The greatest sermon ever preached was not given to multitudes, actually it was intended for just 12 men, yet because of who preached it, a multitude came to hear!
This greatest sermon ever preached was The Sermon on The Mount given by the Son of God while He was on the earth.
Because the narrow beach of Judea did not afford even standing room within reach of His voice for all who desired to hear Him, and Jesus led the way back to the mountainside.
Reaching a level space that offered a pleasant gathering place for the vast assembly, He seated Himself on the grass, and the disciples and the multitude followed His example.
The disciples' sat close beside Him, that they might not lose a word of His instruction.
They were attentive listeners, not realizing that they would be listening that day to the greatest sermon ever spoken – by the greatest Person of all the universe!
Christ's first words to the people on the mount were words of blessing.
Happy are they, He said, who recognize their spiritual poverty – who are poor in spirit, and feel their need of redemption.
The proud heart strives to earn salvation; but both our title to heaven and our fitness for it are found in the righteousness of Christ.
From the soul that feels his need, nothing is withheld.
He has unrestricted access to Him in whom all fullness dwells. "For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones." Isa. 57:15.
“He that cometh to Me, I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:37. Jesus said!
But we must know that we are sick and in need of the great physician!
When we come – He heals, strengthens and forgives, and the poor in spirit inherit the kingdom of God!
Then Jesus said, "Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted."
For those who mourn in trial and sorrow there is comfort.
Jesus knows what it’s like – He wept at the funeral of His friend.
He is acquainted with grief.
This mourning also refers to mourning over our sins and defects of character!
Sometimes through affliction and grief, God reveals to us the plague spots in our characters, that by His grace we may overcome our faults.
Unknown chapters in regard to ourselves are opened to us, and the test comes, whether we will accept the reproof and the counsel of God.
When brought into trial, we are not to fret and complain.
We should not rebel, or worry ourselves out of the hand of Christ.
But God's ways are ways of mercy and the end is salvation.
Elijah knew not what he was doing when in the desert he said that he had had enough of life, and prayed that he might die.
The Lord in His mercy did not take him at his word.
There was yet a great work for Elijah to do; and when his work was done, he was not to perish in discouragement and solitude in the wilderness.
Not for him the descent into the dust of death, but the ascent in glory, with the convoy of celestial chariots, to the throne on high.
God's word for the sorrowing is, “I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow." Isa. 57:18; Jer. 31:13.
Then Jesus said "Blessed are the meek."
The difficulties we have to encounter may be very much lessened by that meekness which hides itself in Christ.
If we possess the humility of our Master, we shall rise above the slights, the rebuffs, the annoyances, to which we are daily exposed, and they will cease to cast a gloom over the spirit.
The highest evidence of nobility in a Christian is self-control.
Ellen White wrote, “He who under abuse or cruelty fails to maintain a calm and trustful spirit robs God of His right to reveal in him His own perfection of character.”
"Though the Lord be high, yet hath He respect unto the lowly." Ps. 138:6.
Those who reveal the meek and lowly spirit of Christ are tenderly regarded by God.
They may be looked upon with scorn by the world, but they are of great value in His sight.
Then Jesus continued His great words to mankind in the Sermon on the Mount!
"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness."
The sense of unworthiness will lead the heart to hunger and thirst for righteousness, and this desire will not be disappointed.
Those who make room in their hearts for Jesus will realize His love.
All who long to bear the likeness of the character of God shall be satisfied.
The Holy Spirit never leaves unassisted the soul who is looking unto Jesus.
If the eye is kept fixed on Jesus, the Holy Spirit ceases not until the soul is conformed to His image.
"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness; for they shall be filled."
The merciful shall find mercy Jesus said.
He also said, “Happy are the pure in heart, for they shall see God!”
As Christians we have a responsibility to cooperate with the Lord to keep ourselves pure in heart!
“Every impure thought defiles the soul, impairs the moral sense, and tends to obliterate the impressions of the Holy Spirit. It dims the spiritual vision, so that men cannot behold God. The Lord may and does forgive the repenting sinner; but though forgiven, the soul is marred. All impurity of speech or of thought must be shunned by him who would have clear discernment of spiritual truth.” DA, p.
