The Sermon on the Mount Matthew 5:1-16

DISCOVERY OF THE FACTS

1. True Blessedness, and How to Find It, vv. 1-12 Where did our Lord speak these words? Who are the first class whom our Lord pronounces happy? What does "poor in spirit" mean? (Ps. 34:18; 51:17; Prov. 29:23; Is. 57:15; 56:2; James 4:9, 10.) What is the blessedness that belongs to them? Are they the only ones who enter the kingdom of heaven? (Luke 18:14; Matt. 18:3; Luke 1:53.) What will make a man poor in spirit? Why did our Lord put this beatitude first? What position in life is most favorable to poverty in spirit? (1 Cor. 1:26-28.)

Who are the second class who may expect blessedness? Does the world usually regard it as very blessed to mourn? Why are they that mourn blessed? Who will comfort them? (2 Cor. 1:3, 4.) Which is better, never to have sorrowed or to have sorrowed and been "comforted of God"? Why are God's people bound to be mourners on this earth? (1 John 5:19; Phil. 3:20; Ro. 8:23; Matt. 21:5; 1 Peter 3:4, 5; James 1:21; 3:13.) Who are the third class pronounced happy? What does "meek" mean? (1 Cor. 4:21; 2 Cor. 10:1; Gal. 6:1; 2 Tim. 2:24, 25; Titus 3:2.)

What is the blessedness awaiting them? Does the gentle, yielding spirit that puts self and worldly ambition out of sight seem to be that which will gain the earth? Who really enjoy the earth even now, those who try to "get the earth" or those who put self out of sight? Where is this promise to the meek found elsewhere in the Bible? (Ps. 37:11; compare Is. 57:13.) What form of intense desire is sure of abundant gratification (v. 6)? What is it to hunger and thirst after righteousness?

Why is it so many men are not filled with righteousness? Who are the fifth class whom our Lord pronounces happy? In what way does the exercise of mercy toward others bring abundant reward? What will be the result if we are not merciful toward our fellow-men? (Matt. 18:23-25.) Who constitute the sixth class pronounced happy? What is meant by being "pure in heart"? What is the one condition of the unutterable blessedness of seeing God? Why? When and where shall the pure in heart see God? (John 14:19, 21, 23; 1 Cor. 13:12; Heb. 12:14.)

Who are the seventh class pronounced happy? Does a peacemaker mean merely one who reconciles differences between man and man? (John 14:27; Matt. 10:13; Luke 10:5, 6.) What is the peculiar blessedness that awaits the peacemakers? Why is it that they are called "the children of God"? (Ro. 15:33; 16:20; Phil. 4:9; Heb. 13:20. See too how often the expression "peace from God" is found in the New Testament. Col. 1:20.) Upon whom is a twofold blessedness pronounced? What do vv. 10-12 presuppose as to the way the truth of the kingdom will be received by men?

Who will suffer persecution for righteousness' sake? (2 Tim. 3:12.) Will any enter the kingdom who are not persecuted? (Acts 14:22.) Do men usually count themselves happy when they are "persecuted for righteousness' sake"? Ought they to? (James 1:2; Ro. 8:17, 18.) Between what is our choice, as regards persecution for Christ? (1 Tim. 2:12.) What are we to do when we are reviled, persecuted and all manner of evil is said against us falsely for His name's sake? Why rejoice? Is "a great reward in heaven" worth suffering all things on earth to get? (Ro. 8:18.)

What examples have we in the Bible of men rejoicing in persecutions for Christ's sake? (Acts 5:41; 16:25; 2 Cor. 12:10.) To what glorious company may we account ourselves as belonging when we suffer thus? 2. The Responsibilities of the Kingdom, vv. 13-16 What is the relation of the earth to those who know the blessedness of the kingdom? In what way are they like salt? If salt is to preserve anything from corruption or to impart to it flavor, where must it be put? Is there any lesson in that for us?

What is the salt good for when it has lost its savor? What is the church or individual believer good for when the spirit of sacrifice is gone? What is the relation of those who know the blessedness of the kingdom to the world? What is the condition of the world if their light goes out? Why are they the light of the world? (John 8:12; Eph. 5:8; Ro. 8:9; John 14:20.) Is it truth in the abstract that is the light of the world? What are we all doing with the light that the indwelling Christ imparts? Where are we to let it shine? CLASSIFICATION OF TEACHINGS

1. Jesus

His love for the multitude, 1; compassion on the multitude, 2; fearlessness as a teacher, 3-16.

2. Members of Christ's Kingdom

(1). Their characteristics:

Poor in spirit, 3; mourn, 4; meek, 5; hunger and thirst after righteousness, 6; merciful, 7; pure in heart, 8; peacemakers, 9.

(2). Their blessedness:

Theirs is the kingdom of heaven, 3, 10; comforted, 4; inherit the earth, 5; fully satisfied, 6; obtain mercy, 7; see God, 8; called the sons of God, 9; great reward in heaven, 12; companions of the prophets, 12.

(3). What they receive from the world: Reproach, persecution, all manner of slander, 11.

(4). What they receive from God:

A kingdom, 3, 10; the earth, 5; full satisfaction, 6; mercy, 7; a vision of Himself, 8; a place as His sons, 9; an exceeding great reward in the world to come, 12.

(5). Their office in the world:

To season and save the earth, 13; to illumine the world, 14; to glorify the Father, 16.