intro to the sermon on the mount (matt. 5:1-2)

today we start the sermon on the mount found in Matthew 5-7

some people have disagreed about whether this is just one sermon of a "best of Jesus collection"  I think it is just one sermon but i can't say for sure.

you will noticed Jesus sat on the mountainside. this wasn't because he was tired this was because sitting was the normal posture for a Jewish rabbi to teach, for example in the Jewish synagogue they would stand to read the scripture to show reverence much like we do at Judson, then would sit in what they called the seat of moses to teach.

as we go through this study you will notice that Jesus is teaching about everyday of his disciple.

i will be referencing my pastor Zach Bartels a lot because he did a sermon series on the sermon on the mount if you would like more from go www.judsonmemorial.org.

four books in one

Since Christmas is coming up i will finish my study on the minor prophets today then take a Christmas break.

today we will study Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah.  To sum up these books in 2 words, A CROSS.

You see during this time in bible history only Judah is left because Israel had been sent into exile by God through the Assyrians for there idolatry and social injustice,  and you would think Judah would learn from their sister nation's mistakes but no such luck

When learning about these prophets i like to think of a cross.  the vertical beam relates to our relationship with God.  Horizontal beam relates to our relationship to others made in God's image.  unfortunately i think most Christians focus on one beam but you can't do that because then its no longer a cross its just a stick.

For the final 3 minor prophets (Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi) my pastor Zachary Bartels is in a middle of a sermon series through them just go to Judson memorial baptist church sermon archive.

our study will probably be through the sermon of the mount

HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS