The Sermon on the Mount “describes what human life and human community look like when [we] come under the gracious rule of God”   –John Stott [1]

Jesus called His followers to be God’s called-out people in the world. Every paragraph of the Sermon on the Mount reflects our call.

1. Matthew5:3-12 – Our character is to be completely distinct from the character which the world admires (through the counter intuitive qualities identified in the beatitudes).
2. Matthew 5:13-16 –Our influence is like light to (spiritual) darkness and like salt to (moral) decay.
3. Matthew 5:17-6:18 – Our righteousness must exceed the superficial righteousness of the established religious community:
   • In ethics 5:17-48
     • Murder/anger: vs. 21-26
     • Adultery/lust: vs. 27-30
     • Divorce: vs. 31-32
     • Oaths/honesty: vs. 33-37
     • Retaliation/non-retaliation: vs. 38-42
     • Hatred/Love for enemy: vs. 43-48
   • In devotion 6:1-18 
     • Giving: vs. 1-4
     • Praying: vs. 5-15
     • Fasting: vs. 16-18
   • Matthew 6:19-34 – Our ambition is to be distinctive. Though the world around us is preoccupied with material necessities, the followers of Christ must seek first God’s kingdom and (His) righteousness.
4. Matthew 7:1-20 –Our relationships must be transformed and different from those around us.
   • With our spiritual family vs. 7:1-6
   • With our heavenly Father vs. 7:7-12
   • With our spiritual opponents vs. 7:13-23

[1] John Stott, Dale Larsen, Sandy Larsen. A Deeper Look at the Sermon on the Mount: Living Out the Way of Jesus, IVP Connect 2013:10.