đź“– The Sermon on the Mount

A Complete Study of Matthew 5-7 • KJ3 Literal Translation

"And opening His mouth, He taught them, saying: Blessed are the poor in spirit! For theirs is the kingdom of the Heavens." — Matthew 5:2-3

📜 Overview: The Greatest Sermon Ever Preached

🎯 Central Theme

The Sermon on the Mount presents the ethics and character of citizens in God's Kingdom. Jesus teaches that true righteousness is not merely external obedience but flows from a transformed heart. The sermon contrasts the shallow religion of the Pharisees with the deep, heart-level obedience God requires.

📍 Setting

Jesus went up on a mountain near the Sea of Galilee (likely the Horns of Hattin). His disciples gathered around Him as the primary audience, though crowds were present (7:28).

đź“‹ Structure

  • Chapter 5: Character & Conduct
  • Chapter 6: Worship & Priorities
  • Chapter 7: Wisdom & Warnings

🔑 Key Concepts

  • Kingdom righteousness exceeds external rules
  • Heart transformation, not mere behavior
  • Living for God's approval, not man's
  • Trust in the Father's provision

⚡ Revolutionary Teachings

  • "You have heard... but I say"
  • Love your enemies
  • Do not be anxious
  • Judge not, yet discern

đź“‘ Complete Outline

Matthew 5 — The Character of Kingdom Citizens

5:1-12 — The Beatitudes: Eight Blessings
5:13-16 — Salt and Light: Influence in the World
5:17-20 — Christ Fulfills the Law
5:21-26 — Anger and Reconciliation
5:27-30 — Adultery and Purity
5:31-32 — Divorce
5:33-37 — Oaths and Truthfulness
5:38-42 — Retaliation and Non-Resistance
5:43-48 — Love Your Enemies

Matthew 6 — The Worship of Kingdom Citizens

6:1-4 — Giving in Secret
6:5-15 — Prayer and the Lord's Prayer
6:16-18 — Fasting in Secret
6:19-24 — Treasures and Masters
6:25-34 — Do Not Be Anxious

Matthew 7 — The Wisdom of Kingdom Citizens

7:1-6 — Judging Others
7:7-12 — Ask, Seek, Knock & The Golden Rule
7:13-14 — The Two Gates
7:15-23 — False Prophets & True Disciples
7:24-29 — The Two Foundations

📖 Matthew 5 — Character of the Kingdom

â–Ľ
1But seeing the crowds, He went up into the mountain, and He having sat down, His disciples came near to Him. 2And opening His mouth, He taught them, saying: 3Blessed are the poor in spirit! For theirs is the kingdom of the Heavens. 4Blessed are the ones mourning! For they shall be comforted. 5Blessed are the meek! For they shall inherit the earth. 6Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness! For they shall be filled. 7Blessed are the merciful! For they shall obtain mercy. 8Blessed are the pure in heart! For they shall see God. 9Blessed are the peacemakers! For they shall be called sons of God. 10Blessed are the ones who have been persecuted for righteousness' sake! For theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. 11Blessed are you when they shall reproach you, and persecute you, and shall say every evil word against you, lying, on account of Me. 12Rejoice and be exceeding joyful, for your reward is great in Heaven; for in this way they persecuted the prophets, the ones before you.

🎯 Key Insight

The word "blessed" (Greek: makarios) means more than happy—it describes the divine favor and inner joy that comes from a right relationship with God. These blessings describe the character, not just the circumstances, of those in God's kingdom.

✍️ Practical Applications

  • Poor in spirit: Recognize your spiritual bankruptcy before God; come to Him with humility, not pride
  • Mourning: Grieve over sin (yours and the world's); don't become calloused to evil
  • Meek: Exercise power under control; be gentle with others while firm in truth
  • Hunger/thirst: Desire righteousness as desperately as food and water
  • Merciful: Show compassion to those who don't deserve it—as God has to you
  • Pure in heart: Guard your inner life; pursue integrity in thought and motive
  • Peacemakers: Actively work to reconcile people to God and to each other
  • Persecuted: Expect opposition when you live for Christ; rejoice that you're counted worthy

