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Sermon on the Mount:
The
Jesus Manifesto
(Matthew 5 - 7)
James J. Tissot, "Jesus Preaches the Sermon on the Mount"
(1886-1896), watercolor.
Larger image. |
Manifesto: "a written statement declaring publicly the
intentions, motives, or views of its issuer."
A manifesto is where you put it all out there for people to grasp, ponder, and
ultimately understand. In all the New Testament, the Sermon on the Mount as
found in Matthew 5-7 is probably the most concise, definitive statement of
Jesus' teachings, clearly contrasting his declaration of the Kingdom of God and
how it differed
radically from what passed for religion in his day -- and ours! Be prepared to be
shocked and challenged by this study -- and ultimately grow as a committed
follower, a disciple of this Jesus.
Scroll down to the bottom of this page to sign up.
I. Kingdom Citizens (5:1-16)
- Paradoxical People: the Beatitudes (5:1-13).
The inner spirit of Kingdom citizens is contrasted with the world's values.
Witnessing People: Living as Salt and Light in the World (5:13-16). Kingdom citizens carry on Israel's role of being a "light to the nations" (Isaiah 42:6).
II. The Kingdom and the Spirit of the Law (5:17-48)
- The Spirit of the Law and Reconciliation (5:17-26).
Does Jesus abolish the Law or fulfill it? He defines true righteousness.
Murder can be prohibited by law, but its spirit is reconciliation, which requires a changed heart.
Adultery, Lust, and the Spirit of Marriage (5:27-30). How
adultery of the heart lies at the root of adultery, pornography, and
sexual lust.
Divorce and the Spirit of Marriage (5:27-32 with 19:1-12). We
seek to understand marriage and divorce in the First Century, Jesus'
teaching on the heart and spirit of marriage, and its implications for
Christians today.
The Spirit of Truthfulness and Love (5:33-48). The Pharisees had developed an elaborate system of oath-taking. Jesus calls his disciples to the true spirit of oath-taking, that is, truth-telling.
III. Piety in the Kingdom (6:1-18).
- Giving, Prayer, and Fasting (6:1-8, 16-18).
How to give in a way that pleases the Father.
The Pharisees' practice
of prayer and fasting had lost the spirit of worship. Jesus brings a
corrective.
The Lord's Prayer (6:9-15). Jesus teaches a new way of praying in the "Lord's Prayer."
IV. Materialism and the Kingdom (6:19-34)
- Temptation to Idolatry (6:19-24). It is possible to be possessed by getting ahead -- or greed. Americans, especially, are blind to this bondage. What would Jesus have us do?
- Temptation to Worry (6:25-34). If we aren't hoarding wealth, we can still be controlled by our worry about lack of possessions. Jesus' prescription for the poor.
V. Discernment in the Kingdom (7:1-29)
- Judging Self and Others (7:1-6). "Judge not" is one of the most abused texts in the Bible. What did Jesus really mean?
- Asking in Faith (7:7-12).
Important lessons on praying with faith. Jesus' instruction for powerful disciples.
- Discerning the True Way (7:13-29).
All roads do not lead to heaven -- most lead to destruction. The Sermon concludes with warnings about obedient living and adequate life foundations.
This is our 27th online Bible study
since 1996. If you've participated in one before,
you know how God can use them in your life. If not,
then you have a treat in store for you. I am an
ordained American Baptist pastor, currently
ministering in a Covenant congregation. I'm here
to serve you as your guide to the book of Psalms.
--. Dr. Ralph F. Wilson.
About the leader.
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I invite you to journey with me and thousands of brothers
and sisters world-wide through a study of Jesus' remarkable
Sermon on the Mount. Here's how we'll study together.
- Each Saturday I'll e-mail you the lesson for the
week
. Then you'll read the Bible passage and use my
notes to help you understand it better.
- On Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday you'll receive a
question
from that week's lesson to think about and
answer. This is designed as a "total immersion" approach
to Bible study, since I believe God wants to use it to
work real and permanent change in your life. (You can
opt out of the daily questions if you like, however, and
just receive the weekly lessons.) You'll be thinking
about these passages constantly over these weeks -- long
enough for God to work his Word into your life and
lifestyle.
- You can respond to the questions and exercises
using the Joyful Heart Bible Study Forum -- and read
others' answers to reinforce your own understanding.
- With each lesson you'll receive a link to a 20-
to 30-minute audio teaching that sums up the passage
you've been studying that week. Some who learn better
from hearing than from reading really appreciate this.
- Then on Saturday, I'll send you the next
week's lesson.
Why don't you sign up today -- and then encourage some of
your friends to sign up and study along with you.
 As
of January 20, 2008, we've had more than 2,772 sign-ups from over 102 countries,
including Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Belgium, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Faroe Islands, Fiji, France, Germany, Ghana, Guatemala, Guernsey, Guyana, HongKong, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Korea (Republic of), Kuwait, Latvia, Lesotho, Liberia, Lithuania, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia (Federal States of), Mongolia, Montserrat, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yugoslavia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. 16% specify text
format, 84% HTML format. 36% selected the weekly format, 64% the
daily format. |
If you sign up by Thursday night,
you'll receive your first lesson this coming Friday. There is no cost to
participate in the study, though
donations are encouraged so we can create more
studies and reach more people. We respect your
privacy and never sell, rent, or loan our lists. Please
don't subscribe your friends; let them decide for
themselves.
Please don't sign up for more than one of my
Bible studies at one time. Each of them is pretty intensive.
Also, please don't sign up for your friends; let them decide
for themselves.
| One big
favor you can do for me: Please link
to this Bible study in your online bookmarks,
blog, personal webpage, ministry or church website,
as follows:
Sermon
on the Mount Bible Study
www.jesuswalk.com/manifesto/ The number
of people who will find this on the Internet is
directly related to the number of links you and
other place. If you can't link, that's okay, too. I
understand. It would be a big help if you would
place a bookmark on your favorite online system.
Please do this right now before you forget. Thanks.
Pastor Ralph  |
Sermon
on the Mount Bible Study
Copyright © 1985-2008 Ralph F. Wilson. <pastor joyfulheart.com> All rights reserved. A single copy of this article is free. Do not put this on a website. See legal, copyright, and reprint information.
Joyful Heart Renewal Ministries
Pastor Ralph F. Wilson, Director
Contact Information
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