Is The Sermon on the Mount Instructional or Informational?

[CadyandZoe]

Actually He was talking primarily to His disciples, Matthew 5:1-2.

He was talking to everyone in attendance, comparing the outward expressions of righteousness with the inwardness of the truly righteous. One must exceed the righteousness of the Pharisees (even the Pharisees) for a Pharisee measures his righteousness in terms of "keeping the rules." Jesus was teaching his people that righteousness is more than "keeping the rules". In that regard, he told them a parable. Luke 18:9-14

The Pharisee considered himself to be better than other men because he kept the rules. But Jesus says that the tax collector went home justified because he humbled himself before God and prayed for mercy. The key to righteousness, then, is to find and adopt the proper inwardness.

 

[Jacob28]

We study the scriptures, seeking to know him better. And as we learn what God likes and what he doesn't like we strive to excel in the good and the great qualities and actions we see there. I'll give you an example from the New Testament, one that the Lord gave us.

Consider John 6:1-5 where Jesus argues that it is proper for his disciples to "thresh" grain on the Sabbath, in order to feed themselves. Apparently the customs of the elders proscribed the threshing of grain by rubbing it in the hands. Since, according to this tradition, the disciples were picking the heads of grain, and rubbing it in their hands, they were breaking the sabbath. Jesus disagreed and to prove his case, the Lord reminded the Pharisees about an event in King David's life when he entered the house of God and took and ate the consecrated bread, which is not lawful for anyone to eat except the priests alone. ( 1 Samuel 21:6 )

Jesus commends David's action, even though it violated the law concerning the consecrated bread, because David gave greater weight to human life than rules concerning religious practices. Following Jesus isn't about keeping the rules; following Jesus is to learn his wisdom and exemplify his goodness and righteous and justice. Sometimes loving other people requires us to break the rules.

 

[Jacob28]

How have you exemplified Jesus' righteous and justice after learning about John 6:1-5?

I assume you have. Correct ?

 

[BloodBought 1953]

He was talking to everyone in attendance, comparing the outward expressions of righteousness with the inwardness of the truly righteous. One must exceed the righteousness of the Pharisees (even the Pharisees) for a Pharisee measures his righteousness in terms of "keeping the rules." Jesus was teaching his people that righteousness is more than "keeping the rules". In that regard, he told them a parable. Luke 18:9-14

The Pharisee considered himself to be better than other men because he kept the rules. But Jesus says that the tax collector went home justified because he humbled himself before God and prayed for mercy. The key to righteousness, then, is to find and adopt the proper inwardness.

The “ Key to Righteous” is in doing what the Publican did—— Turn to God as a Lost Sinner...

 

[justbyfaith]

He was talking to everyone in attendance,

Yes indeed...and those in attendance were His original disciples, Matthew 5:1-2.

“ The “ Key to Righteous” is in doing what the Publican did—— Turn to God as a Lost Sinner...

Yes...and if anyone really turns to God, He will be the remedy for their sins (Matthew 1:21, Titus 2:14, 1 John 3:9, 1 John 3:6, 1 John 2:17); even in the practical sense (1 John 3:7, Romans 5:19, Matthew 5:6).

 

[CharismaticLady]

I have neither said nor implied that.

The redemptive solution upon lukewarm churches having nominal faith will be delivered by God in this 2021 year.

Yes you did. You said their aren't any.

 

[Eternally Grateful]

The sermon on the Mount is amazing if we see it

1st it says be poor in spirit, the greek word their literally means to be bankrupt or devoid of wealth, this is what the tax collector did when he fell to his knees, the pharisee who did not think he was that bad, pumped his chest, the first one is actually a call to be saved, sadly our English word poor may not show this.

he then showed how the ten commands, while proving of sin, can not help us be righteous, or sanctified, as he said the law says this, but I tell you... remember the religious thought since they kept the letter they were ok, Jesus showed them how they were not, and that not commiting adultry and other stuff is more than just not a physical action,

 

[ChristisGod]

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus spoke nothing about The Spirit. No Spirit filled Believer follows the things Jesus spoke of doing in that Sermon.

You think a person can live the sermon on the mount without the Spirit and do it in the flesh ?

yikes...........................................

 

[Grailhunter]

Jesus spoke to these multitudes using only Jewish terms and concepts, and spoke only about The Mosaic Law and what it really meant.
Today in the Church, we are not Jewish, and are not obligated to obey Mosaic Law.

So, are we still to follow Jesus' instructions in The Sermon on the Mount as He spoke them, or just kind of be aware of them?

This brings up a topic that is many times over looked.
Of course the words spoken by Christ in this sermon will always be valid. But these word are not describing "The Way" to salvation.
Much like the sermon about the sheep and the goats....good words to follow...with one difference. A way for the Jews to stay out of hell.

