Overview

In summary, what was Jesus saying to those people in this first part of His sermon? First, He was telling them to be poor in spirit, which meant that they should have a heart and a mind that would be open to His instructions. Second, He had made some specific promises to those who are poor in spirit, mourning over their spiritual condition, meek, hungering and thirsting after righteousness, merciful, pure in heart, and makers of peace. He had spoken to those who would be persecuted for His name's sake. He spoke to those who have a responsibility to be salt and light. Third, He shared His high view of the scriptures and showed that His life and ministry would not contradict anything that the Jewish people had been taught in the Old Testament. Fourth, He showed His deity by presenting a higher lifestyle for His followers on anger, adultery, divorce, making oaths, self-sacrifice, and dealing with one's enemies. From the beginning to the end, His message was consistent. He taught that an individual should not merely live for himself or herself, but that he or she should live for God first and then for others. His whole sermon could have been summed up by what He later said in Matthew 22:37-39 about loving the Lord first and others second. In Matthew 5:48, which is shown below, the Greek word that was used for ""perfect was teleios. That word means wanting nothing necessary for completeness. So Christians are not supposed to be wanting for anything in their spiritual lifestyle and manner. They should be mature in their faith and always willing to do their best to live by the principles that Jesus had presented in this part of His message. There is one note, however, to be made with respect to the organization of this text. Something that the reader might find useful is boxes throughout that show the different passages that are being referenced at the times and in the places where they are being referenced. That way, he or she will not have to jump all over the place or get into or out of the scriptures to locate a particular reference. Hopefully that inclusion will help the reader in trying to understand the various events and to also put them into their right context. So it is hoped that that will make this book easier to read and that the Lord will receive the praise, honor, and glory that He rightfully deserves.

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