🤔 Reflection Questions

  1. Which beatitude is most challenging for you personally? Why?
  2. How do these blessings contradict what the world considers "blessed"?
  3. Notice that both the first and eighth beatitude have the same promise ("theirs is the kingdom"). What might this structure suggest?
📚 Cross References
Psalm 37:11 Isaiah 61:1-3 James 4:6-10 1 Peter 3:14
â–Ľ
13You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt becomes tasteless, with what shall it be salted? For it has strength for nothing any more but to be thrown out and to be trampled under by men. 14You are the light of the world. A city situated on a mountain cannot be hidden. 15Nor do they light a lamp and put it under the grain measure, but on the lampstand; and it shines for all those in the house. 16So let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works, and may glorify your Father in Heaven.

🎯 Key Insight

Salt preserves from decay and adds flavor. Light exposes darkness and provides guidance. Jesus doesn't say "try to be" salt and light—He declares that His followers are these things. The question is whether we're fulfilling our purpose.

✍️ Practical Applications

  • Don't withdraw from society—engage it as salt (preserving influence)
  • Don't hide your faith—shine openly so others can see
  • The goal of good works is not self-glory but that others glorify God
  • Evaluate: Am I making a difference in my environment, or have I lost my "saltiness"?

🤔 Reflection Questions

  1. In what ways might a Christian become "tasteless salt"?
  2. How can you be light without being self-righteous or preachy?
  3. What is one practical way you can shine this week?
â–Ľ
17Do not think that I came to annul the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to annul, but to fulfill. 18For truly I say to you, Until the heaven and the earth should pass away, not one iota or one point shall pass away from the Law, not until all things should occur. 19Therefore, whoever looses one of these commandments, the least, and shall teach men so, he shall be called least in the kingdom of Heaven. But whoever does and teaches them, this one shall be called great in the kingdom of Heaven. 20For I say to you, If your righteousness shall not exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall not enter into the kingdom of God, not ever!

🎯 Key Insight

Jesus didn't come to abolish the Old Testament but to fulfill it—bringing out its full meaning and accomplishing what it pointed toward. The Pharisees were meticulous about external observance but missed the heart of the Law. Kingdom righteousness goes deeper.

"For I say to you, If your righteousness shall not exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall not enter into the kingdom of God, not ever!" — Matthew 5:20

✍️ Practical Applications

  • Value all of Scripture—even the "small" commands matter to God
  • Examine whether your obedience is merely external or flows from the heart
  • Recognize that Jesus raises the standard, not lowers it
  • Understand that only through Christ can we have righteousness that exceeds the Pharisees
â–Ľ
21You have heard that it was said to the ancients: "Do not commit murder!" And, Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the Judgment. 22But I say to you, Everyone who is angry with his brother without cause shall be liable to the Judgment. And whoever says to his brother, Raca, shall be liable to the sanhedrin; but whoever says, Fool! shall be liable to be thrown into the fire of Hell. 23Therefore if you offer your gift on the altar, and remember there that your brother has something against you, 24leave your gift there before the altar, and go. First, be reconciled to your brother, and then, coming, offer your gift. 25Be well-disposed toward your opponent quickly, while you are in the way with him, that the opponent not give you over to the judge, and the judge give you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. 26Truly, I say to you, you shall not come out from there, not until you pay the last kodrantes.

🎯 Key Insight

Jesus traces murder back to its root: unrighteous anger. "Raca" (empty-head) and "Fool" (morally worthless) are expressions of contempt that dehumanize others. God cares about the heart attitude, not just the external act. Reconciliation is so important that it takes priority over worship.

✍️ Practical Applications

  • Monitor your anger—righteous anger is rare; self-centered anger is sin
  • Never use language that demeans or dehumanizes another person
  • Take initiative to reconcile—don't wait for the other person
  • Settle conflicts quickly before they escalate
  • Reconciliation with others affects your relationship with God

🤔 Reflection Questions

  1. Is there someone you need to be reconciled with? What's stopping you?
  2. How does harboring anger affect your prayer life and worship?
  3. What does it mean that contemptuous words carry such serious consequences?
â–Ľ
27You have heard that it was said to the ancients: "Do not commit adultery." 28But I say to you, Everyone looking at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29But if your right eye causes you to stumble, take it out and throw it from you, for it is profitable to you that one of your members should be destroyed and all your body not be thrown into Hell. 30And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it from you, for it is profitable to you that one of your members should be destroyed and all your body not be thrown into Hell.

