An Analysis of the Sermon on the Mount

by Dr John Sung

(From the 554-page octavo volume Bible Expositions
given at the Second Bible Institute, Amoy, 1936.)

The three chapters of Matthew 5-7 (which constitute what is popularly known as the Sermon on the Mount) arc re-stated briefly as follows:

Chapter 5

Life

In this chapter there arc nine aspects of life, which we may call nine ways, or figuratively a nine-storey wonder tower.

I. Lowliness of heart

2. Mourning 3. Meekness

4. Thirst for Righteousness

5. Mercifulness

6. Purity of heart

7. Peaceableness

8. Persecution for Righteousness

9. Accusation for Jesus' Sake.

May every Christian inculcate such abundant life.

Chapter 6

Way

1. When we give in secret, God will reward us openly.

2. When we pray in secret, God will answer openly.

3. When we forgive others. God will forgive us. Con­versely, if we forgive not others, God will not forgive us.

4. When we fast in secret. God will reward us openly.

5. To offer up everything is to deposit treasures in heaven.

6. When we seek God's Kingdom and His righteousness, then we have everything given to us.

This is the Way of communion with God. If everyone can do this, they will receive God's pleasure and acceptance. this way is opened by the Lord Jesus through His death on the cross for sinners. He died for the sins of sinners to open this living way.

For this reason we must:

1. Cultivate a lowly heart.

2. Mourn for sin.

3. Be meek like children.

4. Thirst for righteousness as for milk.

5. Love when showing mercy.

6. Be purified to see God.

7. Be peacemakers between men.

8. Suffer persecution for Righteousness' sake.

9. Suffer reviling, persecution and accusation for Jesus' sake.

From the nine-storey wonder tower let seven beams of  light shine, which are:

1. Be salt to the people of the world.

2. Be perfect towards the Law.

3. Be peaceful between brothers.

4. Be chaste towards women.

5. Be honest in speech.

6. Be prayerful towards enemies.

7. Be holy towards the Heavenly Father.

Chapter 7

Truth

In this chapter there are seven aspects of truth.

1. Knowing whom to judge - ourselves and not others. If we judge others we become hypocrites.

2. Knowing whom to give - Do not preach the truth haphazardly, as in giving pearl to swine, holy thing to dog.

3. Knowing what to ask - bread and fish and not stone and snake.

4. Knowing how to go - through the strait gate, on the narrow way.

5. Knowing how to discern - between true and false prophets. From where comes the discernment? - from the fruits they produce we shall know them.

6. Knowing how to build - on the rock, which is firmly established.

7. Knowing how to differentiate between true and false preachers. Jesus preaches with authority and power. The scholars (scribes) have none.

This chapter gives us truth rooted in knowledge.

Praise the Lord! Jesus gives us a most sumptuous feast, for He comes into the world to save sinners, and this feast is for sinners.