July 15
Step 25 Part 3: From a Galilean Synagogue to Mount Tabor
The Sermon on the Mount is Jesus’ longest and probably most important recorded teaching sermon.
It represents Jesus’ foundational instruction on what life in God’s kingdom looks like.
I believe that Jesus is saying that if you follow these teachings perfectly, you will become a perfect Christian. * Matt.5:48 says: “Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” BUT, are there any perfect Christians? Why? Will Jesus disown you for your imperfections?
You will find parts of the Sermon on the Mount in these scriptures:
Matt.5:1-7:29; 4:24-25; 10:2-4; 12:15-21
Mark 1:12; 3:7-19; Luke 6:12-49; 12:22-31, 57-69;16:17
(The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) and the Sermon on the Plain (Luke 6:12-49) share overlapping content, including beatitudes, the Golden Rule, and the parable of the two builders. Many scholars believe they record the same teaching from different perspectives, while others think Jesus taught similar themes on multiple occasions, which was common for itinerant teachers.)
- Last time we focused on the Beatitudes. (Matthew 5:3-12).
The Beatitudes are the nine “blessed” statements. The word “blessed” (Greek: makarios) means deeply happy or fortunate. Jesus describes the character qualities that mark citizens of His kingdom: poverty of spirit, mourning, meekness, hunger for righteousness, mercy, purity of heart, peacemaking, and willingness to endure persecution.
- Tonight we start by talking about the dual, duet, or twofer statements. This basically shows the difference between true and false Christians.
- Matt.5:13-14 Salt and light
- You are the salt of the earth; Salt preserves and flavors. If it doesn’t do either of these things, it is useless.
- You are the light of the world; A person who hides his light is not a light. We must shine our light for the Glory of God.
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.” Matthew 28:19-20 NKJV
- Matt.7:13-14 Two Gates
- The Wide Gate: It is popular, easy, and will lead to destruction.
- The Narrow Gate: Difficult, lonely but will lead to life
“Therefore, Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.” II Corinthians 6:17 NKJV
- Matt.7:15-23 Two Trees
- The Good Tree bears much fruit: A picture of a true teacher. Doesn’t just talk about Jesus but also lives for Jesus.
- The bad tree bears no fruit: A picture of a false leader. Their life does not match their words.
“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”
I John 4:1 NKJV
- Matt.7:24-27 The Two Builders. Although this scripture refers to builders, Jesus is referring to all of life. All of our decisions should involve Him.
- The wise builder chooses a firm foundation. (Jesus)
- The foolish builder chooses to build on the sand. (worldly knowledge)
“Through wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; ”Proverbs 24:3
- Rules for the redeemed.
Don’t mistake these rules as things you must do to be redeemed. These are the rules you will follow if you are redeemed.
- These are If/Then rules. IF you are a child of God, THEN you will do these things. Like the law of gravity, these are natural laws or rules.
- Matt.6:19-20 The Money Rule
- God expects his children to have a healthy attitude about money. He expects us to be frugal but not cheap. He expects us to work diligently but to rest when we need to. I don’t think God is pleased with people who do a lot of poormouthing.
“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.” Colossians 3:23-24 NKJV
- Matt.6:25-34 The Worry Rule
- This does not relieve us of our responsibilities. God expects us to work for a living, to plan for the future, and to take care of our families. But He also wants us to focus on Him. Knowing that He will take care of us. We should be like Job, who said, “The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away; blessed be the Name of the Lord.”
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV
- Matt.7:12 The Golden Rule
- This is simple: how do you want people to treat you? Be kind to others before they have an opportunity to be kind to you.
- Your face, words, and actions usually reveal the state of your heart.
“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” Philippians 4:8 NKJV
- Matt.7:1 The Judgement Rule
- In this scripture, the word Judge means to condemn. If you see someone sinning and you speak to them about it, you are not judging them. But if you say they deserve to go to hell, then you are judging them.
- Jesus is the only one with the right to condemn anyone, but He will not.
“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” John 3:17-18 NKJV
- Matt. 7:7-8 The Prayer Rule
- God is the ultimate Good Daddy (Abba). And He wants us to bring all our desires and needs to Him.
“It shall come to pass That before they call, I will answer; And while they are still speaking, I will hear.” Isaiah 65:24 NKJV
“Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.” Mark 11:24 NKJV
Next week, as we continue in the Sermon on the Mount, we will talk about Jesus in relation to the Law and, hopefully, cover the Lord’s Prayer.