🎯 Key Insight

Jesus expands the seventh commandment to include lustful looking—deliberately gazing at someone to cultivate desire. The hyperbolic language about cutting off body parts emphasizes radical action: deal drastically with anything that leads you to sin. Better temporary pain than eternal loss.

✍️ Practical Applications

  • Guard your eyes and mind—the battle for purity begins in the thought life
  • Distinguish between temptation (not sin) and entertaining lustful thoughts (sin)
  • Remove sources of temptation radically—phones, subscriptions, relationships, places
  • Pursue purity proactively, not just avoid impurity
â–Ľ
31It was also said, Whoever puts away his wife, "let him give her a bill of divorce." 32But I say to you, Whoever puts away his wife, apart from a matter of fornication, causes her to commit adultery. And whoever shall marry the one put away commits adultery.

🎯 Key Insight

In Jesus' day, some rabbis permitted divorce for trivial reasons ("she burned dinner"). Jesus upholds the permanence of marriage. The "exception clause" (fornication/sexual immorality) acknowledges that unfaithfulness breaks the marriage covenant, but divorce is never commanded—reconciliation is always preferred.

✍️ Practical Applications

  • Take marriage vows seriously—they are a covenant before God
  • Work on your marriage rather than looking for an "out"
  • If divorce has occurred, seek God's grace and restoration
  • The church should support both marriage preservation and healing for the divorced
â–Ľ
33Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients: "You shall not swear falsely, but shall give your oaths to the Lord." 34But I say to you, Do not swear at all, neither by Heaven, because it is God's throne; 35nor by the earth, because it is the footstool of His feet; nor by Jerusalem, because it is the city of the great King. 36Nor shall you swear by your head, because you are not able to make one hair white or black. 37But let your word be Yes, yes; No, no. For the excess of these is from the evil.

🎯 Key Insight

The rabbis had developed elaborate systems of oaths—some binding, some not. People could make promises and then weasel out by claiming their oath wasn't technically valid. Jesus cuts through this: be so consistently truthful that you don't need oaths. Your simple "yes" or "no" should be completely reliable.

"But let your word be Yes, yes; No, no. For the excess of these is from the evil." — Matthew 5:37

✍️ Practical Applications

  • Build a reputation for absolute honesty
  • Don't make promises you can't keep
  • Say what you mean and mean what you say
  • Avoid exaggeration and "technically true" deceptions
â–Ľ
38You have heard that it was said: "An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth;" 39but I say to you, Do not resist the evil; but whoever strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40And to him desiring to sue you, and to take your tunic, allow him also to have the coat. 41And whoever shall compel you to go one mile, go with him two; 42to the one asking you, Give, and to the one wishing to borrow from you, do not turn away.

🎯 Key Insight

"Eye for eye" was actually a limitation on revenge (you couldn't take a life for an eye). But Jesus calls His followers beyond mere restraint to active love. A slap on the right cheek (with the back of the hand) was an insult. The Roman soldier could compel service for one mile. Jesus teaches: don't retaliate, don't stand on your rights, go beyond what's demanded.

✍️ Practical Applications

  • Give up the right to "get even"—leave justice to God
  • Respond to insults with grace, not counter-attacks
  • Be generous beyond what's required or expected
  • This is not about being a doormat but about breaking the cycle of retaliation
â–Ľ
43You have heard that it was said, "You shall love your neighbor" and hate your enemy; 44but I say to you, Love your enemies; bless those cursing you, do well to those hating you; and pray for those abusing and persecuting you, 45so that you may become sons of your Father in Heaven. Because He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and unjust. 46For if you love those loving you, what reward do you have? Do not even the taxcollectors do the same? 47And if you only greet your brothers, what exceptional thing do you do? Do not the tax-collectors do so? 48Therefore, you be perfect even as your Father in Heaven is perfect.

