The Most Important Lessons from the Sermon on the Mount - You Need to See This!!!!

The Sermon on the Mount is one of the most important teachings of Jesus Christ recorded in the gospel of Matthew chapters 5 to7 this discourse contains fundamental principles of Christianity and presents a new way of understanding happiness Justice and the kingdom of God in this video we will explore the beginning of this revolutionary sermon focusing on the setting in which it was delivered and the famous Beatitudes as well as Jesus call for his followers to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world get ready for a journey through words that changed

the course of history and continue to challenge and inspire people today the setting of this significant discourse is described at the beginning of Matthew Chapter 5 in verses 1 and 2 we read now when Jesus saw the crowds he went up on a mountain side and sat down his disciples came to him and he began to teach them Jesus chose an elevated place to teach allowing many people to hear him the sermon begins with a series of statements known as the Beatitudes each one describes a group of people whom Jesus calls blessed which means happy

or fortunate these statements present A New Perspective on who is truly blessed in God's eyes the first beatitude is found in Matthew 53 blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven Jesus is not speaking about Financial poverty but spiritual humility he is teaching that those who recognize their need for God are the ones who will truly experience the Kingdom of Heaven next in verse 4 Jesus says blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted this may seem contradictory but Jesus is teaching that those who feel sorrow for sin

and Injustice in the world will receive God's Comfort the Beatitudes continue you each one challenging common Notions of happiness and success Jesus speaks about the meek those who hunger and thirst for righteousness the merciful the pure in heart the peacemakers and those persecuted for righteousness in each case he promises a specific blessing for example in Matthew 5:5 Jesus declares blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth in this context meekness does not mean weakness but rather strength under control Jesus is teaching that those who are gentle and humble trusting in God instead of

Their Own Strength will receive a spiritual inheritance another important beatitude is found in verse 6 blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled Jesus is speaking about a deep desire for both personal and social righteousness he promises that this desire will be satisfied the Beatitudes conclude with a special emphasis on persecution in Matthew 5 to 10- 12 Jesus says blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven blessed are you when people insult you persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil

against you because of me rejoice and be glad because great is your reward in heaven for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were for you these words were both a warning and an encouragement Jesus Was preparing his followers to face opposition but he was also promising that such persecution would be a mark of their faithfulness and would result in Eternal reward after the Beatitudes Jesus goes on to speak about the role of his followers in the world he uses two powerful metaphors Salt and Light in Matthew 5:13 Jesus says you are the

salt of the Earth but if the salt loses its saltiness how can it be made salty again it is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot in ancient times Salt was used to preserve food and enhance flavor Jesus is teaching that his followers must have a preserving and purifying effect on society preventing moral Decay and adding flavor to life immediately after in Matthew 5146 Jesus uses another metaphor you are the light of the world a town built on a hill cannot be hidden neither do people light a lamp and

put it under a bowl instead they put it on its stand and it gives light to everyone in the house in the same way let your light shine before others that they may see your good deeds and glorify your father in Heaven light serves multiple functions it illuminates guides and reveals Jesus is teaching that his followers must live in a way that shows others the way to God reveals the truth and brings moral Clarity to the world around them it is important to note that the purpose of being light is not to draw attention to

oneself but to glorify God these metaphors of Salt and Light emphasize the responsibility that Jesus followers have to positively influence the world around them they should not isolate themselves from society but engage actively in it bringing the flavor and light of the kingdom of God it is important to note that Jesus is not presenting these ideas as suggestions or options he is declaring the reality of what his followers are Salt and Light the question is not whether they should be Salt and Light but whether they are effectively fulfilling that role as he concludes this section

of the sermon Jesus establishes a fundamental foundation for what it means to be his follower he redefines happiness and success in terms of the kingdom of God emphasizing qualities such as humility meekness mercy and purity of heart he also makes it clear that following him will not be easy and may even lead to persecution at the same time Jesus gives his followers a high vision of their role in the world they are not M passive Spectators but active agents of the kingdom of God Called to preserve what is good add flavor to life and illuminate

