Christian Counter-Culture: The Message of the Sermon on the Mount (John Stott) Part 14

Here is the final chapter of the book. It's a solid summary of what the Sermon on the Mount covers, and puts it all into context with all of Jesus' ministry on earth. Let's look at it.

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Now when Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.

Matthew 7.28, 29 (NRSV)

Conclusion: who is this preacher?

• Supernatural, dogmatic, divine.
• Authority without the yelling etc. Just calmly stating Truth as a matter of fact.

Jesus' authority as the teacher.

• He was, first and foremost, a teacher.
• He taught what He knew, and He did so with confidence.
• Scribes = taught from others' authority.
• Old Testament prophets = proclaimed God's word.
• Jesus = spoke on His own behalf.
• Challenged inherited traditions and properly interpreted God's law.

Jesus' authority as the Christ.

All the lines of the Old Testament witness converged on Himself. (p. 216)

• He brought God's kingdom and had authority to admit people and bestow blessings.

Jesus' authority as the Lord.

• Context matters; Jesus mainly accepts the title as that which applies to God.
• Rabbi= teacher; Jesus is both teacher and Lord.

Jesus' authority as the Saviour.

• Jesus knew and taught the way of salvation.
• He bestowed salvation.
• Sermon followed by ministry.

Jesus' authority as the Judge.

• Day of judgment coming.
• He will be the judge.
• He is the criterion for judgment.
• Part of punishment is banishment.

Jesus' authority as the Son of God.

• God is our Father and Jesus' Father but not ours & Jesus' together.

The authority of Jesus as God.

• His followers are to suffer on His behalf, like the OT prophets.
• Obey Him as Lord = doing the Father's will.
• He will judge the world.

Conclusion

The claims of Jesus were indeed put forward so naturally, modestly, and indirectly that many people never even notice them. (p.222)

• This is His picture of God's kingdom.
• Standards, values, priorities.
• Counter-culture!

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That's the book. That's the Sermon. Next comes the things I wrote down as part of my processing after I finished the book, and probably I'll also add some new thoughts I've had. I want to pull it all together into something coherent and concise, because this is fourteen entries and that's a lot. So... hopefully I can sort it clearly.

Peace & Blessings.