General Outline of the Sermon on the Mount.
The Sermon on the Mount consists
I. Of an introduction, beginning at Matthew 5:3 and ending with Matthew 5:16 of Matthew 5 The peculiar characteristic of these opening sentences is, the kind of man whom Christ pronounces happy. The Beatitudes open up to us a new world of spiritual character and holy beauty, and consequent joy, such as had not entered into the heart of man to conceive. They show us that happiness lies, not in outward circumstances, but in inward life.
II. The text or topic of the discourse (Matthew 5:17-19): "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil." This appears to me to be the great leading principle discussed and illustrated in the remainder of the sermon. Christ did not come to destroy the law. Indeed, no true servant of God is ever sent merely on a work of destruction. He may have to pluck up, to pull down, but he has also to build and to plant.
III. Such being the great theme of this sermon, the rest of it appears to me intended to illustrate and enforce this statement. And He explains this principle by showing that the law must be kept, and not in the letter only, but in the spirit. (2) The second illustration of the great idea of the sermon is comprised in the first eighteen verses of the sixth chapter, and it is to the effect that God's law can only be fulfilled by utter sincerity and truthfulness. (3) The theme of the sermon is further enforced by a series of warnings and illustrations directed specially against a worldly spirit, and enjoining a practical faith in God, and this third part occupies the remainder of chap. vi., from Matthew 5:19 to the end. (4) The last illustration of the way in which the law is to be fulfilled is finely expressed in chap. Matthew 7:12 : "Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them." This is the great law of sympathy, without which we cannot do the will of our Father in heaven.
W. C. Smith, The Sermon on the Mount,p. 1.
References: Matthew 5:1; Matthew 5:2. Homiletic Magazine,vol. ix., p. 77; J. C. Jones, Studies in St. Matthew,p. 92; Clergyman's Magazine,vol. iii., p. 209; C. Morris, Preacher's Lantern,vol. iii., p. 503; Parker, Inner Life of Christ,vol. i., p. 149. Matthew 5:1-3. H. Wace, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xxix., p. 104; Bishop Cotton, Marlborough Sermons.p. 254.Matthew 5:2. S. Baring-Gould, Village Preaching for a Year,vol. ii., Appendix, p. 13.Matthew 5:2-10. E. M. Goulburn, Thoughts on Personal Religion,p. 274.