BSF Matthew SermonStudy

A 4-WEEK STUDY OF MATTHEW 5–7
bsfinternational.org
Welcome to BSF’s four-week study of the
Sermon on the Mount! We hope God
speaks to you through His Word and your
group discussion.
Here’s how the Bible study works:
● Read and answer the questions for

the assigned passage each day.
● Discuss your answers with your small
group at the end of the week.
● Listen to a podcast teaching on the
week’s passage.
● Read the notes with the passage’s
historical background and life
application.
● Repeat!
We hope you enjoy using this four-fold
approach to exploring God’s Word in
community with others.
Thanks for choosing to study with Bible
Study Fellowship!
For more. information visit bsfinternational.org.

WEEK ONE
MATTHEW 5:1-16
Focus Verse
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see
your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Matthew 5:16
The Sermon on the Mount – Week One
Matthew 5:1-16
Day 1
1. Use this space to record how you have seen God’s activity during the week. How has He provided,
answered, comforted, restored, guided, etc.?
Day 2: Matthew 5:1-4

Jesus taught His disciples the kind of character God blesses in a series of statements known as the Beatitudes.
2. What does it mean to be “blessed”? How do the Beatitudes expand this concept for you?
3. How does a right view of God and a realistic view of self contribute to being “poor in spirit”? (See
Psalm 51:17 and Isaiah 66:2.)
4. a. What causes you to mourn?
b. Read Isaiah 61:1-3; Romans 7:22-24; James 4:8-10. Why does someone who understands
forgiveness in Christ mourn over sin?
5. How have you experienced the blessing of being poor in spirit and mourning over sin?
Day 3: Matthew 5:5-8

Jesus taught the countercultural values of God’s kingdom.
6. What do you think of when you hear the word “meek”? What do you think Jesus meant by “the meek”?
7. a. What does it mean to hunger and thirst after righteousness?
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Matthew 5:1-16
b. Read Psalms 19:7-11; 42:1-2, 11. How do these verses expand your thinking?
8. What is the relationship between receiving mercy and extending mercy?
9. How does being “pure in heart” help you “see God”? (See also Psalm 24:4-5.)
10. How has God transformed your thinking so that you value and seek the character traits He rewards?
Day 4 –Matthew 5:9-12

Christ called His followers to make peace even when persecuted.
11. a. Who do you know that is a peacemaker? What does that person do to promote peace?
b. Why are the “children of God” uniquely equipped to be peacemakers? (See 2 Corinthians 5:18-20.)
12. a. What does it mean to be “persecuted because of righteousness”?
b. How do you respond to challenges, slander, or opposition that comes because you follow Christ?
13. What hardships do you face within the circle of influence where God has placed you as His representative?
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Matthew 5:1-16
Day 5 – Matthew 5:13-16

Christ identified His followers as salt and light.
14. a. How is salt used, and what does it do?
b. How do Christians function as salt in the world?
15. a. How is light used, and what does it do?
b. What are some ways Christians can be light?
16. Why is the kind of character Jesus described in the Beatitudes necessary to live as salt and light?
Day 6 – Matthew 5:1-16

Jesus’ followers think and live differently because they find their identity in Him.
17. Which of the Beatitudes most convicted you this week? Write a prayer asking God to develop it in
your life.
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Matthew 5:1-16
Matthew 5:1-16
Focus Verse
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your
Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16
● The Character of God’s Blessed Ones – Matthew 5:1-12

● The Calling of God’s Blessed Ones – Matthew 5:13-16
Engage
Do you carry a mental image of what Jesus looked like? We sometimes have an idea drawn from
children’s Bible stories or classic paintings. Does your mental image include long, blond hair with a
glowing halo? A sad, somber expression? Dark, weathered features? In your mind, do His words thunder
anger or speak peace and joy? Does the tone of voice you hear in your head fill you with accusation or
love? Do you see the face of an authority figure in a white robe? How do you see Jesus?
The Sermon on the Mount offers a colorful, detailed picture of Jesus. In it we hear the heart of the
Messiah. We listen to a collection of His core values and see what is most important to Him. These three
chapters lay down the brushstrokes to show what Jesus’ heart looks like and how He reveals Himself
to His followers. We also get a glimpse of who and what His followers are becoming. In this famous
discourse, Christ paints a picture of what it looks like to live a righteous life. Jesus’ followers think and
live differently because they find their identity in Him. He changes His children from the inside out.
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Matthew 5:1-16
The Character of God’s Blessed Ones – Matthew 5:1-12
The Sermon’s Setting – 5:1-2 us our need for supernatural help and brings us to
Christ, the source of all righteousness.5
Purpose
Jesus stated He did not come to destroy Old
Jesus sat talking to His followers high on a hill. Testament law, but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17-20).
Christ had not yet called all 12 of His disciples.1 Both the Old and New Testaments show that
People from Galilee followed Jesus to hear Him God has always desired both inward and outward
teach and to seek healing.2 By the end of His holiness for His people. Many Israelites, like
discourse on the mountainside, the large crowds people today, focused only on outward actions.
surrounding Him were amazed.3 With winsome Jesus traced the outward act to the deeper problem
and strong words, Jesus reveals the standard of of the heart’s motive.6 God looks for righteous
righteousness He holds for those who believe outward conduct that flows from a heart of
in Him. Christ’s inaugural sermon explains how purity, love, and devotion. God promised the
to love others as He loves them. The Sermon New Covenant. He would place the law and Spirit
on the Mount declared the realities of God’s inside of His children, allowing them to walk
kingdom. more effectively with God.7 This was the hope
promised by the Old Testament law. Jesus’ call to
All who fully grasp the love and holiness that righteousness reflected where the law should take
Jesus describes as necessary recognize that they people but also what the Spirit makes possible.
“fall short of the glory of God.”4 Believers can
never accomplish this high standard on their own.
Because of this impossibility, the honest person
1: Disciples called: Matthew 4:18-22; 10:1-6
looks to Jesus to meet their desperate need for 2: Large crowds: Matthew 4:23-25
righteousness. In this sense, the Sermon on the 3: Surrounded: Matthew 7:28-29
4: Man falls short: Romans 3:23; James 2:10
Mount is a tool to bring us to Jesus. The Apostle 5: Guardian: Galatians 3:24
6: Heart’s motive: Matthew 15:18-20; Romans 2:29
Paul described the law as a guardian who shows 7: God’s law within: Jeremiah 31:31-33; Ezekiel 36:25-27
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Matthew 5:1-16
Power and Fulfillment

Quick Guide to the
The Sermon on the Mount challenges readers to Sermon on the Mount
measure themselves by God’s standards and to
Eight Character Traits of God’s Blessed
value what God values. The Holy Spirit convicts
Ones – 5:3-12
believers that they cannot meet God’s perfect
standards and shows them what to strive for. This ● The poor in spirit
essential power to love and obey comes only
● Those who mourn
through the Holy Spirit.
● The meek
The Eightfold Definition of a Happy ● Those who hunger and thirst for
Life – 5:3-12 righteousness
● The merciful
How can anyone find happiness? Many would
answer, “Money!” Others reply, “Health.” Some ● The pure in heart
think success in school will bring happiness. ● The peacemakers
Others place their hopes in a job – or a different ● The persecuted
job. They may think the answer is marriage – or
a transformed marriage. Many desperately desire The Calling of God’s Blessed Ones – 5:13-16
a child – or for a child to grow up. Humans
● They are salt that hinders decay.
constantly seek greener pastures and the next
horizon. None of these bring lasting joy. God says ● They are light that illumines a dark world.
that something radically different makes a person The Contrast of Christ’s and the Pharisees’
truly joyful or blessed. True blessedness comes Standards – 5:17–6:18
from new life in Christ and the Christian
character that flows from it. Examples deepening the law to its intended
depth.
One way to define the word “blessed” is “to
be spiritually fortunate.” How can the poor in ● In principle – 5:17-48
spirit, the meek, and the persecuted be seen as ● In practice – 6:1-18
fortunate? Should not these people be pitied or
despised? But Jesus identified them as the truly The Conduct of God’s Blessed Ones
fortunate: God is pleased with them. “Blessed” – 6:19–7:12
means “happy,” but in the truest and most
godly sense possible. ● Regarding possessions – 6:19-34
● Regarding judging others – 7:1-7
In the first part of His teaching, Jesus shared
● Regarding prayer – 7:7-11
eight beatitudes, or “blessed sayings.” Each one
shows the beauty of living in the transformative ● Regarding others – 7:12
power of the Holy Spirit. Together, they paint Four Counterfeits to Avoid – 7:13-29
a picture of living like Jesus. No one becomes
a Christian merely by following the instructions ● The wrong gate – 7:13-14
in this sermon. This transformed life comes only ● The wrong prophet – 7:15-20
to those who receive salvation in Christ. Romans
● The wrong attitude – 7:21-23
10:9 verifies that “If you declare with your mouth,
‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God ● The wrong foundation – 7:24-29
raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” God
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Matthew 5:1-16
miraculously forms a new nature within believers Christ, recognizing they bring nothing to merit
who put their trust in Jesus.8 He places within His a relationship with a righteous God. The Good
followers a desire to put His ideals into practice. Shepherd makes His followers rich with every
He also gives them the power to do so since they spiritual blessing in Christ.10 Only the poor in
cannot do it on their own. In God’s power, a spirit find the security for which the world longs
Christian can reflect the character this sermon – the kingdom of heaven is theirs. They walk in
describes. faith like a child trusts a parent (Matthew 18:2-3).
Blessed Are the Poor in Spirit – 5:3 Blessed Are Those Who Mourn – 5:4
The poor in spirit know they are sinful and feel Mourners grieve over their sinful, selfish lives or
their great need for God’s help. Isaiah 66:2 reveals over righteous suffering. “Godly sorrow brings
God’s heart: “These are the ones I look on with repentance that leads to salvation and leaves
favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death” (2
and who tremble at my word.” Such people know Corinthians 7:10). God removes sin’s guilt from
they will never have the spiritual qualities they those who repent and believe.11
need unless God builds those qualities into
For believers who mourn over individual and
their lives. This is the opposite of complacency or
collective sin, God promises a coming day when
self-effort. The Bible repeatedly states that God
all mourning ceases.12 Jesus comforts His people
lifts up the poor in spirit and humbles the proud,
with present strength and future hope.
complacent, and self-righteous.9
The poor in spirit are not filled with self-hatred, Blessed Are the Meek– 5:5
believing they have no value or worth. In truth,
their worth is measureless in God’s eyes. Rather, Meekness is not weakness, but instead the opposite
the poor in spirit cling humbly to the cross of of a proud, rebellious spirit. The Creator and Savior
of the world described Himself as meek and gentle.13
8: New nature: 2 Corinthians 5:17; Colossians 3:9 In His humanity, Jesus humbly submitted to and
9: Proud are humbled: Psalm 107:39-41; Luke 1:52-53; 1 Peter 5:5-6
10: Rich in Christ: Ephesians 1:3; 1 Peter 1:4 obeyed His Father. Like their Messiah, meek
11: Forgiveness: Psalm 103:12; Matthew 26:28; 1 John 1:7-9
12: Mourning finished: Revelation 21:4
people seek God’s way instead of their own.
13: Gentle Jesus: Matthew 11:29
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Matthew 5:1-16
Meekness that pleases God is actually strength mercy can never be indifferent toward sin. The
under His control, not a natural human response. cross of Christ demonstrates that God is both
God works this quality into His children, often infinitely merciful and unalterably opposed to sin.19
through trials and failure. But Christ’s followers
know their position as heirs of God and co-heirs Blessed Are the Pure in Heart – 5:8
with Christ.14 Because they recognize Christ’s
supremacy, true happiness can fill the meek. The pure heart is the heart God has cleansed.20
They know that God loves them and seeks their A pure heart has an all-consuming focus:
ultimate good.15 The meek let God defend them to know God, love Him, enjoy Him, and
rather than seeking retribution themselves.16 glorify Him. The pure in heart experience deep
Godly meekness is active, not passive. This active fellowship with God and are assured they will see
meekness overcomes evil with good. God. Those who believe this precious promise
will fight for purity in their own lives, not with
Blessed Are Those Who Hunger and Thirst their own strength but in the Spirit’s power.
After Righteousness – 5:6 The pure in heart will see God today. They find
A baby’s first cry expresses need and want. God Him in the Scripture they read daily. They look
designed the human soul to want, to desire, to for God’s handiwork in daily events and nature.
crave. Only God Himself can fully satisfy that They recognize God’s image imprinted upon
craving. Jesus described those who seek God and their neighbor, their spouse, their child, and
His will. Our appetites reveal our hearts. Just like themselves. They recognize God’s Spirit moving
hunger and thirst bring us to the table, spiritual in the seemingly mundane and in miraculously
hunger and thirst are designed to bring us to life-changing moments.
Jesus. God both satisfies us and makes us long for The pure in heart will see God in eternity. God
more. Jesus promises complete satisfaction to delivers people from the penalty of sin when
those who hunger and thirst to live rightly. they trust Christ for salvation.21 The power of
sin is broken and personal fellowship with God
Blessed Are the Merciful – 5:7 is restored.22 He will deliver every believer from
the presence of sin when Christ returns: “But we
God calls those who have received His boundless know that when Christ appears, we shall be like
mercy to extend that mercy to others.17 Merciful him, for we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2b).
people act in compassion for others who are
experiencing sin’s misery. They move out in Blessed Are the Peacemakers – 5:9
forgiveness, prayer, and love with practical help for
those in need. Because no one deserves mercy, Apart from Jesus, true peace does not exist.
mercy does not harden its heart against the Jesus, the ultimate peacemaker, came to reconcile
“undeserving.” Christian mercy flows from the people first to God and then to one another.23
mercy first received from God in Christ.18 Godly Divisions between believers are a distraction, and
they destroy the influence of Christians on the
watching world. Believers should represent God’s
14: Heirs: Romans 8:17
15: God’s love: Romans 8:28 power to unite and restore, as Christ Himself
16: God’s vengeance: Romans 12:19-21
17: Share mercy: Matthew 18:21-35 dwells within them. Believers experience peace
18: Compassion: Luke 10:25-37; Ephesians 4:32
19: Cross of Christ: John 3:17-18; Romans 3:26
with God and access His presence together.
20: Clean heart: Psalm 24:4; 51:1 What excuse is there for barriers of opinion, race,
21: Penalty of sin: Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:1-5
22: Power of sin broken: 1 John 1:9 gender, class, or culture?24
23: Peacemaker: John 14:27
24: Unity in Christ: Galatians 3:28; 6:10; Revelation 5:9-10
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Matthew 5:1-16
Peacemaking does not mean to yield to merely because a believer quietly refused to offer a bribe
appease another’s stubbornness or selfishness. or falsely flatter. Lies and insults may destroy a
True peace boldly points hearts to Christ, reputation. Those under religious or political
reconciling first to God and then to one another.25 systems opposed to Jesus Christ follow Him
When others see believers making peace, they under the constant threat of imprisonment or
recognize them as God’s children. Jesus said, “By attack. Jesus did not say to stoically resign oneself
this everyone will know that you are my disciples, to persecution. He said, “Rejoice and be glad”!
if you love one another” ( John 13:35). Jesus endured the cross for the joy set before
Him, and He now gives grace to persevere
Blessed Are Those Who Are Persecuted joyfully.26
Because of Righteousness – 5:10-12
Just as Christ’s cross brought redemption to the
In this world, Jesus’ followers will never escape world, Christians who suffer for Jesus reap fruit
persecution and trials. Some find themselves in their lives. The unexplainable joy in this life
or their children the subject of jokes at work is only a shadow of the overwhelming joy that
or school. A short prayer of thanks may elicit will wash over believers when they see Him in
contemptuous intolerance or mocking. Someone eternity. Everyone who shares Christ’s rejection
in a position of power may make life difficult now will share His glory then.27
25: Reconciliation: Romans 12:18; 2 Corinthians 5:19-20

26: Joy through the cross: Hebrews 12:22
27: Sharing in Christ’s glory: Romans 8:17; 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
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Matthew 5:1-16
The Calling of God’s Blessed Ones – Matthew 5:13-16

Jesus gave the Beatitudes in a logical sequence. We to knowing God and growing in Him. Salt
cannot help others until God helps us. We influence sometimes stings, but it also heals.
others when our lives back up what we say. When
In Jesus’ day, disreputable traders would replace
the inward life in the Spirit works outwardly
salt with other fillers to increase their profit
with the compassion of Christ, we fulfill Christ’s
margin. Impurities in salt marshes made pure salt
calling to be salt and light.
difficult to obtain. The world around us is rotting
because it lacks salt. Many great institutions,
Salt of the Earth – 5:13 humanitarian causes, fine art, and noble ideas
Most anyone who has enjoyed an entire bag of have sprung from Christian roots but lost sight
potato chips values the salty, crunchy tidbits of their high calling. This can also be true in the
at the bottom of the bag. Throughout history life of an individual. A Christian can sacrifice
and across the world, salt has served as a flavor godly influence by compromising with sin and
enhancer and a preservative. Some ancient the world. Salt loses its flavor by being so diluted
cultures recognized its high value and used salt with other powders and fillers that it is no longer
as currency. Chefs know that this savory granule noticeable.
makes everything taste better, and most who
have begrudgingly transitioned to a low-sodium Salt’s Usefulness
diet would agree. A few grains of salt give flavor
to food. Even a small amount of salt slows decay. If Christians are content to mix only with other
Believers are the God-ordained salt that adds believers, they are like salt in a saltshaker – they
lasting flavor to life and stops the world’s decay. hold the promise of taste but serve no real use.
Salt adds flavor only when it loses itself in food.
Salt’s Power
Jesus did not say, “You must be salt!” or, “Try
harder to be salt!” The power to live to please
Christ comes from Him. Jesus merely said, “You
are salt.” He could very well have followed this up
with, “Be what I made you to be.” For salt to lose
its saltiness, it must cease to be salt.
Salt’s Function
Why did the Lord not identify His disciples with
honey or sugar? Some Christians so sweeten
hard sayings and sugarcoat suffering that they
misrepresent God’s character. To offend others
needlessly is wrong, but it is equally damaging
to gloss over the destructive power of sin. Both
extremes can harm others who are on a path
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Matthew 5:1-16
Light of the World – 5:14-16 wants His followers to shine brightly as beacons of
hope and grace to the darkness in the world.
Jesus is the light of the world.28 How amazing that
He described Christians with those very same Jesus’ followers think and live differently
words! In Jesus’ illustration, the only way for light because they find their identity in Him. In His
not to shine is for someone to purposefully hide it. sermon, Jesus called His followers to understand
As part of Christ’s body, we reflect His light and that His children are radically different, from
extend His presence in the world. the inside out. Jesus changes the hearts and focus
of those who come to Him. This radical change
Light dispels darkness. When a light is turned
of character and priorities impacts the people
on, it shines on all in the room without limitation
around them. People who live as light in the
or discrimination. A light that dims itself to match
world will draw attention and give glory to the
the darkness around does no good at all. Jesus
original light of the world, Christ Himself.
28: Light of the world: John 8:12
Growing in Holiness
The Doctrine of Sanctification
Sanctification – the word that mostly exists in theology books, sermons, and BSF Lesson Notes.
But what does it mean? Sanctification refers to a believer’s growth in holiness. Justification is
immediate, but God’s work of sanctification is gradual. Christians still live in a sinful world and
continue to battle sinful desires and Satan’s temptation. Our thoughts, words, and actions become
more and more like Jesus as we trust and obey Him. This growth continues until we reach heaven,
where we will be completely free from sin and holy like Jesus (Romans 6:1-23; 8:1-17). Until then,
God makes the target of righteousness clear and covers us with grace as we grow.
We do not become more like Jesus by trying harder. While we must discipline ourselves to seek
and obey God, sanctification is God’s work within us (Romans 12:1-2). God has a greater purpose
than simply our obedience. He desires to protect us from the harm that comes from sinful choices.
God is growing our love relationship with Him to last for all eternity. The Holy Spirit helps us put
on new attitudes and actions as we yield to Him. When we live out the Beatitudes – being poor in
spirit, mourning over sin, showing meekness, hungering and thirsting for righteousness, granting
mercy, being pure in heart, acting as peacemakers, and revealing faith in persecution – we are living
in the Holy Spirit’s power and not ruled by old sinful desires.
Without understanding sanctification, we blame personality or tendencies for what we should
instead recognize as sin. Without knowing that only the Holy Spirit can deliver us, we channel
efforts through the ineffective vacuum of willpower. We fail to draw on God’s power through the
invigorating disciplines of Bible study, prayer, and service. We fail to yield to the Holy Spirit’s work.
Our spiritual life plateaus, and we wander away from our first love, Jesus Christ.
Conversely, when you understand the doctrine and power of sanctification, you surrender to the Holy
Spirit and His divine work. You lean into the opportunities for spiritual growth that God weaves into
daily life. You go through hard things longing for God to use them to His purposes. Through faithful
prayer, Bible study, fellowship, worship, and the service of God and His people, the Holy Spirit changes
your character from the inside out. You lay down the kindling that God sets aflame. The Holy Spirit
puts the Beatitudes into action, equipping believers to live in a way that influences their world.
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Matthew 5:1-16
Take to Heart
Hold Fast
The attractive face of a celebrity may smile at
you from a movie poster. Have you ever seen
a snapshot of the same star running errands in
sweatpants and disheveled hair? An airbrushed
portrait, with makeup and hair professionally
in place, does not accurately reflect daily reality.
How about you? When you hold up a picture of
your life to the portrait of righteous living in
Matthew 5, what differences do you see?
Christ purposefully explained the extraordinary
life of the ordinary Christian. God blesses those
who recognize their spiritual neediness, mourn
over sin and pain in the world, hunger after
deeper holiness, and are persecuted. Such a life
is like His Son’s. Through the power of the Holy
Spirit, Christians experience deep joy in God and
His pleasure. The blessings in the Sermon on the
Mount are given in the present tense. Jesus did
not say, “Blessed will be the poor in spirit,” but
“Blessed are the poor in spirit.” He desires your
truest blessing, your deepest happiness, your
fullest joy right where you are – in the life He has
given you. Jesus came that you might “have life,
and have it to the full.”29
Your salt-of-the-earth life is God-ordained to
make a difference. God shows the world His Son
through Christians’ words and actions. God
plants His people to be salt and light in specific
places as His representatives.
Apply It
Spiritual health begins by knowing that we are
spiritually bankrupt within our own resources.
God prepares us to face our sin and seek Him to
supply what we lack. This truth impacts how we
treat others. Has God comforted you by removing
your guilt for sin and making you pure in heart?
29: Life to the full: John 10:10
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Matthew 5:1-16
Do you know you do not deserve God’s mercy? Are you living a low-sodium spiritual life? Or do
Then how can you withhold mercy from another? you have a godly influence on your family culture,
How often do you refuse to help someone because your work culture, your social culture? Do you
their own sin caused their problem? Will you ask feel like the one grain of salt in your community?
God to give you His heart and His mind in these Since God is the One who made you salt, He
matters? also will multiply your effectiveness. Your
circumstances are God-ordained opportunities to
We desperately need Christ’s righteousness. Do
bring Jesus’ power and beauty to the world. You
you desire it as much as your next meal when
can add the flavor of Christ’s life wherever you
you are really hungry? The gaps between who
go. You must not conform to the world. Rather,
you are and who God wants you to be are real.
as Christ reigns freely over your mind, emotions,
Remember that you are a new creature in Christ.
and will, He will use you as salt in the world to
You can do everything through Christ, who
flavor it with Himself. Scatter salt!
gladly gives you His strength.30 You can be an
agent of reconciliation.31 Do you try to make Those who follow Christ bring light to a dark
peace between relatives and friends, or do you stir world. Are you a Christian who tries to hide
up trouble? How many people in your church Jesus’ light? Or do you draw closer to Him so you
do you avoid? Do not resign yourself to a life of might reflect His light even more brightly? Do
broken relationships without considering Christ’s you realize the greatness of Christ in you? As
power to forgive, reconcile, and transform. the stars shine and give light on a moonless night,
When you know peace with God, you can live Jesus calls you to shine today. Remember that “the
as a peacemaker. Do you see what God can move one who is in you is greater than the one who is in
you to be? His grace enables you to be what He the world” (1 John 4:4). What dark places, dark
created you to be. hearts, or troubled lives might the light of Christ
in you transform? Turn up the light!
30: Everything through Christ: Philippians 4:13

31: Agent of reconciliation: 2 Corinthians 5:19-20
All Scripture quotations, in this publication are from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ® NIV ®
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
14
WEEK TWO
MATTHEW 5:17-48
Focus Verse
“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Matthew 5:48
The Sermon on the Mount – Week Two
Matthew 5:17-48
Day 1
2. What from the notes, lecture, group sharing, or personal study impacted you most in the past week?
Day 2: Read Matthew 5:17-20.

Jesus came to fulfill the Law and call people to true righteousness.
3. a. The “Law and Prophets” refer to the entire Old Testament. What was Jesus’ attitude toward the
Old Testament?
b. How do Jesus’ words speak to your experience with and attitude toward the Old Testament?
4. How did Jesus fulfill the Law?

a. The moral law? (See Hebrews 4:15.)
b. The ceremonial law of Old Testament sacrifices? (See 1 Peter 1:18-21.)
c. Old Testament prophecies? (See Luke 24:26-27.)
5. Why must God-pleasing righteousness be different from that of the Pharisees and teachers of the law?
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Matthew 5:17-48

Jesus exposed the root sins behind murder and adultery.
6. a. In what ways did Jesus expand the concept of murder in verses 21-22? (See also 1 John 2:7-11; 3:10-15.)
b. What priority did Jesus establish in verses 23-26? (See also Matthew 18:21-35.)
c. How is God leading you to apply Matthew 5:21-26 to your relationships?
7. a. In what ways did Jesus expand the definition of adultery in verses 27-28?
b. How do you live out verses 29-30 in everyday life?
c. How does this teaching relate to a world that makes it easy to indulge sinful sexual imaginations?
(See Philippians 4:8.)
8. How would you apply these principles to your personal battle with sin? (See 1 Corinthians 10:13; 2
Corinthians 10:3-5.)

Jesus calls for faithfulness in marriage and truthfulness in speech.
9. a. What did Jesus say about divorce? (See also Mark 10:1-12.)
b. How can believers both advocate for God’s design for marriage and share love with those hurt by
divorce?
17
Matthew 5:17-48
10. a. What did Jesus warn about oaths being needed to validate truthfulness?
b. In what ways do you find absolute truthfulness a challenge?
c. What helps you love truth and speak truth?

Jesus calls believers to forsake revenge and love their enemies.
11. What does Jesus teach about responding to evil and your enemies?
12. a. How do Jesus’ commands stand in stark contrast to the ways of the world?
b. What relationship in your life would change if you obeyed Jesus’ words?
13. a. What is your response to Jesus’ words in verse 48?
b. Read Galatians 5:16; Ephesians 4:22-24; and Philippians 2:12-13. What truth in these verses
offer perspective on this command?
Day 6: Review Matthew 5:17-48.

Jesus radically transforms believers to obey from the heart.
14. How has the Holy Spirit convicted you or prompted obedience in your life this week?
18
Matthew 5:17-48
Matthew 5:17-48
Focus Verse
“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” – Matthew 5:48
● Christ Fulfills God-Given Scripture – Matthew 5:17-20

● Christ Explains God-Pleasing Righteousness – Matthew 5:21-48
Engage
As human beings, we love to reduce pleasing God to a checklist. A quantifiable measure of what it
takes to earn God’s favor seems desirable. Attending church, avoiding the wrong things, and trying to
do the right things works at a certain level. We can experience some sense of security when we appear
presentable or at least better than average. Though we try so hard to make our exterior look good,
a painful truth lurks underneath. There is more to pleasing God than controlling how we act. Our
thoughts, motives, desires, and appetites betray a reality that behavior modification cannot cure. And
even when we try, we cannot think and act right all the time. When we measure ourselves against God’s
perfect standards, we always come up short.
Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount radically redefines what pleases God. True righteousness demands far more
than conformity to an external religious system or code of behavior. God’s law was not given to make
us proud of our performance but humbly aware that we need a Savior. The desires of our hearts – not
just our actions – need pervasive transformation by God’s power. His law must be kept not in part, but
perfectly, and Jesus did that. Our only hope is the perfect righteousness of Jesus, transferred to us and
growing within us. Jesus radically transforms believers to obey from the heart. God’s grace provides
what our human efforts cannot as we move toward the goal of becoming more like Jesus.
19
Matthew 5:17-48
Christ Fulfills God-Given Scripture – Matthew 5:17

The Beatitudes and Jesus’ explanation of the people understand the true intent of the Old
believer’s role as salt and light introduce the heart Testament law and prophets. And perhaps most
of His sermon. (Matthew 5:1-16) In verses 17- significantly, all of the Old Testament symbolism
20, Jesus explains His relationship to the Old pointed to Jesus.1 He is the “Lamb of God, who
Testament and God’s intent for His people as takes away the sin of the world.”2 Jesus Himself
He builds His kingdom. These verses set the tone was the fulfillment of the Old Testament.
and state the thesis for this important discourse.
The Permanence of Scripture – 5:18
The Fulfillment of the Old Testament Jesus confirmed the absolute authority and
– 5:17-18 accuracy of the Holy Scriptures. Not the
Jesus Fulfilled the Law – 5:17 “smallest letter” or “least stroke of a pen” would
disappear or fail to be accomplished. Jesus came
Jesus’ coming ushered in a new day that fulfilled to earth to begin the completion of all that the
all God had started in the Old Testament. Jesus Old Testament declared. Matthew 24:35 says it
said, “Do not think that I have come to abolish clearly: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but
the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to my words will never pass away.” Jesus’ statement
abolish them but to fulfill them.” Jesus perfectly speaks not as much about the 613 stipulations
kept every demand of God’s law. He helped of the law but rather its goal to develop
righteousness in God’s people. The examples Jesus
offers in verses 21-48 illustrate this truth. The
accuracy and authority of God’s Word provides a
firm foundation for life and eternity.
A Call to a True Righteousness – 5:19-20

Not only are the demands of God’s law important,
but they also define what God honors and declares
as righteous. Jesus revered God’s Word and warned
those who distort or nullify it. God’s righteous
standards must be upheld with utter perfection,
which is impossible for sinful humans. Jesus
warned that no one would enter the kingdom
of heaven unless their righteousness exceeded
that of Israel’s Pharisees and other teachers
of the law. What does this mean? Matthew’s
readers would have believed that these religious
leaders set the highest example of keeping the law.
The necessity to exceed their demonstration of
righteousness would have been startling.
1: Old Testament points to Jesus: Isaiah 53:2-5; Luke 24:44-45

2: Lamb of God: Exodus 12:1-11; John 1:29; 1 Peter 1:19
20
Matthew 5:17-48
God requires absolute perfection, not just Jesus set up His thesis: Outward observances
of external behavior but also of motives and and external conformity alone ignore the
desires. It is not good enough to be better than internal holiness that God requires. Like the
everyone else; the standard required is to be as Pharisees, we can feel smug and self-satisfied
good as God. While the Pharisees meticulously by evaluating ourselves by what we do or
lived by a code of behavior that governed their refuse to do. Downsizing God’s requirements
practices, many of them ignored the inward root to make them achievable will not work. True
of sin within the heart. They thought avoiding righteousness is not defined by a quantity of
certain outward actions and doing the right deeds but by a quality of life.
things would be enough.
Doing What Is Right

The Doctrine of Righteousness
Righteousness is not a word used in daily conversation, except perhaps at church. The concept is
actually quite important. A good definition of the word is “right-ness,” which refers to upright
moral conduct. There is a brand of human goodness that may win points on earth because we
compare ourselves with other flawed people. Everyone can find someone whose behavior is worse
than their own. The challenge with this approach is that the standard against which God measures
us is not one another, but Himself. God is perfectly righteous. Human righteousness cannot meet
the standard God requires. We cannot even measure up to the standards we set for ourselves.
The Bible is clear, “there is no one righteous, not even one” (Psalm 143:2; Ecclesiastes 7:20;
Isaiah 59; Romans 3:10; Revelation 5:1-5). Jesus explained our problem in the Sermon on the
Mount. Even if our external actions uphold a code of behavior that we deem acceptable,
our hearts long for things that do not please and honor God. We cannot produce the kind of
righteousness God requires. God understands our limitations better than we do and has provided
what we cannot. Through the sacrifice of His own Son, He offers His perfect righteousness in place
of our flawed attempts to do right. When we place our faith in Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf, the
perfect righteousness of Jesus becomes ours.
Most people fail to correctly comprehend the serious problem posed by their lack of true
righteousness. Our capacity for self-awareness is flawed because, left to our own devices, we can
never properly understand ourselves. When you fail to understand that you cannot meet God’s
untarnished standards, you await God’s judgment with nothing to offer but your flaws. Living with
false confidence that you are basically a good person fails to correctly address the sin that lurks
within your own heart. You are measuring yourself against the wrong standard.
Understanding your own lack of true righteousness is actually freeing. Learning that you can place
no confidence in your own contaminated sense of what is right represents a step forward because
you can stop trying to be good enough. Once you understand this problem, you can seek a solution.
The true righteousness God requires is provided for you in Christ. You no longer seek to live
rightly in an attempt to earn God’s favor. God changes your appetites, so you begin to desire what
He desires and love what He loves. True righteousness leads us to a better way to live and relate to
others. God’s Spirit leads us to follow Christ. He transforms you from the inside out.
21
Matthew 5:17-48
Christ Explains God-Pleasing Righteousness –

Matthew 5:21-48
After laying out His overarching truth, Jesus true righteousness should not lead us to run from
cited six examples to expand the concept of true God but to run to Him for salvation.3 Christians
righteousness beyond external conformity. God’s aspire to the kind of righteousness Jesus describes.
law was never meant to be applied only externally.
Exposing the deeper internal sins of thought, Six Examples – 5:21-47
motive, and desire was one of the purposes of
the law. In His illustrations of this truth, Jesus Anger – 5:21-26
repeatedly contrasted superficial obedience with
true righteousness by declaring: “you have heard Jesus begins with the sin most people instinctively
…” and “but I tell you….” He redefined the true condemn: murder. Most would heartily agree
essence of the law and emphasized a more effective that anyone who takes the life of another deserves
and authentic way to live. harsh judgment. Jesus does not leave us smug
in our confidence that we would never commit
Jesus’ expanded definition of true such an atrocious sin. Thoughts and emotions
righteousness pleases God and exceeds human that seek the harm of another must be brought to
capacity. Jesus is not telling us what we must God for cleansing. Anger, envy, contempt, and
do to earn salvation but explaining the deeper hatred are inward sins which can give birth to
regenerative heart change that true salvation the outward sin of murder. Breaches in human
produces. If Old Testament standards seemed relationships are a place where sin readily sets in.
tough, Jesus’ deeper probe into the depths of our Venomous emotions give way to abusive words,
ambitions and desires is even tougher. This call to
3: The Law leads to Christ: Galatians 2:15-16; 3:10-14
22
Matthew 5:17-48
which harm others and can escalate to physical impure sexual imaginations. Again, Jesus raised
acts. Jesus elevated the danger of these internal the bar to call for purity in the heart, not external
sins that are easily dismissed or tolerated even restraint that tolerated wrong desires.
when not acted upon. God judges these sins as
Sexual temptation surrounds us in our sex-crazed
serious offenses, putting people in danger of the
world. God’s standards governing sexual purity
fire of hell. Even being angry with a brother or
seem impossible to obey in today’s culture.
sister invites God’s judgment.
The prevalence of pornography elevates the
Broken relationships must be mended. acceptance of indulging sensual desires while
Believers should seek reconciliation quickly ignoring the personal harm to victims of terrible
and sacrificially. Going through the motions of exploitation and the societal damage being
worship while ignoring the greater call to seek inflicted. God cares about the desires of the
forgiveness and restoration is disobedience to heart, not just external acts of sin.
God. Someone who remembers an unsettled
Jesus’ example advocated drastic action to
offense should immediately seek reconciliation.
avoid sinful indulgence of sexual imaginations.
No matter who is in the wrong, the believer
He stated that if your right eye or right hand
should make the first move to settle the issue.
causes you to stumble, it should be removed
Verses 25-26 urge Christians seeking legal
and thrown away. It is better to go through life
judgment in the courts to settle the matter
maimed than for the whole body to end up in
themselves with mutual agreement and a desire
hell. What did He mean? Take sexual sin seriously
for peace. A refusal to forgive another’s sin
and do what it takes to avoid temptation and
means the person is unaware of their own sinful
refuse to indulge sin. In a world that sees sexual
state before God. Clinging to anger and self-
freedom as a personal liberty, believers are called
righteousness ignores Christ’s response of love
to purity of mind and body. Only the Spirit can
and self-sacrifice on our behalf.
deliver the mind from evil and purify our hearts.
Human relationships offer both blessings and
practical challenges. Inevitable conflict must Divorce – 5:31-32
be dealt with in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Harboring anger and bitterness, rehearsing God instituted marriage as a lifelong
speeches that cast blame, and ignoring conflict commitment between one male and one
provide fertile soil for greater sin. God seeks to female. Marriage vows represent a bond, a pledge
purify our hearts not just from committing of integrity to keep your word with God and
overt acts of sin but also to cleanse the your spouse. He allowed an exception for divorce
innermost desires that cause us to sin. only in the situation of marital unfaithfulness.
Even then, divorce was not commanded or
Lust – 5:27-30 even desirable.4 Biblical marriage expresses the
exclusive, permanent, and sacred intimacy that
Jesus opened His next example in a similar way. will someday characterize Christ’s union with His
His listeners knew well the command that they Bride, the redeemed and glorified Church.5 Jesus
were not to commit adultery. Jesus expanded spoke these words into a society that had made
the danger of this sin beyond the physical act of divorce a viable option, much like today. Jewish
having sexual relations outside of marriage. Jesus law allowed a man to give his wife a certificate of
stated that anyone who looked at a woman with divorce for trivial reasons.
lust had already committed adultery with her in
his heart. Jesus condemned not only the physical 4: Divorce: Malachi 2:16; Matthew 19:7-9; Mark 10:1-5;
1 Corinthians 7:10-16, 39
act of immoral sex, but also the indulgence of 5: Bride of Christ: 1 Corinthians 6:12-20; Ephesians 5:28-33
23
Matthew 5:17-48
Jesus upheld the sanctity of marriage and we speak is in the presence of God, who will judge
importance of the marital bond. Jesus’ teaching every careless word. God Himself is the source of
here on divorce exposed the sinful desire to truth. His Word declares truth.7 Falsehood and
indulge selfish desires and ignore the self- exaggeration reveal a heart that desires to deceive.
sacrificial love and commitment marriage God calls His children to more than just to stop
requires. He raised the seriousness of this offense. lying. We are to so love truth that our thoughts
In a world where divorce is common, we must and words reflect the purity God desires.
recognize both its damage and God’s grace on those
who have experienced its pain. Christians must Retaliation – 5:38-42
both uphold God’s clear standards for marriage
and love people well. Not all divorced people are Old Testament law limited retribution so
responsible for their situation. Those who have been that the response fit the offense.8 The limits
injured by divorce should receive the healing and of an “eye for an eye” and a “tooth for a tooth”
hope that Christ brings. God’s people should reach was to keep offended people from exacting
out to comfort and help those hurt by divorce. disproportional revenge on their offenders. This
guideline was given as a basis for law in human
Oaths – 5:33-37 government, not a standard for retribution in
personal relationships. In the bigger picture,
Jesus recounted that the law taught that an oath Scripture speaks against retaliation in the form of
made should be an oath kept. Jesus was not revenge or a bitter spirit.9
condemning formal promises but calling for
Jesus obliterated any justification for seeking
honesty of speech that did not require an oath
painful revenge on one’s enemies. Instead of
for validation. When a person is known for
responding to violence with violence, God’s
speaking the truth, an oath is unnecessary. What
happens in the heart that leads a person to stretch
the truth or tell a lie? A liar willingly distorts 6: Lying: Exodus 20:16; Leviticus 19:11; Proverbs 6:16-17; Ephesians 4:25
7: Truth: Numbers 23:19; 1 Samuel 15:29; Psalm 25:5; John 8:32; 17:17; Titus 1:2
truth for personal gain. Lying is sin.6 Every word 8: Eye for eye: Exodus 21:24; Leviticus 24:20; Deuteronomy 19:21
9: Retaliation: Psalm 94:1; Proverbs 20:22; 24:29; Romans 12:17-19
24
Matthew 5:17-48
children are called to respond in love when How is that possible? How can we desire good for
experiencing injustice. Jesus gives examples that those who have treated us badly? Love and prayer
call believers to something far more sacrificial are supreme gifts and are especially powerful
than just refraining to return evil. When someone when extended to our enemies.
hits you on the cheek, offer them the other cheek
It is easy to be nice to those who treat us well.
as well. When someone sues you for your shirt,
We can effortlessly pray blessings on those who
also give them your coat. When you are forced to
demonstrate their love for us. Even unbelievers
go one mile, go two. Do not turn away from the
can do this! God calls His children to a standard
one who wants to borrow from you. However,
of righteousness that far exceeds the dictates of
this teaching did not prohibit self-defense under
this world. Only God can so transform our
attack or standing up for injustice.
motives, will, and emotions that we genuinely
What was Jesus teaching? Respecting someone desire good for our enemies. Praying that God
else’s rights is noble. But the self-sacrifice of works in the hearts and lives of people who have
personal rights for someone else goes far beyond inflicted evil represents the heart of Jesus and the
a natural human response. God calls believers to work of the Holy Spirit. Jesus gave us a prime
surrender their rights for the sake of the greater example of this from the cross when He prayed
good and God’s glory. Accepting personal for His enemies, “Father, forgive them, for they
vulnerability when serving others is commended. do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).
This does not mean becoming a doormat, ignoring We were His enemies, and He saved us.
injustice, or allowing abuse to continue. Loving
the other person means holding them accountable The Summary Statement – 5:48
for their actions. Jesus Himself set the highest Jesus’ explanation and examples of true
example as He willingly endured intense suffering righteousness are summarized in an astounding
unto death for the benefit of His children. statement: “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly
Father is perfect.” If Jesus’ six examples of true
Love for Enemies – 5:43-47 righteousness have not already flattened us, this
Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love final statement will. How can flawed humans
your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ ” The Jews ever be as perfect as God? On our own, this is
knew well the command from Leviticus 19:18, impossible. Even believers indwelt by the Holy
that they should love people within their circle. Spirit cannot think and act in a way that meets
The second half – the allowance to hate those God’s measure of perfection. Jesus sets the goal
who stood against you – was not in the original before us, so we can acknowledge our need for
law; it came from tradition. Jesus enlarged their God to do what we cannot.
understanding to declare that the law of love God does not lower His standard to
followed the perfect example of God, who accommodate our flawed attempts at righteous
loved freely and without restrictions. living. He knows, even better than we do, that
Jesus invited His children to a very different we cannot measure up. In love and compassion,
response than hatred toward their enemies. He met this standard for us in Christ. Jesus
Humanly, we seek to return evil for evil. But how accomplished for us the perfection we could never
does God desire us to treat our enemies – even attain. Jesus radically transforms believers to obey
those who persecute us for the sake of Christ? from the heart. God’s immovable requirement of
What does the Holy Spirit pour into our hearts perfection should not drive us to despair but drive
toward those who mistreat us? Jesus calls us to us to Jesus. God provides the perfection He requires.
love and pray for those who abuse and mistreat us. What a God! What a Savior!
25
Matthew 5:17-48
Take to Heart
Hold Fast
Matthew 5:3 records, “Blessed are the poor in
spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Jesus
explained true blessing and ultimate fulfillment
through the Beatitudes. He taught us that God’s
rewards are entirely different than what the world
values. He called Christians to be salt and light in
the world. This passage offers a glaring contrast
between a merely external, superficial attempt
to please God and the purity He demands
within human hearts. Recognizing God’s
standard reveals our spiritual bankruptcy and
shows us why we must pursue Jesus.
Jesus came to fulfill the Law and Old Testament,
to usher in its intended purpose. The six examples
Jesus offered confirm our need for God’s
intervention. Our hearts are full of anger and ill
will toward others. We battle evil desires at the
root of what we think and do. Self-gratifying
attitudes give rise to our sinful actions. We cannot
control our actions by self-effort, and the sinful
desires within our hearts fall short of what God
demands. We cannot “be perfect.” Not even close.
Our actions are flawed because our hearts are
not pure.
This painful reality drives us to Jesus, our only
hope. The unattainable standard Jesus requires
makes us more than ready to bask in the
beauty of the gospel. Jesus Christ met God’s
standard perfectly. The perfect righteousness of
Christ is ours because of His unconditional love
and sacrificial death. We boast not in what we
do, but in what He has done on our behalf. We
strive to obey Him, not to prove we are worthy
of His favor, but because we are grateful for His
provision. His work in us is not just aimed at
cleaning up our behavior but transforming our
hearts and impacting our relationships in positive
ways.
26
Matthew 5:17-48
Apply It grow in constant dependence on Christ. How will

you humble yourself before God today?
As humans, we love feeling successful. If we can
control our behavior within visibly acceptable Sinful actions spring from sinful desires. We
bounds, we congratulate ourselves. Measuring commonly accept or excuse what we think no
spiritual success by observable behavior ignores one else can see. God sees what other people
the reality of our sinful thoughts and wandering cannot. When we acknowledge our sin, we
hearts. Our behavioral checklist is more about usually deal with only the outward action and not
maintaining our sense of control and achievement the internal cause of the sin. The Word of God
than recognizing our need for God. The more and the Spirit of God probe deep, revealing the
we realize we cannot please God, the more thoughts and intents of the heart.10 When we
we know how much we need Christ. How sin, we reveal what we treasure and who we trust.
comfortable are you with feeling needy? Do you What is at the root of the personal sin you most
know how much you need God? God blesses readily tolerate? Will you allow the Holy Spirit to
those who are spiritually poor, not those who reveal the sinful desires that cause you to sin? In
boast in their list of accomplishments. God honors 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, believers are called to pull
those who seek Him and, by His Spirit, seek the down Satan’s strongholds in the mind and take
things He calls good. Spiritual maturity is not every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.
about feeling stronger and more accomplished, What internal sin is God revealing? Will you
though walking with God should bring evidence allow the Holy Spirit to cleanse your thoughts
of life change. We mature spiritually when we and renew your mind?
10: Deep into the heart: Hebrews 4:12
27
Matthew 5:17-48
Jesus Himself is the pinnacle of all God revealed than knowing and loving Christ. He is our prize
in the Old Testament. From cover to cover, the and very great reward.11
Bible points to Jesus. Every temple sacrifice, every
This grace we receive gives us God’s Spirit so
symbol, and every prophetic word given to God’s
we are now enabled to walk more and more
people finds its highest and holiest fulfillment in
in the righteous ways that God has prepared
God’s Son. The baby born in Bethlehem, dying on
for us. Romans 6–8 tells how a formerly sinful
the cross, rising from the grave, and coming again
person can now walk in ways that please God.
should be the focus of God’s people and your life.
Part of that is knowing what He asks of us
To walk faithfully with God is to grow in love
relationally and what He enables by His Spirit.
for Christ. Jesus is constantly pursuing you and
What relationships could you rely on His Spirit
always willing to reveal more of Himself to you.
to improve for you as you seek to be the person
Are you growing in an ever deeper understanding
of integrity this passage calls on us to be? Are
and wonder for who He is and what He has done?
you willing to trust God by faith and rely on His
Countless people from every tribe, tongue, and
Spirit for this kind of growth?
nation will spend eternity worshipping Jesus
Christ. No pursuit in your life is more valuable
11: Christ, our prize: Philippians 3:14
Jesus’ Standards Regarding Six Specific Sins

Matthew Old Testament Letter of the Law Spirit of the Law
5:21-26 Exodus 20:13 Murder Hatred, anger, contempt
5:27-30 Exodus 20:14 Adultery Lust, impure thoughts
5:31-32 Deuteronomy 24:1 Divorce Hardness of heart
5:33-37 Deuteronomy 6:13 Requiring oaths to verify truth Untruthfulness, exaggeration
5:38-42 Exodus 21:23-25 Exacting justice for wrongs Personal, selfish revenge, and lack
experienced of love
5:43-48 Leviticus 19:17-18 Hatred of neighbors Lack of love to neighbor and enemy
28
WEEK THREE
MATTHEW 6
Focus Verse
“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them.
If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.”
Matthew 6:1
The Sermon on the Mount – Week Three
Matthew 6
Day 1

Jesus called His people to seek God’s rewards, not human approval.
3. a. What did Jesus teach in verse 1?
b. What is the main point Jesus taught in His three examples?

