the king’s manifesto for life “people in darkness saw great light” study 1

The King’s Manifesto for Life

““People in People in darkness darkness saw great saw great

light”light”

Study 1


1. Visits Jerusalem for Passover.

2. Meets Nicodemus - Preached through Judea.

3. Converted woman of Samaria.

4. Returns to Cana of Galilee.

5. Makes Capernaum his headquarters.

Map of the Lord’s Map of the Lord’s opening ministryopening ministry


Galilee of the NationsGalilee of the Nations Galilee means “ring” or “the circle” (i.e.

of the Gentiles). A long history of invasion and treading

down – Isa. 8:21-9:1Isa. 8:21-9:1. Inhabited by mixed races and many

Gentiles – Isa. 9:1Isa. 9:1. Despised by Judean Jews – John 1:46, John 1:46,

7:527:52. Rejected by Nazareth the Lord made

Capurnaum his home – Luke 4:31Luke 4:31.


Discourse on the mount and plain Discourse on the mount and plain MountMount

Matt. 4:23-25Matt. 4:23-25 In Galilee – near

Capernuam. Preaching the gospel

of the Kingdom. Healing all sickness. Famous for healing. Followed by large

representative multitude.

Climbs a mountain.

PlainPlainLuke 6:17-19Luke 6:17-19

In Galilee – near Capernuam.

Night of prayer in mountain.

Calls 12 disciples. Stands in plain. Joined by a large

representative multitude.

Is heard, and heals.


1.Capernaum – Calls Simon, Andrew, James and John.

2.Many healed.

3.Preaches throughout Galilee.

4.4.Delivers Delivers discourse discourse on the on the mount.mount.

The Lord’s Galilean MinistryThe Lord’s Galilean Ministry


“His taking his seat upon this hill in Galilee where he summoned his disciples around him must therefore be seen not as an isolated incident but as part of his whole life. It is a passage within a context - and the context is the revelation of God in Christ.”

Bro. L.G. Sargent - The Teaching of the Master, pg.24

The site of the DiscourseThe site of the Discourse


Summary of the ManifestoSummary of the ManifestoMatthew 5Matthew 5

V.1-12V.1-12 8 blessings – Portrait of a citizen of ZionV.13-16V.13-16 Believers’ relationship with the worldThe new law in operationV.17-20V.17-20 New and old law – True righteousnessV.21-24V.21-24 The law of the heartV.25-26V.25-26 Humility in error – judgement and mercyV.27-30V.27-30 The thought and the actV.31-32V.31-32 Divorce and fornicationV.33-37V.33-37 The thought and the wordV.38-48V.38-48 The law of love – The Divine standard



The secret and the manifestV.1-4V.1-4 Worship in relation to men - AlmsV.5-6V.5-6 Worship in relation to God - PrayerV.7-8V.7-8 Discipline in prayerV.9-15V.9-15 The Lord’s prayerV.16-18V.16-18 Worship in relation to self - FastingV.19-23V.19-23 The magnet of the heartV.24-25V.24-25 The lord of the heartV.26-27V.26-27 The lord of life – Food and drinkV.28-34V.28-34 The lord of life - Clothing



Living under judgementV.1-5V.1-5 Judges or judged?V.6V.6 Pearls and swineV.7-12V.7-12 The Father’s gift and the son’s responseV.13-14V.13-14 Two ways – Life and deathV.15V.15 Danger of false guidesV.16-20V.16-20 Parable of two trees – Known by fruitsV.21-23V.21-23 Deceived self-seekers rejectedV.24-27V.24-27 Parable of two builders - JudgementV.28-29V.28-29 Effect on his hearers


What is a manifesto?What is a manifesto?MANIFESTO, n. [Latin - manifestus]

A public declaration, usually of a prince or sovereign, showing his intentions, or proclaiming his opinions and motives; as a manifesto declaring the purpose of a prince to begin war, and explaining his motives.

Webster’s Dictionary


Unique AuthorUnique Author“From the first of the ‘blessings’ onwards this is a manifesto which could have been issued by the King of the Age to come, and no one else.”

Bro. L.G. Sargent - Teaching of the Master, pg.89


The Manifesto based on The Manifesto based on Ps. 15Ps. 15 Christ’s discourse is based on Ps. 15Ps. 15 – its

structure, principles and context among the Psalms.

Ps. 15Ps. 15 is in “Genesis” book of Psalms. Introduces the Perfect Man in contrast with

“the man of the earth” – Ps. 9-14Ps. 9-14. Ps. 15Ps. 15 sets forth the true citizen of Zion. This leads to Ps. 16Ps. 16 to 4141 which deal with

“the man Christ Jesus”. Matt. 4:17-7:29Matt. 4:17-7:29 – Christ’s preaching reveals

the character of the true subjects of the Kingdom.


Ps. 15 Ps. 15 and and Matt. 5-7 Matt. 5-7 comparedcompared1 LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? 2 He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness,

and speaketh the truth in his heart.

5:1-125:1-12 – A citizen of Zion5:13-165:13-16 – Walking in

light5:17-205:17-20 – Works of

righteousness5:21-265:21-26 – Heart hatred5:27-325:27-32 – Heart adultery6:1-46:1-4 – Heart almsgiving6:5-156:5-15 – Heart prayer6:16-186:16-18 – Heart fasting6:19-216:19-21 – Heart treasure6:22-246:22-24 – Heart service6:25-346:25-34 – Heart rest


Ps. 15 Ps. 15 and and Matt. 5-7 Matt. 5-7 comparedcompared3 He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.4 In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD.

He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.

5:43-485:43-48 – Loving neighbours and enemies

7:15-237:15-23 – Beware of false prophets – known by fruits

5:33-375:33-37 – Communication Yea and Nay

7:1-57:1-5 – Avoiding judgement


Ps. 15 Ps. 15 and and Matt. 5-7 Matt. 5-7 comparedcompared5 He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent.

He that doeth these things shall never be moved.

5:38-425:38-42 – Give to him that asketh

7:24-277:24-27 – Building on the Rock


Same audience – Matt. 5:1Matt. 5:1 and 23:123:1. The scribes and Pharisees centre stage – Matt. Matt.

5:205:20 and 23:2, 13, 14, 15, 23, 25, 27, 2923:2, 13, 14, 15, 23, 25, 27, 29. 8 woes match 8 blessings. Beatitudes represent complete character of the

Christ-man. Woes represent character of carnal religiosity –

self-worship and self-interest. 55thth Woe Woe (23:2323:23) relates to mercy, inter-alia. Failure - no under-girding by humility, honesty,

teachable-ness and integrity (first 4 blessings).

The Roots of The Roots of Matthew 23Matthew 23


Blessings - Matt.5:3-12Matt.5:3-121. The Kingdom opened

to the poor in spirit - V.3V.3

2. Comfort for mourners - V.4V.4

3. The meek to inherit the earth - V.5V.5

4. True righteousness sought by true desire - V.6V.6

The Eight Blessings and the Eight WoesThe Eight Blessings and the Eight WoesWoes - Matt.23:13-33Matt.23:13-331. The Kingdom shut by

Scribes and Pharisees - V.13V.13

2. Mourners distressed - V.14V.14

3. Fanatics compassing the earth - V.15V.15

4. False righteousness sought by casuistry - V.16-22V.16-22


CASUISTRY, n. The science or doctrine of cases of conscience; the science of resolving cases of doubtful propriety, or of determining the lawfulness or unlawfulness of what a man may do, by rules and principles drawn from the scriptures, from the laws of society, or from equity and natural reason.

Webster’s Dictionary

What is Casuistry?What is Casuistry?


The Eight Blessings and the Eight WoesThe Eight Blessings and the Eight Woes

5. The merciful to obtain mercy - V.7V.7

6. The pure within will see God - V.8V.8

7. Peacemakers to be sons of God - V.9V.9

8. The persecuted rewarded - V.10-12V.10-12

Blessings –Matt. 5:3-12Matt. 5:3-12

5. Mercy omitted and left undone - V.23-24V.23-24

6. External purity - Blind to internal corruption - V.25-26V.25-26

7. Hypocrites & lawless - Divisive and destructive - V.27-28V.27-28

8. The persecutors condemned - V.29-33V.29-33

Woes – Matt.23:13-33Matt.23:13-33


““Who shall dwell in thy holy hill?”Who shall dwell in thy holy hill?” …


Next Next StudyStudy

(God (God willing)willing)Study 2 – “Portrait of a

citizen of Zion”


…… …

the king’s manifesto for life “people in darkness saw great light” study 1

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