1. “Discipleship Principles Pertaining To Our Will”

Matthew 5:1-12

dis·ci·ple (d¹-sº“p…l) n. 1.a. One who embraces and assists in spreading the teachings of another. b. An active adherent, as of a movement or philosophy. 2. Often Disciple. One of the 12 original followers of Jesus. [Middle English, from Old English discipul and from Old French desciple, both from Latin discipulus, pupil, from discere, to learn. See dek- below.] --dis·ci“ple·ship” n.

(from the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Third Edition)

In Galatians 5:22-23 we have a pretty clear cut listing of the spiritual fruits. From Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, and Ephesians 4 we can assimilate a fairly thorough listing of the spiritual gifts. As we study in the gospel accounts the types of activities that Jesus was involved in, and as we consider the various discipleship principles mentioned throughout the gospels and the Pauline epistles, we are able to come up with certain key behavioral pursuits that are vital to our spiritual growth. Our study can by no means be comprehensive, but we do want to consider a few things that are readily recognized as spiritual disciplines. While there is no single passage that comprehensively deals with discipleship principles, we do find a great source of spiritually practical instruction in the so-called “Sermon on the Mount” in Matthew 5 thru 7. In this section of Matthew’s gospel there are...

A. “Blessed” Are Those Whose Will Is Surrendered In Humility

(Matthew 5:3) Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

(Matthew 5:4) Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

(Matthew 5:5) Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

B. “Blessed” Are Those Whose Will Is Surrendered In Holiness

(Matthew 5:6) Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

(Matthew 5:7) Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

(Matthew 5:8) Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

C. “Blessed” Are Those Whose Will Is Surrendered In Harmony

(Matthew 5:9) Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

(Matthew 5:10) Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

(Matthew 5:11-12) Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. {12} Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

“It would be helpful if we knew the duration of the Lord’s stay on the hillside. Moses went into the mountain of God and remained there forty days and forty nights, during which God gave to him the Ten Commandments. Probably the Lord’s stay was much shorter, but it is obvious the disciples returned with much more than did Moses. Some theologians suggest the Savior and His followers remained on the mountain for a week or even longer, and that this resembled a retreat, arranged by Jesus for the edification of the disciples.

Moses was given instructions which governed living within the kingdom of Israel. The disciples were given new laws which indicated the requirements of daily conduct within the kingdom of God. On another occasion Jesus said to His disciples, “Come ye apart and rest awhile,” and it was for a similar reason; He led them into the mountain to instruct them in the ideals of kingdom life. Luke in his sixth chapter announces this teaching, following the selection of the twelve apostles. Therefore, the messages on the hillside were a course of study. Having appointed His representatives, the Lord proceeded to instruct them what kind of message they should preach both by life and lip. The contents of the so-called “Sermon on the Mount” would be better described as “The Messages on the Mount,” for it is probable that the 109 verses are a resume of what Jesus taught throughout the entire retreat. No man could retain in his memory all the amazing details of those discourses, had he listened only once to a very long sermon.

Remember Matthew was the bookman; he was accustomed to making notes! Therefore, when at intervals Jesus continued His instruction, Matthew wrote what he heard. That happened day after day, and when the party descended from the hilltop, he had a collection of the sayings of Jesus. Those notes helped him remember what had been said, and when, many years later, he compiled his Gospel, the sayings of the Lord found an important place in Matthew’s manuscript.”

Ivor Powell – Matthew’s Majestic Gospel