Matthew. The Sermon on the Mount.

Worship service 08/09/26. Greetings and call to worship. Devotional and doctrinal exposition on the Psalms: Psalm 29 [5] Lesson 95. [1.2.68.] The Contents of Holy Scripture: The Gospels. Matthew. The Gospel of the Kingdom. Part 2. The Sermon on the Mount. Westminster Confession of Faith 1.2. Under the name of holy Scripture, or the Word of God written, are now contained all the books of the Old and New Testaments, Genesis—Malachi. Matthew. All which are given by inspiration of God, to be the rule of faith and life. Intro. (Thomas Watson Beatitudes intro) Read Matthew 5-7. Governing principles of the Sermon on the Mount: The kingdom of heaven is the subject. The subjects of the kingdom, the righteousness of the kingdom, the standards of the kingdom, etc It is addressed to Christ’s disciples. “His disciples came unto Him” others hear, his disciples come and follow Him. The Beatitudes are descriptions of the blessed, not exhortations to moral civility. Christ does not contradict Moses. It ends as all Christian theology ends, with the final judgment. Lessons from Matthew 5-7. The authority of Christ to preach came from His Father and not the Pharisees. Matt. 5:1-2 The Beatitudes are a rebuke to worldly philosophy as much as comfort to the godly. The world says, Blessed are the rich, the independent, the confident, the influential, the famous, the entertained, the ambitious, the rulers, the proud, the filled, the implacable, the attractive, the conquerors, the approved among men. Christ saith, “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.” The Christian is to live in holiness and sobriety so that when men see their works, they glorify God and not the saint. Matt. 5:13-16 Christ by the doctrine of the gospel does not abolish the moral law, or repudiate Moses, but He fulfills the law. Matt. 5:17-20, Rom. 3:31, 8:3-4, 9 The righteousness required in Christ’s kingdom exceeds the outward and hypocritical righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, because it proceeds from a renewed heart and extends to the whole man. Matt. 5:17-20, 21. 27, 31 On Marriage, divorce, remarriage and oaths, Matt. 5:31-37 Christ forbids private revenge and teaches His disciples patiently to endure injuries, to overcome evil with good, and to love and pray for their enemies. (Secker) Matt. 5:38-48 Religious duties must be performed before God and not as theatre before men; almsgiving, prayer, and fasting are corrupted when they are used to purchase human praise. Matt. 6:1-8, 16-18 The Lord’s Prayer teaches the proper matter, order, reverence, dependence, and brevity of prayer: God’s glory and kingdom are sought before our temporal necessities, pardon, and deliverance. Matt. 6:9-13 Our forgiving others does not merit the forgiveness of God, but a merciless and implacable spirit reveals that we have neither understood nor truly received the mercy for which we pray. Matt. 6:14-15 Christ condemns hypocrisy and calls His disciples to lay up treasure in heaven, to preserve a single and enlightened heart, and to serve God rather than mammon. (For if you gain the praise of men, you have your reward) Matt. 6:19-34 Christ forbids censorious, rash, and hypocritical judgment, but He does not abolish righteous judgment. Self-examination and repentance must precede brotherly correction. Discernment is necessary to discern brothers from dogs and swine. Matt. 7:1-6 God, as a wise and gracious Father, gives good things freely to those who ask Him; therefore His children are encouraged to persevere in asking, seeking, and knocking. Matt. 7:7-11 Right doctrine is the narrow way and right behavior the proof that we are on it. Justification by faith alone, but not a faith that is alone. Matt. 7:12-14 Beware of false prophets and hypocrites in the church. You will know them by their fruits. Matt. 7:15-23 Therefore if ye would enter into life, hear the word of God and do it. Matt. 5:17-20, 6:33, 7:24-27 Our message is authority and not opinion. Matt. 7:28-29 Conclusion. Closing Prayer.