It is possible to misunderstand the Bible. Not all of its teachings are immediately clear. And almost no passage of Jesus’ teaching is more misunderstood than the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5 to 7.

Mahatma Gandhi, often seen as one of the greatest change agents of the recent era, appreciated the ethics of Jesus’ teaching. He praised the selfless, others-oriented love the Savior espoused as offering a pathway toward inter-ethnic harmony.

Commendable as these virtues are, like too many others, Gandhi missed the main point and purpose of the Sermon on the Mount.

Jesus’ teaching is far more than warm-hearted, mutually encouraging platitudes. Witness the reaction of the crowds as they heard him preach this sermon on that Galilean hillside. They were stunned. It was not just what he said, but who said it: “...the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority…” (Matthew 7:28-29, ESV).

Jesus’ authoritative teaching revealed Him as the Author, as God Himself teaching the Word of God. In essence, the Sermon on the Mount aims both to convict us all that we don’t keep the law, and so drive us to the Savior, the Preacher of the Sermon, Jesus Himself. And, provide us with a model of what Christ-like discipleship is intended to be so now, as saved people, we may increasingly follow His teaching.

What about you? Do you want more of God? Do you desire Him above everything? If you do, the deep, abiding contentment Jesus offers here can be yours. I hope you want it. I hope you are willing to pursue it.

More than anything, this is where I and the God Centered Life team want to help. We want you to know God on the deepest level, to know Him in a way that completely transforms your life and shapes how you face every day. And we are passionate about developing quality resources to do that, and to get them in your hands.

That is why this month we are offering you the eight-part study guide I wrote on the first part of John’s gospel. It’s called Life to the Full. We want you to get a taste of the riveting authority of Jesus’ teaching which His followers experienced. This study will help you do that.

I hope you will request a copy of Life to the Full. It is yours with a financial gift in support of God Centered Life. We are truly grateful for the partnership we have with many just like you. We need your help so that we can offer our daily broadcast via the podcast, our app, and on the radio, and produce resources that will encourage spiritual growth in believers everywhere.
In advance, thank you so much!

In Christ,

Josh Moody
President and Founder
God Centered Life Ministries