THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT | Northstar Church

“What is less often noticed is that it is precisely the kind of moral instruction (the sermon on the mount) that parents are constantly trying to give their children — concrete, imaginative, teaching general principles from particular instances, and seeking all the time to bring the children to appreciate and share the parent’s own attitudes and view of life. The all-embracing principles of conduct” ― J.I. Packer, Knowing God

The Sermon on the Mount is considered the most quoted, analyzed, contested, and influential moral and religious discourse in human history. It is easier one of the most notable of Jesus’ teachings. Jesus uses the term “blessed” in the Sermon on the Mount, in a section often called the “beatitudes.” In the beatitudes, Jesus throws us a curveball on the general idea of blessings. He shows us how being blessed is much different than everything going well for us. In fact, we can be blessed even when everything seems to be going wrong.

Each of the beatitudes in Matthew 5:3–10 describes an attitude of heart and character that the Holy Spirit will produce in believers who allow Him to do so. Each beatitude starts with a blessing. Jesus is giving us ways to live so we can live a happy and blessed life. One of them is the statement, “Blessed are those that mourn.” In essence, Jesus is saying, “Happy are those who are sad.” That has probably caused some confusion over the millennia.

The world does not reward the living Jesus talks about, but God does. The world says you are blessed when all your dreams come true. You are blessed when everything goes your way. Jesus said happy are the sad and blessed are the broken-hearted.

Jesus was “…despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief” (Isaiah 53:3). Yet it was the joy that was set before Him that gave Him the strength to endure the cross. Jesus knew that His suffering would purchase our salvation. If we believe that God’s grace and sovereignty are greater than any loss or disappointment, we, too, can experience joy in the midst of sorrow.

2 Corinthians 1:3-7 says: “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us.”

Verse 4 tells us that every pain can find meaning when we comfort others. We are called to give out what we have been given. In other words, we should give out of the love, mercy, grace, forgiveness, blessings, finances, and comfort we have already been given.

Discussion Questions:

Describe a time when your life was hit with an unexpected storm. How well did you endure it? What did you do when you felt like giving up? Did you experience God’s comfort during that period?
What does “comfort” mean to you? What comfort do you need? What comfort have you received? What can you do to pass on God’s comfort to others?