The most famous sermon in history is the Sermon on the Mount. It is all of Matthew 5, 6 and 7. The words are so vital that Jesus said whoever obeys them is like the man who built his house on the rock. Whoever does not obey them is like the man who built his house on the sand. When the storm comes, only the house on the rock stands.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gives us ten new commandments. The original Ten Commandments are essential; they tell us how to behave. The new commandments, however, focus on our thoughts and attitudes as well as our actions.
1. DO NOT BE ANGRY
Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said … do not murder … But I tell “You have heard that it was said … do not murder … But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment.” Mt. 5:21-22 Jesus tell us that if we have friction with our brother we should leave our worship and our offering in front of the altar and go get things right
He even takes this commandment to a new level.
Jesus tells us to not just love our neighbor, but also our enemy,
making us true sons of our heavenly Father (see Mt. 5:21-26, 43-48).
2. DO NOT LUST IN YOUR HEART
Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery,’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery … in his heart.” Mt. 5:27-28 He said it would be better to lose an eye or our right hand than to live a life of sexual sin and go to hell (see Mt. 5:27-32).
3. NEVER TELL A LIE
Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said … ‘Do not break your oath’ … But I tell you, do not swear at all … imply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” Mt. 5:33-37 Jesus taught us to never lie. If every word you speak is the truth, you never need to make an oath. Satan is the father of lies. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.
Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said … ‘Do not break your oath’ … But I tell you, do not swear at all … imply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” Mt. 5:33-37 Jesus taught us to never lie. If every word you speak is the truth, you never need to make an oath. Satan is the father of lies. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.
4. DO NOT DEFEND YOURSELF
Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person.” Mt. 5:38-39 Jesus did not say we shouldn’t defend others, just not ourselves. He told us to turn the other cheek, bless someone who sues us, walk an extra mile with someone who pressures us to accompany them, and give or lend to those who ask (see Mt. 5:38-42). We are to out-give, out-serve everyone, and not defend ourselves.
5. DO NOT SHOW YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS
Jesus said, “Be careful not to do your acts of righteousness before men, to be seen by them.” Mt. 6:1 Jesus tells of 4 things we should do in secret and not to do to be seen by men; 1) our acts of righteousness, 2) our prayers, 3) fasting, and 4) giving to the poor (see Mt. 6:1-18). If we do these to be seen of men, their applause is our reward. God says He will not reward us further. If we do these things unto God, however, then He will reward us.
6. DO NOT HOARD FOR YOURSELF
Jesus said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth.” Mt. 6:19 Jesus is not against wealth. The Bible tells us that wealth is a blessing from the Lord. We are told, however, to use our wealth to bless Him and others and not to hoard riches for ourselves. He tells a story of a man who built bigger and bigger barns for personal gain, but the man died that night and was unprepared (see Lk. 12:18).
7. DO NOT WORRY
Jesus said, “Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.” Mt. 6:25 Jesus told us to put our trust in God our Father. He feeds the birds and clothes the flowers of the field and He will take care of us. He tells us to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all those other things will be given to us. When we seek His kingdom, we will not be lazy or irresponsible. We work hard but we refuse to worry.
8. DO NOT JUDGE
Jesus said, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” Mt. 7:1 He taught us to look at our weaknesses and not be critical of others. He calls us hypocrites when we point a finger at someone else and ignore our own faults. He says we should deal with our own problems first (see Mt. 7:1-5).
9. DO NOT GIVE PEARLS TO PIGS
Jesus said, “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs.” Mt. 7:6 Jesus tells us not to be vulnerable to evil people, or they may trample the precious treasure under foot and tear us to pieces. Holy things should be given to those who will receive them but not to those who devise wicked schemes.
10. ASK IN FAITH
Jesus said, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Mt. 7:7-8 He taught us not to be timid, but bold when asking God for blessings. He likes to give good gifts to His children. If we do not ask in faith, we receive nothing
Original Ten Commandments:
1. Worship no other God
2. Do not make an idol
3. Do not misuse God’s name
4. Remember the Sabbath, keep it holy
5. Honor your father and mother
6. Do not murder
7. Do not commit adultery
8. Do not steal
9. Do not bear false witness
10. Do not covet
New Commandments:
1. Do not be angry
2. Do not lust in your heart
3. Never tell a lie
4. Do not defend yourself
5. Do not show your righteous acts
6. Do not hoard for yourself
7. Do not worry
8. Do not judge others
9. Do not be vulnerable to evil
10. Do not be timid with God
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