Noah was a preacher of righteousness. (2 Peter 2:5) Moses was a powerful speaker in his own right; just read the book of Deuteronomy. In the last two chapters of the book that bears his name, Joshua laid a proposition right at the feet of the children of Israel. The prophets of the past (Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Isaiah, Daniel, Hosea, Amos, and a host of others) delivered powerfully proclaimed messages to God's people. In the New Testament, John the Baptist, Stephen, Paul, and others taught powerfully converting lessons. Yet, none were more powerful, more comprehensive or more spell binding than was the Master teacher--Jesus Christ.

His first recorded sermon which began His public ministry, was the famous Sermon on the Mount. This sermon is recorded in Matthew 5-7. Many have called this the constitution of the New law, Christ's law. Someone stated long ago "The Old testament is the gospel concealed, and the New Testament is the gospel of Christ revealed." This sermon is deep with the aims of that new kingdom--the "kingdom of heaven." From my study of this wonderful sermon, I believe that Jesus is previewing and introducing the kingdom of heaven. Not the physical kingdom, that the Jews were looking toward, but a spiritual kingdom over which Christ would rule forever as its king.

This sermon is the kingdom in "preview and principle." The gospel was preached to Abraham, (Genesis 12:1-3; Galatians 3:8). Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ (John 1:17). The prophets foretold the coming of that kingdom, (Isaiah 2:2,3; Daniel 2:44,45). John the Baptist and Jesus Christ preached that the kingdom "was at hand," meaning very close (Matthew 3:3; 4:17). Spiritual rule by God and His blessings upon man. This would be a kingdom for all eternity. The kingdom, the church age on earth was about to begin.

In this special issue of this month's Messenger, we want to examine some of the teachings contained in that wonderful sermon. This sermon touches every aspect of the Christian's life as he conducts it here on earth. Some have tried to rob the Sermon of the Mount of its value by saying Jesus was redefining the Law of Moses. Some take the Premillenial viewpoint that since the Jews were rejecting Christ a "stop-gap" measure--the church--would have to be installed. Some consider this sermon as just good ethical teaching for us to consider as valuable for living a better life on the earth. Some even want to take many of the sermon's teaching and talk about the principles that can be practiced by many different faiths. All of these miss the power and purpose of Jesus message on the mount so long ago. New citizenship, a new lawgiver, new treasures, a new attitude if it would ever be achieved. This is the NEW way that leads one to life. Let us examine many of the wonderful lessons from this beautiful sermon.