the way for others with this Foundation laid Jesus was ready to take his listeners deeper into his teachings addressing practical issues about how to live according to these Kingdom principles after establishing the Beatitudes and emphasizing his followers role as Salt and Light Jesus addressed a crucial topic his relationship with the law of Moses many in the crowd likely wondered if Jesus was proposing a new religion that would replace the ancient Jewish Traditions Jesus directly responded to this concern in Matthew 5718 do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets I

have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them truly I tell you until Heaven and Earth disappear not the smallest letter not the least stroke of a pen will by any means disappear from the law until everything is accomplished with these words Jesus affirmed the continuity between his teachings and the Hebrew scriptures he did not come to destroy the law but to fulfill it this means Jesus came to reveal the true meaning and purpose of the law bringing it to its logical and spiritual conclusion Jesus then made a surprising statement in Matthew 5:20 for

I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law you will certainly not enter the Kingdom of Heaven the Pharisees and teachers of the law were known for their strict observance of religious rules how could anyone have a righteousness greater than theirs the answer lies in how Jesus interpreted the law he showed that true obedience is not just about external actions but Eternal attitudes to illustrate this Jesus gave several examples starting with the Commandment against murder in Matthew 52122 Jesus said you have heard that it was said

to the people long ago you shall not murder and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment but I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment Jesus was not denying the importance of the Commandment against murder but he was showing that the root of murder anger and hatred is also sinful in God's eyes Jesus continued by emphasizing the importance of reconciliation therefore if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you leave your gift there

in front of the altar first go and be reconciled to them then come and offer your gift Matthew 5:23 to2 24 here Jesus is teaching that right relationships with others are more important than religious rituals next Jesus addressed the topic of adultery again he went beyond the external act to address the heart's attitudes in Matthew 52728 he said you have heard that it was said You shall not commit adultery but I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart this is interpretation of the law

was revolutionary Jesus was teaching that Purity is not just about actions but thoughts and desires he was calling his followers to a deeper level of Holiness which begins in the heart Jesus then used strong language to emphasize the seriousness of sin if your right eye causes you to stumble gouge it out and throw it away it is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell Matthew 5:29 it's important to understand that Jesus was not advocating literal self-mutilation but using hyperbole to emphasize the importance

of taking sin seriously and doing whatever is necessary to avoid it Jesus also addressed the issue of divorce again raising the standard beyond what was commonly practiced at the time he said in Matthew 5:31 to 32 it has been said anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce but I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife except for sexual immorality makes her the victim of adultery and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery then Jesus spoke about Oaths in the culture of that time people often swore Oaths to ensure

the truthfulness of their words Jesus however t that his followers should be so honest that such Oaths would be unnecessary in Matthew 5:33 37 he said again you have heard that it was said to the people long ago do not break your oath but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made but I tell you do not swear an oath at all either by heaven for it is God's Throne or by the Earth for it is his foot stol or by Jerusalem for it is the city of the great king and do not swear

by your head for you cannot make even one hair white or black all you need to say is simply yes or no anything beyond this comes from the evil one this teaching on Integrity in speech is profound Jesus is Calling his followers to a level of honesty so high that their simple words are sufficient there should be no need to reinforce the truth of their statements with Oaths through these examples on anger adultery divorce and Oaths Jesus was demonstrating what he meant by fulfilling the law he was not abolishing the Commandments but revealing their deeper

meaning and calling his followers to a higher level of righteousness Jesus was teaching that true obedience to God is not just about external actions but internal attitudes he was calling his followers to a transformation of the heart not just outward conformity this teaching must have been challenging for Jesus's listeners he was setting a standard that seemed impossible to achieve through human effort alone and that was precisely the point Jesus was showing the need for a radical transformation that could only come through a relationship with God by interpreting the law in this way Jesus Was preparing

