As one reads through the book, he cannot but agree that while it is true that our Christianity as an individual is personal and between us and God, it is equally true that our relationship with God can only be meaningful and fruitful when we have a good relationship with people around us.
Most Christians are familiar with the Sermon on the Mount by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The author of this book made the ‘sermon‘ simpler to understand. It is highly an expository analysis of what we have in St. Matthew’s Gospel, chapters 5-7.
Title: The Sermon on the Mount: Christ’s Pattern for Christian Living
Author: Bankole, Olufemi E.
ISBN 10: 9782008982 / ISBN 13: 9789782008985
Forward by: by Rev. Dr. Peter A. Adebiyi, Lord Bishop, Diocese of Lagos West
Publisher: The Way of Peace Publications, St. Paul, MN
Publication Date: 2002
Binding: Soft Cover
Book Condition: Fair
Dust Jacket Condition: No Jacket
The sermon touches on every aspect of life – our relationship with God as well as with people; our attitude and treasure; marriage, divorce and adultery etc.
The book, as a result of the style of its writing speaks directly to the reader. It is indeed a ‘sermon‘. As one reads through the book, he cannot but agree that while it is true that our Christianity as an individual is personal and between us and God, it is equally true that our relationship with God can only be meaningful and fruitful when we have a good relationship with people around us.
We are no doubt exposed to some ‘little‘ things that matter in our dealing with God and man which hitherto we have not been taking cognizance of. We are challenged in some many ways and if we will be true enough to ourselves and rise boldly to the challenges, our Christian lives will be made better.
Indeed, we have too many preachers as well as readers; but too few doers. We are blessed only when we put into practice what we read from the word of God. It is my belief that the writing of this book has been divinely guided for the good of every reader. Read, mark, meditate and pray about every issue raised and God will surely bless you.
When God called out the nation of Israel as a people unto Himself, He was dealing with a nation fresh from slavery who knew nothing about Him – not even His Name. He needed to teach them a lot of things if they were to know Him and if His relationship with them will be as He wished, and if they were going to be benefited by it. So, He chose Moses as the leader of this house and through him taught them the laws that would govern their relationship with Him and with one another.
He made it clear many times – especially towards the end of the lives of Moses and Joshua – that they would be blessed only to the extent to which they kept those laws, rules and regulations. The Israelites in the wilderness received those laws on behalf of the coming generations.When God decided to raise another ‘nation’ to Himself through Jesus Christ, there came again the need to help this new nation of ‘called-out ones‘ – the church- to know Him and learn the rules of proper relationship with Him and with one another. Jesus Christ – the Builder and Head of this new house, set time aside and passed down these comprehensive rules and regulations through the Apostles – for themselves and for coming generations of Christians in what has come to be called “The Sermon on the Mount.” And just as Mosaic laws were to the Jewish nation, they are detailed and final for every Christian.
They are of a higher standard because “unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and the Pharisees, you will by no means enter the Kingdom of Heaven” (Mat. 5:20). And like Mosaic Laws, He conditions blessings upon the keeping of these new, better, and more spiritual laws of God.
And that is why I consider this comprehensive set of rules THE PATTERN FOR CHRISTIAN LIVING as set forth by the Builder of the Church – our Head, even Jesus Christ. This meditation was not intended to be a theological treatise.
I did not even set out to write a book;
this piece transformed to its present form, from my meditations on this special portion of Scriptures as I shared them on my Gospel Radio broadcasts over the years. Until I finished committing this to writing, I never came across any writing on the Sermon on the Mount, nor did I consult any commentary. It is just my way of studying the Scriptures at the Lord’s feet. It makes me original and responsible for any errors of conclusions as per the views of theologians. But if by any chance this helps anyone – as I hope and pray it does – all the credit goes to Him whose Spirit gave the inspiration; my Lord and Love, Jesus Christ.
The author is highly commended, and the book recommended for all Christians.
