The Sermon on the Mount can be found in the Bible in the Gospel of Matthew 5-7. Specifically, it begins at Matthew 5:1 and concludes at Matthew 7:29.
Summary of the sermon on the mount in Matthew 5-7
The Sermon on the Mount, as recorded in Matthew chapters 5-7, is a comprehensive teaching by Jesus that addresses various aspects of life and spirituality. Here is a concise summary, including verse numbers:
Matthew 5
- Verses 3-12: The Beatitudes, blessings pronounced on the humble, the mournful, the meek, the righteous, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and those persecuted for righteousness.
- Verses 13-16: Believers as the salt of the earth and the light of the world, emphasizing good deeds to glorify God.
- Verses 17-20: Jesus asserts He came to fulfill the Law and the Prophets, not to abolish them.
- Verses 21-48: Instructions on anger, adultery, divorce, oaths, retaliation, and loving enemies, emphasizing heart attitudes over mere legal compliance.
Matthew 6
- Verses 1-4: Caution against performing righteous acts for human praise.
- Verses 5-15: Guidelines on prayer, including the Lord’s Prayer.
- Verses 16-18: Instructions on fasting.
- Verses 19-34: Encouragement to store up heavenly treasures, not earthly ones; an exhortation to trust God for needs instead of worrying.
Matthew 7
- Verses 1-6: Warnings against judging others and hypocrisy.
- Verses 7-12: Encouragement to persist in prayer, assuring that God responds to those who ask.
- Verses 13-23: Warnings about false prophets and the call for genuine discipleship.
- Verses 24-27: The parable of wise and foolish builders, emphasizing the importance of putting Jesus’ words into practice.
- Verses 28-29: Concluding remarks on the authority of Jesus’ teaching, which amazed the crowds.
This sermon outlines principles for personal conduct and character, focusing on a righteousness that surpasses external adherence to the law, aiming at transformation of the heart and mind.
What teaching does the Sermon on the Mount leave us in the Bible?
The Sermon on the Mount is a powerful teaching from Jesus that you can find in Matthew chapters 5 to 7. It’s like a roadmap for living a life that pleases God, and it touches on everything from how we handle our emotions to how we treat other people.
First off, Jesus starts with what we call the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12). These are blessings for people living in ways that might seem upside down in today’s world. He talks about the blessings for those who are humble, those who mourn, and those who hunger for righteousness, among others. These blessings teach us that the kingdom of God values things differently than the world often does.
Moving on, Jesus calls His followers to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world (Matthew 5:13-16). This means living in a way that both enhances and illuminates the world around us. By living righteously, we can guide others to see God’s love and goodness.
Jesus also emphasizes that He didn’t come to get rid of the laws from the Old Testament but to fulfill them (Matthew 5:17-20). This part is crucial because it links His teachings back to everything God had already told His people in the past.
Then, He dives deep into matters of the heart. He talks about anger, lust, divorce, and honesty (Matthew 5:21-48). Here, Jesus isn’t just concerned with our actions but with our thoughts and attitudes. He’s looking for us to live pure lives, not just on the outside but on the inside too.
In Matthew 6, Jesus teaches about doing good deeds quietly without seeking attention (Matthew 6:1-4), how to pray in a way that connects us directly to God (Matthew 6:5-15), and the importance of focusing on spiritual rather than material wealth (Matthew 6:19-34).
Chapter 7 starts with a warning against being judgmental (Matthew 7:1-6). Jesus reminds us that we need to deal with our own issues before pointing out others’ faults. He also encourages us to keep on asking, seeking, and knocking in prayer, trusting that God hears and will respond (Matthew 7:7-12).
Towards the end of His sermon, Jesus warns about false prophets and stresses the need for genuine discipleship (Matthew 7:13-23). He wraps up with the parable of the wise and foolish builders (Matthew 7:24-27), which is all about the importance of not just hearing His words but also acting on them.
The Sermon on the Mount isn’t just a set of instructions. It’s a call to live in a way that deeply reflects our love and respect for God. It’s about having a heart that mirrors Jesus’ heart and impacts the world for the better.