the way for his own Redemptive work he was showing that we all fall short of God's standard and need his grace and forgiveness after explaining how the law must be fulfilled not only externally but also internally Jesus went on to address a topic that would deeply challenge conventional Notions of justice and relationships loving one's enemies Jesus began this section by referring to a well-known principle in Jewish law often called The Law of retaliation in Matthew 5:38 he said you have heard that it was said said eye for eye and tooth for tooth this law found

in the Old Testament was originally intended to limit retaliation and ensure that punishment was proportional to the offense however Jesus was about to present an even higher standard he continued in Matthew 5: 39-42 but I tell you do not resist an evil person if anyone slaps you on the right cheek turn to them the other cheek also so and if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt hand over your coat as well if anyone forces you to go one mile go with them two miles give to the one who asks you and do

not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you these words must have shocked Jesus listeners he was proposing a response to Injustice that went against all natural human instincts instead of retaliation Jesus was teaching not non-resistance and even generosity towards those who harm us it's important to understand that Jesus was not advocating passivity in the face of evil or denying the need for justice in society rather he was teaching a radically different way of responding to personal Injustice a way that had the potential to break the cycle of violence and retaliation turning

the other cheek does not mean simply accepting abuse it is a nonviolent form of resistance that refuses to stoop to the level of the aggressor while affirming the human dignity of both the victim and the aggressor similarly giving the coat along with the shirt going two miles instead of one and freely lending are all ways of responding to Injustice with surprising generosity these actions have the potential to transform conflict situations disarming the aggressor with unexpected kindness but Jesus didn't stop there he took this principle of nonviolent love even further applying it not only to specific

conflict situations but to our enemies in general in Matthew 54344 Jesus said you have heard that it was said love your neighbor and hate your enemy but I tell you love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you once again Jesus was challenging convention Notions while Jewish law emphasized love for one's neighbor it was common in the culture of the time to consider it acceptable or even expected to hate one's enemies Jesus however was calling his followers to love even those who hated and persecuted them this teaching on loving enemies is one of the

most distinctive and challenging aspects of Jesus teachings he is not merely asking us to tolerate our enemies or refrain from harming them he is calling us to actively love them and pray for them Jesus then explained the reasoning behind this radical command in Matthew 5: 45-47 that you may be children of your father in Heaven he causes his son to rise on the evil and the good and sends Reign on the righteous and the unrighteous if you love those who love you what reward will you get are not even the tax collectors doing that and

if you greet only your own people what are you doing more than others do not even pagans do that here Jesus points to God as the Supreme model of this kind of love God extends his kindness to all regardless of their moral character likewise Jesus followers are called to demonstrate a love that goes beyond the ordinary a love that doesn't discriminate between friend and foe Jesus is challenging his listen ERS to a standard of love that is distinctly different from the world around them loving only those who love us is nothing extraordinary even the most

sinful people in society like Tax Collectors do that the love Jesus is teaching is of a completely different quality this kind of love is not easy in fact it may seem Impossible by human effort alone loving our enemies goes against our natural instincts for self-preservation and Justice that's why Jesus connects this love to our identity as children of your father in Heaven this kind of love is only possible when we understand and experience God's unconditional love for us Jesus concludes this section with a surprising statement in Matthew 5:48 be perfect therefore as your heavenly father

is perfect this Perfection does not refer to an impossible moral flawlessness but to completeness or maturity in love Jesus is Calling his followers to a love that reflects God's character a love that is complete and makes no distinction between friend and enemy this teaching on radical love and non- retaliation is one of the most distinctive features of Jesus's teachings it deeply challenges our Notions of Justice rights and relationships Jesus is presenting a vision of a Community transformed by the love of God a community that responds to Injustice and hatred not with more violence but with