🎯 Key Insight

The Old Testament commanded love for neighbors (Lev. 19:18) but never commanded hatred of enemies—that was a rabbinical addition. Jesus commands the impossible: love enemies, bless persecutors, do good to those who hate you. Why? Because that's what God does. We're called to reflect the Father's character.

"Therefore, you be perfect even as your Father in Heaven is perfect." — Matthew 5:48

✍️ Practical Applications

  • Love: This is action, not feeling—choose to seek their good
  • Bless: Speak well of them, even when they curse you
  • Do good: Look for practical ways to help them
  • Pray: Bring them before God regularly—this transforms your heart toward them

🤔 Reflection Questions

  1. Who is your "enemy"? (Could be a difficult person, critic, or opponent)
  2. What would it look like to bless them this week?
  3. How does God's treatment of the ungodly challenge your attitude toward enemies?

📖 Matthew 6 — Worship in the Kingdom

â–Ľ
1Take care not to do your merciful deeds before men in order to be seen by them. But if not, you have no reward from your Father in Heaven. 2Therefore, when you do merciful deeds, do not trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be glorified by men. Truly I say to you, They have their reward. 3But you doing merciful deeds, do not let your left know what your right hand does, 4so that your merciful deeds may be in secret. And your Father, the One seeing in secret, Himself will repay you in the open.

🎯 Key Insight

The hypocrites (literally "actors") performed religion for applause. They got what they wanted—human praise—but forfeited God's reward. The principle applies to giving, prayer, and fasting: the motivation determines the reward. "Don't let your left hand know" means don't even congratulate yourself.

✍️ Practical Applications

  • Examine your motives: Are you giving to be seen or to serve?
  • Give anonymously when possible
  • Don't keep mental records of your generosity
  • Trust that God sees and will reward in His way and time
â–Ľ
5And when you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the open streets so that they may appear to be seen of men. Truly I say to you, They have their reward. 6But you, when you pray, enter into your inner room and shutting your door, pray to your Father in secret. And your Father, the One seeing in secret, will repay you in the open. 7But when you pray, do not be babbling vain words, as the nations; for they think that they shall be heard in their much speaking. 8Therefore do not be like them, for your Father knows what things you have need of before you ask Him. 9Therefore, you should pray: Our Father, the One in Heaven, Hallowed be Your name. 10Your kingdom come; Your will be done, as it is in Heaven, also on the earth. 11Give us today our daily bread, 12and forgive us our debts as we also forgive our debtors. 13And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil, for Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, to the ages. Amen. 14For if you forgive men their deviations, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15But if you will not forgive men their deviations, neither will your Father forgive your deviations.

🎯 Key Insight

Jesus contrasts genuine prayer with two errors: praying for show (hypocrites) and praying with meaningless repetition (pagans). The Lord's Prayer is a model, not a magical formula. Notice its structure: God's concerns first (name, kingdom, will), then human needs (bread, forgiveness, protection).

"Our Father, the One in Heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come; Your will be done, as it is in Heaven, also on the earth." — Matthew 6:9-10

✍️ Lord's Prayer Breakdown

  • "Our Father" — Intimacy (Abba) + Community (our, not my)
  • "Hallowed be Your name" — May Your character be honored
  • "Your kingdom come" — Advance Your rule on earth
  • "Your will be done" — Submission to God's purposes
  • "Daily bread" — Dependence for physical needs
  • "Forgive us... as we forgive" — Receiving and giving grace
  • "Lead us not into temptation" — Spiritual protection
  • "Deliver us from evil" — Victory over the enemy

🤔 Reflection Questions

  1. How does praying "Your kingdom come" before "give us bread" reshape your priorities?
  2. Why is forgiving others connected to receiving God's forgiveness (v. 14-15)?
  3. What "vain repetitions" might creep into your own prayer life?
â–Ľ
16And when you fast, do not be as the hypocrites, with sullen face, for they disfigure their faces so that they may appear to men to be fasting. Truly I say to you that they have their reward. 17But you in fasting, anoint your head and wash your face, 18so as not to appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father in secret. And your Father, the One seeing in secret, will repay you in the open.

