New Teaching Series: Teachings on the Sermon on the Mount

Matthew 5:1-2 "When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said:"


It is interesting that it says that Jesus saw the crowds, yet he taught the disciples.  We read over this and assume that Jesus saw the crowds and then taught the crowds.  The message version says that the ministry of Jesus was drawing huge crowds yet it was to the smaller committed group that He actually taught.  Here is what I see in this passage....

• You have to be willing to climb the mountain in order to hear the deep teaching of the King
• The mountain always represents the glory of God
• The journey up the mountain represents you and i actively pursing 
• Jesus pulled away from the masses to show the disciples that the heart of the Kingdom is not success but life-change
• Not that success s bad or won't come but that success can never be a replacement for true authentic Christianity
• "Those committed to Him climbed the mountain with Him."
• Am I committed to God? To hearing His voice?
• Am I committed to climbing the mountain with God?  To move at His pace and His timing?
• "Arriving at a Quiet Place."
• Jesus is always drawing us out of chaos, confusion, and noise.  
• He calls us into quietness and peace where the still small voice of God is clearly heard