HE BEGAN TO TEACH THEM

(Matthew 5:1-2)

INTRODUCTION

A. This evening I want to begin a series of sermons, all based
on the Sermon on the Mount.

1. It is my belief that this sermon by Jesus is one of the most
complete discourses on God’s will for man found in the
Bible.

2. It certainly isn’t the only information we must know,
but it covers two very important areas:

a. It shows the necessity of getting around the trappings
of vain or false religion – and tells us the need to be
what God wants us to be

b. It shows the importance of forming the inner man
versus wearing an external righteousness

B. The setting for the Sermon on the Mount

1. Matthew 4:23-5:2

2. Notice the atmosphere of the times in which this sermon
was preached

a. Jesus was conducting his ministry, preaching and
performing many miracles

b. A great multitude was following Him

c. It seems that there was an air of excitement and
anticipation on the part of those who went to hear Him
preach

d. It may be important to know that the people wanted
hear Him

C. This evening I want to talk about some introductory
matters, then on subsequent weeks we will study this sermon
section by section

1. Prepare to be challenged

2. Prepare for a spotlight to shine on the inner man

DISCUSSION

A. TIME AND PLACE OF THE SERMON

1. Matthew 5:1 says that Jesus went up on a mountain

a. This was probably near Capernaum

1) He settles in Capernaum (Mat. 4:13)

2) He entered Capernaum (Mat. 8:15)

b. The gospel accounts are not always chronological, but it
does seems that Jesus was in the area Capernaum.

2. Tradition says that the mount that Jesus went up to was
called the “Horns of Hattin”

a.  Located west of the Sea of Galilee

b.  The way that the peaks were located in that area made a
natural amphitheater

3 The time was early in His ministry, when great crowds
followed and prior to the time of organized opposition

B. THE AUDIENCE

1. In Matthew 5:1 we learn that there were crowds of people
that have been following Him – along with His disciples

2. Matthew 7:28-29 … they were astonished at His
teaching

3. Disciples are followers

a. These were disciples in the general sense – listeners and
learners

b. Some, though, would later turn away, and others would
follow for the rest of their lives

C. THE PREACHER

1. Jesus is sometimes called the “Master Teacher” –
WHY? …

a. He understood so well those He taught

b. He always used the best method of teaching

c. What He taught was always targeted to the greatest need

2. Consider the following verses

a. Luke 6:40 … a student is not above his teacher – thus he
is to be in a learning frame of mind

b. 1 Corinthians 11:1

c. 1 Peter 2:21

3. Consider the following things about Jesus’ teaching

a. Jesus taught God’s word and God’s law

1) John 4:34

2) Everything we teach and preach must be based on the
same thing

3) We must never allow preaching and teaching to
become nothing but our opinions and agenda

4) Thus the Bible says … 1 Peter 4:11

b. Jesus always considered the needs of His listeners

1) Jesus told the Samaritan woman about true worship
(Jn. 4) … note especially John 4:24

2) Luke 18:22 … Jesus challenges the rich young ruler
with one thing that he lacked – the ability to give
material possessions

3) In Matthew 23, Jesus challenged the scribes and
Pharisees about their emphasis on external appearances
instead of inner purity

4) Notice John 2:24-25

5) We need to strive to know one another so that we can
tell people what the need to hear – which will not
always be what they want to hear

4. Jesus’ preaching and teaching was easy to understand

a. He spoke in familiar terms – broad and narrow gates,
birds, flowers, lamps and building houses

b. His purpose was to communicate to people – not impress
them

c. I once heard a man who preached a meeting and another
preacher and I made lists of the number of words that he
used that we didn’t understand the meaning of – where is
the communication in this kind of sermon?

d. Would you understand a sermon on:

1) “Eschatology” or to preach about final things (the
same subject)

2) “Parousia” or to preach on the coming of Christ (the
same subject)

4. Jesus harmonized His living with His preaching

a. When Jesus instructed the people, it was difficult to
challenge Him because He practiced what He preached.

b. We often do just the opposite

1) We preach and teach that God and His church come
first, then live in ways that show the opposite

2) We advocate love with our words but practice
indifference, spite of prejudice

3) We advocate forgiveness, but practice holding grudges

4) We advocate generosity, but practice stinginess

c. Jesus was the model of consistency

CONCLUSION

A. The teaching of Jesus are hard and demanding

1. Do you think that the Sermon on the Mount is just fluff?

2. The Sermon on the Mount is deep and challenging

3. This Sermon on the Mount will make you see your need
for God in a clear and compelling way