THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT
James R Gray
[from forthcoming book]
The sermon is aimed at those who will
enter the earthly kingdom of the Messiah. This is evident by two truths: First,
those in the already in earthly kingdom cannot have the promise made that they
will inherit the earth. They have inherited the earth once the kingdom begins.
Second, the character of the age is the same as this present evil age. Evil is
dominant (5:6); corruption is widespread (5:13); moral darkness, for they need
the light (5:14); ambition, jealousy and pride rule; and the Devil is free
(6:13). As McClain notes, “The age of which
the Lord spoke, and the age of His Millennial Reign, could not be set in
sharper contrast.”[1]
Thus, the primary audience is those who will enter the earthly kingdom,
especially those who will go into and through the Tribulation period. This fits
the theological pattern of Matthew, which deals with the King and the kingdom.
The kingdom is at hand (Matthew 4:23), but not yet arrived.
However, there is real application of us
today. Four principles make this clear:
- The teaching of discipleship cannot be restricted to the Tribulation or the kingdom. A disciple is a believer and learner of Christ. That includes every believer since the giving of the sermon.
- The sermon has to do with the character of believers. He is speaking of the character they are to have. Paul likens it to be imitators of God (Eph. 5:1). The characters of believers are inter-dispensational in principle.
- The teaching of Paul sustains the applying Jesus’ teaching on discipleship to this dispensation. Paul does not teach a different or reduced code of behavior. In fact, we find in Paul’s epistles corresponding teaching to the sermon. For example, Paul says we are to shine as lights, just as Jesus told his disciples they were lights (Matthew 5:15 cf. Ephesians 5:8). Believers in all dispensations were to be the lights to the world.
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