The document provides an overview and analysis of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. It discusses how the sermon established a new kingdom and law for God, with Jesus teaching a counter-cultural message that went against both legalism and license. The sermon contained radical teachings like loving enemies and shocking sayings like plucking out one's eye if it causes sin, challenging listeners to live differently than others and enter the kingdom of God.

1. Living in two worlds A series on the Sermon on the Mount

2. Living in two worlds “ This world” “The world to come” Kingdom of this world Kingdom of God Earth? Heaven? How to enter the Kingdom of God

3. The setting Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them saying: (Matt 5:1-2) He went down with them and stood on a level place. A large crowd of his disciples was there and a great number of people from all over Judea, from Jerusalem, and from the coast of Tyre and Sidon, who had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. Those troubled by evil (unclean) spirits were cured, and the people all tried to touch him, because power was coming from him and healing them all. (Luke 6:17-19)

4. So what’s it all about? A Utopian ideal? A message for the “end times”? Just good religious advice? A new reality (the Kingdom of God/heaven) A new law (for a new Israel) A new message (from The final Prophet)

5. From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near .” (Matt. 4:17) Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come,” he said. “ The kingdom of God is near . Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:14-15) Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom , and healing every disease and sickness among the people…He said, “ I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to other towns also, because that is why I was sent.” (Matt. 4:23/ Luke 4:43)

6. Cleansing of the temple (new wine/ new wineskins) “ I tell you that one greater than the Temple is here ” Healing of a demonized man Cleansing of a leper Forgiving of a paralytic Two healings on the Sabbath “He chose twelve …whom he designated apostles” (Mark 3:14; Luke 6:13) New community Fishermen; tax-collectors; zealots; mystics; nobodies… who frustrated him, misunderstood him, betrayed him; denied him; deserted him & doubted him!

7. “The Sermon on the mount is probably the best-known part of Jesus’ teaching…though it may be the most admired , it is arguably the least understood & certainly the least obeyed . It is the nearest thing to a manifesto that he ever uttered, for it is his own description of who he wanted his followers to be and what he wanted his followers to do…It describes what human life and community look like when they come under the gracious rule of God…and the result is a Christian counter-culture.” ( John Stott )

8. Legalism (Religion) “ Don’t do this, don’t do that” Christian counter-culture License (Paganism) “ Do whatever you want” Do not be like them “ The third way”

9. Key phrases “ Do not be like them…” 6:8 “ Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees”5:20 “ You have heard that it was said, but I say unto you” Radical : “If you look at a woman with lust, you have committed adultery with her”; “Love your enemies” Shocking : “If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out” Humorous : “Get rid of the plank sticking out of your own eye before you try to take the speck of sawdust out of your brothers”; “When you give don’t announce it with a trumpet”

10. Life application Are you in the Kingdom of God? Who do you follow? Is your life any different from the rest? “ Taste & see” “Test me & see…”