Rev Dr Edgar Mayer – Toowoomba 2011

The Structure of the Sermon on the Mount

I) The Blessed People (Matthew 5:2-12)

A => Mt 5:3: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

B => Mt 5:4: Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

C => Mt 5:5: Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

D => Mt 5:6: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

E => Mt 5:6: Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

D’ => Mt 5:8: Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

C’ => Mt 5:9: Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

B’ => Mt 5:10: Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

A’ => Mt 5:11-12: Blessed are you when people persecute you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven.

II) The Righteousness of God’s Kingdom

A => Mt 5:13-16: You are salt and light or thrown out and trampled upon.

B => Mt 5:17-20: I have come to fulfill the Law and the Prophets and unless your righteousness surpasses the righteousness of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

C => Mt 5:21-48: You have heard that it was said … but I tell you not to be angry with your brother and not to call him names and reconcile with him before offering a gift on the altar, not to look lustfully at another and commit adultery in the heart and rather cut off the offending body part, not to divorce and cause the wife to become an adulteress and commit adultery by marrying a divorced woman, not to swear at all and let your “yes” be a “yes” and your “no” be a “no”, not to resist an evil person but turn the other cheek, and to love your enemies and pray for them. Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

D a => Mt 5:1-4: Be careful not to do your “acts of righteousness” before people, to be seen by them or you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. When you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets but give in secret and your Father in heaven will reward you.

b => Mt 6:5-15: When you pray, do not be seen by people but close the door behind you and the Father in heaven will reward you. Do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Pray in the way of the Lord’s Prayer and forgive so that you will be forgiven. If you do not forgive the sin of others, your Father will not forgive your sins.

a’ => Mt 6:16-18: When you fast, do not show that you are fasting and the Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

D’ b => Mt 6:19-21: Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will also be. The condition of your eye will affect the whole body.

a => Mt 6:24: No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Mammon.

b’ => Mt 6:25-34: Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Your heavenly Father knows what you need. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Do not worry about tomorrow. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

C => Mt 7:1-6: Do not judge or you will be judged. You look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye but pay no attention to the plank in your own eye. However, do not give dogs and pigs what is sacred or they will turn on you.

B’ a => Mt 7:7-11: Knock and the door will be opened for you for your Father in heaven gives good gifts to those who ask him.

b => Mt 7:12: In everything, do to others what you would have them to do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

a => Mt 7:13-14: Enter through the narrow gate and walk the narrow road that leads to life.

A’ => Mt 7:13-27: You are a good tree and a house built on rock or cut down and washed away.