🎯 Key Insight

Jesus says "when you fast," not "if"—He assumes His followers will fast. Fasting is voluntary abstinence (usually from food) for spiritual purposes: seeking God, repentance, intercession. The hypocrites advertised their fasting; kingdom fasters keep it between themselves and God.

✍️ Practical Applications

  • Consider fasting as a regular spiritual discipline
  • Don't broadcast your fasting to others
  • Use the time normally spent eating for prayer and Scripture
  • Fasting expresses that spiritual hunger matters more than physical
â–Ľ
19Do not treasure up for you treasures on the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves dig through and steal. 20But treasure up for you treasures in Heaven, where neither moth nor rust consume, and where thieves do not dig through and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 22The lamp of the body is the eye. Then if your eye is sound, all your body is bright. 23But if your eye is evil, all your body is dark. If, therefore, the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! 24No one is able to serve two lords; for either he will hate the one, and he will love the other; or he will cleave to the one, and he will despise the other. You are not able to serve God and wealth.

🎯 Key Insight

Three images teach one truth: earthly treasure is temporary; heavenly treasure is eternal. The "sound eye" (generous) versus "evil eye" (stingy) reflects Hebrew idiom. You cannot serve two masters—divided loyalty is impossible. Mammon (wealth personified) competes with God for our devotion.

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." — Matthew 6:21

✍️ Practical Applications

  • Invest in things with eternal value: people, the gospel, acts of love
  • Hold material possessions loosely—they're temporary tools
  • Your spending reveals your heart; examine your bank statement
  • Ask: Is money serving me, or am I serving money?
â–Ľ
25Because of this, I say to you, Do not be anxious for your soul, what you eat and what you drink, nor for your body, what you put on. Is not the soul more than the food and the body than the clothing? 26Observe the birds of the heaven, that they do not sow, nor do they reap, nor do they gather into granaries, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Do you not rather excel them? 27But who of you by being anxious is able to add one cubit onto his stature? 28And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow. They do not labor nor do they spin, 29but I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory was clothed as one of these. 30If God so enrobes the grass of the field (which is today, and is thrown into a furnace tomorrow) will He not much rather you, little-faiths? 31Therefore do not be anxious, saying, What may we eat? Or, what may we drink? Or, what may clothe us? 32For after all these things the nations seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you have need of all these things. 33But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34Therefore do not be anxious into the morrow. For the morrow will be anxious of itself. Sufficient to each day is its own badness.

🎯 Key Insight

Anxiety is the practical atheism of believers—acting as if there's no loving Father watching over us. Jesus gives three arguments against worry: (1) Life is more than material needs, (2) God feeds birds and clothes flowers—you're worth more, (3) Worry is useless—it can't add to your life. The cure for anxiety? Seeking God's kingdom first.

"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." — Matthew 6:33

✍️ Practical Applications

  • When anxious, look at nature—birds, flowers—and remember God's care
  • Ask: "What does this worry accomplish?" (Usually nothing)
  • Redirect energy from worry to seeking God and His kingdom
  • Take life one day at a time—don't borrow tomorrow's troubles
  • "Little-faiths" can grow—faith is the antidote to anxiety

🤔 Reflection Questions

  1. What do you tend to worry about most? Food, money, future, health?
  2. How does Jesus' logic (birds, lilies) challenge your anxious thoughts?
  3. What would it look like to "seek first the kingdom" in your daily decisions?

📖 Matthew 7 — Wisdom for the Kingdom

â–Ľ
1Do not judge, that you may not be judged; 2for with whatever judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with whatever measure you measure, it will be measured again to you. 3But why do you look on the chip that is in the eye of your brother, but do not see the beam in your eye? 4Or how will you say to your brother, Allow me to take out the chip from your eye; and behold, the beam is in your eye! 5Hypocrite, first take the beam out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to take the chip out of the eye of your brother. 6Do not give that which is holy to the dogs, nor throw your pearls before the pigs, that they should not trample them with their feet, and turning, they charge you.

🎯 Key Insight

Jesus forbids hypocritical, self-righteous judging—not all discernment. The same passage that says "don't judge" also calls some people "dogs" and "pigs" (v. 6), which requires judgment! The issue is having a plank in your own eye while criticizing others' specks. Deal with yourself first, then help others with humility.

