Sermon on the Mount-2
Matthew 5:1-10
We must discern between the doctrinal application of what Jesus said and the spiritual application for us as “instruction in righteousness.”
We can only discern the difference by following the principle of 2 Timothy 2:15—“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15). [NOTE: Every modern bible translation has removed the word “Study” (Eccl. 12:12; 1 Thess. 4:11) from 2 Tim. 2:15].
One major difference between “the gospel of the Kingdom,” given under the Law, and “the gospel of the grace on God,” preached by Paul, is the element of works. According to Paul, during the dispensation we live in today, a person is saved by grace through faith in Christ’s dying for our sin… His burial… and resurrection (1 Cor. 15:1-4). There are no works involved in salvation today (Eph. 2:8-9; Titus 3:5; Rom. 4:3-5; 10:4). However, works are essential for entering “the kingdom of heaven” (5:20; 7:21; Mt. 25:31-46).
In this message we will study the two most famous portions of the sermon on the mount: The Beatitudes and the so-called “Lord’s Prayer.”
I. The BEATITUDES. Attributes of the citizens of the kingdom
Literal blessings upon those who enter “the kingdom of heaven.” However, any of these attributes that match the epistles of Paul may be spiritually applied to us.
A. The“poor in spirit”(5:3;Ps.34:18;Isa.66:1-2).The promise is NOT “heaven,” but, “the kingdom of heaven.”
SPIRITUAL APPLICATION: “poor IN SPIRIT,” not poor in pocketbook. A personal recognition that we are spiritually bankrupt… we are destitute of any righteousness (Isa. 64:6; Rom. 3:10). Before any one can be saved, they must first ac- cept the fact that there is nothing in their spirit to recommend them to God.
B. They that “mourn” (5:4). There are many who mourn, but are never comforted (Mt. 2:18).
This is the mourning of a Jewish remnant at Christ’s coming (Mt. 24:30). They mourn over their sin of rejecting their Messiah. “…they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn. In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon. And the land shall mourn, every family apart” (Zech. 12:10-12).
They will be comforted—“Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away” (Isa. 51:11). “…I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow” (Jer. 31:13). Cf. Isa. 61:1-3
SPIRITUAL APPLICATION could be mourning over our sin.
PARTIAL Sermon: CLICK HERE for full sermon PDF
