That Ultimate Sermon Again!

The Sermon on the Mount— the timeless, divine truth of Matthew 5-7— is the ultimate practical sermon. It’s the ultimate visionary lesson. It’s the ultimate logical presentation. It’s the extreme best of its kind because it is directly from the lips of the infallible Son of God. 

When I read it, I’m amazed at the way there’s a whole well of knowledge for my life in an infinite variety of areas. If I search it to affect my thoughts and make a list of the presented ways it does this, I’m in awe. If I search it for my treatment of my family, there it is. If I search it for parenting ideas, it’s chock-full. If I’m looking for goal-setting, I am not disappointed (more, overwhelmed).

This month in Digging Deep, we searched for priorities in Matthew 5-7. Specifically, we are filling in the following blanks: “From the sermon, “___________________________  is more important than ___________________________.”

Here’s my list. It’s a healthy exercise to look for these things as you read it through. Several of you have said something like this recently to me: “Digging Deep is too much for our ladies crew. Can you tailor something for ladies who might have or want to expend less time in a month?”  Exercises like this are priceless for our lives. Start here and discuss your findings. Here’s my list, but it’s neither the best one or the exhaustive one; 

See if you can find these things in Matthew 5-7: 

1. Righteousness is more important than being comfortable. 
2. Heaven’s reward is more important than earthly acceptance.
3. Keeping God’s commandments is more important than pleasing religious leaders.
4. A right relationship with my brother is more important than the time worship begins. 
5. Purity of heart in my marriage is more important than my personal allure. 
6. My vision for heaven is more important than my physical optical health.
7. Having my hands busy for heaven is more important than even having my right hand.
8. Living for God is more important than being married. 
9. Being honest in my heart is more important than a sworn signature. 
10. Pleasing God is more important than repaying evil.
11. Second mile service is more important than clothing.
12. Loving my enemy is more important than the feeling of “getting back”. 
13. Being “seen” by God is more important than being “seen” by men. 
14. God’s reward is more important than any personal glory. 
15. Secret prayer is more important than being seen in prayer. 
16. Praying like Jesus is more important than eloquence. 
17. True humble fasting is more important than the sad countenance.
18. Treasures in heaven are more important than treasures on earth. 
19. God is more important than mammon or money. 
20. Faith is more important than physical stature. 
21. Faith is more important than clothing. 
22. Seeking first the kingdom and righteousness is more important than seeking necessities. 
23. Today is more important than tomorrow. 
24. The beam in my eye is more important than the mote in my brother’s eye. 
25. Life eternal is more important than the easy way out. 
26. Examining fruits is more important than friendship with professed Christians. 
27. Obeying is more important than saying “Lord, Lord.” 
28. The foundation is more important than the house, itself.