-21

Jesus Christ's disciples are to exhibit a new depth of righteousness

Matthew 5:20 See also Matthew 5:48

The righteousness required of Jesus Christ disciples

Not only murder but also anger and broken relationships are wrong:

Matthew 5:21-24; Exodus 20:13; Matthew 5:25-26 pp Luke 12:58-59

Not only adultery but also lust is wrong:

Matthew 5:27-30; Exodus 20:14 Matthew 5:31-32 faithfulness in marriage is called for; Matthew 5:33-37 faithfulness in speech is called for; Matthew 5:38-48 Retaliation must be abandoned, and enemies as well as neighbours must be loved.

Jesus Christ's disciples are to seek only God's approval in their religious duties

Matthew 6:1

How religious duties are to be performed

See also Matthew 6:2-4 Giving to the poor is to be done secretly; Matthew 6:5-8 Prayer is not to become a public display; Matthew 6:16-18 Fasting is to be done without show.

The kingdom is to be valued above material possessions

Matthew 6:19-21 See also Matthew 6:24-34 pp Luke 12:22-31

Jesus Christ's disciples are to avoid being judgmental

Matthew 7:1-2 See also Matthew 7:3-5 pp Luke 6:41-42

Jesus Christ's disciples should pray, confident of an answer

Matthew 7:7-8 pp Luke 11:9-10 See also Matthew 7:9-12 pp Luke 11:11-13

A pattern for prayer

Matthew 6:9-15 pp Luke 11:2-4

True disciples will obey Jesus Christ teaching

Matthew 7:21 See also Matthew 7:15-20,24-27 pp Luke 6:47-49

Characteristics of Jesus Christ's teaching in the Sermon on the Mount

Matthew 7:28-29