The Sermon On the Mount
Adult Class-Spring 2004
Lesson 9
The Sermon on the Mount is Jesus' instruction on the cleansing and reordering of our hearts to make us fit for the kingdom of God. Once we accept the idea that we live in the kingdom of God right now, we must know how to live in the world as Christians. That includes the critical task of managing our spiritual lives as citizens of God's kingdom. We look today at three principles involved in running the spiritual component of our lives in Christ.
Look to your own spiritual health first--Matthew 7:1-5.
Jesus' words must be heard in their proper context. Many have lifted this verse from its setting and tried to use it as a shield for all kinds of ungodliness. In fact, Jesus makes it very plain that we must make discriminations regarding right and wrong. In this place, Jesus prohibits condemning others, finding fault and affixing blame. We love to play the "blame game." The 9/11 Commission is less about finding and fixing deficiencies in terrorism intelligence, interdiction and response than it is about naming those who were at fault in overlooking the terrorist threat. Jesus reminds us that blaming and condemning others is not our responsibility.
He goes on to state what has been pointed out already in Matthew 6:12-the measure we use is the measure we get. This principle is revealed several times in the Scriptures and needs to be memorized by every follower of Christ. We will certainly reap whatever we sow. We are constantly tempted to hold others to a stricter standard than we meet, but God will enforce fairness for us. We don't want fairness!
Our responsibility is to look to our own spiritual health and not inspect and condemn others for their shortcomings. In one of his characteristic flashes of humor, Jesus offers a ridiculous contrast. Aha! I notice you have a tiny speck of straw or chaff in your eye that makes you less than perfect in your vision! Allow me to dig that out of your eye and dust you off so that your obvious and embarrassing flaw is removed. Now, pay no attention to that slab of wood sticking out of my eye-I can see just fine to fix you.
The painful truth is just as Jesus stated it: hypocrites must first fix themselves. There is no credibility in an unbeliever telling someone, "You ought to become a Christian! It's the most important thing you can do." Great harm has been done to the church by parents who constantly urge their children to attend Bible classes and worship services while the parents refuse to enter the building. In the kingdom of God, we must look to our own spiritual health first.
Don't push good things on unprepared people--Matthew 7:6.
We must be wise about our efforts in dealing with other people. It is important that we notice here that we are not to call certain classes of people "pigs" or "dogs." The simple truth here is that dogs have no appreciation for sacred things--they can't eat them and that's all they're interested in. Likewise, pigs find nothing of interest in pearls (the most valuable gem of the ancient world). We see the sacred and the valuable for what they are and we wish them for all people. Many are unready to see the sacred for what it is or recognize the most valuable treasure of the ages.
And if we continue to try to press these things on people who are not able to appreciate them, they will become increasingly frustrated and angry with us. They think their most pressing needs are far different from spiritual things. They want more "practical" help for their current urgency. We must move at a pace that people can bear. This is not condemning them, but being wise about our efforts.
Seek God and imitate Him--Matthew 7:7-12.
The power of the request is well known. Many people receive all kinds of things merely because they ask, while others deprive themselves of great blessings because their pride will not allow them to ask. God promises action for those who will request. Those who desire a close walk with God will not be disappointed. He will make it possible for opportunities to come to those who want Him in their lives.
The natural affection we have for others causes us to lean in the direction of granting their requests. The only times we would be predisposed to reject their wishes would be if the requests might be harmful to them or completely beyond our power. Since nothing is beyond God's power, His desire to grant us good things depends on our ability to use them properly. Indeed, He draws a very strong contrast between the generosity of a loving, but humanly corrupt, parent and the perfect Father of us all!
He finishes this section with as perfect a summary statement of Christian ethics as can be found anywhere: the Golden Rule. This principle has been touted by thoughtful people throughout history. Pagan authors with no knowledge of God have made very similar statements. Jesus enshrined it as a linchpin of kingdom conduct. And yet, not even this rule has universal application. An alcoholic would hear this as a command to buy his friend another drink. In truth, it can only be applied accurately from within the kingdom of God. But within that citizenship, it embodies the righteous requirements of God that have been transmitted to humanity throughout history. God's desire for our human relationships has never changed--it should reflect the love, grace and mercy He has for us. That is the way of the kingdom of God!
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