Teachings From the Sermon on the Mount by Frederick Hoehn, copyright 2015, all rights reserved. Chapter 1 Jesus' earthly ministry began when he was about thirty years of age. Thirty years, that is, in his earthly body of flesh and blood. But Jesus had been around for much longer than that. Jesus was older than Mary. It's very unusual for the child to be older than the mother. In fact, it only happened just that one time. Jesus had been present at the creation, when God said, "Let US make man in our image..." (book of Genesis) When Jesus' earthly ministry began, He taught the people, He healed the sick, and He cast demons out of people. A demon is a fallen angel that rebelled against God back when Satan rebelled against God. We don't see demons with our natural eyes because they don't have flesh and blood bodies like we do, which is why we also don't normally see angels. Both demons and angels are spirit beings, and live in a different dimension called "the spirit world." A different dimension that overlaps our natural world. After about three years of His ministry, even though he was in good health, Jesus died. He was murdered. But it was all nice and legal. The Pharisees and the Sadducees and the Jewish High Priest didn't like Jesus. They felt threatened by him. Jesus hadn't joined their club. He didn't flatter them. He called the Pharisees Hypocrites. Jesus went around healing people and casting out demons. But they didn't do that. Jesus had the real thing. But they didn't. It makes you look bad if you don't have the real thing, and someone else does. Who are the people going to follow, the man with the real thing, or those guys who didn't? One time, people were sent out to arrest Jesus, and they came back empty. They were asked, "Why haven't you brought him?" They answered, "No man ever spoke like this man." Absolutely right. Jesus spoke like a Teacher from God, because Jesus was the Son of God, and spoke the words that God, who sent us Jesus, gave Him to speak. So, they paid Judas Iscariot to betray Jesus, and they arrested Jesus. Jesus was questioned by the Jewish High Priest. Jesus was sent to the Roman Governor, Pontius Pilate. Pilate should have rendered justice, but he didn't. For political reasons, Pilate cooperated with the Jewish leaders and sentenced Jesus to die on the cross. Jesus could have called legions of angels to help him. The Roman Army would have been no match for the angels. One time in the Old Testament, just one angel killed one hundred eighty five thousand of the enemy army. But Jesus didn't call for legions of angels because He knew it was the will of God the Father for Him to die on the cross for the sins of the world. Like the sacrificial lambs in the Old Testament, Jesus is "The Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world." (If you get born again.) Three days after Jesus' crucifixion and death on the cross, God the Father raised Jesus from the dead. He was seen by his eleven disciples and by more than five hundred Christians. Jesus now sits at the right hand of God in heaven. The Sermon on the Mount can be found in the Bible in Matthew chapters Five, Six, and Seven. We will now present here, the Sermon on the Mount from the Holy Bible, Hoehn Version. Afterward, there will be discussion in Chapter 2 of our book here. ___Matthew chapter 5 1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain, and when he was set, his disciples came to him, 2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, 3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, because they'll be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, because they'll obtain mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, because they'll see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, because they'll be called the children of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for being righteous, because the kingdom of heaven is theirs. 11 Blessed are you, when men revile you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be very glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for that's what they did to the prophets who went before you. 13 You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt has lost its flavor, how shall it be salted? It is then good for nothing, except to be thrown out, and to be walked on by men's feet. 14 You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill can't be hidden. 15 Nor do men light a candle, and put it under a basket, but on a candlestick, and it gives light to all that are in the house. 16 Let your light shine before men in such a way that they'll see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. 17 Don't think that I've come to destroy the law, or the prophets, I haven't come to destroy, but to fulfill. 18 For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth go away, one period or one comma shall in no way pass from the law, until all is fulfilled. 19 Whoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever shall do and teach them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I say to you, unless you are more righteous than the scribes and Pharisees, you'll in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. 21 You have heard that it was said by those of old time, You shall not kill, and whoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment, 22 But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother without a good reason shall be in danger of the judgment, and whoever shall say to his brother, You vain fellow, shall be in danger of the council, but whoever shall say, You fool, shall be in danger of hell's fire. 23 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has anything against you, 24 Leave your gift there before the altar and go away, first make peace with your brother, and then go back and offer your gift. 25 Agree with your adversary quickly, while you're on the road with him, so the adversary won't turn you over to the judge, and the judge won't turn you over to the officer, and you aren't thrown into prison. 26 Truly I say to you, you'll no way come out from there, until you've paid the very last penny. 