MATTHEW 5
21 Outlines
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FOR SERIES ON THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT
Matthew 5:1-12
IN THE KINGDOM
SADNESS IN THE KINGDOM
Matthew 5:3-4 - Blessed
are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. [4] Blessed are
they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
SUBMISSION IN THE KINGDOM
Matthew 5:5 - Blessed
are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
SANCTIFICATION IN THE KINGDOM
Matthew 5:6 - Blessed
are they which do hunger and thirst after
righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Matthew 5:8 - Blessed
are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
SHARING IN THE KINGDOM
Matthew 5:7 - Blessed
are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Matthew 5:9 - Blessed
are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the
children of God.
SUFFERING IN THE KINGDOM
Matthew 5:10-12 - Blessed
are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the
kingdom of heaven. [11] Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and
persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my
sake. [12] Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven:
for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
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Matthew 5:3-12
IT’S WORTH IT!
Have you ever considered the benefits of living by the
beatitudes? It is certainly worth it!
POVERTY OF SPIRIT YIELDS A KINGDOM – Vs. 3
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for
theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
INTENSITY OF SORROW YIELDS COMFORT – Vs. 4
Blessed are they that mourn: for they
shall be comforted.
DISPLAY OF HUMILITY YIELDS CONTROL – Vs. 5
Blessed are the meek: for they shall
inherit the earth.
DESIRE FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS YIELDS SATISFACTION – Vs. 6
Blessed are they which do hunger and
thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
GIVING OF MERCY YIELDS MERCY – Vs. 7 – (Give a break.
Catch a break.) - Vs. 7
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall
obtain mercy.
PURITY OF HEART YIELDS FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD – Vs. 8
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they
shall see God.
NEGOTIATION OF PEACE YIELDS A GREAT REPUTATION – Vs. 9
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they
shall be called the children of God.
SUFFERING FOR CHRIST YIELDS HEAVENLY REWARDS – Vss.
10-12
Blessed are they which are persecuted
for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. [11] Blessed are
ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of
evil against you falsely, for my sake. [12] Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for
great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were
before you.
Why don’t we want to live by these beatitudes? Is it
because we want the wrong rewards?
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Matthew 5:3-12
BLESSED!
BLESSED ATTITUDE – Vss. 3-5
·
Towards Self – Vs. 3
·
Towards Sin – Vs4
·
Towards Submission – Vs. 5
·
Towards Sterilization – Vs.8
BLESSED ACTIONS
·
Pursue Righteousness – Vs. 6
·
Pursue Mercy – Vs. 7
·
Pursue Peace – Vs. 9
BLESSED ATTACKS – Vss. 10-12
·
There is a Cause – Righteousness – Vs. 10
·
There is a Cross – “For My Name’s Sake” – Vs. 11
·
There is a Crown – Heaven and Rewards – Vss. 10, 12
Perhaps you may want to make this a three part series.
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IN PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS
Matthew 5:3-12
A complete Sunday School or Bible Study Lesson
J
What are some of the things people in general will do
in order to be happy?
J
Although people want to be happy, often they are not.
How come?
J
How do you know that God wants us to be happy?
J
What is the difference between the happiness God
provides and the happiness most people in the world are seeking?
J
The Sermon on the Mount begins with some verses known
as “the Beatitudes”. We often think of
the word “blessed” as meaning “happy”.
According to James Montgomery Boice, “The Greek word for blessed is makarios, and it is used to describe a person who is especially favored by
God and who is therefore in some sense happy or fortunate because of it.”
James
Montgomery Boice, The Gospel of Matthew, Volume 1, (
Books,
2001) p. 74
J
True happiness is not based on “happenings” but on the
blessing or favor of God on our lives.
In Matthew 5:3-12, the Lord Jesus shows
us the qualities that lead to true happiness.
SADNESS THAT LEADS TO HAPPINESS
Matthew 5:3-4 - Blessed
are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they that mourn: for they
shall be comforted.
J
Is verse 3 commending a bad attitude? I know a lot of “poor spirited” people!
J
Poor in
spirit refers to one’s attitude about one’s self. He or she
understands the spiritual poverty of their own souls.
J
How does one need to be poor in Spirit in order to be
saved?
Isaiah 64:6 - But
we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags;
and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us
away.
Titus 3:5 - Not
by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he
saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Ephesians 2:8-9 - For
by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift
of God: [9] Not of works, lest any man should boast.
J
How does being poor
in spirit help someone appreciate salvation?
J
How can you tell that a Christian is poor in spirit?
J
How does being poor
in spirit help us to please God as Christians?
1 Peter 5:5-6 – Likewise,
ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all
of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble
yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due
time:
J
When and why should a person mourn over sin?
J
What does God see as the purpose of mourning?
