From Matthew 5:1-7:29 The Sermon on The Mount – Jesus’ exposition of The Father.

While we could take each individual portion and expand upon them endlessly, let me try to give you a digest of the sermon in one take, as it would be meant to be heard on one occasion. In this view, I contend the sermon can be seen as an exposition of God the Father in His glory by The Son. Christian, this is His goal in all He saves, that we might once again bear this image, so perfectly shone forth in Jesus Christ. Christian – what a blessed call! So He begins:

5:1-12 / Be BLESSED – God is a BLESSING God. Repeated 9x’s over just at the beginning!

5:13-16 / Be EFFECTIVE – God is LIFE and LIGHT in the face of DARKNESS and DEATH.

5:17-20 / Be HOLY – God is HOLY, not without perfect conformity to His own nature. He is not arbitrary. Know His nature and you will know His ways. He is what He is – without defect or discord or imbalance (nothing missing or overstressed) or shadow.

5:21-48 / Be PERFECT (Loving) – God is PERFECT in love toward us.

Murder: God is not a God of hatred – God is love.

Adultery: He is not driven but controlled and purposeful.

Divorce: He is not unfaithful in any way.

Oaths: God cannot lie. He IS truth.

Retribution: He is not personally retributive only JUST.

Enemies: He loves His enemies. How much more His children?

6:1-24 / Be the Slave of only ONE Master – God is not torn, He serves His holy nature ALONE.

Alms: He is anonymously providing for the masses at all times in Providential beneficence.

Prayer: He is the rewarder of those who seek Him and delights in intimacy with Him.

Forgiving: He is a forgiving God. Easily and repeatedly.

Fasting: He willingly denies Himself certain rights for our good.

Treasure: He treasures us – not things.

Judgment: He is never skewed in His dealings with us – but wholly pure, merciful, sympathetic and gentle.

Dogs: He is not indiscriminate or promiscuous. He gives Himself to His own, but not to everyone the same.

Ask: He delights to give – and that, most – Himself.

Golden rule: He treats us with dignity and justice and compassion and generosity and goodness. Seeking us out even in our sin.

Gate: He provides a way to Himself, distinguishable from all the world.

Fruit: He is all sustaining and refreshing and satisfying.

Lord, Lord: He cannot be fooled.

Rock: He makes His truth known for our good.

So –

6:25-34 / Be CONFIDENT in the Father’s love

7:1-5 / Be full of MERCY

7:6 / Be DISCERNING

7:7-12 / Be LOVING

7:13-23 / Be ENTERING

7:24-27 / Be HEARING