Sermon on the Mount 11

Introductory Thoughts:

· The Sermon on the Mount—The King’s instructions for the Kingdom of Heaven
· The Beatitudes: The inward attitudes result in outward behavior:

· These are the character traits of all true believers
· The Inward attitudes (3-6)
· Outward to people (7-9)
· Outward touching the world around us (10-16)
· Context—how we are to respond to a hostile world.
· Persecution is inevitable in a lost world
· Our attitude to persecution
· Salt and Light

· Now we move into a new section of the sermon






1. Various Views on The Law and the Gospel

a. Continuity (cultic version)

(1) The Law applies today just as in the OT
(2) Salvation is by works/grace combination
(3) Invalid for obvious reasons

b. Continuity (regular churches): a mixed approach

(1) No distinction between the covenants

(2) Most OT laws apply today just as before
(3) Infant baptism replaced circumcision
(4) The ministry replaced the OT priesthood
(5) Ceremony and ritual are important

(6) The New Covenant is a continuation of the Mosaic Law, just as the Mosaic Law was a continuation of the Abrahamic Covenant.
(4) Invalid: the covenants are not lined up that way

c. Selective continuity—
(1) take the parts of the Law that you like and ignore the rest—
(2) invalid: with the Law, it is all or nothing. Gal 3:13 "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:"

d. Total Discontinuity—There is no Law at all today, there is no ethical standard.

e. (Orthodox and True) The Doctrines of Promise and Fulfillment—The Larger Context to follow—Christ is going to begin to give the Laws of the New Covenant, and He first gives the relationship of New and Old.

(1) Key phrase: “But I say unto You…” (12 times total in Mat) Mat 5:22, Mat 5:28, Mat 5:32, Mat 5:34, Mat 5:39, Mat 5:44.

(a) What Christ is doing—

(b) Correcting the Jewish leaders’ misunderstanding of the Old Law
(c) Changing the Law to reflect the coming New Covenant.

(2) What this passage (17-20) teaches us about the Bible
(a) It is one Bible
(b) It has total authority, to the letter
(3) It is the Standard for all things
(4) The Source of the Authority is the Author

2. Jesus Relationship to the Old Testament : “…17 "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill…”

a. The first Statement is a mouthful. “…Think not that I am come to destroy…”


(1) He Could! He has the authority to dismantle what He Himself has established.
(2) What a claim of authority to even admit the possibility!
(3) But He was not going to do so at THAT time

b. The Law and the Prophets—the entire OT.

(1) (Mat 7:12) ""Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets."

(2) (Mat 22:40) ""On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.""

(3) (Luke 16:16) ""The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it."

(4) (John 1:45) "Philip found Nathanael nd said to him, "We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote; Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.""
(5) (Rom 3:21) "But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,"

(6) (Luke 24:44) "Then He said to them, "These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.""

c. The definite statement—I am NOT come to destroy

(1) In the Greek, the statement is emphatic—NOT,

(2) In the Greek, it reads like this: “… NOT for a moment should you think that I have come to destroy…”

(3) First, the Law is good—in its place—1 Tim 1:8 "But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;" (See 1 Tim 1:9-11)

(4) The purpose of the Law
(a) To set God’s moral standards
(b) to demonstrate His will for morality
(c) to convict men of their need of a Savior. (Rom 3:19-20).
(d) The Law cannot save, nor can it keep one saved; the Law convicts and shuts up. but, the LAW is an expression of God’s righteousness.

(5) Second, many of the same things will be in the New Covenant—God’s moral code does not change.

d. The fulfillment of the Law by Christ—“…but to fulfill…”

make come true, bring about (of Scripture); fill, make full; bring to completion, complete, accomplish, finish; make fully known, proclaim fully (Rom 15:19; Col 1:25); supply fully (Php 4:18, 19

(1) There is some scholarly disagreement as to what “fulfill” means.
(a) Fulfill the prophecies about Him?
(b) Complete the Law and the Prophets?
(c) Fulfill them and culminate them as the New Covenant comes in.
(d) My position is… “Yes!”

(2) First, Jesus taught the Law fully (and correctly) Mat 7:28-29

(a) The Scribes and Pharisees knew the Law, but they did not know the Law giver, nor were their interpretations correct.

(b) They ignored the most important matters Mat 23:13-26

(c) They were religious to cover up their evil

(d) They gained converts to their position, not to God

(e) They argued about meaningless matters: 23:16-22

(f) They majored on minors and ignored the majors—Mat 23:23

(3) Christ Lived the Law fully—

(a) John 8:46 "Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?"
(b) Heb 4:15 "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin."

(c) In His personal character, He WAS The Law fully.

(d) The Law was God’s statement on ethics and morality written in stone; Christ Jesus was God’s statement on ethics and morality written in flesh and bone—1 Pet 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

(4) Christ fulfilled the Judicial provisions of the Law—He became the sacrifice for sinners. Gal 3:13, 2 Cor 5:21, Rom 5:6-8, 3:31

(5) Christ fulfilled the Ceremonial provisions of the Law—Heb 9-10

3. The Bible Stands On The Authority of Christ— “…For, Verily I say unto You…”

a. Verily—“Amen…” – indicates strong affirmation

b. Jesus’ Personal Authority Stands Behind The Bible—“…I say…”

c. Context—the inaugural address of the King of Kings

(1) His Authority is Eternal—Rev 1:8 “… I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty…”
(2) His Authority is absolute—Mat 9:2-6, Mat 28:18-20

(3) Jesus’ Personal Reputation is Staked on the Bible—He affirms the Truth of the following

(a) Moses—Mk 12:26
(b) Adam and Eve—Mat 19:4,
(c) Jonah—Mat 12:39-41
(d) Satan— Luke 10:18 "And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven."
(e) Abraham—Jn 8:56
(f) Sodom, Lot’s Wife—Lk 17:9
(g) Abel—Lk 11:51
(h) The Genesis Creation account—Gen 1:26-28—Mat 19:1-11
(i) Noah—Mat 24:38-39

(4) The Bible is Permanent—“…till heaven and earth pass…”

(a) God’s Word is eternally settled—Ps 119:89
(b) Jesus’ Word is permanent—Mat 24:35
(c) God’s Word is relevant—Heb 4:12
(i) Relevant as to morality, law, ethics, society
(ii) Relevant as to man’s nature
(iii) Relevant as to sin and its consequences
(iv) Relevant as to our need of salvation
(v) Relevant as to the way of salvation
(vi) Relevant as to the coming end

4. The Extent of The Inspiration Of The Scriptures— “…One Jot or One Tittle Shall in No Wise Pass From the Law…”

a. The Theology
(1) Verbally inspired
(2) Fully inspired
(3) Fully authoritative
(4) Without error

(5) Jot and tittle—smallest parts of the Hebrew Alphabet

(6) Pass From—be annulled.

(7) The Certainty of the Bible—till all be fulfilled

b. First, we see all will be fulfilled

(1) All Has been so far (examples)
(a) Mat 12:15-21
(b) Mat 27:9
(c) Mat 27:35
(d) Acts 13:25-35

(2) All Will be fulfilled
(a) Acts 1:11
(b) 1 Cor 15:21-25
(c) Rev 17:15-17

c. Second, we see the principle of promise and fulfillment—The OT is promise, the NT is fulfillment.

d. Third, we see promises guaranteed by the character of God—Heb 6:13-18

5. Applications

a. The Lordship of Christ requires inerrancy
(1) A Bible with errors means a Savior who was wrong.
(2) He ties His Words to the Word – if it is not true, He is not true
b. Our attitude to the Word
(1) We are to honor the Word in our lives—Titus 2:1-8
(2) We are to be diligent in its study—2 Tim 2:15
(3) We are to defend the Bible—Jude 3-4
(4) We are to be ready to answer—1 Pet 3:15

I Thirst
John 19:28

Ø Have YOU ever been really thirsty?
Ø Have you ever had, or nearly have had, heat prostration or heat stroke?

1. Context, Background, and Theologyè “28…Jesus, knowing that all things had already been accomplished, to fulfill the Scripture, said*, “I am thirsty.”

a. Why was it necessary for Jesus Christ to Die? There are many reasons, but here are five categories of answers which perhaps sum it all up.

(1) To bring glory to God the Father and receive Glory from the Father

(John 17:1) "Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: "Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You,"

(John 17:4) ""I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do."

(2) To satisfy the Law of God

Rom 3:31 “…Well then, if we emphasize faith, does this mean that we can forget about the law? Of course not! In fact, only when we have faith do we truly fulfill the law…”

(3) To turn aside the wrath of God

(Rom 1:18) "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,"

(Rom 5:9) "Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him."


(4) To Destroy Satan and his works

(1 John 3:8) "He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil."

(Gen 3:15) "…He shall crush your head….”