James 4:8-10 - Draw
nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and
purify your hearts, ye double minded. [9] Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep:
let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. [10] Humble
yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
Psalm 32:5 - I
acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will
confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest
the iniquity of my sin. Selah.
J
How is it possible to mourn too much and miss the
purpose of God?
SUBMISSION THAT LEADS TO HAPPINESS
Matthew 5:5 - Blessed
are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
J
How is the word meek often misconstrued?
J
A better word for meek
is gentle.
J
In Matthew 11:29 Jesus tells us that He is meek and lowly of heart. How was Jesus gentle?
J
Many commentators say that meekness is power under control. How did the Lord
Jesus demonstrate that?
J
Why must a person be submissive in order to be meek?
J
In what way might a gentle person inherit the earth today?
SANCTIFICATION THAT LEADS TO HAPPINESS
Matthew 5:6, 8 - Blessed
are they which do hunger and thirst after
righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they
shall see God.
J
What is sanctification?
J
Why should Christians pursue sanctification?
1 Peter 1:15-16 - But
as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in
all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
J
What are some secular things that people hunger and thirst after?
J
How should a Christian hunger and thirst after righteousness?
J
Why do we often fail to hunger and thirst after righteousness?
J
What keeps my heart from being pure?
J
What part does the Holy Spirit have in keeping my
heart pure?
Galatians 5:22-23 - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering,
gentleness, goodness, faith, [23] Meekness, temperance: against such there is
no law.
J
How does a Christian, who is pure in heart see God?
SHARING THAT LEADS TO HAPPINESS
Matthew 5:7, 9 - Blessed
are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they
shall be called the children of God.
J
How can a Christian show mercy every day?
J
Why should we be merciful in our judgments of others?
Matthew 7:1-2 - Judge
not, that ye be not judged. [2] For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be
judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
J
What part does forgiveness have to do with mercy?
J
Why must a peacemaker have peace himself?
J
How does a peacemaker help make peace between God and
man?
J
How does a peacemaker help make peace between man and
man?
SUFFERING THAT LEADS TO HAPPINESS
Matthew 5:10-12 - Blessed
are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the
kingdom of heaven. [11] Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and
persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my
sake. [12] Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven:
for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
J
Why do other people persecute righteous people?
J
Jesus promised persecution. Why do you think persecution is part of
Christianity?
John 15:20 - Remember
the word that I said unto you, The servant is not
greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute
you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
J
Why is it a blessing to be persecuted?
J
What encouragement is there to endure persecution?
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Matthew 5:3-5
HAPPY HUMILITY
The word "blessed" means happy. The beatitudes teach us how to be spiritually
happy! A key part of this happiness has
to do with being humble, especially before God. To be truly happy we should be:
SPIRITUALLY SHORT - "poor in spirit" - Vs. 3
SPIRITUALLY SORROWFUL - "they that mourn" -
Vs. 4
SPIRITUALLY SUBMISSIVE - "the meek" - Vs. 5
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ATTITUDE
Matthew 5:3-5
My attitude is important. The first three beatitudes, if practiced,
will insure that I have a good attitude.
Vs. 3 - POOR IN SPIRIT - How I view myself.
Vs. 4 - MOURNING - How I view my sin.
Vs. 5 - MEEKNESS - How I view my situation (or
standing).
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Matthew 5:3-6
THE RIGHT KIND OF HEART
When it comes to lessons
in practical Christian Living, nothing surpasses
the Sermon on the Mount.
With this outline we begin a series of outlines
which will run for
several months and cover all of chapters 5-7 in the Book
of Matthew. Feel free to
preach the series with your own adaptations, or
simply use individual
messages as you feel led.
THE RIGHT KIND OF HEART
IS AN HONEST HEART - Vs. 3
A person who is poor in
spirit is not "poor spirited". He or she is someone
who has an honest
opinion of his or her spiritual condition. The person who
will admit Spiritual
poverty is well on their way to faith in Christ for
salvation.
THE RIGHT KIND OF HEART
IS A HEAVY HEART - Vs. 4
The heart that mourns
over sin is the heart that will confess and find the
comfort of forgiveness.
Initially they will find the forgiveness of
salvation. After
salvation they will find the comfort of forgiveness for
sins that they confess.
1 John 1:9
THE RIGHT KIND OF HEART
IS A HUMBLE HEART - Vs. 5
According to Haddon
Robinson, "Tied up in the word meek is the concept of
power under control, the
idea of being submissive to someone greater than
ourselves."
("The Christian Salt and Light Company", Copyright 1988 by
Haddon W. Robinson,
Discovery House Publishers, Page 51)
Being Biblically meek is
being in submission to God. It is not mean a lack
of strength, but
strength that is under God's control.
