The Ark Community Food for Thought #76 The sermon on the Mount The ‘Sermon on the Mount’ is central to Christian Teaching and Living. Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, “That the Sermon on the Mount is to us Christians, what the Law is to the Jews.” The Sermon on the Mount is Christ’s introductory teaching on the ‘modus operandi’ of the KINGDOM OF GOD. Christ did not suggest some new pious way of life for us to ‘pick-and-choose’ when it suited us or when it agreed with our culture or not. NO! Christ gave us a clear picture with elaborate explanations of how His Kingdom operates and that all who choose to be citizens of this ‘new world’ would have to learn to live COUNTER-CULTURE. [Matt 5:1-10] NIV Now when He saw the crowds, He went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to Him, and He began to teach them saying:   Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.   The rest of Jesus’ earthly ministry was devoted to living (demonstrating) and explaining these principles through His parables. Almost all of His parables were rooted in the principles contained in His introductory sermon – The Sermon on the Mount (The Gospel of St. Matthew, Chapters 5, 6 and 7). Almost every announcement of Christ’s sermon condemns the “status quo” of the earthly systems we are all subjected to. He challenges us to believe Him and to live the Kingdom on Earth by the power of the ‘rebirth’ experience and the ‘infilling of the Holy Spirit’. Christianity is counter culture - counter “world culture” (pertaining to the fallen state of creation).  We are told to love when hated, bless those who curse us, forgive those who want to kill us, give to all generously, be kind to the good and the evil, as God is, even when they don’t deserve it. Our citizenship to Christ’s Kingdom carries great responsibility. Being a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven means living as an ambassador of it's principles.  Our lives are the loudest sermons we preach! Christ believes in us… He died for us! … Selah (stop, meditate, think, change your direction…). If we truly believe in Him, then we are to endeavor to live the way He asked. After all, this “new” way of life, is the way we will live forever! So let’s start now!? Peace & Good always +Tony PALMER                    The Ark Community