About giving to the needy:
About prayer:
About fasting:
4. Compare Matthew 5:14-16 with Matthew 6:1-4. What is the difference between Jesus’ commands
in the two passages?
5. In what ways are you tempted to care more about other people’s opinions than what God thinks?

Jesus taught believers how to pray.
6. How did Jesus describe the kind of prayer that pleases God?
30
Matthew 6
7. Jesus offered an example of how believers should pray in vs. 9-13. What does each phrase mean to you?
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.”
“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
“Give us today our daily bread.”
“And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”
“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”
8. How does Jesus’ teaching on prayer speak to you about your prayer life?

Jesus encouraged storing up heavenly treasure.
9. a. What treasure do people collect or value that can be lost?
b. What heavenly treasures can a Christian store up that can never be lost?
10. What do the following verses say about treasure:

Psalm 119:72:
Luke 12:15-21:
2 Corinthians 4:17-18:
Philippians 3:8:
1 Peter 1:4-5:
31
Matthew 6
11. What two competing masters do people serve?
12. a. What do your priorities, thoughts, and motives indicate that you treasure most?
b. What is God saying to you through this passage?

Jesus taught that God’s children have no reason to worry.
13. List the things Jesus told us not to worry about.
14. a. What examples did Jesus give to prove that God’s children have no cause to worry?
b. What is your greatest source of worry that you need to surrender to God?
15. State the truth in Matthew 6:33 in your own words.
Day 6: Review Matthew 6:1-34.

God radically transforms His children’s motives.
16. What is the most meaningful life lesson God taught you this week through Matthew 6?
32
Matthew 6
Matthew 6
Focus Verse
“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will
have no reward from your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 6:1
● What Are Your Motives? – Matthew 6:1-18

● Where Is Your Treasure? – Matthew 6:19-24
● In Whom do You Trust? – Matthew 6:25-34
Engage
Unbelievers frequently complain that Christians are hypocrites. In other words, people observe a gap
between what Christians claim and how they act. The watching world evaluates the business practices,
neighborliness, and general kindness of individual Christians and the Christian community as a whole.
Perhaps instead of love, they feel harshness and judgment. When people fail to see what they expect from
believers driving in traffic or walking through trials – they call out hypocrisy. While this accusation stings,
when we are truly honest, we can all admit that we fail to consistently practice what we preach. In truth,
all believers suffer from a “hypocrisy gap,” the difference between what we know and what we do.
The change that following Jesus brings to believers is more than skin-deep. God changes what we do
by transforming what we desire, seek, and value. God loves us too much to leave us with a smug, self-
satisfied version of Christianity. The Holy Spirit works God’s love deeply into our hearts. He cares
deeply about who we are at the core, what we love, and who we trust. He confronts our superficiality
and hypocrisy because He loves us. God radically transforms His children’s motives. This passage asks
penetrating questions that call us to wholehearted allegiance to God.
33
Matthew 6
What Are Your Motives? – Matthew 6:1-18

Jesus, heaven’s King, explained the nature of of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will
His kingdom and the kind of life God blesses. have no reward from your Father in heaven.” To
The first section of Jesus’ Sermon on the illustrate His command, Jesus gave three examples
Mount focuses on the internal aspects of true of religious acts performed for the wrong reasons.
righteousness. Jesus expanded the humanly Jesus’ concern was, and still is, how and why
impossible demands of God’s law to prove that believers give, pray, and fast.
our only hope is internal transformation by
In all three examples, Jesus described works done
the power of His Spirit. In this next section,
for the sake of public recognition that would not
Jesus contrasted religious hypocrisy with the
be rewarded by God. Those who parade their
thinking and behavior of those whose goal is
supposed righteousness to feed their own ego or
God’s glory.
gain the attention and admiration of others have
already received their full reward. Consciously or
The Premise– 6:1 unconsciously, we are all motivated by rewards.
Jesus confronted the emptiness of superficial The rewards people seek reflect their motives.
religion – the hypocrisy of external expressions The Pharisees sought the temporary and fleeting
aimed at public approval rather than God’s pleasure of public praise and the power that
pleasure. In verse 1, He offered the principle: “Be flowed from it. Those who seek people’s praise
careful not to practice your righteousness in front forfeit God’s blessing.
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Matthew 6
Seeking God’s pleasure and reward is Prayer – 6:5-15

commendable. A Christian should find
satisfaction in pleasing God in ways only He Jesus next called out those who loved to pray
sees.1 Moment-by-moment consciousness of in public venues like the synagogues and street
God’s presence and power changes what the corners. Who was the intended audience of
believer values and pursues. A heart that is drawn these prayers? People, not God. Those who pray
to God obeys Him out of love and gratitude to invite admiration or to appear spiritually
and receives the immediate joy of His approval superior to others have already received their full
and pleasure. Doing the right thing for the right reward. The public attention they received in the
reasons is in itself rewarding. But more than that, moment was all they got. When we strive to pray
everyone will one day stand before the judgment lengthy, impressive-sounding prayers, we should
seat of Christ. At that time, the life work of every examine our motives. We should honestly talk to
believer will be evaluated. The test of fire will God from our hearts, avoiding prayer clichés that
reveal the quality of each believer’s works. God neither mean much to us nor move His heart.
will reward even the smallest action done out of Prayer that pleases God rises from a heart that
love for Him and by faith in His power.2 delights in Him and longs to be in His presence.
Believers humbly make their requests known to
Three Examples – 6:2-18 God. Our prayers do not inform God of needs
of which He is unaware but declare trust in God
Giving to the Needy – 6:2-4 as Provider. The strength of someone’s prayer life
Giving to meet the needs of the poor has always is not determined by the beauty or eloquence
been and remains a responsibility entrusted of public prayers. God loves the simple and
to God’s people.3 Jesus Himself offers both the genuine cries from His needy children. God is
ultimate example and the reason we should care for the audience. He hears, He cares, and He acts on
others. “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus behalf of those who humbly seek Him in prayer.
Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake Jesus gave an example of the simple way believers
he became poor, so that you through his poverty are to pray. This prayer, more accurately called
might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9). Believers “The Disciples’ Prayer,” is intended as a community
can offer not only material help, but also spiritual prayer as evidenced by the plural pronouns – our, us,
food that can satisfy people’s greatest need. etc. This prayer has five elements that offer a pattern
Jesus explained the kind of giving God honors. for our prayers.
The Pharisees sought the honor and admiration ● “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your
of others as they announced their generosity with name …”
blaring trumpets in the streets and synagogues. Amazingly, believers become God’s own
Jesus called believers to give without fanfare, children by faith in His Son and rightly
so that even your left hand does not know what call Him “Father.” God is highly exalted in
your right hand is doing. We live in a world heaven, and His children worship Him in
surrounded by lonely, needy people. To give, love and awe. His name is hallowed – set
expecting nothing in return, represents the heart apart, holy, exalted, and like none other.
of Jesus Himself. Worship and praise acknowledge and
honor all that God is.
1: Pleasing God: Psalm 40:8; 2 Corinthians 5:9; Colossians 1:9-10

2: Judgment test of fire: 1 Corinthians 3:14-15; 2 Corinthians 5:10
3: Love in action: Leviticus 19:10; 1 John 3:17-18
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Matthew 6
● “… your kingdom come, your will be done, physical needs. We live each day dependent
on earth as it is in heaven.” on God for that day’s sufficient provisions.
In prayer, we declare submission to God As humans, we have nothing that we have
and to His will as our beloved King. We not received. God is the source of all we
pray for God’s kingdom to come, in the have and all we need.
present and in the future. This happens ● “And forgive us our debts, as we also have
now as people rightly exalt Christ as King forgiven our debtors.”
and submit as His loyal subjects. We Every person has inherited a sin nature
also pray for God’s kingdom to be fully from Adam and committed sin on their
consummated when Christ returns and own. Our sin represents our greatest
establishes the unopposed rule on earth debt. Jesus paid that debt on the cross
that He now possesses in heaven. We long for every sinner who places their faith
for that day. Believers embrace the perfect in His atoning sacrifice.4 We seek God’s
will of our Heavenly Father. forgiveness for our general sinfulness
● “Give us today our daily bread.” and specific sins. The Holy Spirit lovingly
Believers depend on God for daily reveals specific sin so that we may confess
sustenance, not just for promised eternal that sin and seek God’s deliverance. Those
treasures. God is a generous Provider. forgiven by Christ are compelled to forgive
He meets our spiritual needs and also our others, as they have been forgiven.
4: Jesus’ sacrifice: 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:24
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Matthew 6
● “And lead us not into temptation, but Fasting – 6:16-18

deliver us from the evil one.”
Believers must recognize their own Fasting was the third area Jesus corrected regarding
vulnerability to temptation and need hypocritical external religion. He warned against
for God’s deliverance. God’s children showy fasting rooted in pride, intended to draw
seek His protection and recognize attention and impress others. Fasting means more
His deliverance from temptation and than going without food and strict self-discipline.
ultimately from Satan himself.5 Believers God-honoring fasting involves voluntarily
can humbly express their weakness and giving up food, sleep, time, or physical pleasure
need for God’s sustaining grace. Our for the purpose of focusing on God and seeking
confidence is not in our fortitude, but in Him. Scripture mentions many examples of
God’s provision of His strength. fasting as an acceptable expression of spiritual
devotion.6 Jesus and the apostle Paul fasted. The
God-honoring prayer is about God and His glory. Old Testament Law prescribed a fast on the day
We often pray more to ask God to solve our of Atonement.7 However, fasting should be done
problems than to advance His kingdom. Jesus’ quietly before God.
example helps us know how to pray. We have the
privilege of sharing these requests together for one
another. God hears His children when they pray.
5: Deliverance from temptation: 1 Corinthians 10:13; James 1:13-15

6: Fasting: Matthew 4:2; Acts 9:9; 1 Corinthians 7:5
7: Day of Atonement: Leviticus 16:29
Talking to God
The Doctrine of Prayer
Prayer is an amazing honor offered to every believer. With our feeble and stumbling words, we
can speak directly to our Heavenly Father, our Creator. And when we speak, He also listens. And
not only does He listen, He also cares. And if that is not enough to amaze us, God acts on our
behalf. As we cry out to Him and surrender our requests to Him, God molds our hearts to conform
to His will. Because God is omnipresent – everywhere at all times – our access to Him is never
limited. Because He is omnipotent – possessing unlimited power – there is nothing He cannot do.
God understands our weakness and stands ready to help us (Hebrews 2:17; 4:15).
When you fail to value the incomprehensible privilege of prayer, you ignore the lifeline
extended by the God of all grace. You live your life gaining insight from similarly flawed people.
You pray selfishly, to impress people, or in desperation, but you do not enjoy the beauty of daily
conversation with the God who knows you best. You miss the wonder of a God who delights to
spend time with you and wants you to talk to Him.
When you believe that God listens attentively, your conversation with Him can become a
steady stream of communion and fellowship. You do not have to hold back your honest questions
or doubts; you can pour them out to Him because you know He already knows. Prayer offers a
welcoming path to needed confession and an open door to the throne room of Almighty God
(Matthew 7:7; John 14:13-14; Philippians 4:6; 1 John 1:9; 5:14-15). Prayer is not a duty, but a
delight. Do you adequately marvel at the wonder of prayer? Draw near to God and speak to Him.
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Matthew 6
Where Is Your Treasure? – Matthew 6:19-24

