In our society today, preachers are essentially taught to build their messages around a single point, and keep them to around 30 minutes. In some areas of the country, the message length might stretch out to an hour or so, but the majority of American churches do a 30 minute message.
So, what would happen if Jesus showed up on the scene today and whipped out His "Sermon on the Mount?" In these three chapters of Matthew, Jesus violates both of these public speaking "rules."
By most accounts, Jesus hits on around 20 separate points. He doesn't expound much on these, but what he does say is extremely revolutionary and life changing. What he says here is essentially the foundation for Christian living today.
It's a "no holds barred" teaching that was so foreign to their typical teachers that when it's over with, the crowds were astonished, not just for what he said, but because he said it was someone who had authority, not just as a teacher.
How would we react today to words like "if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also," or "love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you," or "when you give to teh needy (do it in such a way) that your giving may be in secret," or "anyone who looks at another person lustfully has committed adultery in his heart?"
Jesus didn't pull any punches, and his words still sting today, but for the believer who applies them, these words are life changing. They are counter-culture. They get noticed. They mess you up.
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