Farmerville Church of Christ

Sermon Outlines

Sermon on the Mount #1

Mt 5:1-2
He Began To Teach Them

By Bill Denton

INTRODUCTION

A. Today I want to begin a long series of sermons, all based on the Sermon on the Mount

1. It is my belief that this sermon by Jesus is one of the most complete discourses on God's will for man's life found in the Bible
2. It certainly isn't the only information we must know, but it covers two kinds of things

a. it shows us the necessity of getting around the trappings of religion to what God wants for our lives
b. it shows the importance of forming the inner man versus wearing an external righteousness

B. Setting up the sermon

1. Mt 4:23-5:2
2. Note the atmosphere of the times in which this sermon was preached

a. Jesus was conducting his ministry, preaching and performing many miracles
b. great multitudes followed him
c. it seems that there was an air of excitement and anticipation on the part of those who went to hear him preach
d. it may be important to know that people wanted to hear him

C. Today I want to talk about some introductory matters, then on subsequent weeks we will study this sermon section by section.

1. Prepare to be challenged
2. Prepare for a spotlight to shine on the inner man

I. TIME AND PLACE OF THE SERMON

A. Mt 5:1 says Jesus went up on the mountain

1. Probably near Capurnaum

a. 4:13 -- he settled in Capernaum
b. 8:5 -- he entered Capernaum
c. gospels are not always chronological, but it seems likely here

2. Tradition says it was a mountain called the "Horns of Hattin"

a. located west of the Sea of Galilee
b. about 1,000 feet high (two peaks 60' higher than rest)
c. has a natural amphitheater

3. The time was early in his ministry, when great crowds followed and prior to the time of organized opposition

II. THE AUDIENCE

A. Mt. 5:1 -- crowds, disciples
B. Mt 7:28-29 -- crowds were astonished at his teaching
C. Disciples -- we have already learned that disciples are followers

1. this is disciple in the general sense -- listeners and learners
2. some would later turn away, others would follow for the rest of of their lives

III. THE PREACHER

A. Jesus is sometimes called the "master teacher"

1. Because he understood so well the ones he taught
2. Because he always used the best method to teach them
3. Because what he taught was always targeted to the greatest need

B. Consider the following verses

1. Luke 6:40 A disciple is not above his teacher....
2. 1 Cor 11:1 Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.
3. 1 Pet 2:21 Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:

C. Consider the following about Jesus' teaching

1. Jesus taught God's word and God's law

a. John 4:34 Jesus said to them, ""My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work. (NKJ)
b. everything we teach and preach must be based on the same thing
c. we must never allow preaching and teaching to become nothing but our own opinions or agenda

2. Jesus always considered the needs of his listeners

a. Jn 4 -- he told the Samaritan woman about true worship
b. Lk 18:22 -- he challenged the rich young ruler with the one things he lacked -- the ability to give up material possessions
c. Mt 23 -- he challenged scribes and Pharisees about their emphasis on external appearances instead of inner purity
d. John 2:24-25 But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man. (NKJ)

C. His preaching and teaching was easy to understand

1. He spoke in familiar terms -- broad and narrow gates, birds, flowers, lamps and building houses
2. His purpose was to communicate, not impress people
3. I once heard a man preach a meeting and another preacher and I made lists of the number of words he used that we didn't know the meaning of (the speaker is now a professor of communications)???
4. Would you understand sermons on Eschatology or the Parousia, or would it be better if I preached on the end of the world and the coming of Christ? (same subjects)

D. Jesus harmonized his living with his preaching

1. When Jesus instructed people, it was difficult to challenge him because he practiced what he preached
2. We often do just the opposite

a. preach that the God and his church must come first, then live in ways that show the opposite
b. advocate love with our words but practice indifference, spite or prejudice
c. advocate forgiveness, but practice holding grudges
d. advocate generosity, but practice stinginess

3. Jesus was the model of consistency

CONCLUSION

A. The teachings of Jesus are hard and demanding

1. Do not think that the Sermon on the Mount is just fluff
2. This sermon is deep, challenging
3. This sermon will make you see your need for God in a clear and compelling way

B. Invitation

Copyright © 1995, Bill Denton. Permission granted to use sermon outlines for personal study and preparation of sermons, Bible classes or other teaching format. Sermons may not be reprinted in any form without written permission of the author.

Additional Resources

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