In Matthew 6:1-18, Jesus warned against the Light diffused through a clouded or warped
danger of wrong motives and hypocritical, window distorts reality. When a person’s values
external religion. To seek satisfaction through and life goals are informed by the frivolous
the praise of others is to lose eternal reward. In and temporary thrills of this world, darkness
Matthew 6:19-24, Jesus warned of the danger reigns. Without God’s light, the whole body is
of finding security in possessions and wealth encompassed by great darkness.
rather than in God.
Only when a person draws their life perspective
from God do they find clarity and a meaningful
Two Treasures – 6:19-21 purpose. We must look to God to put life in
You will seek what you value most. The location this world into proper focus. Jesus offered this
of your treasure determines the desires of your illustration between a call to value eternal treasure
heart. Jesus calls His people to consider what over passing pleasure and a call to serve God, not
they treasure. Wealth, possessions, power, and money. A singular focus on God defines what
prominence appear as glittering prizes in this really matters now and for eternity.
world but cannot deliver the satisfaction and
security they promise. Anything you can touch Two Masters – 6:24
or own in this world can be ruined or lost. Jesus
Just as two treasures vie for your values, two
said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on
masters compete for your loyalty. Who are these
earth, where moth and vermin destroy, and where
competing masters? Jesus states it clearly: “You
thieves break in and steal.”
cannot serve both God and money.” You were
Jesus offers a better focus. In stark contrast to created to serve a master, and Jesus stated that it is
the world’s treasure that offers only temporary impossible to serve two competing masters. Your
superficial satisfaction, heaven’s treasures are heart’s devotion cannot be divided. You will love
permanent and eternal. Treasures stored up in one master and hate the other.
heaven cannot rot, fade, or be stolen. In a way we
Money represents this world’s treasure. People
cannot fully understand, our obedience to God
value the acquisition of possessions and the
while living on earth is a treasure stored in heaven.
affirmation those belongings bring from others.
They are not lost through economic crashes, physical
Money and the things money can buy easily
decline, or unforeseen disaster. Jesus calls believers
become an idol. Without realizing it, we can easily
to treasure what God values and to invest in what
buy into the wrong thinking that “if I had just one
will last forever. A probing question arises from
more thing, life would be perfect.” Wealth and
Jesus’ teaching: “Where is your treasure?”
possessions are not wrong in and of themselves.
Many Christians use their God-given resources
Two Kinds of Vision – 6:22-23 to magnify His name and promote His kingdom.
Jesus spoke of the eye here to represent a person’s The caution is that we do not let our possessions
perception, or the way they “see” everything. own us. The truest and deepest satisfaction is not
This “eye” is like a window through which light found in worldly possessions. Money must not
enters to illuminate the whole house. Light master God’s people. God Himself is our treasure,
coming through a clear window brings clarity. our focus, our master, and our very great reward.8
8: God, our reward: Genesis 15:1; Numbers 18:20; Psalm 73:25-26; Matthew 13:44-45
38
Matthew 6
In Whom do You Trust? – Matthew 6:25-34

Jesus gave instructions about seeking the right is such a common response to life’s pressures, we
reward and treasure. But what about daily often fail to recognize its seriousness. We easily
necessities? The daily provision of practical justify worry and fail to see it as a sin against God.
needs represents a call to faith in God, our
When we worry, we fail to stand on truth.
Provider.
We magnify the challenges and imagine worst-
case scenarios. To focus on our helplessness and
The Premise – 6:25 hopelessness is to ignore the truth of our status
Jesus commands believers not to worry: as God’s children. The Psalms teach us to not
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your suppress these real emotions but to bring them
life, what you will eat or drink; or about your honestly to God. Jesus has already taken care
body, what you will wear. Is not life more than of our biggest problem – God’s wrath against
food, and the body more than clothes?” To worry our sin. He has opened the way of a renewed
about life’s provisions is to fail to believe God relationship with God.
is who He says He is and will do what He says
He will do. The Creator and Sustainer of the The Examples – 6:26-32
universe owns everything, controls everything,
Jesus knows we most often worry about daily
and provides everything. Anxiety over daily needs
provisions such as food, clothing, and shelter.
reveals a lack of belief that God is loving, caring,
He pointed to God’s faithful care for creatures far
and able to do anything to help. Because worry
less important than people created in His image.
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Matthew 6
God feeds the birds, who do not plant gardens who holds Himself responsible for your welfare.
or store away food and never worry about their He knows what you need. When worry fills your
next meal. He clothes the flowers with buds and mind, stop and meditate on truth about God.9
blooms more glorious than the regal splendor of If you need shelter, He knows that. If you need
King Solomon, the richest king ever. God clothes food or clothes, He is aware. The omniscient,
the grass of the field, which springs up only to be omnipotent God can be trusted with your needs.
cast into the fire. If God invests this kind of care in
His creation, won’t He also feed and clothe you? Seek God’s Kingdom – 6:33
How does Jesus’ promise apply to Christians Intentionally focus on His kingdom, not your
who have died lacking food, clothing, or shelter? kingdom. “But seek first his kingdom and his
The argument here is that God’s care for birds righteousness, and all these things will be given to
and flowers presupposes His care for His people. you as well.” Jesus encouraged believers to make
This does not mean that Christians will never God’s rule and reign their life focus. When people
go hungry or lack proper shelter. His care goes on earth recognize and relax under the faithful
beyond physical needs. God may give the comfort care of their King, they know true security and
of His presence in famine or through exposure to rest. Nothing in this life is more important
the elements. He may provide peace while facing than living in surrender to the King who met
death. God’s care for His children is certain your greatest need and can be trusted with
although experienced in a variety of ways. everything else.
Therefore, we must not worry.
Worry will not add a single hour to your life. In Leave Tomorrow in God’s Hands – 6:34
fact, worry contributes to a multitude of health Worry centers on the future – unresolved issues
problems. Worry seizes our minds and puts our beyond our control. This section of Jesus’ sermon
focus on our circumstances, not God. People in ends with a very practical admonition. “Therefore
this world who do not know God live a frenzied do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow
life running after things only He can provide. This will worry about itself. Each day has enough
is not the way God intends His children to live. trouble of its own.” While good planning for the
God loves you more than birds or flowers. There is future is necessary, you cannot do anything today
more to life than a meal or an outfit. To worry over about tomorrow. Believers should not worry
these temporal life issues is to forget that God is about tomorrow’s trouble but find contentment
our Provider and this world is not our home. in God’s daily provision of grace. Many sincere
Christians battle against anxiety and worry.
The Security of Trusting God – Seeking God and His kingdom brings the only
6:32b-34 real security in life. Believers should share their
Jesus offered three faith-filled solutions to the real concerns and find strength and encouragement in
problem of worry. fellowship with one another. Lamentations 3:22-
23: “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not
God Knows Your Needs – 6:32b consumed, for his compassions never fail. They
are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
How can you overcome worry? How does anyone
live life in a world of uncertainty without anxiety The change God brings to a believer’s life runs
or stress? You must remember who God is and deep. God radically transforms His children’s
what He knows. God is your heavenly Father, motives. The new life of Christ starts in the heart.
9: Right thinking: Philippians 4:8
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Matthew 6
Take to Heart
Hold Fast
Jesus exposed the superficiality of external
religious acts that ignore the heart. External
demonstrations promote self-righteousness and
human pride. Those who seek people’s admiration
forfeit God’s blessing. Acts of service, prayer,
and giving in an attempt to win the affirmation
and attention of others do not honor God. The
internal motivation behind our outward acts
matters. God makes His pleasure and reward
the motivation of the redeemed heart. What are
your motives?
Christians living with their feet on earth struggle
to fully embrace the values of heaven. The
contagious pursuit of this world is the constant
allure of “more.” We can wrongly seek security
in bank accounts, possessions, and human
comfort. In the end, these earthly treasures will
crumble. The highest and best motive for life is
to invest in treasure that will stand the test of
eternity. The devotion of your heart will follow
the location of your treasure. The counterfeit
treasures of this world will rot and decay. The real
treasure of eternity will endure. Where is your
treasure?
Your worry and anxiety reveal what you
treasure and trust. The believer can live a life free
from worry because they can communicate their
burdens to God and trust their heavenly Father
with what they need. Your greatest need has
been met by Christ. God created the world and
cares for its creatures. There is no need to worry
because God is your Father. Who do you trust?
Apply It
Superficiality and hypocrisy are easier to
recognize in others than in ourselves. Both
individually and corporately, we like to believe
in a better version of ourselves than we know to
41
Matthew 6
be actually true. We would rather do things that your deepest hunger with food that is not of this
make us feel better about ourselves than do the world. He can be trusted to provide faithfully for
hard work of opening our hearts to God. We His children. His provision cannot be quantified
should allow God’s purifying light to penetrate in cash, cars, or commodities. Spiritual treasures
the dark corners of our motives and values. God last forever. How are you foolishly mesmerized
is not fooled by a dressed-up exterior. He knows by the appeal of money, possessions, and earthly
what really motivates us. He knows when we care security? Are you trusting in what will not go
more about the perception of others than about with you into eternity? Pour yourself into God,
honoring Him. But there is good news. God is His Word, His kingdom, and His people.
not fooled by skin-deep goodness, but neither is
Hard things seem to lurk around the dark
He repelled by our flimsy attempts to look holy.
corners in front of us. As humans, we succumb to
God will lovingly lead His children to the kind
anxiety over what we cannot control. In truth, we
of heart holiness that only He can provide.
cannot guarantee even our next breath. If you are
What situations tempt you to try to appear
burdened with worry, take a walk outside. Look at
spiritually strong? In what area of your life do you
the birds building nests, feeding their young, and
tolerate a “hypocrisy gap” – a place where your
flying effortlessly in the sky. Pick some flowers and
actions do not line up with the truth you know?
take in the vibrant colors and endless varieties that
Are you doing the right things for the wrong
display creativity and beauty that fashion designers
reasons? Does your church demonstrate God’s
cannot replicate. Your value to God exceeds any
character to your community? God wants to
of these things. The God who feeds baby birds
purify our motives and desires, both as individuals
will meet your needs. The Creator, who even
and as a community of believers.
makes weeds bloom with breathtaking color, will
The material world of sights, sounds, and smells give you the clothes you need. Though you often
feels more real than the unseen realities God wrongly define your wants as needs, God can be
declares to be true. In our humanness, we wrongly trusted to supply what you truly need. What do
seek security in what we can eat, wear, and buy. you worry about? What do you think about when
God has a better way. God’s pleasure and His your thoughts wander? You cannot worry and
Kingdom outshine the brightest jewels on this trust God at the same time. Will you trust God for
fleeting earth. Does your heart yearn for the the grace you need for today?
ultimate reality of God Himself ? God will satisfy
42
WEEK FOUR
MATTHEW 7
Focus Verse
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you,
for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”
Matthew 7:12
The Sermon on the Mount – Week Four
Matthew 7
Day 1

Jesus taught about humility in judgment.
3. a. What does Jesus mean by “do not judge” in this passage?
b. What is the difference between the kind of judgment Jesus describes here and wise discernment?
(See Romans 12:2; Philippians 1:9-10; Hebrews 5:14.)
c. How do believers help one another in their struggle with sin in a healthy and loving way? (See
Galatians 6:1-5; Ephesians 4:2.)
4. Why is Jesus’ call for a believer’s self-examination so important in dealing with someone else’s faults?
(See James 2:12-13.)
5. In what way are you prone to judge others harshly? How do Jesus’ teachings help you?

Jesus encouraged disciples to pray to their Father.
6. What are the three descriptions of prayer in verses 7-8, and what does God promise when you pray
this way?
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Matthew 7
7. a. What does Jesus teach us about God the Father with His illustration of an earthly father?
b. How does God work on behalf of His children? (See Romans 8:28, 32.)
8. a. Think about verse 12. What does it look like for you to be as sensitive to others as you would be
to yourself ?
b. How does loving others as you love yourself summarize all the teachings of the Law and the
prophets? See also Matthew 22:34-40.

Jesus warned His listeners against spiritual counterfeits.
9. a. What was Jesus teaching with His illustrations of the narrow and wide gate? (See also John 14:6;
Acts 4:12.)
b. Why is this truth so distasteful to many people?
10. a. What distinguishes true prophets from false prophets? (See also John 15:16 and Galatians 5:22-23.)
b. How does the warning in verses 15-20 add balance to what Jesus taught about judging others in
verses 1-6?
11. What warning or conviction does this passage have for you today?
45
Matthew 7

Jesus contrasted wise and foolish choices.
12. a. What truth or lesson did Jesus teach in verses 21-23?
b. How does this truth impact you?
13. a. How do people build their lives upon the true foundation? (See Isaiah 28:16; 1 Corinthians 3:11.)
b. In what ways do people build their lives upon sand?
14. How does God’s truth help you withstand the storms of life?
15. What really reveals the foundation your life is built upon?
Day 6: Review Matthew 7.