27 You've heard that it was said by those of old time, You shall not commit adultery, 28 But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has committed adultery with her already in his heart. 29 And if your right eye offends you, pluck it out, and throw it from you, for it is profitable for you that one of your members is destroyed, and not that your whole body should be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand offends you, cut it off, and throw it from you, for it is profitable for you that one of your members is destroyed, and not that your whole body should be thrown into hell. 31 It has been said, Whoever shall put away his wife, let him give her divorce papers, 32 But I say to you that whoever shall put away his wife, except because of fornication, causes her to commit adultery, and whoever shall marry her that's divorced commits adultery. 33 Again, you've heard that it has been said by those of old time, You shall not falsely promise, but shall perform to the Lord your oaths, 34 But I say to you, don't swear at all, neither by heaven, for it is God's throne, 35 Nor by the earth, for it is his footstool, nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 Nor shall you swear by your head, because you can't make one hair white or black. 37 But let your communication be, Yes, yes, no, no, for whatever is more than these comes from evil. 38 You have heard that it has been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth, 39 But I say to you, don't resist evil, but whoever shall strike you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if any man will sue you at the law, and take away your coat, let him have your overcoat also. 41 And whoever shall compel you to go a mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to him that asks you, and from him that would borrow from you don't turn away. 43 You have heard that it has been said, You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy. 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who despitefully use you, and persecute you, 45 So that you'll be the children of your Father who is in heaven, for he makes his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Don't even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your brothers only, what are you doing more than others? Don't even the tax collectors do so? 48 Therefore be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect." ___Matthew chapter 6 1 "Be careful that you don't give charitable gifts before men to be seen by them, otherwise you have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. 2 Therefore when you give charitable gifts, don't sound a trumpet before you, like the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so they'll have honor from men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward. 3 But when you give, don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 So that your giving will be in secret, and your Father who sees in secret shall himself reward you openly. 5 And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites are, because they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, so they'll be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward. 6 But you, when you pray, enter into your closet, and when you've shut your door, pray to your Father in secret, and your Father who sees in secret shall reward you openly. 7 But when you pray, don't use useless repetitions, like the heathen do, because they think they'll be heard for their many words. 8 Therefore, don't be like them, because your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 Therefore, pray like this, Our Father who is in heaven, your name be honored. 10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth, like it is in heaven. 11 Give us our daily bread today. 12 And forgive our debts, like we forgive our debtors. 13 And don't lead us into temptation, but give us deliverance from evil, for yours are the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. 14 For if you forgive men their wrong doing, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 But if you don't forgive men their wrong doing, neither will your Father forgive your wrong doing. 16 Also, when you fast, don't have a sad face like the hypocrites, for they distort their faces, so they'll appear to men to be fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward. 17 But you, when you fast, put ointment on your head and wash your face, 18 So that you don't seem to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in secret, and your Father, who sees in secret, shall reward your openly. 19 Don't store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and rust corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal, 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moths nor rust can corrupt, and where thieves don't break through nor steal, 21 Because where your treasure is, your heart will be there also. 22 The light of the body is the eye, if therefore your eye is single, your whole body shall be full of light. 23 But if your eye is evil, your whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness! 24 No man can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one, and love the other, or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. You can't serve God and money. 25 Therefore I say to you, don't be worrying about your life, what you'll eat, or what you'll drink, nor for your body, what you'll put on. Isn't the life more important than food, and the body than clothes? 26 Look at birds of the air, for they don't plant, nor do they harvest, nor gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren't you much better than they are? 27 Which of you, by thinking, can add eighteen inches to his height? 28 And why do you take thought for clothes? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow, they don't toil, nor do they spin, 29 And yet I say to you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. 