The Sermon on the Mount-(Continued 2) Matthew 5:17-48

DISCOVERY OF THE FACTS

1. Our Lord's Relation to the Law of Moses, vv. 17-20 What was our Lord's relation to the law? In what way did He fulfill the law? (John 8:46; Matt. 5:21, 22, 27, 28; Col. 2:17; Heb. 10:1; Eph. 2:15; Ro. 8:3.) How much of the law had absolute and divine authority in His sight (v. 18)? How does that bear upon the doctrine of verbal inspiration? How should the righteousness of the kingdom compare with the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees? About what were the scribes and Pharisees particular? (23:23, 25, 28.)

About what is God particular? (Luke 16:15.) What kind of righteousness is necessary to gain admission to the kingdom? 2. What the Law of Moses Required, and What the Law of the Kingdom Requires, Regarding Our Treatment of Our Neighbor, vv. 21-26 By the old law regarding murder what was forbidden? By the higher law of the kingdom for which Christ legislates what was forbidden? What is meant by "the hell of fire" (v. 22, R. V.)? What must always precede acceptable service to God (vv. 23, 24)?

What is meant by our brother having "aught against" us--does it refer to his having a grudge against us or to his having a just claim against us (vv. 25, 26)? Has the fact that others have just claims against us, which we have not settled, anything to do with God's not answering our prayers? How long should one allow the just claim against himself to remain unsatisfied? Can we avoid settling just claims sooner or later (v. 5:26)? 3. What the Law of Moses Required, and What the Law of the Kingdom Requires, Regarding Personal Purity, vv. 27-32 What was forbidden by the old law regarding sexual relations?

What is forbidden by the higher law of the kingdom of heaven? Where does adultery begin (v. 28)? Has the man to whom the devil suggests an evil thought regarding a woman committed adultery with her? What word in v. 28 brings out the exact point at which sin begins? How does the law of the kingdom regard adultery even in this incipient form (v. 29)? What would we better do with our eyes than to have them looking upon a woman to lust after her? Why? Where will a lustful eye land a man (v. 29)?

What had any one better lose than to go to hell? What was the old law regarding divorce? What is the law of the kingdom regarding divorce? In what case alone has a man a right to divorce his wife? If he divorces her for any other cause, what does he make her? Of what sin is the man who marries a divorced woman guilty? 4. What the Law of Moses Required, and What the Law of the Kingdom Requires, Regarding Oaths, vv. 33-37 What was the old law regarding oaths? What is the law of the kingdom regarding oaths?

What is the fulfillment or higher application of that law in the kingdom (v. 37)? 5. What the Law of Moses Required, and What the Law of the Kingdom Requires, Regarding Retaliation, vv. 38-42 What was the law of Moses regarding retaliation for personal injuries? What is the law of the kingdom regarding the same? Are we to understand this literally, that we are never to strike back? If one acted up to this law, would he not soon be deprived of all his rights? (Ro. 12:19.) Where do we find the best exemplification of this law? (Luke 22:64; 23:34.)

What made it easy for our Lord to live up to this law? (1 Peter 2:23.) How can we live up to it? (Phil. 4:13.) Are we to understand literally that a member of the kingdom should never go to law? What thought will enable us to take joyfully the spoiling of our goods? (Heb. 10:24.) What should we do to every one that asks of us? What shall we give to those who ask of us? (Acts 3:3-6; 2 Thess. 3:10.) 6. What the Law of Moses Required, and What the Law of the Kingdom Requires, Regarding Love, vv. 43-48 What did the law of Moses require regarding love?

How is this law of love broadened out in the ethics of the kingdom? According to the latter, who should be the special objects of our love? How should we show our love for them? As soon as any one persecutes us, what should we do? What does such love show us to be? What does the absence of it show us to be? In whom have we the most wonderful exemplification of this law? (Luke 23:34; Ro. 5:6, 8, 10.) Whose character and action is the standard of perfection for the child of God? How alone can we attain unto this standard of perfection? (John 3:3, 5; 1 John 4:7, R. V.; Eph. 4:13-16.) CLASSIFICATION OF TEACHINGS

1. Jesus Christ

His superiority to Moses, the supreme Lawgiver, 21, 22, 27, 28, 38, 39; His relation to the law--came not to destroy but to fulfill, 17.

2. The Kingdom of Heaven

Conditions of entrance: Heart righteousness, not mere outward conformity to moral precepts, 20; no hate in the heart as well as no murder in the life, 21, 22; no lust in the heart as well as no impurity in the life, 27-32; truth in the heart as well as veracity in the oath, 33-37; love to enemies as well as reciprocity toward friends, 38-48.

3. Love

The supreme characteristic of the kingdom, 44; the one divine thing, 45; its object--our enemies, 44.

How manifested: by not killing, 21; by not being angry, 22; by not calling harsh names, 22; by making restitution, 23; by not committing adultery, 27; by not contemplating adultery, 28; by not divorcing a wife, 31; by not using oaths, 34; by not avenging injuries, 38-40; by giving to him that asks of us, by loaning to him that would borrow of us, 42; by praying for our enemies, 44.

4. Hell

There is a hell, 22, 29, 30; a "hell of fire," 22; anything is better than going to hell, 29.