It may be shocking to some but God had a plan for the Jews. In the Gospels...most of the time when Christ is not talking to His Apostles, He is talking to Jews about Judaism. Christ, a Jew, talking to Jews, about Judaism. Responding to them and answering their questions about Judaism. They are not asking Him questions about Christianity and He is not talking to them publicly about Christianity. When He does talk to a Jew about Christianity, it is private. He is not publicly (on the streets on the mounts) profess Himself to be the Son of God and the Messiah and that they should believe in Him. If He would have, He probably would have been stoned. He tried it once in a synagogue and they went after Him and He escaped.

There is a read between the lines thing going on here. I am not the only one to note this. In the OT God did not offer the Israelites - Jews Heaven for obeying Him and He did not threaten them with Hell. All were gathered with their fathers in Sheol. Things changed between the OT and the NT....Some of the Jews came out of Persia knowing about the devil, demons, and Angels. Satan becomes a threat in the NT. God nor the prophets are warning anyone about Satan in the OT. So in Christ time Satan and Hell are a problem. At this point the Jews, when they died are still going to Sheol. During Christ ministry He is not preaching Christian salvation to the Jews.

Salvation in its entirety is not available until after He dies on the Cross. So his plan was to go to Sheol and preach the Gospel there between the time He died on the Cross and the time He Resurrected. This is where the sermon on the mount and the sermon about the sheep and the goats come in. The sermon about the sheep and the goats included dire warnings but, neither of these sermons are talking about salvation or discussed what was needed to be saved. They are more or less "Be Good" sermons. The purpose? So that they would not be so full of sin and corruption that they could not accept the Gospel later....

Now I am sure some will not agree with this.
In the OT there was no process for the forgiveness of sins...sacrifices were appeasements. Appease the wrath of God in this world.
And there are some that believe that all the Israelites - Jews in the OT went to - or are going to Hell.
Some believe that those Jews that did not accept Christ as the Savior in the biblical era are going to Hell.

Now these people, the Israelites, Yahweh referred to as the "Holy Seed" and it is not likely He would not provide away for them to be saved. For over 700 years they had believed in, hoped for, and prayed for the Messiah, but the Messiah they were looking for was a human warlord king that would be their Saviour, that would deliver them from their oppressors. Things had changed and when Christ arrived the Jews were behind the eight ball. For the Jews, a person to proclaim Himself the Son of God was one the worst sacrilegious things a person could do. There religion taught them to kill such a person ....for most it was too much to over come.

God still loves Israel and that is one of the reasons I will always be honored to defend it and them.

And then after it was all said and done, salvation was offered for free to the Pagans who barely knew Him...called Gentiles in the NT. This was just one of the reasons that the Jews were so upset and followed Paul around harassing Him and the other Christians.

 

[justbyfaith]

Of course the words spoken by Christ in this sermon will always be valid. But these word are not describing "The Way" to salvation.

No, but they do prescribe the way to not have the house of salvation that is built by you destroyed by the wind and rain and storms of life when they come.

If you are obedient to the principles in the Sermon on the Mount, your house will stand.

If you are disobedient, your house will fall; and great will be the fall of it

(Matthew 7:24-27).

God nor the prophets are warning anyone about Satan in the OT.

Only if you don't consider Job to be a prophetic book.

 

[Grailhunter]

No, but they do prescribe the way to not have the house of salvation that is built by you destroyed by the wind and rain and storms of life when they come.

If you are obedient to the principles in the Sermon on the Mount, your house will stand.

If you are disobedient, your house will fall; and great will be the fall of it

(Matthew 7:24-27).



Only if you don't consider Job to be a prophetic book.

Depending on how you interpret Job it is a story with a morale. Before a time that Satan was not welcome in the Holy Court of God.

You and any one else today could be obedient to the sermon of the mount and find yourself in Hell.
Salvation is not about just being a good person. There will be cranky irritable people in Heaven and sweet charitable Buddhists in Hell.

And by the way...Salutations to you and yours

 

[justbyfaith]

Depending on how you interpret Job it is a story with a morale. Before a time that Satan was not welcome in the Holy Court of God.

You and any one else today could be obedient to the sermon of the mount and find yourself in Hell.
Salvation is not about just being a good person. There will be cranky irritable people in Heaven and sweet charitable Buddhists in Hell.

And by the way...Salutations to you and yours

However, if we do not live by the Sermon on the Mount, our house will fall and great will be the fall of it (Matthew 7:24-27).

Obedience to the Sermon does not grant initial salvation; but Jesus says that if we are obedient to it our house will stand when the storms of life do come and we will not lose our salvation because we built our house upon the rock.

 

[Grailhunter]

However, if we do not live by the Sermon on the Mount, our house will fall and great will be the fall of it (Matthew 7:24-27).

Obedience to the Sermon does not grant initial salvation; but Jesus says that if we are obedient to it our house will stand when the storms of life do come and we will not lose our salvation because we built our house upon the rock.