Godly wisdom requires humble self-examination, persistent prayer, and constant discernment.
16. a. What was your greatest discovery and challenge while studying the Sermon on the Mount?
b. How may your group pray for you in light of this challenge?
46
Matthew 7
Matthew 7
Focus Verse
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the
Prophets.” – Matthew 7:12
● Judge Humbly – Matthew 7:1-6

● Pray Passionately – Matthew 7:7-12
● Discern Wisely – Matthew 7:13-29
Engage
Challenges in life expose what is inside us. Pressure reveals what we treasure and trust. How do
you respond when your need for God is displayed to yourself and others? These moments that offer
a diagnostic test of our inner reality are not only painful, they are also helpful. God’s Spirit develops
spiritual fortitude within us by and through the course of daily life. Spiritual muscle develops in those
who regularly depend on God for needed wisdom. What are the hidden spiritual muscles – the
virtues and strengths – that allow a believer to demonstrate Christlike character in their relationships?
This final section of the Sermon on the Mount describes the spiritual strength that transforms the way
we relate to God and the people around us.
Jesus offered a heart-to-heart perspective on how to judge, pray, and interact with others. He taught
how to identify both false teachers and counterfeit disciples and to build a life that can withstand
turbulent times. Because Jesus’ disciples enjoy the lavish goodness of their gracious Heavenly Father,
they can extend grace to others. Just as a flourishing tree produces life-giving fruit, a wise and discerning
heart puts Jesus’ teaching into practice. Godly wisdom requires humble self-examination, persistent
prayer, and godly discernment.
47
Matthew 7
Judge Humbly – Matthew 7:1-6

Jesus began the Sermon on the Mount by motives and actions. Any human standard of
describing the blessedness of life in His kingdom. measurement falls woefully short of God’s
He offered a practical explanation of what it looks righteous judgment. Only when we understand
like to please God both inwardly and outwardly. the gracious mercy of Christ can we evaluate
In chapter 6, Jesus called His people to find others through the prism of God’s extravagant
complete security in the love of God the Father for generosity. There is a difference between judging
His children. Now, in chapter 7, Jesus explains others wrongly and exercising wise discernment.
how His people should live and relate to others.
Jesus explained the problem of a self-appointed
judge who condemns others without first being
Examine Yourself Before Judging self-critical. He continued to contrast empty,
Others – 7:1-5 external religion with a heart that pleases God.
Verses 1-2 teach that judging results in being Israel’s religious leaders meticulously followed and
judged. “Do not judge” means “do not condemn.” added to the demands of the Mosaic law. They
When we wrongfully think we can evaluate sought to exalt themselves and condemn others.1
others in a critical and unforgiving way, that Self-righteous judgment criticizes a “speck” in
same manner of judgment will be applied to our another’s eye while ignoring a large “plank”
1: Pharisees’ self-exaltation: Matthew 5:17-48; 6:1-18
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Matthew 7
in your own eye. Jesus equated judging with Discern Wisely Before Sharing
looking for faults and blemishes in others while Spiritual Truth – 7:6
excusing personal flaws. This attitude overlooks
Remaining centered on truth requires avoiding
both personal sinfulness and God’s great mercy.
error. Jesus commanded us not to condemn
A healthy Christian community lovingly holds others and harbor a critical spirit. But He also
people accountable to obey God’s commands.2 commanded us to make wise spiritual judgments.
Spiritual discernment and sensitivity are part He warned believers not to throw priceless
of spiritual maturity. Discernment involves treasures under the feet of dogs and pigs. Pigs
applying godly wisdom in practical matters. were seen as ritually unclean animals, unworthy of
When we gently help people face their sin with precious things. The animals mentioned here were
appropriate humility regarding our own faults, not cute pets or tame farmyard animals. These
we teach wise discernment and bring loving wild and vicious scavengers would even attack
accountability. Those who critically judge others those who attempted to offer food. Many other
fail to show mercy or understand the difficulties references in Scripture equate false teachers with
or struggles another person may face. The way these same ferocious animals.5
another child of God serves Him may also simply
In Jesus’ example, pigs trample pearls simply
be different and not wrong.3
because they cannot recognize their value.
Could it be that the sin that most irritates you in Someone who does not yet recognize Jesus’
someone else is one with which you also struggle? deity will mock the tenets of Christian faith.
Self-righteousness and criticism always cloud What this person most needs is the basic truth
spiritual vision. Those harboring a critical spirit that Jesus is the only Savior of the world and of
are powerless to help others change. Only God their heart. This truth should be offered, but
can correctly judge the motives and intentions of Jesus instructed His disciples not to continue in
the heart. Jesus calls His children to look at others a place where people consistently rejected their
with God’s love.4 Only when we love others as words. The apostles followed this pattern as well.6
He does can we gently help remove the speck and We should recognize that someone’s openness to
restore another’s vision. God’s truth may be an issue of God’s timing rather
than a call for us to totally disengage or separate.
Many quote Matthew 7:1 and interpret the
Often, a relational bridge must first be built
direction as: “Ignore the speck. Who are you
before addressing the precious things.
to judge?” Jesus is not telling us to overlook
another’s sin or to refuse correction when a fellow This does not mean that believers should
believer points out sin in our own lives. Rather, regard anyone as hopeless or beyond the
this passage encourages believers to consider reach of the gospel. Saul of Tarsus watched and
their own sin before pointing out sin in others. approved as Stephen was stoned to death. No one
Believers must rightly understand their own dreamed that this hate-filled Pharisee would ever
humble dependence on Christ’s righteousness be anything but a persecutor of God’s people.7 If
for their salvation. This is the foundation for God saved Saul and made him the apostle Paul,
relating to others. and if God saved you with all of your sin, there is
hope for the worst sinner.8
2: Loving restoration: Matthew 18:15-20; Galatians 6:1-5

3: Different service: Luke 9:49-50; 1 Corinthians 9:20-22
4: Love one another: John 13:34-35
5: Foes of God: Matthew 15:26; Philippians 3:2; 2 Peter 2:2–3:3
6: Dismiss consistent rejection: Matthew 10:14; Acts 13:46
7: Paul’s former life: Acts 7:59–8:3
8: Hope for all: 1 Timothy 1:15
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Matthew 7
Pray Passionately – Matthew 7:7-12

Persistence in Prayer – 7:7-8 Jesus’ principles of kingdom living impact human
relationships. God is our good and perfect Father
Jesus used three verbs to describe prayer: ask,
who seeks to care for His children in ways that
seek, and knock. Each of these words expresses
far surpass our sinful, earthly fathers. God wants
persistence and sincerity in prayer. We are to
us to approach Him like a dearly loved child
keep on asking, keep on seeking, and keep on
approaching a good, loving parent. In His
knocking with passion and perseverance. God
wisdom, He gives us many things we do not ask
sometimes causes His children to wait for His
for and withholds things we foolishly request. In
answer to grow faith, deepen desire, and await
the end, we have to trust God to give us what we
His perfect timing. These verses also offer three
need. A “no” does not mean God is holding out
descriptions of God’s faithfulness to hear and
on you, but sometimes “no” means “that is not
answer us when we pray. Those that pray in faith
best for you.” He gives us what we really need.
receive answers from God and see Him open
doors before them. Prayer is an amazing privilege
offered to God’s children.
Confidence for Prayer – 7:9-11
Jesus directs us to pray boldly. A good earthly
father delights in spending time with his
children and fulfilling their needs. Jesus reveals
that believers should come confidently to God,
knowing that their Father loves to give good gifts
to those who ask. He has unlimited resources
and infinite wisdom. He will satisfy their deepest
heart longings for closeness, spiritual growth, and
discernment.
His cherished children can have joyful
confidence that their Father always seeks their
best interest.9 In Romans 8:32, Paul asked this
encouraging question: “He who did not spare his
own Son, but gave him up for us all – how will
he not also, along with him, graciously give us
all things?” The Father in heaven delights to give
good things to those who ask Him.
Generosity in Relationships – 7:12

Jesus taught that those who have received grace
should be generous in the way they evaluate and
respond to others. He explored the generosity of
a loving heavenly Father who loves to give good
things when His children ask. So how should
believers, so blessed by God’s generosity, respond
9: Father’s good will: Psalm 84:11; Romans 8:28; James 1:17
50
Matthew 7
to others? Jesus summed up His teaching with and love for people. Without love for God, there
a principle so revolutionary that it has been can be no true love for others. We put true love
named The Golden Rule. This command not for God into action when we are as sensitive to
only connects all the sections of Matthew 7, it others as we would be to ourselves.
also sums up the Sermon on the Mount itself.
God Himself designed humanity’s deep and
Can anyone ever hope to fulfill the depth and
intrinsic desire to love and be loved. Our Father
breadth of His commands? Jesus revealed that
shows His great love and concern for us when
the answer is to see that all of God’s commands
we ask Him to help us love. We cannot love as
flow from this one principle of love.
perfectly as He does. He delights to answer us
Jesus said, “So in everything, do to others what when we ask for the desire and power to do for
you would have them do to you, for this sums others what He has done for us. God pours out
up the Law and the Prophets.” In Jesus’ words, His love in our hearts by the Holy Spirit10 so we
the greatest law is to love God. The entire Old can love others with the same lavish love. Golden
Testament Law and the teaching of the prophets behavior, rooted in a deep love for others, flows
revolved around this principle of love for God out of a heart connected to the Father.
10: Love through the Spirit: Romans 5:5
A Good Father
The Doctrine of God the Father
God is our Father and He is the King of eternity. We often draw our images of God, who is perfect,
from our imperfect earthly fathers, who are made in the image of God and yet marred by sin. But
God, our Heavenly Father, is always good, always wise, and always loving.
God the Father, the first person of the Trinity, is the Creator, Sustainer, and Judge of all things.
Jesus revealed that He and His Father are one ( John 10:30) and intimately referred to God as “my
Father” (Matthew 7:21; 11:27; 26:53). He is the Father of all who believe in His Son, Jesus Christ
(Galatians 4:6; Ephesians 1:3-5). As believers, God gives us His Spirit, adopts us into His family,
and makes us His children. He has a loving relationship that lasts forever with every believer. He
speaks to us personally through His Word, the Bible, and we speak to Him in prayer. The Sermon
on the Mount reveals the wonder believers experience because God is their good Father (Matthew
5:16; 6:6,8; 7:11).
If you fail to recognize the tender love of God the Father, you miss the greatest blessing that
can be known. Dismissing the existence of God or seeing Him as only a distant uncaring monarch
is to live life without realizing the purpose for which you were created. You were created in God’s
image and designed to know and love Him. A life without God only offers passing pleasure and
uncertainty.
God is a loving Father who delights to give good gifts. The wonder of being known as His child
and being invited not only into His throne room but also into intimate fellowship with Him defies
human description. To recognize how He loves, protects, cares for, and trains you as His beloved
child gives stability and purpose to life. He listens when you pray and delights to answer when you
ask, seek, and knock. He extends the nail-scarred hand of His own Son so that you may run into His
open arms. What great love! What a good Father!
51
Matthew 7
Discern Wisely – Matthew 7:13-29

