The Gospel According to
Matthew 5
48 verses≈ 8 min2 peopleBSB
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In this chapter
The Sermon on the Mount
When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain and sat down. His disciples came to Him, and He began to teach them, saying:
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The Beatitudes
theirs is the kingdom of heaven
Matthew 5:3
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.
Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you.
Salt and Light
You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its savor, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they set it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Reflect
On the stand
Jesus doesn’t say ‘try to become’ salt and light. He says “You are the light of the world.” Where is God asking you to stop hiding the lamp, so that people “see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven”?
The Fulfillment of the Law
Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them.
I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them.
Matthew 5:17
For I tell you truly, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.
So then, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do likewise will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever practices and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
For I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Anger and Reconciliation
You have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not murder’ and ‘Anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell.
Three steps down
Whiteboard
The old command stopped at the killing. Jesus traces it back to where it starts: a heart that boils, then a word of contempt, then an insult. God weighs each step, and the stakes rise with every one.
So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.
Reconcile quickly with your adversary, while you are still on the way to court. Otherwise, he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.
Live it
Leave the gift
Jesus says worship can wait: “First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.” Is there someone who has something against you? What is one step you could take toward them this week?
Adultery
You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
already committed adultery with her in his heart
Matthew 5:28
If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to depart into hell.
Divorce
It has also been said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, brings adultery upon her. And he who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
Oaths and Vows
Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill your vows to the Lord.’ But I tell you not to swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is His footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Nor should you swear by your head, for you cannot make a single hair white or black.
Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ Anything more comes from the evil one.
Don’t swear by…
Whiteboard
Every place you might swear by already belongs to God, even your own head. So there is no corner of life where God is not listening. Let every word be true, and you will never need an oath to prop it up.
Question
Quick question
Jesus listed things people swore by, and said why each one belongs to God.
Why did Jesus say not to swear by Jerusalem?
Love Your Enemies
You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor’ and ‘Hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Do not even tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even Gentiles do the same?
Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
0:40
Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain
Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Matthew 5:48
Pray
Sun on every field
Your Father “causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good.” Bring one person to Him who has wronged you. Ask Him to bless them, and ask Him to make you more like Himself, so that you may be one of the “sons of your Father in heaven.”
You’ve experienced
Matthew 5
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A verse to carry with you
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:16
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