✍️ Practical Applications

  • Before criticizing others, examine yourself thoroughly
  • The standard you apply to others will be applied to you
  • Help others with their faults only after addressing your own
  • Some people aren't ready for truth—discern when to speak and when to be silent
â–Ľ
7Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8For each one that asks receives, and the one that seeks finds; and to the one knocking, it will be opened. 9Or what man of you is there, if his son should ask a loaf of him, not a stone will he give him, will he? 10And if he should ask a fish, not a snake will he give him, will he? 11Therefore, if you, being evil, know to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father, the One in Heaven give good things to those that ask Him? 12Therefore, all things, as many things as you ever desire that men should do to you, so also you should do to them; for this is the Law and the Prophets.

🎯 Key Insight

The Greek verbs "ask, seek, knock" are present tense—keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking. Persistence in prayer is encouraged. The Father argument is powerful: if sinful human fathers give good gifts, how much more the perfect heavenly Father? The Golden Rule (v. 12) is the positive summary of the Law—not just "don't do harm" but "actively do good."

"Therefore, all things, as many things as you ever desire that men should do to you, so also you should do to them; for this is the Law and the Prophets." — Matthew 7:12

✍️ Practical Applications

  • Pray persistently—don't give up after one request
  • Trust God's character: He gives good gifts, not harmful ones
  • Apply the Golden Rule: before acting, ask "Would I want this done to me?"
  • Go beyond "do no harm" to actively blessing others
â–Ľ
13Go in through the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads away to destruction, and many are the ones entering in through it. 14For narrow is the gate, and constricted is the way that leads away into life, and few are the ones finding it.

🎯 Key Insight

Jesus presents only two options—no middle way. The narrow gate is harder to find and less traveled, but it leads to life. The wide gate is easy and popular, but leads to destruction. This isn't about earning salvation but about the cost of discipleship: following Jesus is not the easy path the world takes.

✍️ Practical Applications

  • Don't assume the majority is right—popularity is not truth
  • The Christian life is narrow: it excludes many roads
  • Following Jesus requires effort—"constricted" means difficult
  • The destination matters more than the difficulty of the journey
â–Ľ
15But beware of the false prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inside they are plundering wolves. 16From their fruits you shall know them. Do they gather grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles? 17So every good tree produces good fruits, but the corrupt tree produces evil fruits. 18A good tree cannot produce evil fruits, nor a corrupt tree produce good fruits. 19Every tree not producing good fruit is cut down and is thrown into fire. 20Surely from their fruits you shall know them. 21Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, will enter into the kingdom of Heaven, but the ones who do the will of My Father in Heaven. 22Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name do many works of power? 23And then I will declare to them, I never knew you; "depart from Me, the ones working lawlessness!"

🎯 Key Insight

False prophets look like sheep but are wolves—they're disguised. How do you identify them? By fruit, not appearance or impressive ministries. Shockingly, even prophesying, exorcism, and miracles don't prove genuine faith. What matters is whether Jesus "knows" you (intimate relationship) and whether you do the Father's will.

"Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, will enter into the kingdom of Heaven, but the ones who do the will of My Father in Heaven." — Matthew 7:21

✍️ Practical Applications

  • Evaluate teachers by their fruit (character, doctrine, lifestyle), not their gifts
  • Religious activity is not the same as genuine relationship with Christ
  • Examine yourself: Do you actually do God's will or just talk about Him?
  • The most terrifying words: "I never knew you"
â–Ľ
24Therefore everyone who hears these Words from Me, and does them, I will compare him to a wise man who built his house on the rock; 25and the rain came down, and the rivers came up, and the winds blew, and fell against that house; but it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. 26And everyone who hears these words of Mine, and who does not do them, he shall be compared to a foolish man who built his house on the sand; 27and the rain came down, and the rivers came up, and the winds blew and beat against that house; and it fell, and great was the fall of it. 28And it happened, when Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were astonished at His doctrine. 29For He was teaching them as having authority, and not as the scribes.

