Scripture speaks often of our need to listen to and apply the faithful proclamation of God’s Word. Christ also illustrated this need throughout His ministry. One of the clearest places that we see this need taught by Christ is in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7. As we read that sermon, we note the diversity with which Christ applied the message to the listening crowd. Thus, the Sermon on the Mount presents a pattern for us to follow.

 

As Christ began His message with the beatitudes, He revealed the importance of intentional, principled application to the listener. When we hear God’s Word and seek to apply the principles in specific ways to our lives, Christ reveals that the result is satisfaction. While translators tend to use the translation ‘blessed’ (fortunate or happy), we should note that the context indicates that this word means more. Beyond just being fortunate or happy, this term reveals that God grants these individuals grace, satisfaction, and peace when they apply the Word to their lives.

 

The remainder of the Sermon on the Mount reveals what practical Bible application looks like. Jesus addressed the incomplete obedience that marked the Jews of His day. As He walked through the various commandments found in the Mosaic Law, Christ did so with a specific pattern: “You have heard … But I say.” Through this pattern, Jesus reveals that obedience to and the application of His Word from the heart require specificity. All too often, Christians seek to obey the letter of God’s Law. However, Jesus reveals that application from the heart must go beyond the mere idea and into the specific application (outworking) for each life.

 

As pastors, Christian and I experience the challenge in preaching to help you move beyond general principles into specific applications. Sometimes, parts of the Bible can be challenging to bring into our everyday lives. Nevertheless, this section of the Sermon on the Mount reveals that every part of Scripture applies to the everyday life of God’s people in a specific way. As Christ addresses the Law to the people, He highlights five commands and moves the application from the general to the specific. Through these illustrations, Christ demonstrates the need to apply God’s Word specifically to our everyday lives.

 

First, Christ brought to the listener’s attention the command to refrain from murder. Most individuals skim over this command because they apply it generally. They are not tempted to kill someone and move to the subsequent text. However, Christ revealed that the specific application of this text moves well beyond refraining from ending an individual’s life. Instead, all who are angry with others, insult others, or fail to forgive others are guilty of murder. As we consider the ramifications of this truth, the applications extend beyond the courtroom into home, work, and church environments. Interpersonal conflict takes on much more significance.

 

Second, the call to refrain from adultery certainly applies to the married. However, the Sermon on the Mount reveals that the specific application of the text moves well beyond the general principle. Anyone, whether married or single, who looks at another with lust breaks the command prohibiting adultery. Suddenly, the lingering look of an adult at their co-worker becomes convicting. The teenager discussing the girl across the room with his friends stands in adultery. Through the specific application, the general rule becomes applicable to all people.

 

Third, Christ addresses the issue of divorce. The Jews of His time created a system where no-fault divorce became the norm. They twisted Scripture to justify their sin. However, Christ reveals that we cannot manipulate the application of Scripture to fit our thinking. In this, Christ addresses the need for Scripture to form our framework (way of thinking). The original context of Moses’ command allowed divorce only in the case of immorality. Christ further revealed that God hates divorce and considers illegitimate divorce to be adultery. This command reminds the believer that the application must align with God’s revealed Word.

 

Fourth, Christ addressed the proclivity for people to break contracts or oaths. As with today, the people of Christ’s day often did not honor their commitments. The leaders taught that the obligation was no longer binding if someone did not swear in God’s name. However, as Christ addressed the issue of using God’s name to convince others that the individual would fulfill their commitment, He revealed that the application went much deeper than swearing by something other than God. Instead, the individual should stand with such integrity that they do not need to swear. Their word would be trustworthy.

 

Finally, Christ addressed the issue of retaliation. While many took the command of an eye for an eye to mean that they had the right to retaliate against any injustice, Christ revealed that they should instead understand the history of biblical theology. God did not intend for this command (found in Exodus 21:24) to encourage retaliation but to limit it. Instead, the individual should practice the love revealed in Christ. Individuals should show love to their enemies and commit to God’s justice.

 

Hopefully, we understand that Scripture’s commands go beyond general platitudes to specific applications. However, we don’t always understand the principles behind the general commands. Failing to understand the principles, we fail to move beyond the general command into a specific application to our lives. Our tendency to force our framework onto the text further complicates the issue. As pastors cannot address every framework and every application, the challenge then falls upon you (the hearer) to examine how the general principle applies to your life.

 

Biblical application must also happen with proper motivations. When we apply the Word so that others will observe our obedience, we miss the mark. Instead, an obedient heart views God as the observer. When we seek to obey the text for human approval, we receive only human reward. However, when we seek to obey the text for God’s glory, we lay up for ourselves heavenly treasure. Jesus carefully pointed out that earthly rewards fade, but heavenly rewards are eternal. Moreover, where one places their treasure reveals their heart for or against holiness.

 

Jesus concluded the Sermon on the Mount using nature to illustrate the need for obedience to Christ. Through illustrations of plants, birds, natural decay, and fruit trees, Jesus points to the goal of preaching. As with James, Jesus reveals that God granted His Word to His people for their life change. As a result, he demonstrates that we should seek God’s kingdom and righteousness first. Proper preaching exhorts the believer in this endeavor.