SEARCH Lesson 146 – THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT

Key Verse

For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light.
— Ephesians 5:8

Christians as Radiant Lights

Matthew 5:14-16; Daniel 6:1-28
  • John 1:1-9
  • Acts 13:47
  • Philippians 2:14-15
  • 1 John 1:5-9

Matthew 5:14-16; Daniel 6:1-28

Physical light makes vision possible, provides for life on earth, results in warmth and comfort, and dispels darkness. In Genesis 1:2-5, we find that light was so important God devoted the first day of creation to making it in order to dispel darkness. Without physical light, death ensues. Spiritual light is even more important. Malachi the prophet refers to Christ as “the Sun of righteousness” (Malachi 4:2). Without spiritual light there would be no eternal life.

QUESTIONS

  1. Read carefully John 1:1-9. What is the source of spiritual life? What happens when spiritual light is “screened out”?
  2. Considering then the importance of spiritual light, what do you think would happen to your school, your work world, your community, and the world in general if all Christians failed to follow Christ’s command in Matthew 5:16?
  3. Describe how Daniel, as the first of three presidents under Darius the king, “let his light shine.” Refer to Daniel 6:3-4.
  4. The 2 presidents and the 120 princes sought to find fault with Daniel so that they might accuse him to the king. Daniel was not only faithful to his God, but he was faithful to his country and to the king’s business. They could find no fault, but what scheme did they devise against him, and why?
  5. Once the decree was signed by the king, how did Daniel respond?
  6. The light from Daniel’s life had generated faith in the king’s heart in the only true God. How was this manifested in the king’s words to Daniel?
  7. What specific character trait radiated from Daniel causing the king to say in verse 16 and again in verse 20, “whom thou servest continually”?
  8. How far did Daniel’s light shine as a result of his steadfast faith and deliverance from the lions’ den?
THEME THOUGHTS
The teachings of Jesus comprise the fundamental basis of our Christian beliefs. One of the most familiar accounts of those teachings is known as the Sermon on the Mount. It is recorded in chapters five through seven of the Book of Matthew. Shortly after choosing the twelve disciples, who would be His closest followers, Jesus led them to a hillside not far from Capernaum. There, just as God had given the Law to Moses on Mount Sinai to guide His people’s conduct and service, Jesus gave His disciples the Sermon on the Mount to guide their conduct and service to Him and His Father.The purpose of this quarter is to give an overall view of the Sermon on the Mount. There are many different topics mentioned in these three chapters, so the lessons you study will be considered highlights of these chapters.As you go through these lessons, you will notice other Scriptures are given in the text in addition to the portion of Scripture from the Sermon on the Mount. These will reinforce the subject that is being taught, which is also indicated by the lesson title. For example, the first lesson deals with humility and its spiritual value. The first five verses of Matthew 5 deal with more subjects than humility, but other portions of the text will zero in on that topic. May God bless you as you study these lessons, and help you apply what you learn to your own life.

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