Sermon on the Mount

In the second part of the Sermon on the Mount, Jsus explains that He did not come to destroy the laws that God delivered to Moses, but to fulfill them. Gods laws guide what we do or don't do but as jesus teaches.

In the third part of the sermon on the Mount Jesus teaches how to give alms pray and fast The people gathered on the mountain would be familiar with these practices because faithful Jewish people did all three.

Fasting

Jesus also teaches about fasting in His Sermon on the Mount Fasting means abstaining or restraining ourselves from doing something primarily from eating Our hunger for food reminders us of what we need to live including our spirtual need for God.

Jewish people and Christians fasted from eating some food on certain days of the week This fasting could be combined with praying for others.

Fasting is a personal sacrifice that we offer to God and nd we do it for its own sake not for selfish reasons like abstaining from junk food to look better.

Praying

Jesus often spoke to the people about prayer in His Sermon on the Mount He gave more instructions about prayer and gave us the words to the Lords Prayer.

When people pray with the intention of being noticed or admired by others they are focused on themselves not God They are completely missing the point of prayer spending quality time with god.

Almsgiving

Alms giving means giving something to help a person in need. WE can give our time talents or treasures such as money and other helpful material items giving alms and sharing gods gifts. strengthens community and friendship A good example of this is in First Nations communities where sharing for the common good is central to how people live Jesus teaches that there are right and wrong approaches to almsgiving Some people give alms to look good or to get praised. Other people give alms because they truly want to help those in need this way of giving alms follow the spirit of the law When we give alms it should not be made into a show once we give something away we should forget about it The person receiving alms does not owe us anything.

Alms giving means giving something to help a person in need. WE can give our time talents or treasures such as money and other helpful material items giving alms and sharing gods gifts.

Some people give alms to look good or to get praised. Other people give alms because they truly want to help those in need this way of giving alms follow the spirit of the law

Jesus begins Sermon on the Mount with the words Blessed are and explores nine blessings. Jesus teaches about the kingdom of Heaven and the characteristics of discipleship.