The pure in heart shall see God!
The call to us today – living in a time when sin has become a science, and where impurity is pushed upon the world –
Where pornography is readily accessible to every one that has a computer – the call today from Jesus is the same – BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART – THEY SHALL SEE God!
The opposite is true also – the unpure in heart shall not see Him!
One great help to us to keep our hearts pure is to practice the presence of God!
Imagine Jesus is with you – He said “I will never leave you or forsake you.”
He said “I’m with you always, evern to the end of the world.”
Let the eye of faith see the unseen!
Faith is evidence of things unseen!
See Him by your side – at home – at work – at play!
Practice the presence of God – The guy and girl and The Father’s presence illustration!
Then Jesus said, "Blessed are the peacemakers."
Those who choose to be peace-makers – they shall be called the children of God Jesus said!
To be a peace-maker in the home, and in the world, and in the church is a sign that Christ dwells in the heart!
To never gossip or listen to gossip about a brother or sister – to bring people together instead of apart is the work that pleases the Lord!
To not be upset when someone says warring words or warring looks or acts is a great victory Christ alone can give!
Seek peace, and pursue it. [Proverbs 34:14]
Those who love thy law have great peace, and nothing causes them to stumble. [Psalms 119:165]
If they want peace, nations should avoid the pin-pricks that precede cannon-shots. - Napoleon
“A quiet answer turneth away wrath.” The Holy Bible says.
Blessed or Happy are the peacemakers!
Happy are the pure in heart!
Happy are the meek!
Happy are they that are hungry for righteousness!
The only power that can create or perpetuate these attributes of character is the grace of Christ.
When this is implanted in the heart, it will cast out the evil passions that cause strife and dissension.
After explaining what constitutes true happiness, and how it may be obtained, Jesus more definitely pointed out the duty of His disciples, as teachers chosen of God to lead others into the path of righteousness and eternal life.
He knew that they would often suffer from disappointment and discouragement, that they would meet with decided opposition, that they would be insulted, and their testimony rejected.
He knew that 10 of the 12 men before him were to bear torture, imprisonment, and death, and He continued saying:
"Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for My sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you."
The world loves sin, and hates righteousness, and this was the cause of its hostility to Jesus.
All who refuse His infinite love will find Christianity a disturbing element.
The light of Christ sweeps away the darkness that covers their sins, and the need of reform is made manifest.
Fellowship with God brings the world's enmity.
Those who serve the Lord are bearing the reproach of Christ, and we are to witness to everyone – even the ones who seem to be uninterested.
(The man with a Bible on the street corner!)
Jesus said we are to be like salt that flavors the world – even those who oppose and ridicule our faith in Jesus!
The religion of the Bible is not to be confined between the covers of a book, nor within the walls of a church.
For salt to do good, it must come out of the salt-shaker and go into the world! (Soul Winning Made Simple Seminar last Sabbath of this month!)
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus did not dwell on the specifics of the law, but He made it clear that He had not come to set aside its requirements.
In this great sermon, Jesus did not leave out God’s law!
He said, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill."
If the law of God could have been changed or done away with, then Christ need not have suffered the consequences of our transgressing it.
The law is an expression of the thought of God; when received in Christ, it becomes our thought.
It lifts us above the power of natural desires and tendencies, above temptations that lead to sin.
God desires us to be happy, and He gave us the precepts of the law that in obeying them we might have joy.
When the law was proclaimed from Sinai, God made known to men the holiness of His character, that by contrast they might see the sinfulness of their own.
The law was given to convict of sin, and reveal the need of a Saviour.
The law still does this and is needed for it!
It still shows men and women and boys and girls what sin is and the need of the Savior’s cleansing blood and His justifying righteousness
Paul said that Christ is the end or goal of the law for righteousness!
The law is still an agent in bringing us to Christ, that we may be justified by faith.
"The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul." Ps. 19:7.