THE RIGHT KIND OF HEART
IS A HUNGRY HEART - Vs. 6
To hunger and thirst
after righteousness should be a characteristic of every
Christian. We should
want to please God by doing what is right. We should
hunger and thirst for
the things of God and His word and apply them to our
lives. As they do they
are satisfied, but then they will hunger and thirst
some more because they
want to be satisfied again.
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Matthew 5:6-8
THE LORD PROVIDES!
There are some special things
that the Lord will provide for those who meet the conditions.
SPIRITUAL SATISFACTION -
Vs. 6 - For those who hunger and thirst after righteousness.
SPIRITUAL SUPPLY - Vs. 7
- For those who show mercy.
SPIRITUAL SIGHT - Vs. 8
- For those are pure in heart.
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Matthew 5:7-12
GREAT BLESSINGS
Jesus says that the
person who practices these beatitudes is "blessed" or happy.
The person who practices
these things is happy because of the blessings that he receives.
THE PARTICIPANT RECEIVES
MERCY - Vs. 7
The one who shows mercy
is sure to receive mercy.
THE PURE SEE GOD - Vs. 8
When a person keeps his
heart pure through trusting Christ as Savior, and confession and forsaking of
sin, he will see God all through the day.
We do not mean that he will literally see God, but he will see God at
work and feel His presence.
THE PEACEMAKER IS SPOKEN
WELL OF - Vs. 9
What better compliment
than to be known as a child of the God of peace?
THE PERSECUTED HAVE A
HOME - Vss. 10-12
When a Christian is
persecuted for Christ's sake, he can be comforted by the fact that he has a
home in Heaven. Stephen, when persecuted for His faith, saw Jesus waiting to
receive him into Heaven. Acts 7:55-56
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Matthew 5:9-12
HAPPINESS IN THE SERVICE
OF THE KING
These two beatitudes
show me some of my responsibility, and
subsequent suffering as a child of God.
And yet through all of this, I will be happy (blessed).
MY MINISTRY = PEACEMAKER
Vs. 9
I am to lead people to
faith in Christ, which will give them peace with God. Romans 5:1, 1 Peter 3:15,
Mark
MY MISERY = PERSECUTION
Vs. 10
See John 15:18-27 and 2
Timothy 3:12.
MY MASTERY = PRAISE Vss.
11-12
I am to rejoice in the
face of persecution.
I am suffering for
Jesus' sake.
My reward is great.
I am following the
example of the prophets who were also persecuted.
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Matthew 5: 13-16
REACHING THE WORLD
Jesus gave His followers
of reaching the world for Him in Matthew 28:19-20.
This passage reminds us
of the importance of our testimony.
THE FLAVOR - Vs. 11
We are the
"salt" of the earth. Salt adds flavor. When we act properly as Christians we are
adding flavor that speaks of Christ and the need of salvation. Salt also makes
us thirsty. If we act properly, we will make others thirsty for the truth.
When we act improperly
as Christians we have lost our flavor.
THE FLOODLIGHT - Vs. 12
We are "the light
of the world".
THE FLOW - Vs. 12
When we do good works as
Christians we are letting the light flow to those who need it.
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Matthew 5:14-16
THE CHRISTIAN AS A WITNESS
OUR VALUE - Vs. 14a - The light of the world.
Jesus, the true light of the world (John
OUR VISIBILITY - Vss. 14b-15 - As lights we are to be
seen!
OUR VOCATION - Vs. 16 - Our job is to let our light
shine!
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Matthew 5:13-20
IMPACTING YOUR WORLD
BE SALTY – Vs. 13
BE SHINNING – Vss. 14-16
BE SCRIPTURAL – Vss. 17-20
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Matthew 5:17-20
RESPONDING TO GOD’S LAW
A CONCEPT TO AVOID
Matthew 5:17 - Think
not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to
destroy, but to fulfil.
THE CERTAINTY OF GOD’S WORD
Matthew 5:18 - For
verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be
fulfilled.
THE CHALLENGE TO OBEY
Matthew 5:19-20 - Whosoever therefore
shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall
be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach
them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. [20] For I say
unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed
the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into
the kingdom of heaven.
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Matthew 5:17-20
JESUS AND THE LAW
JESUS' PURPOSE - To fulfill
the law - Vs. 17
JESUS' PROMISE - All
will be fulfilled - Vs. 18
JESUS' PRECAUTION -
Don't teach law breaking. Personal righteousness needs to exceed that of the
Pharisees. - Vss. 19-20
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Matthew 5:21-26
A NEW STANDARD
(Sermon On The Mount #5)
When Jesus presented the
Sermon on the Mount he raised the standards by which people should live. I imagine that people thought they were behaving
okay as long as they didn't kill anyone! Jesus shows here that undue anger is
sin.
THE STATEMENT OF
SCRIPTURE - Vs. 21
Exodus
THE SINS OF THE HEART
AND MOUTH - Vs. 22
Anger without cause that
leads to anger with the tongue are serious sins. 1 John 3:15
THE SOLUTION FROM JESUS
- Vss. 23-26
I think of us as coming
to the "altar" of prayer today.
When we remember that we
have openly sinned against someone, we are to first confess to God (1 John 1:9)
and then apologize to the person against whom we have sinned. Then we are in a
position to offer our gifts to God.
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Matthew 5:21-48
A HIGHER STANDARD
Each section of this
passage begins with "You have heard....But I say unto you." In each case Jesus gives his listeners a
higher standard than to which they were accustomed.
(NOTE: This is a long passage. You might want to
break this down into 2, 3, or even 5 messages.)
A HIGHER STANDARD FOR
ANGER Vss. 21-26
A HIGHER STANDARD FOR
MARRIAGE Vss. 27-32
A HIGHER STANDARD FOR
SWEARING Vss. 33-37
A HIGHER STANDARD FOR
SUBMISSION Vss. 38-42
A HIGHER STANDARD FOR
LOVE Vss. 43-48
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Matthew 5:27-32
OLD AND NEW
(Sermon On The Mount #6)
OLD SAYINGS - Vss. 27,
31
The Old Testament
Scriptures had some rules concerning faithfulness in marriage. Exodus 20:14
NEW STANDARDS - Vss. 28,
32
Jesus shows us that
God's standards are higher than the general understanding the Jews of His day
had concerning purity in marriage.
NEW SENSITIVITY - Vss.
30-31
This, of course, is
figurative speech, showing that we should be radical when we are dealing with
our thought lives. Thoughts must be kept
under control.
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Matthew 5:33-42
UNDER CONTROL
So many people want to
control what others do.
In this passage from the
Sermon on the Mount, Jesus shows us things that should be "under
control" in our own lives.
OUR LIPS UNDER CONTROL -
Vss. 33-37 - BY TELLING THE TRUTH
As wrong as it is, Jesus
is not talking about taking the Lord's name in vain in this passage.
He is talking about the
truthfulness of the words that come from our lips.
Vows or oaths were not
uncommon in the Scriptures. These oaths
were to be done seriously, and with absolute truthfulness. Genesis 14:22-23, Jeremiah
42:5, 2 Corinthians 1:23, Matthew 26:63-64. The problem in Jesus' day was
people were making oaths about practically everything. So Jesus tells them to
swear not at all. Instead, they were to simply speak the truth.
OUR LOVE UNDER CONTROL -
Vss. 38-39 - BY TURNING THE OTHER CHEEK
To turn the other cheek
in true humility is a real show of love.
Although the government
is to carry out justice (Romans 13:4, Leviticus 38-39), a Christian is not to
take matters into his own hands, but quietly surrender his "rights".
OUR LAWSUITS UNDER
CONTROL - Vs. 40 - BY GIVING OF YOUR POSSESSIONS
As we yield to the
direction of the Holy Spirit in our lives, even lawsuits will not be a problem.
The cloak was essential
clothing and protected by Jewish law.
If necessary, we must be
willing to part with the most basic of necessities, and trust God to take care
of us. Matthew 6:30-34
OUR LABOR UNDER CONTROL
- Vs. 41 - BY GOING THE EXTRA MILE
OUR LOANS UNDER CONTROL
- Vs. 42 - BY SHARING WITH THOSE IN NEED
We can't always give all
that people ask, but we can usually help in some way when the need is
legitimate.
These things will be
impossible to do, unless we are under the Lord's control. Ephesians 5:18,
Romans 12:1
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Matthew 5:38-42
THE
There will be times when
you will be treated improperly. There
are several ways we can respond to mistreatment in several ways. Jesus shows us
the better way to react.
SHUN - Vs. 38
In personal cases don't
live by the "get even" philosophy.
Shun any urge to get
even.
SUBMIT - Vss. 38-41
Your Body - Vs. 39
Your Possessions - Vs.
40
Your Time and Labor -
Vs. 41
SHARE - Vs. 42
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Matthew 5:33-48
THE BEST!
So often people are
wrapped up in securing the best for themselves and their
families (Give your own
examples.). The trouble is, very often we have a
warped view of what is
best. For example the father who wants his son to be
the best winning
athlete, may overlook more important matters, such as
integrity, education,
and the Christian Faith.
Our Lord Jesus Christ
wants what is best for His disciples. What He views
as best is often in
direct opposition to what human beings think and teach
others concerning what
is best. In our text, the Lord reminds his hearers
of the teachings they
had heard in the past, and then gives them the best
teaching of all.
THE BEST USE OF THE LIPS
- Vss. 33-37
THE BEST MANNER OF LIFE
- Vss. 38-42
THE