§ 6. The Sermon on the Mount (According to Matthew)

The Father has set the church in the world in such a way that it may be seen and draw others to Him.

Ephesians 3:10

…Through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.

The church of Christ is no secret society, but rather does all things openly and honestly.

John 18:20

Jesus answered him, "I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret."

Acts 5:12

Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon's Portico.

2 Corinthians 1:12–13

Our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God…. For we are not writing to you anything other than what you read and understand….

When we obey the gospel, we step forward to live for God from now on. It isn't the choice that most people make, and the contrast is here described as light and darkness.

Acts 2:40

And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, "Save yourselves from this crooked generation."

Acts 5:13

None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem.

It's important to note that we are to live for God, not for appearance's sake, and that our genuineness is what shows through our actions.

Matthew 6:1

Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.

Philippians 2:14–16

Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life….

Mark's version of this teaching especially draws our attention to God's purpose. God intends for us to be in and among the world doing good for His name's sake, just as surely as someone who brings in a lamp intends for it to shed its light throughout the room—otherwise why bring it at all?

Luke 13:6–7

And he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. And he said to the vinedresser, 'Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground…?'"

The light coming from inside a home at night is an invitation to those who are outside in the darkness to come in. Although the invitation may be extended in all kindness, people still may not receive it.

Luke 18:24–25

Jesus…said, "How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God."