"It is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail." Luke 16:17
The sun shining in the heavens, the solid earth upon which you dwell, are God's witnesses that His law is changeless and eternal.
Though they may pass away, the divine precepts shall endure.
The system of types that pointed to Jesus as the Lamb of God was to be abolished at His death; but the precepts of the Decalogue are as immutable as the throne of God.
Since "the law of the Lord is perfect," every variation from it must be evil.
Those who disobey the commandments of God, and teach others to do so were condemned by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount.
He said they would be “least” (zero) in the kingdom of heaven!
The Saviour's life of obedience maintained the claims of the law; it proved that the law could be kept in humanity, and showed the excellence of character that obedience would develop.
All who through Jesus obey the moral law are likewise declaring that the law is "holy, and just, and good." Rom. 7:12.
On the other hand, all who break God's commandments are sustaining Satan's claim that the law is unjust, and cannot be obeyed.
Thus they second the deceptions of the great adversary, and cast dishonor upon God.
The Lord’s servant wrote, “No man who willfully disregards one principle of the law shall enter the kingdom of heaven.”
God forgives law-breaking, and says “sin no more” to the forgiven sinner!
He forgives sin, but He never condones sin, and neither should the church!
We should not allow in a brother or sister to go un-rebuked!
The Pharisees abused the law by thinking mere agreement with it’s precepts constituted righteousness..
The same danger still exists. Many take it for granted that they are Christians, simply because they subscribe to certain theological tenets.
But they have not brought the truth into practical life.
They have not believed and loved it, therefore they have not received the power and grace that come through sanctification of the truth.
Jesus prayed to His Father to sanctify His disciples through Thy Truth – then He said, “Thy Word is truth.”
Men may profess faith in the truth; but if it does not make them sincere, kind, patient, forbearing, heavenly-minded, it is a curse to its possessors, and through their influence it is a curse to the world.
The Word of God is truth – and the Word of God sanctifies!
Sinful men can become righteous only as they have faith in God and maintain a vital connection with Him.
When they do that, they are “born again.”
“If any man is in Christ, he is a “new creature.”
All things become new!
Then true godliness will elevate the thoughts and ennoble the life.
Instead of doing away with the law, Jesus in the great Sermon on The Mount, did as the prophecy said the Messiah would do – He magnified the law and made it honorable!
Instead of removing one jot of its force, He shows how far-reaching their principles are, and exposes the fatal mistake of the Jews in their outward show of obedience.
He declares that by the evil thought or the lustful look the law of God is transgressed.
He who gives hatred a place in his heart is setting his feet in the path of the murderer, and his offerings are abhorrent to God.
Jesus spoke against angry feelings in His important sermon!
He said if you call your brother “Raca” a “fool,” you are in danger of the Lake of Fire!
The Spirit of Prophecy tells us this also, “Those who at any supposed provocation feel at liberty to indulge anger or resentment are opening the heart to Satan. Bitterness and animosity must be banished from the soul if we would be in harmony with heaven.” – DA, p. 310.
The Saviour goes farther than this. He says, "If thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee; leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift."
Many are zealous in religious services, while between them and their brethren are unhappy differences which they might reconcile.
God requires them to do all in their power to restore harmony.
Until they do this, He cannot accept their services. The Christian's duty in this matter is clearly pointed out.
Sometimes we need to be the peace-maker! (The guy who was mad at me at college illustration)
Jesus bids us to be like Him. "Bless them that curse you," said Jesus; "do good to them that hate you, . . . that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven." These are the principles of the law, and they are the wellsprings of life.
Here’s an amazing statement from the book The Desire of Ages, on page 311.
“God's ideal for His children is higher than the highest human thought can reach. "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." This command is a promise. The plan of redemption contemplates our complete recovery from the power of Satan. Christ always separates the contrite soul from sin. He came to destroy the works of the devil, and He has made provision that the Holy Spirit shall be imparted to every repentant soul, to keep him from sinning. The tempter's agency is not to be accounted an excuse for one wrong act. Satan is jubilant when he hears the professed followers of Christ making excuses for their deformity of character. It is these excuses that lead to sin. There is no excuse for sinning. A holy temper, a Christlike life, is accessible to every repenting, believing child of God.” – DA, p. 311.