30 So, if God clothes the grass of the field, that exists today, and is thrown into the furnace tomorrow, won't he much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore don't think, What will we eat? Or, What will we drink? Or, with what shall we be clothed? 32 (Because the Gentiles seek for all those things,) for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore, don't worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient to the day is its own evil." ___Matthew chapter 7 1 "Don't judge, so you won't be judged. 2 For with what judgment you judge, you shall be judged, and with what measure you measure out, it shall be measured back to you again. 3 And why do you look at the speck that's in your brother's eye, but don't consider the plank that's in your own eye? 4 Or how will you say to your brother, Let me pull out the speck out of your eye, and see, a plank is in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first cast out the plank out of your own eye, and then you'll see clearly to cast out the speck from your brother's eye. 6 Don't give that which is holy to the dogs, and don't throw your pearls before pigs, so they don't trample them under their feet, and turn again and tear you. 7 Ask, and it shall be given to you, seek, and you'll find. Knock, and it shall be opened to you, 8 For everyone that asks receives, and he that seeks finds, and to him that knocks it shall be opened. 9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son asks for bread, will he give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a snake? 11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him? 12 Therefore whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the law and the prophets. 13 Enter in at the restricted gate, because wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and there are many that go in there, 14 Because the gate is restricted, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it. 15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are greedy wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree produces good fruit, but a corrupt tree produces evil fruit. 18 A good tree can't produce bad fruit, nor can a corrupt tree produce good fruit. 19 Every tree that doesn't produce good fruit is cut down, and thrown into the fire. 20 So, by their fruits you'll know them. 21 Not everyone that says to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, Lord, Lord, haven't we prophesied in your name? And in your name have cast out devils? And in your name done many wonderful works? 23 And then I will tell them, I never knew you, go away from me, you sinners. 24 Therefore whoever hears these sayings of mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man, who built his house on a rock, 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat on that house, and it didn't fall, because it was founded on a rock. 26 And everyone that hears these sayings of mine, and doesn't do them, is like a foolish man, who built his house on the sand, 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat on that house, and it fell, and it was a big disaster." 28 And when Jesus had finished these sayings, the people were amazed at his doctrine, 29 Because he taught them like someone who had authority, and not like the scribes. Chapter 2 The Sermon on the Mount starts with the "Blesseds," or, some say "Beatitudes." There are nine of them. Christians should aspire to qualify under each of these. Matt 5:16 is an important teaching for Christians-- 16 Let your light shine before men in such a way that they'll see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Notice 5:18-- 18 For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth go away, one period or one comma shall in no way pass from the law, until all is fulfilled. Everything that God has said will happen shall happen. Right down to every period and comma. In verse 20, our righteousness must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees. 20 For I say to you, unless you are more righteous than the scribes and Pharisees, you'll in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. But for Christians, the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all unrighteousness. 27 You've heard that it was said by those of old time, You shall not commit adultery, 28 But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has committed adultery with her already in his heart. God is still against adultery, but in addition, we're told that looking at a woman to lust for her is adultery in the heart. This, of course, is what pornography is all about. But there is verbal kind of porn such as dirty books. God is against that, too. (1Jhn 2:15-17) 31 It has been said, Whoever shall put away his wife, let him give her divorce papers, 32 But I say to you that whoever shall put away his wife, except because of fornication, causes her to commit adultery, and whoever shall marry her that's divorced commits adultery. Jesus says that the only grounds for divorce is fornication. I happened to catch part of a movie on TV where the one guy says, "I swear on my Mother's grave." Jesus had something to say about swearing and oaths-- 34 But I say to you, don't swear at all, neither by heaven, for it is God's throne, 35 Nor by the earth, for it is his footstool, nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 Nor shall you swear by your head, because you can't make one hair white or black. 37 But let your communication be, Yes, yes, no, no, for whatever is more than these comes from evil. 43 You have heard that it has been said, You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy. 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who despitefully use you, and persecute you, 45 So that you'll be the children of your Father who is in heaven, for he makes his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. Then there's the subject of giving-- ___Matthew chapter 6 1 "Be careful that you don't give charitable gifts before men to be seen by them, otherwise you have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. 