““You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Matthew 5:13-16 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/mat.5.13-16.NKJV
Douglas & Deborah Huff
Down Where the Pavement Ends
As to the question of a “Perfect Christian”—. Positional Perfection: “Perfected Forever”
I believe that the spirit is made perfect through the blood of Christ and this is rooted in the biblical concept of justification. In this view, Christ’s sacrifice is so complete that it satisfies the requirements of God’s holiness on your behalf.
Standing before God: Hebrews 10:14 is the cornerstone for this perspective: “For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.” This suggests that in terms of your legal standing before God (your “position”), you are seen as perfect because you are “clothed” in the righteousness of Christ.
The “Spirit Man”: Many theologians agree that at the moment of salvation, the believer’s spirit is regenerated and made new—or “perfect” in the sense of being brought into a clean, reconciled state with God. The blood of Christ removes the barrier of sin, allowing the believer to be called the “righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).
I believe that God makes the “New Creature” at conversion Holy and Perfect in the Spirit (The inner person) (The spirit person)– but that in our flesh we still have to strive to obtain alignment with the Commands of Jesus as given in the Sermon on the Mount….and in this quest, we have the Holy Spirit” to assist and help us—
Now as to jesus’ command to ” Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48) — Some folks consider this as something that Jesus wants believers to strive for ….I have a somewhat different view…My view is that this is not a “Command” by Jesus but is the words He used to “Make It Happen.” In my view, Jesus is not asking us to be perfect, but instead He is making us perfect by those words….and He is not speaking of the flesh man (which is to strive for perfection through obedience), He is talking to the Spirit inside the man, breathing His own perfection into the regenerated soul that becomes the new creature at conversion.
What I am expressing is a distinction between seeing Jesus’ words as a command directed toward my old human nature versus seeing His words as a creative declaration that accomplishes a work within my spirit.
My understanding is this:
Jesus is not merely saying, “I must try harder and become perfect.” Rather, when He says, “Be ye therefore perfect,” He is speaking the word of the One who has the power to create a new reality. His command is also a creative act—He is speaking His perfection into my regenerated spirit, while my earthly life is being brought into agreement with what Christ has already accomplished within me.
In this understanding, Jesus is not speaking to my fleshly man as though my human effort could produce God’s perfection. Instead, He is speaking to the new creature—the spirit within me that has been made alive by God.
Isaiah 55:11 (KJV) declares:
“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”
God’s words are not merely instructions for me to follow; His words carry the power to accomplish His purpose. When Christ speaks, His words are life-giving and creative.
This connects with the truth that, in Christ, I have become a new creation:
2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV)
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
The new creature within me is not simply the old man trying harder to improve himself. It is a work of God—a new spiritual identity created by Christ.
When Jesus spoke these words:
Matthew 5:43–48 (KJV)
“Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”
I see this not merely as a command for my flesh to accomplish, but as Christ revealing and imparting the nature of the Father into my regenerated spirit. The perfection Jesus speaks of is not something I manufacture through human effort; it is something Christ produces within me.
The word “perfect” carries the meaning of being complete, mature, and brought to the intended purpose. Therefore, I understand Jesus as speaking to the new creation within me—the part of me that receives His life and His nature.
Jesus teaches that I receive a life that comes from Him:
John 10:28 (KJV)
“And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.”
And:
John 15:4–5 (KJV)
“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”
A branch does not struggle to become a vine. The branch receives life from the vine, and the fruit appears because of the life flowing through it. In the same way, I understand “Be ye perfect” as Christ breathing His own life and perfection into my regenerated spirit.
This also agrees with:
Colossians 2:10 (KJV)
“And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:”
Paul does not say that I become complete through my own strength. He declares that I am complete in Christ.
Also:
Hebrews 10:14 (KJV)
“For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.”
This does not mean that my outward life no longer needs growth or transformation. Rather, my spirit has been perfected in Christ, and my earthly life is being transformed by His Spirit:
2 Corinthians 3:18 (KJV)
“But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”
Therefore, the distinction I am making is this:
The flesh says: “I must obey perfectly so that I may become acceptable to God.”
The Gospel says: “In Christ, I have already been made acceptable, and the Spirit of God is now working His perfection outward into my life.”
My obedience is not an attempt to earn perfection; it is the fruit of a perfection that Christ has already planted within me.
My understanding of Matthew 5:48 is not that Jesus is saying, “I must climb upward and become like my Father.” Rather, Jesus is declaring, “Receive the life of your Father, and by My Spirit, I shall bring forth in me what I have spoken.”
Galatians 2:20 (KJV)
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”
Thank you for your thoughts on the Perfect Christian. You give interesting and thought-provoking comments. I used the question in our Bible Study group to stir up a conversation. Like you they also had interesting comments.
Thanks so much for following along and adding your thoughts.