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THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT (PART 3)

SECTION VII OUR SECRET LIFE WITH GOD   Starting in the sixth chapter of Matthew, Jesus turns to the subject of our personal devotion to God.  He addresses three main areas: our charitable giving, our prayer life, and fasting.  Jesus then speaks at length about laying up treasures in heaven rather than upon earth, and trusting our heavenly Father for all of our daily needs.  The Lord puts an emphasis on the idea that all of these things should be done secretly, not openly for others to see.  When we boast of our dedication and service to God, or openly display our devotion and liberality so that others will see and admire us, we have received all the reward that we will ever get for those things.  Someone might say, “I don’t do those things for any rewards,” but I’m sure there is some satisfaction to the fleshly man when people praise us and notice the good that we do.  This is a twisty branch of pride that we all should avoid.  It is enough...
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THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT (PART 2)

SECTION V SALT OF THE EARTH – LIGHT OF THE WORLD   “ Ye are the salt of the earth : but if the salt have lost his savour [its flavor and strength] , wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.”    “Ye are the light of the world .  A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:13-16).   We have been called to be both salt and light to the world.  Not that we are sufficient in or of ourselves to be either, but because God has miraculously placed us in Christ.  We can then reflect His nature Who is the true Salt of the earth and Light of the world.    Salt is both a flavoring and a pr...
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THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT (PART 1)

SECTION I INTRODUCTION   JESUS CHRIST’S SERMON on the Mount is considered by many to be the greatest discourse ever spoken.  It was delivered sometime between the beginning and midpoint of His ministry about 27-28 A.D.  The most complete record of Jesus’ sermon can be found in the 5 th - 7 th chapters of the Gospel of St. Matthew in the Bible.  A less complete account is recorded in St. Luke’s Gospel, chapter 6, starting at verse 20.    There has been some debate among Bible scholars about these two accounts.  Some say that they were essentially the same sermon preached at two different times and at two different locations because Matthew mentions that it took place on a mount while Luke says it took place on a plain.  I personally believe that because there is a paragraph break starting at Luke 6:20, the Sermon itself can be separated from the verses above it that describe Jesus as standing in a plain (Luke 6:17).  In Matthew, th...
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