Jesus warned His listeners against spiritual Choose the Right Road – 7:13-14
counterfeits as He began His conclusion of
Jesus described two gates – one is wide and the
the Sermon on the Mount. He defined three
other is narrow. The wide gate leads to a broad
glaringly contrasting choices that determine life’s
road and destruction. The small gate leads to a
direction and eternity’s destiny:
narrow road and life. Only a few find the narrow
● Will you enter the narrow road or the gate. The way of the minority is the right way;
broad road? (7:13-14) the majority choose the wrong road. What is He
saying? Jesus is speaking of the exclusivity of the
● Will you follow a counterfeit or Jesus?
gospel and the fact that most people choose the
(7:15-23)
easier, well-traveled road that leads to destruction.
● Will you build on the wrong foundation Jesus Christ identified Himself as the gate through
or the right foundation? (7:24-27) which people must enter to be saved: “… whoever
52
Matthew 7
enters through me will be saved.”11 He disclosed, the good fruit He produces in their lives. They
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one teach the good news of Christ and reap the lasting
comes to the Father except through me.”12 fruit of changed lives.13 When a person brings
others to God through the gospel, the fruit from
Jesus taught that there is only one way to come
Christ Himself cannot be counterfeited.14 Like a
to God. The amazing truth is not that there is
flourishing tree that shares its bounty with hungry
only one way but that there is a way. God, in His
visitors, a believer’s life gives refreshment and
gracious love, makes this one way available to all
nourishment to those around them.
who enter through the gate that is Jesus. Rejecting
the way of repentance and faith in Jesus Christ
Recognize the Right Disciples – 7:21-23
equals purposefully choosing a path leading to
destruction. Jesus offers a frightening description of people
who will be surprised that they will not be
Discern the Right Teaching – 7:15-23 allowed to enter heaven. On a coming day, many
will claim to have said the right words and even
Recognize the Right Prophets – 7:15-20 prophesied and performed miracles in Jesus’
name. The shocking response, “I never knew
Many present their own opinions as truth and
you. Away from me, you evildoers!” awaits many
attribute their words to God. We often think
who have false confidence of their place in God’s
of prophets as those who foretell the future.
kingdom. Good words and good works do
However, the Bible primarily speaks of prophets as
not stamp your passport to heaven. Correct
those who “tell forth” God’s truth, who interpret
doctrine, memorized Scripture, and theological
Scripture for others to hear and apply. How do
knowledge alone are not the same as saving faith.
you recognize false prophets? They ignore the
Those who enter God’s Kingdom pass from death
seriousness of sin. “They dress the wound of my
into life through true faith in Jesus Christ.15
people as though it were not serious. ‘Peace, peace,’
Intellectual or emotional agreement with the
they say, when there is no peace” ( Jeremiah 6:14).
gospel, a decision to “do better,” or even a formula
False prophets speak their own words instead of
based on Scripture do not constitute new birth.
God’s words. “… The prophets are prophesying lies
True faith requires a deliberate commitment to
in my name. … They are prophesying to you false
trust God’s conditions of salvation.
visions, divinations, idolatries and the delusions of
their own minds” ( Jeremiah 14:14). Jesus warned Commitment to love God and obey His will
that false prophets would look like sheep within involves more than regular church participation
His flock, but He called them out as ferocious or serving as a church official, small group
wolves. God gave us His Word to help us discern leader, or missionary. Jesus sees through outward
what is false and what is true. appearances. He knows those who belong to
Him.16 Jesus graciously reveals that “only the one
Jesus said, “By their fruit you will recognize
who does the will of my Father who is in heaven”
them.” The fruit a tree bears tells us what kind
will enter His kingdom. The will of the Father is
of tree it is. Thornbushes and thistles do not
that men, women, and children believe in Jesus,
produce grapes and figs. A bad tree cannot bear
whom God sent.17
good fruit. God’s people will be recognized by
11: The gate of Jesus: John 10:9
12: Jesus is the way: John 14:6; Acts 4:12
13: Lasting fruit: John 15:16; Romans 6:22; Galatians 5:22-23; 1 Timothy 6:3-4; 2 Timothy 3:13–4:2
14: Fruit in Christ: John 15:4-5
15: Death to life: John 5:24; Ephesians 2:1-10
16: Belonging to the Lord: Matthew 25:11-12; 2 Timothy 2:19
17: Believe the One: John 1:12; 6:29
53
Matthew 7
Build on the Right Foundation – For a while and from the outside, both houses
7:24-27 looked similar. A moral life of good works
looks good on the outside, but one day a storm
Jesus understood carpentry and offered a practical
comes. It may be a hurricane of sudden trouble,
illustration of true faith. He introduced two
inner turmoil, or outside pressure. It may be the
builders, both diligently constructing their
tsunami of death and the eternal judgment that
houses. The wise builder chose a firm foundation.
follows. When the storms of life hit, one house
He represents the person who hears Jesus’ words
stood strong and resilient, and one fell with a
and has a deep desire to act on them by building
great crash.
his house upon the Rock.18 When the inevitable
storms of life came, the house on the rock A life of genuine faith produces fruit. Deep
stood firm. gratitude for God’s grace and goodness spills
over into passionate faith-filled prayer. Intimate
By contrast, the foolish builder constructed his
personal knowledge of God and truth brings
house on sand. The foolish builder represents
wisdom that discerns truth from error. Humility
those who hear Jesus’ words and know God’s
and dependence on God are the trademarks of
conditions for salvation but do nothing about
genuine believers. Godly wisdom requires humble
them. This foolish builder spent great time and
self-examination, persistent prayer, and godly
resources to construct a life that looked good. But
discernment. Every aspect of life is impacted by the
the actual structure was placed on sand, ready to
supernatural life-giving power of Jesus.
fall with a great crash when the winds blew and
the water rose.
18: Christ the Rock: 1 Corinthians 3:11; 10:4
54
Matthew 7
Take to Heart
Hold Fast
Matthew 7 describes how people who have
received God’s grace operate in this world.
Believers can scarcely afford to be judgmental
toward people who sin and fail in the same ways
they fail themselves. Instead, they must recognize
God’s lavish generosity and seek the eternal
welfare of others. They must so love the truth that
falsehood holds no allure. Any choice in life that
leads away from Jesus does not appeal to God’s
child. He is the way, the truth, and the life.19
Life’s biggest travesty would be to build, to craft,
to live, and to love on a foundation of sinking
sand, never recognizing until too late the need for
a foundation of rock. Christ’s words graciously
call to both the wise and the foolish builders. “…
He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to
perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”20
Those whom God saves act on His words. The
foolish builder ignores Jesus’ call to repent. The
wise builder comes to Jesus to receive eternal
life.21 The foolish person ignores the warnings,
procrastinates on a response, or compensates for
a poor foundation with an impressive façade. The
wise person exercises diligence before the storm
clouds gather and builds their house on the Rock.
A believer rooted in Christ thinks and
lives differently than other people. The
transformation Jesus brings is not superficial.
Pleasing God involves more than a showy display
of rituals. God is after our hearts. He is not
content for us to feel self-satisfied. The Sermon
on the Mount raises the demands of the Old
Testament Law to help us see our need to run to
Jesus. And the Holy Spirit creates new life in us
that actually allows us to live in the ways Jesus
described. This is the life God blesses.
19: Way, truth, and life: John 14:6

20: God’s patience: 2 Peter 3:9
21: Repent and receive life: Matthew 4:17; John 10:28
55
Matthew 7
Apply It magnificent exposure to eternal truth. Do you

equate knowledge or “doing the right things” with
When you notice another Christian’s sin, is following Jesus? Will you simply hear this message
your first reaction to restore or to condemn? and move on? Or will you respond in a way that
It is possible to profess the truth of Christ while yields to God’s generous revelation of truth? God
your words and actions reveal critical judgment can be trusted when troubles come. The problems
of others. Do you readily find fault in others, and pressures wise builders face only increase
even judging someone’s unseen motives? How their sense of security in God and His love. Their
we engage is so important. We can be right, but lives are safely “hidden with Christ in God.”22 This
approach people in the wrong way. Choose words is the great hope and security of God’s children.
that strengthen other believers rather than tear
them down. When a person’s interpretation of Throughout the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus
Scripture is not exactly the same as your own, explained that no one can keep the Law. Jesus
how do you respond? How we interpret the Bible Christ is the only person who has ever kept it
is important, but it is possible that we might be fully. Has your inability to satisfy God’s
wrong or need to have our own views adjusted. demands brought you to Christ?23 Stop trying
Rather than condemning, cover them in prayer. to do the impossible and instead acknowledge
How firmly do you keep in mind your own your need of Jesus. God not only provides us
sinfulness and need of God’s mercy as you relate righteousness we cannot earn; He also equips
to others? us with His Spirit so we can live a new life.
Look to Him for discernment and humility that
The more you grasp that God is your good recognizes your own needs. Pray with confidence,
Father, the more you will seek to interpret asking God to equip you to live a life of love built
life from His perspective. Do you ever pray on Jesus Himself.
simply to enjoy fellowship with Him? Or do
you pray only because you need something? Do
your public prayers try to impress or condemn
others? The Disciples’ Prayer (usually referred to
as the Lord’s Prayer) teaches us how to pray as a
group for each other. Prayer offered in faith often
involves passionate persistence rather than a one-
time request. Will you come to your loving Father
expectantly, repeatedly, and often as His child?
We pray not just to get things from God but also
to conform our desires to His. What does how
you pray reveal about how good you believe God
to be? He is a good Father.
The foundation of your life matters. A life built
on knowledge without personal commitment
to Christ will be swept away. As you have
studied this passage, you have been granted a
22: Security in Christ: Colossians 3:3

23: Justified by faith: Matthew 5:3; Galatians 3:24-25; Ephesians 2:8-9
56
Congratulations!
We hope you have found this study soothing to your
soul. Feel free to continue exploring God’s Word with
your current group for as long as they are meeting.
You can also find several personal studies on our free
WordGo app in the App Store and Google Play.
Thank you for spending your precious time with Bible
Study Fellowship. We pray your time in the Bible has
enriched your life and we hope to study alongside you
again soon!
Find more mini-studies at bsfinternational.org/try-bsf.

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What is the four-fold approach to studying the Bible mentioned?

What is the four-fold approach to studying the Bible mentioned?

What are the Beatitudes and what do they teach about God's character?

What are the Beatitudes and what do they teach about God's character?

A 4-WEEK STUDY OF MATTHEW 5–7

Here’s how the Bible study works:

● Read and answer the questions for

For more. information visit bsfinternational.org.

Day 2: Matthew 5:1-4

4. a. What causes you to mourn?

Day 3: Matthew 5:5-8

7. a. What does it mean to hunger and thirst after righteousness?

8. What is the relationship between receiving mercy and extending mercy?

Day 4 –Matthew 5:9-12

12. a. What does it mean to be “persecuted because of righteousness”?

Day 5 – Matthew 5:13-16

b. How do Christians function as salt in the world?

15. a. How is light used, and what does it do?

b. What are some ways Christians can be light?

Day 6 – Matthew 5:1-16

● The Character of God’s Blessed Ones – Matthew 5:1-12

The Character of God’s Blessed Ones – Matthew 5:1-12

Power and Fulfillment

25: Reconciliation: Romans 12:18; 2 Corinthians 5:19-20

The Calling of God’s Blessed Ones – Matthew 5:13-16

29: Life to the full: John 10:10

30: Everything through Christ: Philippians 4:13

Day 2: Read Matthew 5:17-20.

4. How did Jesus fulfill the Law?

b. The ceremonial law of Old Testament sacrifices? (See 1 Peter 1:18-21.)

c. Old Testament prophecies? (See Luke 24:26-27.)

Day 3: Read Matthew 5:21-30.

c. How is God leading you to apply Matthew 5:21-26 to your relationships?

b. How do you live out verses 29-30 in everyday life?

Day 4: Read Matthew 5:31-37.

b. In what ways do you find absolute truthfulness a challenge?

c. What helps you love truth and speak truth?

Day 5: Read Matthew 5:38-48.

13. a. What is your response to Jesus’ words in verse 48?

Day 6: Review Matthew 5:17-48.

● Christ Fulfills God-Given Scripture – Matthew 5:17-20

Christ Fulfills God-Given Scripture – Matthew 5:17

A Call to a True Righteousness – 5:19-20

1: Old Testament points to Jesus: Isaiah 53:2-5; Luke 24:44-45

Doing What Is Right

Christ Explains God-Pleasing Righteousness –

Apply It grow in constant dependence on Christ. How will

10: Deep into the heart: Hebrews 4:12

11: Christ, our prize: Philippians 3:14

Jesus’ Standards Regarding Six Specific Sins

5:21-26 Exodus 20:13 Murder Hatred, anger, contempt

5:27-30 Exodus 20:14 Adultery Lust, impure thoughts

5:31-32 Deuteronomy 24:1 Divorce Hardness of heart

5:33-37 Deuteronomy 6:13 Requiring oaths to verify truth Untruthfulness, exaggeration

Day 2: Read Matthew 6:1-18.

b. What is the main point Jesus taught in His three examples?

Day 3: Read Matthew 6:5-13.

“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

“Give us today our daily bread.”

“And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”