🎯 Key Insight

Jesus concludes with the ultimate challenge: it's not enough to hear—you must do. Both builders heard the same teaching. The difference was obedience. Storms come to everyone; the question is whether your foundation will hold. Note: Jesus claims His words are the foundation for life—an astounding claim to authority that astonished the crowds.

"Therefore everyone who hears these Words from Me, and does them, I will compare him to a wise man who built his house on the rock." — Matthew 7:24

✍️ Practical Applications

  • Hearing without doing is building on sand
  • Storms will test your foundation—it's not "if" but "when"
  • Obedience to Jesus' teaching is the only secure foundation
  • After studying the Sermon, ask: "What will I DO about this?"

🤔 Final Reflection Questions

  1. What specific teaching from the Sermon most challenged you?
  2. What one change will you make in response?
  3. How would your life be different if you fully obeyed this Sermon?

📝 Study Exercises

đź”— Exercise 1: Match the Beatitude to Its Promise

Select a beatitude on the left, then select its matching promise on the right.

Beatitude

Poor in spirit
Those who mourn
The meek
Hunger/thirst for righteousness
The merciful
Pure in heart
Peacemakers
Persecuted for righteousness

Promise

Shall see God
Shall inherit the earth
Theirs is the kingdom of Heaven
Shall obtain mercy
Shall be comforted
Shall be filled
Shall be called sons of God
Great reward in Heaven

đź“‹ Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

1. According to Matthew 6:33, what should we seek first?

Daily bread and clothing
The kingdom of God and His righteousness
Treasures in heaven
Peace with our enemies

2. What does Jesus compare someone who hears His words but doesn't do them to?

Salt that has lost its flavor
A lamp under a basket
A man who built his house on sand
A wolf in sheep's clothing

3. According to Jesus, why should we not be anxious about food and clothing?

Our heavenly Father knows we need these things
Worrying adds years to our life
Material things are unimportant
We should store up treasures on earth

4. What does Jesus say about judging others?

Never make any judgments about anyone
Judge others by their words alone
Only religious leaders can judge
First remove the beam from your own eye

5. In the Lord's Prayer, what comes BEFORE asking for daily bread?

Forgive us our debts
Your kingdom come, Your will be done
Lead us not into temptation
Deliver us from evil

✏️ Exercise 3: Complete the Verse

You are the of the earth. (Matthew 5:13)

You are the of the world. (Matthew 5:14)

Love your . (Matthew 5:44)

For where your is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:21)

Go in through the gate. (Matthew 7:13)

A wise man built his house on the . (Matthew 7:24)

âś… Exercise 4: True or False

1. Jesus said it's okay to swear by heaven since it's not swearing by God directly.
2. Jesus taught that being angry with your brother is serious enough to face judgment.
3. According to Jesus, those who pray long public prayers receive greater rewards from God.
4. Jesus said that if we don't forgive others, our Father won't forgive us.
5. Jesus said that everyone who calls Him "Lord" will enter the kingdom of Heaven.
6. Jesus came to fulfill the Law, not to abolish it.

đź§  Memory Work

đź“– Key Verses to Memorize

These verses capture the heart of the Sermon on the Mount. Work on memorizing them in order:

Week 1: The Beatitudes Summary
"Blessed are the poor in spirit! For theirs is the kingdom of the Heavens." — Matthew 5:3
Week 2: Salt and Light
"You are the salt of the earth... You are the light of the world." — Matthew 5:13-14
Week 3: The Law Fulfilled
"Do not think that I came to annul the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to annul, but to fulfill." — Matthew 5:17
Week 4: Love Your Enemies
"But I say to you, Love your enemies; bless those cursing you, do well to those hating you; and pray for those abusing and persecuting you." — Matthew 5:44
Week 5: Seek First
"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." — Matthew 6:33
Week 6: The Golden Rule
"Therefore, all things, as many things as you ever desire that men should do to you, so also you should do to them; for this is the Law and the Prophets." — Matthew 7:12
Week 7: The Two Foundations
"Therefore everyone who hears these Words from Me, and does them, I will compare him to a wise man who built his house on the rock." — Matthew 7:24

📝 Memory Practice: Type the Verse

Select a verse and practice typing it from memory:

✍️ Application Journal

After studying each section, write your reflections and commitments: