The Sermon on the Mount

Thesis

The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) is Jesus’ most comprehensive teaching. It contains the Beatitudes, instructions on salt and light, guidance on the law, practical ethics, teachings on prayer and giving, warnings about materialism, and the foundation for building a life on his words. This is our ethical compass—the standard by which we measure all actions, policies, and community initiatives.

Why It Matters

The Sermon on the Mount is the foundation of our movement. Jesus said:

“Everyone therefore who hears these words of mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man, who built his house on a rock. The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat on that house; and it didn’t fall, for it was founded on the rock.” - Matthew 7:24-25

These are not suggestions or ideals—they are the words of Jesus that we are called to live out. Every principle in our movement, every action we take, every policy we support must be measured against these teachings.

The Complete Teaching

The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12)

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.
Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.”

See The Beatitudes for detailed exploration of each beatitude.

Salt and Light (Matthew 5:13-16)

“You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt has lost its flavor, with what will it be salted? It is then good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under the feet of men.
You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can’t be hidden. Neither do you light a lamp, and put it under a measuring basket, but on a stand; and it shines to all who are in the house. Even so, let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

Action: Our faith must be visible through our actions. We cannot hide our light—we must let it shine through service, compassion, and justice.

The Law and Fulfillment (Matthew 5:17-20)

“Don’t think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I didn’t come to destroy, but to fulfill. For most certainly, I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not even one smallest letter or one tiny pen stroke shall in any way pass away from the law, until all things are accomplished.”

Jesus calls us to a righteousness that exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees—not through legalism, but through love and action.

Anger and Reconciliation (Matthew 5:21-26)

“You have heard that it was said to the ancient ones, ‘You shall not murder;’ and ‘Whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ But I tell you, that everyone who is angry with his brother without a cause will be in danger of the judgment.”

Action: Before offering gifts or worship, we must first be reconciled with those who have something against us. This is a call to active peacemaking.

Adultery and Lust (Matthew 5:27-30)

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery;’ but I tell you that everyone who gazes at a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart.”

Jesus calls us to purity of heart, not just external behavior.

Divorce (Matthew 5:31-32)

“It was also said, ‘Whoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorce,’ but I tell you that whoever puts away his wife, except for the cause of sexual immorality, makes her an adulteress.”

Action: This teaching calls us to honor commitments and protect the vulnerable, especially in relationships.

Oaths (Matthew 5:33-37)

“Again you have heard that it was said to them of old time, ‘You shall not make false vows, but shall perform to the Lord your vows,’ but I tell you, don’t swear at all… But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’ and your ‘No’ be ‘No.’ Whatever is more than these is of the evil one.”

Action: Our word must be trustworthy. Integrity in speech is essential.

Retaliation and Enemy Love (Matthew 5:38-48)

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you, don’t resist him who is evil; but whoever strikes you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also. If anyone sues you to take away your coat, let him have your cloak also. Whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks you, and don’t turn away him who desires to borrow from you.”

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you, that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven.”

Action: This is perhaps the most radical teaching—love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, give without expecting return. This directly informs our approach to debt forgiveness, economic justice, and political engagement.

Giving, Prayer, and Fasting (Matthew 6:1-18)

“Be careful that you don’t do your charitable giving before men, to be seen by them, or else you have no reward from your Father who is in heaven… But when you do merciful deeds, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand does, so that your merciful deeds may be in secret, then your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.”

The Lord’s Prayer:

“Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. Let your Kingdom come. Let your will be done, as in heaven, so on earth. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors. Bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”

Action: Notice the connection between forgiveness of debts in prayer and our call to forgive debts in practice. This is not metaphorical—it’s a call to economic justice.

Treasures and Anxiety (Matthew 6:19-34)

“Don’t lay up treasures for yourselves on the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven… For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You can’t serve both God and Mammon.”

“Therefore I tell you, don’t be anxious for your life: what you will eat, or what you will drink; nor yet for your body, what you will wear… But seek first God’s Kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well.”

Action: This is our anti-materialism principle. We reject wealth accumulation as a life goal. We seek first the Kingdom and trust God for our needs.

Judging Others (Matthew 7:1-6)

“Don’t judge, so that you won’t be judged. For with whatever judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to you.”

Action: We must first remove the beam from our own eye before helping others. This calls us to humility and self-examination.

Ask, Seek, Knock (Matthew 7:7-12)

“Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you… Therefore whatever you desire for men to do to you, you shall also do to them; for this is the law and the prophets.”

Action: The Golden Rule—treat others as you want to be treated. This is the foundation of all ethical action.

The Narrow Gate (Matthew 7:13-14)

“Enter in by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter in by it. How narrow is the gate, and restricted is the way that leads to life! Few are those who find it.”

Action: Following Jesus’ way is not easy or popular. It requires commitment and sacrifice.

False Prophets (Matthew 7:15-23)

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves. By their fruits you will know them… Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”

Action: We are known by our fruits—our actions, not our words. Faith without works is dead.

Building on the Rock (Matthew 7:24-27)

“Everyone therefore who hears these words of mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man, who built his house on a rock. The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat on that house; and it didn’t fall, for it was founded on the rock. Everyone who hears these words of mine, and doesn’t do them will be like a foolish man, who built his house on the sand. The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat on that house; and it fell—and great was its fall.”

Action: Hearing is not enough. We must do. This is the foundation of our movement—active faith, not just professed belief.

Practical Application

How to Use This Teaching

  1. Read the full text regularly - Matthew 5-7 should be read in its entirety
  2. Measure actions against these words - Every action, policy position, and community initiative should be evaluated against these teachings
  3. Start with one teaching - Don’t try to live out everything at once. Pick one area and focus on it
  4. Connect to action - See the Action section for practical guides on living out these teachings
  5. Build community - Join others who are trying to live this way (see Community)

Key Principles for Our Movement

  1. Beatitudes as Ethical Compass - The Beatitudes guide all our actions
  2. Salt and Light - Our faith must be visible through good works
  3. Enemy Love - We love our enemies and do good to those who hate us
  4. Debt Forgiveness - We forgive debts as we have been forgiven
  5. Anti-Materialism - We reject wealth accumulation and trust God for our needs
  6. Active Faith - We are known by our fruits, not our words
  7. Building on the Rock - We hear and do, not just hear

Connection to Action

Every teaching in the Sermon on the Mount connects to practical action:

See Also

Categories:
Foundation