"He Opened..."
(A Message to the Multitude)
(Preached Sunday Evening, July 8, 2020)
“And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:and he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying…”
(Matthew 5:1-2)
Introduction
“He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.” (John 12:48)
I. He sees you!
“And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: and he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying…” (Matthew 5:1-2)
A. He sees you!
“And she called the name of the Lord that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?” (Genesis 16:31)
B. He sees your need!
“Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.” (Mark 10:21)
C. He sees all!
“Then said he unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen what the ancients of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in the chambers of his imagery? for they say, the Lord seeth us not; the Lord hath forsaken the earth. He said also unto me, Turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations that they do.” (Ezekiel 8:12-13)
II. He takes you up!
“And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: and he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying…” (Matthew 5:1-2)
A. Up upon a mountaintop!
“And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.” (Matthew 14:23)
“And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray.” (Mark 6:46)
“And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.” (Luke 6:12)
“And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.” (Luke 9:28)
B. Up upon a cross!
“And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” (John 12:32)
C. Up upon his ascension and then his return!
“And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:9-11)
III. He sits with you!
“And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: and he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying…” (Matthew 5:1-2)
A. He sat down at the Last Supper!
“And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover. Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve.” (Matthew 26:19-20)
B. He will sit down at the Last Judgement!
“And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.” (Revelation 20:11-12)
C. He will sit down at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb!
“But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” (Matthew 26:29)
“And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.” (Revelation 19:9)
“Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.” (Matthew 25:1-13)
IV. He opens!
“And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: and he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying…” (Matthew 5:1-2)
A. “The Sermon on the Mount might well be called the constitution of the kingdom, and ends with Jesus’ exhortations to respond appropriately to his message (Matt. 7:24-27).” (Larsen, David. The Company of the Preachers. Kregel Publications, 1998, pg. 41)
B. “Do not count this Sermon on the Mount as the halting effort of a young preacher. It is the perfect, glorious work of the Spirit-filled Son of God. Matthew, chapters 5, 6 and 7, contain this famous Sermon on the Mount. It is regarded as the most marvelous sermon on human conduct ever preached, in the Bible or out, inspired or uninspired.” (Rice, John. The King of the Jews: A Verse-by-Verse Commentary on The Gospel According to Matthew. Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Sword of the Lord Publishers, 1955, pg. 77.)
OUTLINE:
“He Opens…”
“And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: and he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying…” (Matthew 5:1-2)
I. He sees you!
II. He takes you up!
III. He sits with you!
IV. He opens!
Next week: Your life begins to change with… The Sermon on the Mount!
WORSHIP: