Page 587 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

SEPHAR - SERMON ON THE MOUNT

14. Separation is the way of delight (Pr. 24:24, 25). righteousness of Christ (Ro. 3:21-22). Jesus Himself
Don’t fear man and his threats; don’t follow popular fulfilled the law for us (Mt. 5:18).
philosophies. Obey God’s Word. Fight apostasy, error, 2. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus preached the
and compromise. Separate from those who are involved principles of the kingdom of God. These are the principles
in these things. God promises to bless you for it just as by which men will live in the kingdom that Christ will
he did Phinehas (Nu. 25:5-13). [See Anger, Apostasy, establish upon His return. Many things described
Apostate, Church, Doctrine, Fable, False Teaching, False therein have never been fulfilled on earth and will be
Prophet, Foolish Questions, God Speed, Heresy, Micaiah, fulfilled during the Millennium when Christ will rule
Unity.] with “a rod of iron” (Ps. 2:8-9; Re. 19:15). Consider
SEPHAR (conspicuous). Ge. 10:30. Matthew 5:21-26. A person who is angry at someone
SEPHARAD (separated tract, boundary). Ob. 1:20. without a just cause will be in danger of the judgment.
SEPHARVAIM (Sephar of the Parvaims, city of the This probably refers to punishment administered by
sun). 2 Ki. 17:24. local authorities. If a person calls another “Raca,” he
SEPULCHRE. Tomb; burial place (De. 34:6; Ju. 8:32; will be in danger of the council, which probably refers
to a higher level of magistrate. “Raca” is a term that
Mt. 27:60-66; 28:1, 8; Ac. 2:29; 7:16; 13:29; Ro. 3:13). literally means “O empty or worthless one.” It is a term
[See Cremation, Crucifixion.] of “utter vilification” (Strong). If, on the other hand, a
SERAH (redundancy). Ge. 46:17. person calls someone a fool, he will be in danger of hell
SERAIAH (God my prince). 2 Sa. 8:17. fire. It is not simply the use of the word “fool” itself that
SERAPHIM. Angelic beings connected with God’s encompasses this great sin, but the use of the word
throne and holiness (Is. 6:2-7). [See Angel, Cherubim, “fool” as an expression of vicious anger and hurt. It is
Michael.] the verbal expression of a murderous heart. Christ
SERED (surviving). Ge. 46:14. Himself called men fools on occasion (Mt. 23:17, 19; Lk.
SERGIUS (who acts late). Ac. 13:7. 11:40; 24:50), and the apostle Paul called certain ones
fools who were questioning the bodily resurrection (1
SERMON ON THE MOUNT. Christ’s sermon Co. 15:36). The point is that during Christ’s earthly
recorded in Matthew 5-7. It is so named because Christ millennial reign even sinful actions that are deemed
was on a mount when He delivered the sermon (Mt. relatively harmless in this present time will be dealt
5:1). Christ’s teaching in the Sermon on the Mount has with firmly, even severely. It appears that there will be
a four-fold purpose: the potential, even, for rebels to be cast into hell fire
1. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus established the during the Millennium because of their sinful actions.
law for its intended purpose, which is to reveal sin and Note that Jesus does not say that a person who does
lead sinners to Christ (Mt. 5:17-19). The law is not the these things “shall be” judged but that he is “in danger
gospel; it prepares the way for the gospel by exposing of” being judged. There will be a place in God’s
man’s sin and need for a Saviour (Ro. 3:19-22; Ga. righteous kingdom for genuine repentance and mercy.
3:10-13, 24-25). Mt. 5:48 gives the requirement of the Consider Matthew 5:25-26. Again, this has never been
law. “Be ye therefore perfect, even as you Father which fulfilled in any context on earth. It was not fulfilled in
is in heaven is perfect.” This is not the gospel; it is not Israel during Christ’s day and it is not fulfilled in the
the way of salvation. Compare De. 10:12-13. Mt. 7:12 church age. New Testament churches have no authority
gives the summary of the requirements of the law. Jesus to imprison anyone. These verses look ahead to
showed that keeping the law is not merely a matter of conditions that will exist during Christ’s kingdom. If an
outward obedience but that it requires inward individual does not quickly reconcile with an adversary
obedience. Murder is a heart matter (Mt. 5:21-22). over an unpaid debt or other obligation he will be put
Murder is not merely killing someone but also involves into prison until the obligation is entirely satisfied. This
the inner hatred that motivates people to kill. The is rule with a “rod of iron.”
warning is not against the use of the word “fool” itself 3. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus delivered
but the use of such language with the purpose of principles by which we are to live in the church age. The
hurting someone “without a cause.” Jesus called people following are four examples: Prayer is for today (Mt.
fools (Mt. 23:17, 19; Lk. 24:25), but He was speaking 6:5-15). Fasting is for today (Mt. 6:17-18). Laying up
the truth in love. Adultery is a heart matter (Mt. treasures for heaven is for today (Mt. 6:19-21). Putting
5:27-28). This shows how deep the law of God is and God first is for today (Mt. 6:33).
how impossible it is to be saved by keeping it, because
our hearts are so sinful and corrupt (Je. 17:9). Mt. 5:20 4. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus showed the
says the righteousness required for salvation is beyond evidence of repentance (compare Mt. 3:2, 8; 4:17). Some
that of the most religious man. We must have the very falsely teach that Mt. 5-7 is teaching the way of

Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible & Christianity 587