2 Therefore when you give charitable gifts, don't sound a trumpet before you, like the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so they'll have honor from men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward. 3 But when you give, don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 So that your giving will be in secret, and your Father who sees in secret shall himself reward you openly. If you give for the purpose of being seen by men, you have no reward from God. I'd rather have the reward from God, wouldn't you? And then we have what is called, "The Lord's Prayer." 9 Therefore, pray like this, "Our Father who is in heaven, your name be honored. 10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth, like it is in heaven. 11 Give us our daily bread today. 12 And forgive our debts, like we forgive our debtors. 13 And don't lead us into temptation, but give us deliverance from evil, for yours are the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen." 14 For if you forgive men their wrong doing, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 But if you don't forgive men their wrong doing, neither will your Father forgive your wrong doing. Jesus talks about where your treasure is-- 19 Don't store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and rust corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal, 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moths nor rust can corrupt, and where thieves don't break through nor steal, 21 Because where your treasure is, your heart will be there also. 22 The light of the body is the eye, if therefore your eye is single, your whole body shall be full of light. 23 But if your eye is evil, your whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness! Jesus said, you can't serve two masters-- 24 No man can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one, and love the other, or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. You can't serve God and money. 25 Therefore I say to you, don't be worrying about your life, what you'll eat, or what you'll drink, nor for your body, what you'll put on. Isn't the life more important than food, and the body than clothes? 26 Look at birds of the air, for they don't plant, nor do they harvest, nor gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren't you much better than they are? 27 Which of you, by thinking, can add eighteen inches to his height? 28 And why do you take thought for clothes? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow, they don't toil, nor do they spin, 29 And yet I say to you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. 30 So, if God clothes the grass of the field, that exists today, and is thrown into the furnace tomorrow, won't he much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore don't think, What will we eat? Or, What will we drink? Or, with what shall we be clothed? 32 (Because the Gentiles seek for all those things,) for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. Now, here's an important principle for us. Jesus says, "Seek first..." In other words, make this your number one priority. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Jesus said not to judge others, so that we won't be judged-- ___Matthew chapter 7 1 "Don't judge, so you won't be judged. 2 For with what judgment you judge, you shall be judged, and with what measure you measure out, it shall be measured back to you again. 3 And why do you look at the speck that's in your brother's eye, but don't consider the plank that's in your own eye? 4 Or how will you say to your brother, Let me pull out the speck out of your eye, and see, a plank is in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first cast out the plank out of your own eye, and then you'll see clearly to cast out the speck from your brother's eye. Now here is how to get what you need-- 7 Ask, and it shall be given to you, seek, and you'll find. Knock, and it shall be opened to you, 8 For everyone that asks receives, and he that seeks finds, and to him that knocks it shall be opened. 9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son asks for bread, will he give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a snake? 11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him? Now here is the Golden Rule: 12 Therefore whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the law and the prophets. Here Jesus will tell us that most people will go to hell: 13 Enter in at the restricted gate, because wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and there are many that go in there, 14 Because the gate is restricted, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it. Men can be recognized by their fruits-- 15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are greedy wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree produces good fruit, but a corrupt tree produces evil fruit. 18 A good tree can't produce bad fruit, nor can a corrupt tree produce good fruit. 19 Every tree that doesn't produce good fruit is cut down, and thrown into the fire. 20 So, by their fruits you'll know them. There are people that say, "Lord, Lord," that won't go to heaven: 21 Not everyone that says to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, Lord, Lord, haven't we prophesied in your name? And in your name have cast out devils? And in your name done many wonderful works? 23 And then I will tell them, I never knew you, go away from me, you sinners. (Our works must agree with proper talk.) Now here is the principle of proper foundation-- 24 Therefore whoever hears these sayings of mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man, who built his house on a rock, 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat on that house, and it didn't fall, because it was founded on a rock. 26 And everyone that hears these sayings of mine, and doesn't do them, is like a foolish man, who built his house on the sand, 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat on that house, and it fell, and it was a big disaster." Notice that the storms come to both categories. With the proper foundation you'll come through. But the wrong foundation crashes.