surprising and transformative love it is important to note that this teaching does not deny the reality of evil or the need for justice in society rather it offers a radical way of responding to evil that has the potential to break cycles of violence and transform relationships throughout history many followers of Jesus have taken this teaching seriously often with surprising results from the early Christian Martyrs who prayed for their persecutors to Modern figures like Martin Luther King Jr who applied Jesus principles of nonviolence in the Civil Rights Movement this teaching has shown its transformative power however

it is also one of Jesus most challenging teachings loving our enemies praying for those who pers Ute us responding to violence with nonviolence all of this goes against our natural inclinations it is a call to a way of life that is only possible through deep inner transformation a transformation that Jesus came to make possible as Jesus concluded this portion of his sermon his listeners must have realized they were being called to a radically different way of life a way of life that reflected the very character of God characterized by a love that transcends normal boundaries

and has the power to transform the world after teaching about radical love Jesus turned his attention to the religious practices of his followers he addressed three main areas of Jewish devotional life giving to the poor prayer and fasting in each case Jesus emphasized the importance of the right motivation and practicing in secret Jesus began by speaking about giving to the poor in Matthew 61:4 be careful not to practice your acts of righteousness in front of others to be seen by them if you do you will have no reward from your father in Heaven so when

you give to the needy Do not announce it with trumpets as the Hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets to be honored by others truly I tell you they have received their reward in full but when you give to the needy do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing so that your giving may be in secret then your father who sees what is done in secret will reward you Jesus was not condemning the act of giving to the poor but rather the wrong motivation behind it he criticized those

who made their donations ostentatiously seeking public recognition instead Jesus taught that giving should be done in secret focusing on pleasing God not men next Jesus addressed the subject of Prayer in Matthew 6:58 and when you pray do not be like the Hypocrites for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others truly I tell you they have received their reward in full but when you pray go into your room close the door and pray to your father who is unseen then your father who sees what is

done in secret will reward you and when you pray do not keep on babbling like pagans for they think they will be heard because of their many words do not be like them for your father knows what you need before you ask him again Jesus was emphasizing the importance of the correct motivation in prayer he criticized those who prayed publicly to impress others as well as those who used empty repetitions thinking they would be heard for their many words instead Jesus taught that prayer should be an intimate and sincere communication with God Jesus then provided

a model for prayer known as The Lord's Prayer in Matthew 69-13 this prayer encompasses worship submission to God's will requests for daily provision forgiveness and protection from Evil it is a model of prayer that is simp simple direct and god-focused finally Jesus spoke about fasting in Matthew 616 to18 when you fast do not look somber as the Hypocrites do for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting truly I tell you they have received their reward in full but when you fast put oil on your head and wash your face so that it

will not be obvious to others that you are fasting but only to your father who is unseen and your father who sees what is done in secret will reward you once again Jesus emphasized the importance of practicing in secret he criticized those who made a show of their fasting seeking admiration from others instead Jesus taught that fasting should be a private discipline between the individual and God in all these teachings Jesus was emphasizing a fundamental principle authentic devotional life is motivated by a desire to please God not to impress others he was calling his followers

to a spirituality that is deep and genuine not superficial and performative Jesus also repeatedly promised that the father who sees what is done in secret will reward those who practice their devotion in this way this does not necessarily mean material rewards but rather the the Deep satisfaction that comes from an authentic relationship with God these teachings of Jesus challenge us to examine our own motivations in our religious practices they call us to a devotional life that is centered on God not on ourselves or the opinions of others it is a call to authenticity and intimacy

with God rather than external and superficial religiosity as Jesus concluded this part of his sermon he was setting a standard for spiritual life that went far beyond outward practices he was calling his followers to an inner transformation that would manifest in sincere and humble Devotion to God after addressing devotional practices Jesus turned his attention to his followers material concerns and life priorities in this section of The Sermon on the Mount he tackled fundamental issues about where we place our trust and what we truly value Jesus began this part of his teaching with a powerful statement

