Jesus' Sermon on How to be Happy
Matthew 5
The Sermon on the Mount
1 One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around him,
2 and he began to teach them.
The Beatitudes
3 “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him,[a]
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
4 God blesses those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 God blesses those who are humble,
for they will inherit the whole earth.
6 God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice,[b]
for they will be satisfied.
7 God blesses those who are merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 God blesses those whose hearts are pure,
for they will see God.
9 God blesses those who work for peace,
for they will be called the children of God.
10 God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
11 “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you[c] and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. 12 Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.
Teaching about Salt and Light
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.
14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
Teaching about the Law
17 “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. 18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved. 19 So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.
20 “But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!
Teaching about Anger
21 “You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’[d] 22 But I say, if you are even angry with someone,[e] you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot,[f] you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone,[g] you are in danger of the fires of hell.[h]
23 “So if you are presenting a sacrifice[i] at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, 24 leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.
25 “When you are on the way to court with your adversary, settle your differences quickly. Otherwise, your accuser may hand you over to the judge, who will hand you over to an officer, and you will be thrown into prison. 26 And if that happens, you surely won’t be free again until you have paid the last penny.
What is said of the heavy hearted, and the effect of cheering words upon such?
"Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop; but a good word maketh it glad." Prov. 12:25.
What is the influence of cheerfulness upon the sad and despondent?
"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine; but a broken spirit drieth the bones." Prov. 17:22.
What did Job exclaim in a time of sore trouble, when well meaning friends came to him with words of reproach?
"I have heard many such things: miserable comforters are ye all." Job 16:2.
What did he say would have been the case had their circumstances been reversed?
"I also could speak as ye do: if your soul were in my soul's stead, I could heap up words against you, and shake mine head at you: but I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should assuage your grief." Job 16:4, 5.
Are not those who have suffered and been comforted of God, best able to comfort others?
"Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort, who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them, which are in any trouble by the comfort where- with we ourselves are comforted of God." 2 Cor. 1:3, 4.
What beautiful promise is written for the upright in heart?
"Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart." Ps. 97:11.
What should be the language of the heart that has experienced help from God?
"Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou has put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness." Ps. 30:11.
What should be the spirit of our service toward God?
"Serve the Lord with gladness: come before His presence with singing." Ps. 100:2.
Mention a special cause for good cheer.
"Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee." Matt. 9:2. "Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered." Rom. 4:7
For what does Isaiah say he will greatly rejoice?
"I will greatly rejoice in the Lord. My soul shall be joyful in my God; for He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation; He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels." Isa. 61:10.
Should the Christian be joyful in God under adverse and trying circumstances?
"Blessed are ye when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy; for behold, your reward is great in heaven." Luke 6:22, 23.
What does the Saviour say to us?
"These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." John 16:33.
What special cause for encouragement is given us by virtue of Christ's victory over the world?
"To him that overcometh, will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne." Rev. 3:21.
How constant should the Christian's rejoicing be?
"Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, Rejoice." Phil. 4:4.
The Sermon on the Mount
1 One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around him,
2 and he began to teach them.
The Beatitudes
3 “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him,[a]
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
4 God blesses those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 God blesses those who are humble,
for they will inherit the whole earth.
6 God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice,[b]
for they will be satisfied.
7 God blesses those who are merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 God blesses those whose hearts are pure,
for they will see God.
9 God blesses those who work for peace,
for they will be called the children of God.
10 God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
11 “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you[c] and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. 12 Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.
Teaching about Salt and Light
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.
14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
Teaching about the Law
17 “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. 18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved. 19 So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.
20 “But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!
Teaching about Anger
21 “You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’[d] 22 But I say, if you are even angry with someone,[e] you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot,[f] you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone,[g] you are in danger of the fires of hell.[h]
23 “So if you are presenting a sacrifice[i] at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, 24 leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.
25 “When you are on the way to court with your adversary, settle your differences quickly. Otherwise, your accuser may hand you over to the judge, who will hand you over to an officer, and you will be thrown into prison. 26 And if that happens, you surely won’t be free again until you have paid the last penny.
What is said of the heavy hearted, and the effect of cheering words upon such?
"Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop; but a good word maketh it glad." Prov. 12:25.
What is the influence of cheerfulness upon the sad and despondent?
"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine; but a broken spirit drieth the bones." Prov. 17:22.
What did Job exclaim in a time of sore trouble, when well meaning friends came to him with words of reproach?
"I have heard many such things: miserable comforters are ye all." Job 16:2.
What did he say would have been the case had their circumstances been reversed?
"I also could speak as ye do: if your soul were in my soul's stead, I could heap up words against you, and shake mine head at you: but I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should assuage your grief." Job 16:4, 5.
Are not those who have suffered and been comforted of God, best able to comfort others?
"Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort, who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them, which are in any trouble by the comfort where- with we ourselves are comforted of God." 2 Cor. 1:3, 4.
What beautiful promise is written for the upright in heart?
"Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart." Ps. 97:11.
What should be the language of the heart that has experienced help from God?
"Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou has put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness." Ps. 30:11.
What should be the spirit of our service toward God?
"Serve the Lord with gladness: come before His presence with singing." Ps. 100:2.
Mention a special cause for good cheer.
"Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee." Matt. 9:2. "Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered." Rom. 4:7
For what does Isaiah say he will greatly rejoice?
"I will greatly rejoice in the Lord. My soul shall be joyful in my God; for He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation; He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels." Isa. 61:10.
Should the Christian be joyful in God under adverse and trying circumstances?
"Blessed are ye when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy; for behold, your reward is great in heaven." Luke 6:22, 23.
What does the Saviour say to us?
"These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." John 16:33.
What special cause for encouragement is given us by virtue of Christ's victory over the world?
"To him that overcometh, will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne." Rev. 3:21.
How constant should the Christian's rejoicing be?
"Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, Rejoice." Phil. 4:4.
posted by Michael A. Redwine at Friday, January 05, 2007
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