One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around him, and he began to teach them.

Matthew 5:1-2

“You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.

“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

Matthew 5:13-16

• After Jesus demonstrated His authority in Matthew 8, He previously ascended a hillside to deliver this monumental teaching. This isn't just a collection of nice moral suggestions; it is the Constitution of the Kingdom of God, delivered by King Jesus to His followers.
• The standards outlined here are not for getting into the Kingdom, but for living as a citizen within the Kingdom.

• The Beatitudes: The Core Character:
  
  • The Beatitudes (Latin for "blessings") describe the radical character of a Kingdom citizen. They turn the world's values upside down.
  • They are not based on outward success, but on inward disposition.
  • True happiness and spiritual reward belong to those who are utterly dependent on God, humble, repentant, and prioritize righteousness.
• The Citizen's Mission: Salt and Light:
  
  • Kingdom citizens are to have a visible impact on the world.
  • Salt: Preserves and flavors. Kingdom citizens should preserve the moral integrity of the world and flavor it with grace and truth.
  • Light: Exposes darkness and guides the way. Kingdom citizens must clearly display good deeds so that others will "give glory to your Father in heaven."
  • Your righteousness must be visible and impactful, drawing attention to God, not yourself.

• Jesus Fulfills, Not Abolishes:
  
  • Jesus affirms that He did not come to destroy the Law of Moses or the Prophets, but to fulfill them. He brings them to their full, divine intent.
  • His standard of righteousness is greater than that of the religious experts (Pharisees and teachers of the law).
• The "You Have Heard... But I Say" Statements:
  
  • Jesus takes six commandments and elevates them from external behavior to internal motivation. He is the supreme Lawgiver, claiming authority over the very Law of God.
  • Anger: Murder begins not with a weapon, but with uncontrolled anger and insult in the heart.
  • Lust: Adultery is committed not just with the body, but with lustful intention in the mind.
  • Retaliation and Enemies: The rule is not "eye for an eye," but non-retaliation and the radical command to love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
  • Obedience is judged by the condition of the heart—the thoughts, attitudes, and motives—not just by outward acts. This standard is impossible without the power of the Holy Spirit.

• True Piety vs. Hypocrisy:
  
  • Jesus warns against performing religious acts (giving, praying, fasting) to be seen by people. This is hypocrisy.
  • Kingdom practice must be done sincerely, focused on the Father in secret. Your reward is from God, not from human praise.
  • The Lord's Prayer: This serves as the ultimate Kingdom citizen's manual for prayer, prioritizing God's glory ("Hallowed be your name") and will ("Your kingdom come") before personal needs.
• Priorities, Judgment, and Foundation:
  
  • Priorities: Citizens must seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, trusting God for daily needs.
  • Judgment: They must judge themselves before attempting to correct others.
  • The Golden Rule: Treat others the way you want to be treated—the summary of the Law and the Prophets.

• The Standard of the Heart: The Sermon on the Mount reveals that no one can earn entry into the Kingdom because the standard is perfection (Matthew 5:48: "You must be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect."). This drives us to Christ, the only one who perfectly kept the Kingdom Constitution.
• Living as Ambassadors: Since we are saved by grace, we now strive to live by these rules as evidence of our citizenship and love for our King. We are to be salt and light in a world that needs both preservation and guidance.
• The Sermon on the Mount is the ultimate ethical code, demonstrating that King Jesus demands radical, internal transformation. 

Our lives as Kingdom citizens should be visibly different, marked by humility, love for enemies, sincerity in worship, and a fervent pursuit of God's righteousness.

We shouldn’t resemble this world, we are strangers here, but we should live in a way that demonstrates that we are Kingdom citizens.