Sermon on the Mount
The longest Jesus sermon ever is like the ultimate guide to living your best life! It's packed with some serious wisdom:
Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12): These are like Jesus' top tips for being truly happy.
Salt and Light (Matthew 5:13-16): You're meant to shine bright and make the world taste better, like a snack seasoning.
Hearers and Doers (Matthew 7:24-27): It's not just about hearing cool stuff; you gotta live it out like a wise builder.
Wise and Foolish Man (Matthew 7:24-27): It's like the story of two guys, one who builds on rock (wise) and one on sand (foolish). Spoiler alert: Rock guy wins!
Love Your Enemies (Matthew 5:43-48): Even when it's tough, show love, and you'll be rocking.
Treasure in Heaven (Matthew 6:19-21): Forget stashing treasures on Earth; heaven's where the real toys can be found.
The Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13): Jesus gives us the ultimate prayer – it's like the cheat code for talking to God.
Judging (Matthew 7:1-6): No judging, just good vibes. Imagine a no-judgment zone – that's what Jesus is talking about.
Ask, Knock, and Seek (Matthew 7:7-12): It's like the heavenly customer service hotline – ask God, knock on the door, and keep seeking.
So, in Jesus' words: Live the happy life, be a shining snack, build your life on solid stuff, love everyone (yes, everyone), store up treasure in heaven, pray, skip the judgment, and never hesitate to chat with God.
Beatitudes
(Read them slowly, or one at a time each day.)
And Jesus began to speak and taught them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
BIG Question
Which is better to follow: The 10 Commandments or the Beatitudes?
Some of the most well-known lines of scripture include are from the Sermon on the Mount.
You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. (Matthew 5:14)
But I say to you: Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also. (Matthew 5:39)
But I say to you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. (Matthew 5:44)
Pray, then, in this way: Our Father in heaven, may your name be revered as holy. (Matthew 6:9)
Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? (Matthew 6:26)
Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. (Matthew 7:1)
In everything do to others as you would have them do to you, for this is the Law and the Prophets. (Matthew 7:12)
Don't forget to compare the Sermon on the Mount with the Sermon on the Plain. The Sermon on the Plain in Luke 6:20-49 has "woes". How does this make the message different?