Preaching the Word: Sermon on the Mount—The Message of the Kingdom

Top Highlights

“The intimate connection of this second Beatitude with the first is beautiful and compelling. The first Beatitude, ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit,’ is primarily intellectual (those who understand that they are spiritual beggars are blessed); the second Beatitude, ‘Blessed are those who mourn,’ is its emotional counterpart. It naturally follows that when we see ourselves for what we are, our emotions will be stirred to mourning.” (Page 26)

“However, the root meaning here is determined by the seven occurrences of ‘righteousness’ in the Sermon on the Mount that indicate it means a subjective righteousness, an inner righteousness that works itself out in one’s living in conformity to God’s will—righteous living. Thus, those who ‘hunger and thirst for righteousness’ long to live righteously, and for righteousness to prevail in the world. It is a passionate desire, which begins with one’s own life, that all things should be lived in line with God’s will.” (Page 40)

“Thus a deep trust in the sovereign power of God is the key to meekness.” (Page 35)

“God’s Word. Because the theme is entering the kingdom of heaven, it shows us exactly where we stand in relation to the kingdom and eternal life (see 5:3; 7:21). As we expose ourselves to the X-rays of Christ’s words, we see whether we truly are believers; and if believers, the degree of the authenticity of our lives. No other section of Scripture makes us face ourselves like the Sermon on the Mount. It is violent, but its violence can be our ongoing liberation! It is the antidote to the pretense and sham that plagues Christianity.” (Page 16)