The People’s Response

2002010

Subject: sermon on the mount

Introduction:

A. 7:28-29 – we learn of the effects of the sermon on listeners.

1. not told of response of apostles – but multitudes astonished at His teaching.

B. This was not the only time Jesus’ listeners were amazed at His words.

1. John 7:46 – Jewish officers sent to arrest Jesus. Begin to listen and failed to arrest him.

2. Told chief priest – never has a man spoken the way this man speaks.

3. When we read of the amazement of those who heard Jesus – we are witnessing the effect of the voice of God upon human hearts.

C. Why were they so amazed?

1. Jesus appeared in everyway ordinary; usual; just a common person from Galilee.

a) no formal background; training.

b) Only a man speaking…

2. Yet…He spoke w/the absolute; unequivocal truth; as one who had experienced it – as one who was identical with it.

3. He taught as One who knew what he was talking about.

D. 7:28-29 – emphasis on Jesus.

1. Why should we practice this sermon?

2. b/c of the one who delivered it.

3. b/c of the person of the preacher – this is the reason it is valuable.

4. We need to heed the Sermon on the Mount b/c of the authority of the one who preached it.

5. His teaching is eternal b/c He = God’s son.

E. Imagine the scene….see Jesus as they did.

1. young man from Nazareth – sitting on side of hill – teaching.

2. Soon few begin to gather – more and more – great crowd – follow Him wherever he went.

3. When He speaks – people magnetically drawn to Him – imagine their astonishment; amazement; the looks on their faces….

F. How; Why were they amazed?

I. They were amazed because He spoke with authority.

A. Scribes = experts in interpretation of the law – but not in the law itself.

1. Jhn. 7:15 - concerned w/learning & scholarship – prided themselves in this & looked down upon Jesus b/c He was not considered “educated.”

2. always quoted others – never said anything on their own.

B. W/Jesus – there was a freshness; an originality with Him!

1. It was not just style….it was substance!

2. He did not theorize or hesitate.

3. w/quiet assurance – He laid the foundation of a heavenly kingdom.

C. Preachers/religious leaders would do well to remember this!

1. too many today take religion lightheartedly & part of this is because those teaching don’t take what they do seriously.

2. Some…b/c devoted totally to style…leave substance behind!

3. This congregation must be committed to speak where Bible speaks & remain silent where Bible silent.

4. Must hold up Bible in a way that people can relate – make it real – then put it into practice!

II. They were amazed because He spoke with confidence & certainty.

A. 5:3 – from the very beginning.

B. No doubt about it; not a supposition; or a mere possibility. It was certain!

1. the ring of certainty is in every point; every verse!

C. This is become foreign w/many in the Lord’s church – and especially in the religious world.

1. w/many religion is ANYTHING but certain!

a) the I’m OK; You’re OK mentality is EVERYWHERE! Why?

b) B/c of fear of offending someone w/the truth!

c) So many content to tiptoe around – their religion becomes driven by the whims of the people.

3. Some: Christians in the denominations…b/c you know…baptism just a “tradition” of churches of Christ.

4. When it comes to doctrinal matters- we must preach w/absolute certainty! Ex., bible is certain that no baptism = no salvation.

D. To speak w/clarity & overwhelming conviction scares many today! But…Bible DEMANDS those who teach from it to preach this way!

1. 2 Tim. 4:1-2; Acts 20:27-28; 1 Thess. 1:11-13…

III. They were amazed with what He said about Himself.

A. Chapter 5 – but I say…stresses this 6 times!

1. Each time – he is correcting the Pharisees. Imagine this from the audience’s perspective as the young carpenter claims such privilege.

2. 5:11 – He says…

a) they would be persecuted – because of Jesus!

b) Not just b/c of His teaching – but b/c of Him!

3. 5:13 – salt of the earth…

a) implication here – if you are my disciple; if you listen to me….

b) You WILL become the salt of the earth….because of your relationship w/me.

B. Who was this guy?

1. He was Christ. The long promised Messiah who came to fulfill God’s eternal purpose!

2. 5:17 – focus on I come. Some suggest this expression is extraordinary.

a) suggests the uniqueness of His coming…

b) He came from somewhere! Wasn’t just born. He was the Alpha/Omega; the consummation of the ages; the end & the beginning!

3. Not just another preacher/prophet – He was God’s Son!

a) Jhn 1:14; Phil. 2:6-7

b) Thus we understand that this sermon is the will of God – not just a breakthrough in ethics!

4. 5:17 – he came to fulfill the law.

a) by Him the law would be removed.

b) Rom. 10:4; Rom. 7:4; Col. 2:14

IV. They were amazed because He identified Himself as Lord and Judge of all.

A. Jesus not only revealed everlasting truth – but He says that he is the divinely empowered master of our fate.

1. 7:21-23 – He will stand at the end of history & preside over disposition of the souls of all. The judgment will be determined by our relationship w/Him!

2. We will give ultimate account of our lives to Him!

3. 7:24-27 – all of this hinges on how WE respond to His word!

B. It is Jesus who will look people in the eye & invite them home to heaven. Mt. 25:31-34

1. It is Jesus who will look people in the eye & condemn them to a devils hell – Mt. 25:41-43; 7:21

C. Earnhart: The teachings of Jesus are not merely prudent counsel from some passing season – but are valid for all time! They will meet us in eternity! He clearly intends that we should understand that!

D. Stevens: The One who sat there on that mountain to teach; is the one who at the end will sit on the throne of glory and all the nations of the world will appear before Him & he will pronounce judgment on them! Imagine that scene!

Conclusion:

A. What is your reaction? To the sermon?

1. Some: it’s impossible….can’t live up to it!

2. Way to apply the sermon is to be born again & b/c a new creature. Jhn. 3:3-5; 2 Cor. 5:17

B. What is your reaction to Jesus?

1. I hope you are filled w/love & adoration.

2. Do you exhibit humble obedience?

3. Do you realize that w/o Jesus all is hopeless!

4. Let us all realize just how much we need Him!

C. If we reject Jesus – along w/His teaching – we do so at our own eternal peril!

D. So how about you….do you need to develop a relationship w/Jesus? Renew your relationship?

E. I N V I T A T I O N



The People’s Response 2002010 Subject: sermon on the mount Introduction: A. 7:28-29 – we learn of the effects of the sermon on listeners. 1. not told of response of apostles – but multitudes astonished at His teaching. B. This was not the only time Jesus’ listeners were amazed at His words. 1. John 7:46 – Jewish officers sent to arrest Jesus. Begin to listen and failed to arrest him. 2. Told chief priest – never has a man spoken the way this man speaks. 3. When we read of the amazement of those who heard Jesus – we are witnessing the effect of the voice of God upon human hearts. C. Why were they so amazed? 1. Jesus appeared in everyway ordinary; usual; just a common person from Galilee. a) no formal background; training. b) Only a man speaking… 2. Yet…He spoke w/the absolute; unequivocal truth; as one who had experienced it – as one who was identical with it. 3. He taught as One who knew what he was talking about. D. 7:28-29 – emphasis on Jesus. 1. Why should we practice this sermon? 2. b/c of the one who delivered it. 3. b/c of the person of the preacher – this is the reason it is valuable. 4. We need to heed the Sermon on the Mount b/c of the authority of the one who preached it. 5. His teaching is eternal b/c He = God’s son. E. Imagine the scene….see Jesus as they did. 1. young man from Nazareth – sitting on side of hill – teaching. 2. Soon few begin to gather – more and more – great crowd – follow Him wherever he went. 3. When He speaks – people magnetically drawn to Him – imagine their astonishment; amazement; the looks on their faces…. F. How; Why were they amazed? I. They were amazed because He spoke with authority. A. Scribes = experts in interpretation of the law – but not in the law itself. 1. Jhn. 7:15 - concerned w/learning & scholarship – prided themselves in this & looked down upon Jesus b/c He was not considered “educated.” 2. always quoted others – never said anything on their own. B. W/Jesus – there was a freshness; an originality with Him! 1. It was not just style….it was substance! 2. He did not theorize or hesitate. 3. w/quiet assurance – He laid the foundation of a heavenly kingdom. C. Preachers/religious leaders would do well to remember this! 1. too many today take religion lightheartedly & part of this is because those teaching don’t take what they do seriously. 2. Some…b/c devoted totally to style…leave substance behind! 3. This congregation must be committed to speak where Bible speaks & remain silent where Bible silent. 4. Must hold up Bible in a way that people can relate – make it real – then put it into practice! II. They were amazed because He spoke with confidence & certainty. A. 5:3 – from the very beginning. B. No doubt about it; not a supposition; or a mere possibility. It was certain! 1. the ring of certainty is in every point; every verse! C. This is become foreign w/many in the Lord’s church – and especially in the religious world. 1. w/many religion is ANYTHING but certain! a) the I’m OK; You’re OK mentality is EVERYWHERE! Why? b) B/c of fear of offending someone w/the truth! c) So many content to tiptoe around – their religion becomes driven by the whims of the people. 3. Some: Christians in the denominations…b/c you know…baptism just a “tradition” of churches of Christ. 4. When it comes to doctrinal matters- we must preach w/absolute certainty! Ex., bible is certain that no baptism = no salvation. D. To speak w/clarity & overwhelming conviction scares many today! But…Bible DEMANDS those who teach from it to preach this way! 1. 2 Tim. 4:1-2; Acts 20:27-28; 1 Thess. 1:11-13… III. They were amazed with what He said about Himself. A. Chapter 5 – but I say…stresses this 6 times! 1. Each time – he is correcting the Pharisees. Imagine this from the audience’s perspective as the young carpenter claims such privilege. 2. 5:11 – He says… a) they would be persecuted – because of Jesus! b) Not just b/c of His teaching – but b/c of Him! 3. 5:13 – salt of the earth… a) implication here – if you are my disciple; if you listen to me…. b) You WILL become the salt of the earth….because of your relationship w/me. B. Who was this guy? 1. He was Christ. The long promised Messiah who came to fulfill God’s eternal purpose! 2. 5:17 – focus on I come. Some suggest this expression is extraordinary. a) suggests the uniqueness of His coming… b) He came from somewhere! Wasn’t just born. He was the Alpha/Omega; the consummation of the ages; the end & the beginning! 3. Not just another preacher/prophet – He was God’s Son! a) Jhn 1:14; Phil. 2:6-7 b) Thus we understand that this sermon is the will of God – not just a breakthrough in ethics! 4. 5:17 – he came to fulfill the law. a) by Him the law would be removed. b) Rom. 10:4; Rom. 7:4; Col. 2:14 IV. They were amazed because He identified Himself as Lord and Judge of all. A. Jesus not only revealed everlasting truth – but He says that he is the divinely empowered master of our fate. 1. 7:21-23 – He will stand at the end of history & preside over disposition of the souls of all. The judgment will be determined by our relationship w/Him! 2. We will give ultimate account of our lives to Him! 3. 7:24-27 – all of this hinges on how WE respond to His word! B. It is Jesus who will look people in the eye & invite them home to heaven. Mt. 25:31-34 1. It is Jesus who will look people in the eye & condemn them to a devils hell – Mt. 25:41-43; 7:21 C. Earnhart: The teachings of Jesus are not merely prudent counsel from some passing season – but are valid for all time! They will meet us in eternity! He clearly intends that we should understand that! D. Stevens: The One who sat there on that mountain to teach; is the one who at the end will sit on the throne of glory and all the nations of the world will appear before Him & he will pronounce judgment on them! Imagine that scene! Conclusion: A. What is your reaction? To the sermon? 1. Some: it’s impossible….can’t live up to it! 2. Way to apply the sermon is to be born again & b/c a new creature. Jhn. 3:3-5; 2 Cor. 5:17 B. What is your reaction to Jesus? 1. I hope you are filled w/love & adoration. 2. Do you exhibit humble obedience? 3. Do you realize that w/o Jesus all is hopeless! 4. Let us all realize just how much we need Him! C. If we reject Jesus – along w/His teaching – we do so at our own eternal peril! D. So how about you….do you need to develop a relationship w/Jesus? Renew your relationship? E. I N V I T A T I O N