Gospel by Matthew (Jesus the Teacher)

The God-Blessed Life

1. Live With God’s Favor (Matthew 5:1-16) 

2. Practice God-Pleasing Righteousness (Matthew 5:17-30) 

3. Prove Your Fidelity to God (Matthew 5:31-48) 

Central Truth:  God blesses those who hear, believe, and obey Him. 

INTRODUCTION

     The Beatitudes begin Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount—one of His five extended discourses in the Gospel of Matthew. The entire discourse, which composes chapters 5-7, presents Jesus’ ethical and spiritual foundations for Kingdom living. Such living will be realized fully on earth during Jesus’ millennial reign, but is to be more and more fully realized by each follower of Jesus during our personal journey toward spiritual maturity.​

     The Beatitudes present conditions within the heart that lead to the favor of God and specific blessings from His hand. Each spiritual attitude or condition named in this passage leads to specific spiritual or temporal fulfillment because it activates a process or quest which is rewarded by God.

1. LIVE WITH GOD’S FAVOR 

A. Develop Kingdom Desires and Attitudes (Matthew 5:1-9) 

B. Rejoice When Persecuted (Matthew 5:10-12) 

C. Live as Salt and Light (Matthew 5:13-16) 

• How does verse 5 contradict secular thinking? 
• What will “peacemakers” be called, and why (v. 9)? 
• Why would any Christian try to hide his or her “light”? 

Sobering Question 

     Alas, how many have been persecuted for the wrong of having been right?—Jean-Baptiste Say 

2. PRACTICE GOD-PLEASING RIGHTEOUSNESS 

A. Beyond Legalism (Matthew 5:17-20) 

B. About Anger and Relationship (Matthew 5:21-26) 

C. Adultery and Purity of Thought (Matthew 5:27-30) 

• Describe genuine righteousness. 
• When and in what sense must we “agree” with an “adversary” (v. 25)? 

Sin Redefined 

     There are no longer sinners, only “addictive personalities.” Take lust. Those who would have previously been called lustful are now described as “addicted to sex and in need of therapy.”—Frank Furedi 

3. PROVE YOUR FIDELITY TO GOD 

A. Faithfulness and Honesty (Matthew 5:31-37) 

B. Extraordinary Requirements (Matthew 5:38-48) 

• Why do you suppose people were taking the marriage covenant lightly? 
• Why does Jesus allow for divorce in the case of adultery? 
• Answer the questions in verses 46 and 47. 

Surprised by Truth 

     It’s amazing how many people are shocked by honesty and how few by deceit.—Unknown 

KEEP GROWING AND MATURING 

     The final verse in today’s lesson begins, “Be ye therefore perfect” (v. 48). The word translated perfect here means “having attained the end or desired aim.” It is used to refer to the maturity of a person from infancy to adulthood. 

     Thus, we are to be continually growing and maturing. Perfection speaks to spiritual completeness. We are to be undivided or whole individuals, made complete through the provision of our heavenly Father. All God is that can be given to us, He imparts to those who seek Him. It starts by incorporating the teachings of Jesus into our daily lives. 

Adopted from the Evangelical Sunday School Lesson Commentary 2023-2024.