about Treasures in Matthew 6:1 19-21 he said do not store up for yourselves Treasures on Earth where moths and verine Destroy and where thieves break in and steal but store up for yourselves Treasures in Heaven where moths and Vermin do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal for where your treasure is there your heart will be also with these words Jesus was challenging the human tendency to seek security and meaning in material possessions he pointed out the temporary and vulnerable nature of Earthly Treasures contrasting them with the permanence of heavenly Treasures

it is important to note that Jesus was not condemning all forms of ownership or savings rather he was warning against selfish accumulation and excessive Trust in material wealth the Treasures in Heaven Jesus referred to are likely things of Eternal value acts of Love generosity Justice and Faith Jesus then made a profound observation for where your treasure is there your heart will be also in other words what we value reveals and shapes our priorities and character Jesus was calling his followers to examine where they are invest in their time energy and resources next Jesus used an

intriguing metaphor in Matthew 62223 the eye is the lamp of the body if your eyes are healthy your whole body will be full of light but if your eyes are unhealthy your whole body will be full of Darkness if then The Light Within You is Darkness how great is that darkness in this context the eyes likely refer to our perspective or worldview Jesus was teaching that the way we see the world our priorities and values affects our entire life if our vision is focused on the right things Heavenly Treasures our life will be full of

light but if our vision is distorted by greed or materialism our entire life will be negatively affected Jesus then made a bold statement in Matthew 6:24 no one can serve two masters either you will hate the one and love the other or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other you cannot serve both God and money here Jesus personified money or material possessions as a rival Master to God he was pointing out that money has the power to command our loyalty and shape our priorities in a way that competes with our devotion

to God Jesus was calling his followers to make a Clear Choice serving God must be our Supreme priority after establishing this fundamental principle Jesus addressed a common concern that often hinders us from fully trusting in God anxiety about material needs in Matthew 6: 25-34 Jesus said therefore I tell you do not worry about your life what you will eat or drink or about your body what you will wear is not life more than food and the body more than clothes look at the birds of the air they do not seow or reap or store away

in Barns and yet your heavenly father feeds them are you not much more valuable than they Jesus was not promoting irresponsibility or laziness instead he was confronting the anxiety that often consumes us when we think about our material needs he pointed to God's creation the birds and the lies as examples of God's faithful provision Jesus continued can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life and why do you worry about clothes see how the flowers of the field grow they do not labor or spin yet I tell you that not

even Solomon in all his Splendor was dressed like one of these if that is how God clothes the grass of the field which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire will he not much more clothe you you of little faith here Jesus was emphasizing the futility of excessive worry he wasn't saying we shouldn't work or plan but that we shouldn't be consumed with anxiety about the future instead we are to trust in God's provision Jesus then addressed the heart of the issue so do not worry saying what shall we eat or what

shall we drink or what shall we wear for the the pagans run after all these things and your heavenly father knows that you need them but seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well this is one of Jesus most profound and challenging statements he was setting a clear priority for his followers seeking God's kingdom and his righteousness should be our first and foremost concern when we do this Jesus promises that our needs will be met seeking God's kingdom means aligning our lives with God's values and

purposes it means living according to the principles Jesus was teaching in The Sermon on the Mount love Justice Mercy purity of heart when we make this our priority Jesus promises that all these things our material needs will be provided Jesus concluded this section with practical advice therefore do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself each day has enough trouble of its own this is not a call to irresponsibility or a lack of planning rather it is an invitation to live in the present trusting God day by day Jesus was encouraging his followers

not to be paralyzed by anxiety about the future but to trust in God's daily provision throughout this section of The Sermon on the Mount Jesus was challenging ing his listeners to a radical shift in perspective he was calling them to trust in God in a way that would transform their priorities and free them from the anxiety that so often accompanies the pursuit of material security this teaching of Jesus continues to challenge us today in a world that often measures value and success in material terms Jesus words call us to a different Vision a vision centered

