The King's Sermon

Take from a sermon by Pastor Bart
In the NT book of Matthew, the beginning chapters calls attention to our sin. The ending chapters call attention to the death of God's Messiah. We must remember the context of the sermon in the history of redemption. Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah-Redeemer.
Deut.18:18 I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. And I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him.
Jesus and Moses 
Moses had authority from God to lead the Israelites. 
Jesus has more authority than Moses.
Moses, by God's power, delivered the Israelites from Pharaoh's bondage.
Jesus by His power, has brought us out of the bondage of sin.
His is the long-awaited kingdom.
What Christ demands:
Our righteousness exceeding the scribes and Pharisees.
Matt.5:17-20
Not more righteous deeds by human effort but more righteous hearts by divine grace!
Evidence of our exceeding righteousness:
Attitude: Matt.5:21-48
Anger- 21 "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.' 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, 'You fool!' will be liable to the hell of fire.Lust- 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.Oaths- 34 But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.Retaliation- 39 But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.Love your enemies- 44 But I say to you, pray for those who persecute youGod alone creates a new heart!
Desires: Matt.6:1-18
Giving- 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Praying- 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Fasting- 18 that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Ambitions: Matt.6:19-34
Treasures- 19 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Anxious- 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
34 "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Relationships: Matt.7:1-12
Judging- 1 "Judge not, that you be not judged.
5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.
Trust- 7 "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
Love- 12 "So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
Turn from trust in self to trust and rest in Christ.
Our options are limited.
Matt.7:13-14
13 "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.
14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. Our fruit will be evident. It will be good or bad.
Matt.7:15-23
20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.
21 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Eternal consequences
Matt.7:24-27
24 "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.
Lord, not by us but by Your power. Amen