Victory Fellowship Bible Study
273 23rd St. S.W., Barberton, OH 44203
Wednesdays at 10am and 7pm
Rev. Roderick D. Grabski (330) 858-0223
WEBPAGE: victoryfellowshipministries.com
CLASS SIX: Sermon on the Mount – Part 1
I. ANNOUNCEMENTS and PRAYER CONCERNS
II. READ / LISTEN to MATTHEW 5:1–48
a. What are your initial impressions or questions? Notable translation differences?
III. The Beatitudes (5:1-12)
a. Perhaps corresponding to the Five Books of Moses. Matthew wants to reveal how Jesus is the new Moses. Matthew moves from an OT ethnocentric faith to a Christocentric faith in God. Each discourse ends with a summary statement.
(7:28-29; 11:1; 13:58; 19:1-2; 26:1-2)
i. Discourse One (Righteousness): Sermon on the Mount (5:1 – 7:29)
ii. Jesus goes up the mountain. Exodus 19:3; 24:18; 34:4. Who is His audience?
b. The beatitudes are presented in a way that describes God’s kingdom as a now and not yet reality. Therefore…
i. They present a code of ethics for the disciples and a standard of conduct for all believers.
ii. They mark a contrast between eternal kingdom values and temporary worldly values.
iii. They draw a contrast between the superficial faith of the Pharisees and the real faith that Christ wants His disciples to have.
iv. They show how the future kingdom will fulfill Old Testament expectations.
c. The bracketing statements, “the kingdom of heaven is theirs” in verses 3 and 10 suggest that the beatitudes are promises only for those who belong to the kingdom.
d. (vv. 3-10) Discuss each beatitude and specifically discuss:
i. Who are the poor in spirit?
ii. The Greek word, prauvs prah-ooce' (meek, gentle) is only used 3 other times in the NT, Matthew 11:29; 21:5; 1st Peter 3:4. It conveys humility and trust in God over a self-centered attitude. (See also Psalm 37:11)
e. (vs. 11-12) What will be the experience of those persecuted for their faith?
IV. Being Salt and Light (5:13-16)
a. How, specifically, can a Christian be salt of the earth?
b. How, specifically, can a Christian be the light of the world?
V. Jesus Christ Fulfills the Law (5:17-20)
a. What does it mean that Jesus came to fulfill the Law?
b. What are the ramifications of verse 19?
c. In Matthew 23:13-33 Jesus condemns the “righteousness” of the scribes and Pharisees. Based on this, how can our righteousness surpass theirs?
VI. Six Antitheses to the Interpretation of the Mosaic Law (5:21-48)
a. (vv. 21-26) Murder begins in the Heart – Exodus 20:13
b. (vv. 27-30) Adultery Begins in the Heart – Exodus 20:14
c. (vv. 31-32) Teaching on Divorce – Deuteronomy 24:1ff
d. (vv. 33-37) Teaching on Oath Taking – Leviticus 19:12; Numbers 30:2
e. (vv. 38-42) Going the Second Mile – Deuteronomy 19:21; Proverbs 22:26
f. (vv. 43-48) Love your Enemies – Leviticus 19:18
VII. Application
a. Spiritual growth begins with a change of heart before we realize a change of behavior. (Ezekiel 36:26; Psalm 51:10)
b. We should not measure our holiness by others, but rather by Jesus’ standard. (1st Peter 1:15-16)
c. We are to be as salt and light in the world, bringing glory to our Father in Heaven. (John 15:8)
Final Comments, Questions. Close in Prayer
Next Week: Sermon on the Mount – Part 2 - Read Matthew 6:1-34 to prepare.
