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The Sermon on the Mount

Jesus teaches how to live to please Him.
Contributed by Lars-Goran Ronnberg
Story also available on our translated website: Spanish
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When Jesus walked on earth, He went up the side of a mountain with His twelve disciples. They sat down and Jesus taught His followers how they should live to please Him. – Slide 1
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Jesus began by teaching about true happiness. ‘Happy (blessed) are those who are humble and want to do right. Happy are those who show mercy and work to bring peace. Happy are those who are pure in their thinking.’ <br/>Matthew 5:3-9 – Slide 2
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Jesus explained that those who are treated badly for doing good should be happy for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to them. He said, ‘When people say bad things about you and hurt you for obeying God, be full of joy, for you have a great reward waiting for you in heaven.’ <br/>Matthew 5:10-11. – Slide 3
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‘You should be a light for other people,’ Jesus said. ‘Live so that they will see the good things you do. Live so that they will praise your Father in heaven. Don’t let your light be hidden away or put out (like a candle flame can be put out using a snuffer).’ Matthew 5:13-16. – Slide 4
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Before Jesus came to earth people thought it was right to take revenge. If someone knocked out one of your teeth people thought it was OK for you go and knock out one of their teeth. Jesus explained, ‘You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemies.’ – Slide 5
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‘But I tell you, love your enemies. Pray for those who hurt you. If you are nice only to your friends, then you are no better than other people. Even people without God are nice to their friends. Those who love God must show love to their enemies.<br/>Matthew 5:38-48 – Slide 6
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‘Be careful!’ said Jesus. ‘When you do good things, don’t do them in front of people to be seen by them. When you give to the poor, give very secretly. Don’t let anyone know what you are doing. Your giving should be done in secret. Your Father can see what is done in secret, and He will reward you.’ <br/>Matthew 6:1-4. – Slide 7
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‘When you pray, don’t be like those show-offs who stand on the street corners and pray loudly so others will see and admire them.’ – Slide 8
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‘Instead you should go into your room and close the door. Then pray to your Father who cannot be seen. Your Father can see what is done in secret, and He will reward you.’<br/>When we pray with others we should do so humbly without showing off. <br/>(Matthew 6:5-6, 18:20). – Slide 9
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Jesus told His followers to love those around them as much as they loved themselves. And to treat others like they would like to be treated. – Slide 10
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Jesus warned them not to live to get lots of money and possessions. He explained, ‘Moths and rust will destroy treasures here on earth. And thieves can break into your house and steal the things you have. So store your treasure in heaven. Your heart will be where your treasure is.’ <br/>Matthew 6:19-21 – Slide 11
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‘Continue to ask, and God will give to you. Continue to search, and you will find. Continue to knock, and the door will open for you.’<br/>Matthew 7:7. – Slide 12
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Jesus gave His disciples an example of what we should pray. (We often call this ‘The Lord’s Prayer. Please use the wording of this prayer familiar to those you are teaching. This version is simplified for children). <br/>‘Our Father in heaven, we pray that your name will always be kept Holy. We pray that your kingdom will come. We pray that what you want will be done, here on earth as it is in heaven. – Slide 13
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‘Give us the food we need for each day.’ – Slide 14
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‘Forgive the sins we have done, just as we forgive those who do wrong to us.’ – Slide 15
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‘And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one.’ – Slide 16
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Jesus continued, ‘If we forgive people their sins, our heavenly Father forgives us. But if we don’t forgive the wrongs of others, then God will not forgive us.’ <br/>Matthew 6:14-15 – Slide 17
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Jesus told them not to worry about the food or clothes they needed. ‘Look at the birds,’ He said. ‘They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns. But God feeds them. And you know that you are worth much more than the birds. The flowers don’t work or make clothes but God dresses them beautifully.’ You cannot add any time to your life by worrying about it.’ <br/>Matthew 6:25-34. – Slide 18
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Life with Jesus can be like going through a narrow gate and walking on a narrow path. Jesus said, ‘The gate that opens the way to true life is very small. And the road to true life is very hard. Only a few people find that road.’ – Slide 19
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It is much easier to go along with the crowd who walk along a wide and easy path. <br/>But that path leads away from God to destruction. – Slide 20
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Jesus told His disciples that there are few who pass through the narrow gate and walk on the hard narrow road of obedience, but it is the only route that leads to life and heaven. – Slide 21
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Jesus ended His talk on the mountain side with a parable about two builders. One built his house on a rock and the other built his house on the sand. – Slide 22
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Then came a big storm. It rained hard, the water rose, and the winds blew. – Slide 23
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The house built on the rock stood firm. But the house built on the sand fell with a big crash. – Slide 24
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Jesus explained, ‘The person who hears the things I teach and does not obey them is like the foolish man. <br/>The person who obeys me is like the man who build his house on the rock. <br/>Matthew 7:24-27. – Slide 25
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When Jesus finished saying these things, everyone was amazed at His teaching. He taught with such power. <br/>When the disciples walked down the mountain with Jesus, they had learned and understood how Jesus wants us to live. <br/>Before He left for heaven Jesus told His disciples to teach these things and His other commands throughout the world (Matthew 28:18-20). And Jesus has sent the Holy Spirit to help those who trust in Jesus to live this new life. (Romans 5:5 - Galatians 5:10). – Slide 26
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