on God's kingdom and confident in his provision in the final part of The Sermon on the Mount Jesus addressed practical issues of discernment and action he offered guidance on how to live wisely in the world making decisions that reflect the values of God's kingdom Jesus began this section with a warning against Hasty judgment in Matthew 71:5 he said do not judge or you too will be judged for in the same way you judge other others you will be judged and with the measure you use it will be measured to you why do you look at

the speck of Sword dust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye how can you say to your brother let me take the speck out of your eye when all the time there is a plank in your own eye you hypocrite first take the plank out of your own eye and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye this teaching does not forbid all kinds of judgment or discernment instead Jesus warns against a critical and condemning attitude towards others he calls his followers to

an honest self-examination before pointing out the flaws of others next Jesus offered encouragement for persistent prayer in Matthew 7:7 to11 he said ask and it will be given to you seek and you will find knock and the door will be open open to you for everyone who asks receives the one who seeks finds and to the one who knocks the door will be opened which of you if your son asks for bread will give him a stone or if he asks for a fish will give him a snake if you then though you are evil

know how to give good gifts to your children how much more will your father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him this teaching emphasizes is God's goodness and encourages trust in his willingness to respond to our prayers Jesus promotes an attitude of persistence and confidence in prayer Jesus then presented what is known as the golden rule in Matthew 7:12 so in everything do to others what you would have them do to you for this sums up the law and the prophets this statement summarizes much of Jesus ethical teaching and provides a practical

principle to guide our interactions with others next Jesus spoke about the narrow path that leads to life in Matthew 7:13-14 he said enter through the narrow gate for wide is the gate and Broad is the road that leads to destruction and many enter through it but small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life and only a few find it this teaching emphasizes that following Jesus is not the easy or popular path it requires commitment and may involve difficulties but it is the path that leads to True Life Jesus then warned about

false prophets in Matthew 7:1 15:20 watch out for false prophets they come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly they are ferocious wolves by their fruit you will recognize them do people pick grapes from Thorn bushes or figs from thistles likewise every good tree Bears good fruit but a bad tree Bears Bad fruit a good tree cannot bear bad fruit and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire thus by their fruit you will recognize them this teaching provides a practical

Criterion for Discerning between true and false spiritual leaders observe their fruit that is the results of their life lives and teachings Jesus concluded The Sermon on the Mount with a powerful parable about the importance of putting his teachings into practice in Matthew 7:2 24:27 he said therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock the rain came down the streams Rose and the winds blew and beat against that house yet it did not fall because it had its found found

ation on the Rock but everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on Sand the rain came down the streams Rose and the winds blew and beat against that house and it fell with a great crash this Parable emphasizes that it's not enough to Simply hear jesus' teachings we must put them into practice in our lives true wisdom According To Jesus is living according to his words The Sermon on the Mount ends with a note on the impact of jesus' teachings

Matthew 72829 says when Jesus had finished saying these things the crowds were amazed at his teaching because he taught as one who had Authority and not as their teachers of the law dear viewer we have just journeyed through the incredible Sermon on the Mount one of Jesus Christ's most profound and transformative teachings we've seen how Jesus challenged conventional Notions of Happiness Justice and spirituality presenting a radically new vision of the kingdom of God we'd love to hear your Reflections and experiences how do these teachings of Jesus impact you which parts of The Sermon on the

Mount do you find most challenging or inspiring share your thoughts in the comments below and if you found this video valuable why not share it with friends and family who may also benefit from these transformative teachings together we can spread the powerful message of The Sermon on the Mount and make a difference in our world remember the path Jesus calls us to follow may be narrow and challenging but it's the path that leads to true and Abundant Life may we all have the courage to build our lives on the solid rock of jesus' teachings until

the next video May the grace and peace of God be with you as you seek to live out the principles of the Kingdom in your daily life thank you for watching and don't forget to subscribe share and leave your comments see you next time