(5) To be substitutionary Sacrifice for sinners è

(Isa 53:5) "But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed."


b. God’s plan of redemption was decided, determined, designed, declared (in prophecy) and decreed before the world began—Rev 13:8, 17:8, 1 Pet 1:18-21, Titus 1:1-2

c. Jesus was no helpless victim, nor was He an unwilling participant in this event

(1) He possessed within Himself the power to destroy all His enemies, as He demonstrated when they came to get Him (John 18:4-6
(2) He had the power to lay His life down and to take it up again (John 10:15-17)
(3) He poured out His own life, He “gave up the ghost…”

d. So, each word said there on Calvary needs to be understood in the light of all that was going on there, as Jesus hung on the Cross..

e. Biblical Context—this is the fifth word from the Cross, and it is uttered by One who could see the finish line in sight.

2. What Jesus Knew —(John 19:28) "…, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, to fulfill the Scripture, said*…”

a. Jesus Knew

(1) The word for “to know” here is εἰδὼς, Innate knowledge

(2) And as a perfect participle, it indicates sure and complete knowledge

b. Why Jesus Knew all things were accomplished—He had accomplished them

(1) “All things” included everything to do with His mission on Earth, not just His crucifixion

(2) All was done—the word here is tetelestai, which Jesus was about to say to the world. Before He said it, He knew it was true, because He had accomplished His mission.

(3) His statement in John 17:1 indicates that even before entering the depths of His Passion, Christ Jesus had a definite and certain knowledge of the outcome

c. The paperwork was not yet done—“…to fulfill the Scripture…”

(1) Part of His mission was to fulfill the Scriptures—Mat 5:17-20

(2) His fulfillment of prophecy was and IS one of the most important parts of His ministry

(a) During His ministry on Earth, there were literally hundreds of prophesies that were literally and directly fulfilled.

(i) His Virgin Birth—Is 7:14
(ii) His ancestry, through Abraham, David, etc.
(iii) His birth place—Micah 5:2

(b) And on and on, hundreds of literal fulfillments

(3) Here the statement is plain

(a) He was aware of fulfilling the scriptures,
(b) He was consciously dealing with this issue, so that in everything, the Glory of the Father would shine through

(4) What scriptures were being fulfilled in this one statement of thirst?

(Psa 22:15) "My strength is dried up like a potsherd, And My tongue clings to My jaws; You have brought Me to the dust of death."

(Psa 69:21) "They also gave me gall for my food, And for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink."

3. “I Thirst”

a. Language—this is in the present tense, expressing continuity

b. Why, of all of the physical sufferings of the Cross, did Jesus highlight this one for special attention?

(1) He did not say, “my feet and hands hurt,” in spite of the nails
(2) He did not say, “my back is in agony,” from the scourging He received.

(3) He did not say, “my forehead is in agony,” from the crown of thorns they forced upon His brow

(4) He did not say, “My face hurts,” from where they plucked out hunks of His beard.

(5) He said, “I am thirsty.” Why?

(6) Because thirst is one of the greatest desires, and dehydration is an extremely painful and dangerous condition

c. Facts About Thirst

(1) Thirst is dangerous painful: Symptoms of severe dehydration include:

(a) Muscle spasms
(b) Vomiting
(c) Racing pulse
(d) Shriveled skin
(e) Dim vision
(f) Painful urination
(g) Confusion
(h) Difficulty breathing
(i) Seizures
(j) Chest and Abdominal pain

(2) Thirst is immediate—you can live for a long time without food, but not long at all without water.

(3) Thirst is deadly—for many it is the immediate cause of death, however it is brought on—10% fluid loss and above can be fatal.

(4) Given that Jesus had begin sweating drops of blood in the Garden, and given the beatings, the bleeding from the scourging, the dragging of a Cross through the streets, and given His extreme distress from the position in which He was hanging, His thirst just have been beyond imagination.

d. He Said “I” thirst—imagine that!

(1) The Creator of water had none
(2) The one who was the giver of the water of life was seeing His poured out

4. All Human Beings Thirst

a. Saved people have thirsted and have been filled

(1) For righteousness—(Mat 5:6) "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled."

(2) For the Water of life—John 4

(John 4:13-15) "Jesus answered and said to her, "Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, 14 "but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life." 15 The woman said to Him, "Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw.""

(John 6:35) "And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst."

(Rev 7:16) ""They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat;"

b. Ah, but the Lost!

(Luke 16:22-24) ""So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 "And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 "Then he cried and said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.'"