The ideal of Christian character is Christlikeness.
As the Son of man was perfect in His life, so His followers are to be perfect in their life.
Jesus was in all things made like unto His brethren. He became flesh, even as we are.
He was hungry and thirsty and weary.
He was sustained by food and refreshed by sleep.
He shared the lot of man; yet He was the blameless Son of God.
He was God in the flesh.
Jesus wants to live in us!
The Lord says of those who believe in Him, "I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people." 2 Cor. 6:16.
In His great Sermon on The Mount, the Lord also taught practical duties for the Christian like prayer, and tithe-paying.
He said, let nothing be done to attract attention or win praise to self.
Give in sincerity, for the benefit of the suffering poor.
In prayer, let the soul commune with God.
In fasting, go not with the head bowed down, and heart filled with thoughts of self.
He said, “Wash your face, and don’t let anyone know you are fasting.”
The service rendered in sincerity of heart has great recompense. "Thy Father which seeth in secret Himself shall reward thee openly" Jesus said.
In the greatest sermon of all time, the Savior taught that
"No man can serve two masters."
We cannot serve God with a divided heart.
Bible religion is not one influence among many others; its influence is to be supreme, pervading and controlling every other.
It is not to be like a dash of color brushed here and there upon the canvas, but it is to pervade the whole life, as if the canvas were dipped into the color, until every thread of the fabric were dyed a deep, unfading hue.
We can only serve one Master – let it be God not mammon!
Some make money their master when they put it before the Lord – work on the Sabbath!
All who have chosen God's service are to rest in His care.
Jesus in His awesome sermon pointed to the birds flying in the heavens, to the flowers of the field, and bade His hearers consider these objects of God's creation.
"Are not ye of much more value than they?" He said. Matt. 6:26, R. V.
The little brown sparrow is watched over by Providence.
His Eye is on the sparrow – and I know He watches me!
The flowers of the field, the grass that carpets the earth, share the notice and care of our heavenly Father.
The great Master Artist has taken thought for the lilies, making them so beautiful that they outshine the glory of Solomon.
How much more does He care for man, who is the image and glory of God.
He longs to see His children reveal a character after His similitude.
As the sunbeam imparts to the flowers their varied and delicate tints, so does God impart to the soul the beauty of His own character.
“All who choose Christ's kingdom of love and righteousness and peace, making its interest paramount to all other, are linked to the world above, and every blessing needed for this life is theirs In the book of God's providence, the volume of life, we are each given a page. That page contains every particular of our history; even the hairs of the head are numbered. God's children are never absent from His mind.” – DA, p. 313.
Jesus said in His sermon on the Mount, “Be not therefore anxious for the morrow, for tomorrow has enough troubles of its own.” - Matt. 6:34,
We are to follow Christ day by day.
God does not bestow help for tomorrow.
He does not give His children all the directions for their life journey at once, lest they should become confused.
He tells them just as much as they can remember and perform.
It’s always today! “Let’s forget about domani, for domani never comes!” – Perry Como Song.
It’s always today!
The strength and wisdom imparted are for the present emergency. "If any of you lack wisdom,"--for today,--"let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." James 1:5.
Then Yahshua – that was the name Jesus was addressed by and heard when He walked on the earth a name whoich means Yahweh’s salvation continued His world-changing and life-changing sermon by saying:
"Judge not, that ye be not judged."
“All judgment is given to the Son” the Bible says.
None is left for us!
Since we cannot discern motive, we are incapable of judging another.
Thus Christ set forth the principles of His kingdom, and showed them to be the great rule of life.
To impress the lesson He adds an illustration. It is not enough, He says, for you to hear My words. By obedience you must make them the foundation of your character.
"Everyone therefore which heareth these words of Mine, and doeth them, shall be likened unto a wise man, which built his house upon the rock: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon the rock." Matt. 7:24, 25, R.V.
Call!