Read Matthew 7:28–29

The crowds were amazed at his teaching, for he taught them with real authority—
quite unlike their teachers of religious law. Matthew 7:28–29

Read Matthew 5, 6, and 7. Four observations come to mind while reading these Scriptures, each quite a striking contrast to standard sermons preached today.

First: He spoke these words outside rather than inside. That means they were probably delivered extemporaneously and, for sure, without the aid of voice amplification.

Second: He was sitting down among His listeners rather than standing up before them. His presence, while powerful, was not overpowering. By sitting with them, He remained approachable, touchable, believable.

Third: He taught rather than preached. His message had substance that called for action. Rather than relying on a series of emotional exhortations, He delivered teaching that was systematically and logically arranged. But make no mistake, His presentation was neither laid-back nor lacking in force. He taught them “as one who had authority” (Matthew 7:29 NASB).

Fourth: He blessed and encouraged rather than rebuked. Most sermons are more negative than positive, more like scathing rebukes than affirmation. Not this one. With beautiful simplicity, using terms any age could understand, Jesus brought blessing rather than condemnation.

No fewer than nine times, back-to-back, He used the same phrase: “Blessed are those...,” “Blessed are you...,” “Blessed are these....” Having endured a lifetime of verbal assaults by the scribes and Pharisees, the multitude on the mount must have thought they had died and gone to heaven. A pinch of positive blessing does more for our souls than a pound of negative bruising. When will we preachers ever learn?

Taken from Simple Faith by Charles R. Swindoll. Copyright © 1991, 2003 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. Used by permission of HarperCollins Christian Publishing. www.harpercollinschristian.com