The Sermon on the Mountਨਮੂਨਾ

A Light that Shines in the Darkness

What does it mean to live under the reign of Christ? The Sermon on the Mount, as Jesus’ manifesto of the Kingdom of God, answers that question by describing life in the Kingdom. It’s not a set of abstract ideals or lofty goals; it’s a portrait of the character, attitudes, and actions that define those who truly know the King.

The sermon begins with the Beatitudes, a radical depiction of what a blessed life looks like in God’s Kingdom. But it doesn’t stop there. It asks pointed questions, leading us to examine the foundation of our lives. Are we building on the rock of Christ’s words, or on the unstable sands of our own self-reliance? This is not a question of superficial morality or a checklist of good deeds. It is a question of identity: Do we truly know the King?

At its core, the Sermon on the Mount is about transformation. It’s for those who have been delivered by Jesus, who have experienced the new birth and received the Spirit of God. Without Him, we are incapable of living out these kingdom principles. The sermon is a call to live out the righteousness that Christ produces in His people—a righteousness that is not self-made but Spirit-enabled.

This message has two distinct purposes. First, it is a guide for believers, showing us how to live under Christ’s reign. It declares kingdom perspectives, ambitions, attitudes, and responsibilities that we are meant to embrace daily. Yet, it also serves an evangelistic purpose. For those outside the Kingdom, the sermon confronts their inability to meet its standards without first knowing the King. It drives them to Christ, the only one who can deliver, forgive, and transform.

As we read, we are confronted with the reality of who Jesus is: the true Deliverer, the King who offers new creation, and the crossroads of salvation. Knowing Him leads to life; rejecting Him leads to judgment. This sermon calls us to examine our hearts honestly. Have we been made new? Are we building our lives on the foundation of His words, or trusting in the fleeting stability of this world?

Reflect on your foundation. Ask yourself: Am I merely hearing Christ’s words, or am I living them out? Pray for the grace to live a life under His reign, one marked by the righteousness that only He can produce. Let His words shape your attitudes, decisions, and daily walk as you live out the beauty of the Kingdom of God.