Florida Bible Institute
Level Three
Lesson Five
Page 1 of 3 Pages
The Early Years - The Sermon on The Mount Part
- I
Scripture Reading: Matthew 5:1 - 16
Memory Verse: Matthew 5:13
Introduction: One of the earliest recorded
sermons that Jesus taught is referred to as
The Sermon on The Mount.
In that message, Jesus taught on the principles involved in
Kingdom Living.
By recognizing, applying, by obeying the principles that Christ Jesus taught
in this message, the Believer of today can walk in love, power, joy and
victory in this present sin cursed and sin darkened world. Gods
plan for Israel was that they themselves would be a
Kingdom of
Priests,
ministering to men on behalf of God, and to God on behalf of men. Note
carefully His words in Exodus 19:6:
Ex 19:6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of
priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto
the children of Israel.
In view of the failure of Israel, God the Father,
through the life, death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ,
has established a new order of Priest made up of both Jew and Gentile, for
those who have received the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior. Note the
following verses to that effect as they speak to the Believer Priesthood of
this day.
1Pe 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a
royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew
forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his
marvellous light:
Re 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests
unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever.
Amen. (Also see Revelation
5:10)
1Co 6:3 Know ye not that we shall judge
angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?
Some have interpreted Revelation 1:6 and 5:10 to read
that God has made us
a Kingdom of Priests.
We know that we shall rule and reign with Him in His millennial kingdom,
and, we know that in this present life, in and through the indwelling Christ
we have both power and authority. Let us learn how to
live like a King
by recognizing and applying the principles of the Kingdom of God that Jesus
taught in this life-changing message!
I.
Note carefully those to whom Jesus was teaching these Kingdom Truths
in Matthew 5:1.
1.
In your opinion, what is the difference between a
disciple
and a
follower,
if any?
2.
In light of the comments of Jesus in John 6:44 - 71, how would you
classify yourself at this time in your walk with the Lord, as a
disciple
or
as a
follower?
II.
In Matthew 5:3, Jesus teaches
Blessed are the poor in spirit....
Meaning, blessed are those who recognize their spiritual needs,
their
spiritual poverty!
1.
Describe your
spiritual needs
as you perceive them.
2.
After reading Luke 18:10 - 13, describe in your own words the
attitude of:
(1)
The Pharisee.
(2)
The Publican.
3.
Which one of the two do you think most closely resembles you in your
attitudes and actions?
4.
What message of comfort does Christ Jesus include for those who are
poor in spirit?
5.
How does that apply to you?
III.
In Matthew 5:4 Jesus teaches
Blessed are they that mourn...,
meaning that blessed are those who are deeply disturbed, and who
inwardly
groan and moan because of their recognition of their spiritual poverty.
1.
How can a condition of
spiritual poverty
be corrected?
(1) How was yours corrected,
or, how is it being corrected?
2.
In what way does the
comforting
occur?
IV.
In Matthew 5:5 Christ Jesus teaches,
Blessed are the meek....
Meek
means,
strength under control.
1.
In your own words, paraphrase Matthew 5:5.
2.
Explain your understanding of how they will
inherit the earth.
V.
In Matthew 5:6 Jesus is teaching that those who
...hunger and thirst after righteousness...
shall be filled.
1. After reading Psalms 119, what did you discover about "thirsting after righteousness"?
2. After reading Psalms 42:1, what did you discover about an ongoing desire in seeking God and His righteousness?
3.
In your opinion, what does it mean to
hunger
after righteousness?
4.
In your opinion, what does it mean to
thirst
after righteousness?
5.
What is the evidence that one hungers and thirsts after righteousness?
6.
Is the evidence you just described in 5 above evidenced in your life?
7.
What promise does the Lord Jesus Christ make to those who hunger and
thirst after righteousness?
8.
How does His promise become fulfilled in this life?
VI.
Evaluate Yourself Spiritually
1.
Re-read all of the above scriptures and reflect on your answers.
Write a brief summary (on a separate sheet of paper) of where you feel
you are in your walk with the Lord today in relationship to the verses covered
in this study.
For example, you could describe
your spiritual condition with respect to
(1) Your prayer life,
(2) Your bible study - the
time you spend in the word each day or week,
(3) Your witnessing to others as to what
God has done in your life,
(4) Your Tithing, and
(5) Your everyday obedience to the Word of
God.
Next Week: The rest of the
Sermon on The Mount!