Moral wisdom prevails. This is true.
You can be an insane genius or a smart evildoer, morals are the ingredient to wisdom....but none of these will be eternal unless you believe on the Saviour.

 

[justbyfaith]

Moral wisdom prevails. This is true.
You can be an insane genius or a smart evildoer, morals are the ingredient to wisdom....but none of these will be eternal unless you believe on the Saviour.

True; and no one is arguing against that point.

 

[Billy Evmur]

Good Luck with that Doctrine .....
Personally, I know that I can’t be Perfect and the Standard that Jesus set for Self-Justification is exactly THAT! PERFECTION ! 24/7.........” Ye are to be PERFECT, even as your Father in Heaven is Perfect”......
For those of you out there that are like me , and realize that they can never be “ perfect” and all the attempts that they make to try and “ be” perfect merely reinforce the Truth that they “ can’t” do it —— grab hold of this “ loop- hole” that is Found In the Bible —- Simply Believe That Jesus died for your sins and rose from the grave and God has Promised that even though you ain’t nowhere “ near” perfect.....He will “ Consider “ you Perfect and declare you “ Fit For Heaven”.....
It ain’t called “ Good News” for no reason.....Put your TOTAL Trust in a Promise Of God.....that’s what “ Faith” is....Faith is what Saves....REST in the Promise of 1Cor15:1-4.....God Bless...

No argument here bro ...

 

[Billy Evmur]

No person lives out the Sermon on the Mount given by Jesus to be done within any theorized "faith." The Sermon on the Mount is about material action. If it is possible to follow Jesus Sermon without material action, then display it according to Matt. 5:16:

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works."

James wrote the Word of God upon faith to be "Faith, if it hath not works, is dead." James 2:17

If no works exist, no faith exists. Talk, faith, and agreement with the Bible are not works. There is no need to merely elaborate upon what has already been said, here.

What works have you done that have earned you salvation?

 

[Ronald Nolette]

Jesus spoke to these multitudes using only Jewish terms and concepts, and spoke only about The Mosaic Law and what it really meant.
Today in the Church, we are not Jewish, and are not obligated to obey Mosaic Law.

So, are we still to follow Jesus' instructions in The Sermon on the Mount as He spoke them, or just kind of be aware of them?

The Sermon on the Mount amounts to the constitution for the Millenial Kingdom for Israel. Remember at this point jesus was only going to israel to announce the Kingdom had arrived and Israel should repent. While we definitely can apply those teachings to our lives- In the exacting literal sense the verses apply directly to Israel.

 

[justbyfaith]

The Sermon on the Mount amounts to the constitution for the Millenial Kingdom for Israel.

Is that all that it is?

Is that all that the Bible says it is?

I think that Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount as a code of conduct for those who would believe in Him...not only in the millennial period; but for all those who will ever read the Sermon on the Mount.

Your teaching effectively denies that the Sermon on the Mount is to be obeyed by us today.

And that, my friend, is not a scriptural teaching (see Matthew 7:24-27).

 

[Jacob28]

Can you remember any examples of application of Jesus' teachings in his Sermon?

If you have no specific examples to be cited, then any claim of definite application is false.

The Sermon on the Mount amounts to the constitution for the Millenial Kingdom for Israel. Remember at this point jesus was only going to israel to announce the Kingdom had arrived and Israel should repent. While we definitely can apply those teachings to our lives- In the exacting literal sense the verses apply directly to Israel.

 

[justbyfaith]

Good Luck with that Doctrine .....
Personally, I know that I can’t be Perfect and the Standard that Jesus set for Self-Justification is exactly THAT! PERFECTION ! 24/7.........” Ye are to be PERFECT, even as your Father in Heaven is Perfect”......
For those of you out there that are like me , and realize that they can never be “ perfect” and all the attempts that they make to try and “ be” perfect merely reinforce the Truth that they “ can’t” do it —— grab hold of this “ loop- hole” that is Found In the Bible —- Simply Believe That Jesus died for your sins and rose from the grave and God has Promised that even though you ain’t nowhere “ near” perfect.....He will “ Consider “ you Perfect and declare you “ Fit For Heaven”.....
It ain’t called “ Good News” for no reason.....Put your TOTAL Trust in a Promise Of God.....that’s what “ Faith” is....Faith is what Saves....REST in the Promise of 1Cor15:1-4.....God Bless...

I am utterly sinful in the flesh (Romans 7:18, 1 John 1:8, Romans 6:10-11).

In fact, in my flesh I am the chief of sinners (1 Timothy 1:15).

But fortunately, the Bible teaches that I can walk consistently, not after the flesh but after the Spirit; and that in doing so the righteousness of the law will be fulfilled in me (Romans 8:4).

And of course, my being "fit for heaven" is based solely on the blood of Jesus and my faith in that blood...blood which has the power, not only to justify (as per Romans 5:9)...but to sanctify (Hebrews 13:12, Hebrews 10:29) and cleanse me from all sin (1 John 1:7).