Fruitful Living
The Sermon on the Mount (2)
Now when Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountainside and sat down.
His disciples came to Him, and He began to teach them, saying: – Matthew 5:1-2 NIV
When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at His teaching, because He taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law – Matthew 7:28-29 NIV
INTRODUCTION.
Today we bring you the final part of the Sermon on the Mount, in which Jesus summed up almost all of His teachings. As Christians we must adhere to the lessons in this Sermon. The Sermon teaches us about the kingdom and the way Christ’s people will live under His Lordship. To that end, let us receive His kingdom by faith and let us live according to its message of love.
There is no single paragraph of the Sermon on the Mount in which this contrast between Christian and non-Christian standards is not drawn. It is the underlying and uniting theme of the Sermon; everything else is a variation of it. Sometimes it is the Gentiles or pagan nations with whom Jesus contrasts His followers. Thus pagans love and salute each other, but Christians are to love their enemies Matt. 5:44-47; pagans pray after a fashion, ‘heaping up empty phrases,’ but Christians are to pray with the humble thoughtfulness of children of their Father in heaven Matt. 6:7-13; pagans are preoccupied with their own material necessities, but Christians are to seek first God’s rule and righteousness Matt. 6:32-33.
At other times Jesus contrasts His disciples not with Gentiles but with Jews, that is, not with heathen people but with religious people, in particular with the “Scribes and Pharisees.” Professor Jeremias is no doubt right to distinguish between these as “two quite groups” in that “the Scribes are theological teachers who have had some years of education, the Pharisees on the other hand are not theologians, but rather groups of pious laymen from every part of the community.” Certainly, Jesus sets Christians morals over against the ethical casuistry of scribes – Matt. 5:21-48 and Christians devotion over against the hypocritical piety of the Pharisees Matt. 6:1-18.
The followers of Jesus are to be different – different from both the nominal church and the secular world, different from both religious and the irreligious. The Sermon on the Mount is the most complete delineation anywhere in the New Testament of the Christian counter-culture. Here is a Christian value-system, ethical standard, religious devotion, attitude to money, ambition, lifestyle and network of relationships-all of which are totally at variance with those of the non-Christian world. And this Christian counter-culture is the life of the Kingdom of God, a fully human life, indeed, but lived out under the divine rule.
The Sermon on the Mount as composed in Matthew chapters 5-7 forms a wonderfully coherent whole. It depicts the behaviour which Jesus expected of each of His disciples, who is also thereby a citizen of God’s Kingdom. We see Him as He is in Himself, in His Heart, motives and thoughts, and in the secret place with His Father. We also see Him in the arena of public life, in His relations with His fellow men, showing mercy, making peace, being persecuted, acting like salt, letting His light shine, loving and serving others (even His enemies), devoting Himself above all to the extension of God’s Kingdom and righteousness in the world. Perhaps a brief analysis of the Sermon will help to demonstrate its relevance to ourselves in the 21st century.
- A Christian’s Character – Matt. 5:3-12
The beatitudes emphasise eight principal marks of Christian character and conduct, especially in relation to God and to men, and divine blessing which rests on those who exhibit these marks.
- A Christian’s Influence –Matt. 5:13-16
The metaphors of salt and light indicate the influence for good which Christians will exert in the community if (and only if) they maintain their distinctive character as portrayed in the beatitudes.
- A Christian’s Righteousness – Matt. 5:17-48
What is to be a Christian’s attitude to the moral law of God? Is the very category of law abolished in the Christian life, as the advocates of the “new morality” and of the “not under law” school strangely assert? No. Jesus had not come to abolish the law and prophets, He said, but to fulfill them. He went on to state both that greatness in God’s Kingdom was determined by conformity to their moral teaching, and even that entry into the Kingdom was impossible without a righteousness greater than that of the Scribes and the Pharisees Matt. 5:17-20. Of this greater Christian righteousness, He even gave six illustrations – Matt. 5:21-48, relating to murder, adultery, divorce, swearing, revenge and love. In each antithesis the easy-going tradition of the scribes, reaffirmed the authority of the Old Testament Scripture and drew out the full and exciting implications of God’s moral law.
- A Christian’s PietyMatt. 6:1-18
In their “piety” or religious devotion Christians are to resemble neither the hypocritical display of the Pharisees nor the mechanical formalism of pagans. Christian piety is to be marked above all by reality, by the sincerity of God’s children who live in their Heavenly Father’s presence.
To be continued!
STAY BLESSED!
For further inquires please contact us on Tel Nos. 0268130615 or 0243588467
Email: saltnlightministries@gmail.com
Website: saltandlightgh.org.
By Dr Joyce Aryee, the author
Fruitful Living
Has man lost the essence of his creation? A reflective call to rediscover our divine purpose (Part 1)
Introduction: Rediscoveringour purpose
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. We praise Him, seek His help and forgiveness, and ask for His mercy. May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon our noble Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), his family, his companions, and all those who follow his guidance until the Day of Judgment.
In today’s increasingly materialistic and turbulent world, a profound question echoes louder than ever: Has man lost the essence of his creation? It is a question that compels every thinking soul to pause and reflect deeply.
In the midst of scientific breakthroughs, booming technology, and economic pursuits, we must ask ourselves: are we fulfilling the sacred purpose for which we were created? Are we still living as stewards of Allah on earth, or have we strayed from our divine assignment?
This article explores the Qur’anic foundation of man’s creation, the noble position he holds, and the deviation from this divine path in modern times. It further calls for a return to spiritual consciousness and outlines practical steps to help realign mankind with his intended purpose.
Man: Allah’s Vicegerent on Earth
The Qur’an states: “And when your Lord said to the angels, ‘Indeed, I will make upon the earth a vicegerent (Khalifah)…’” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:30).
This declaration marks the beginning of man’s honorable journey on earth. Mankind was created from clay, as recorded in Surah Al-Hijr:
“And We did certainly create man out of clay from an altered black mud. And the jinn We created before from scorching fire. And [mention] when your Lord said to the angels, ‘I will create a human being out of clay from an altered black mud.’ So when I have proportioned him and breathed into him of My [created] soul, then fall down to him in prostration.” (Surah Al-Hijr, 15:26-29).
This prostration of angels was not to worship Adam, but to recognize the honor Allah had bestowed upon man. It signified a spiritual hierarchy in which man, though of earthly origin, carries a divine trust and responsibility.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized this dignity. He taught that every human is born upon the natural disposition (fitrah) and bears the potential to fulfill their purpose as a servant of Allah and custodian of His creation.
The Purpose of Creation
Allah did not create man in vain. The Qur’an states clearly: “And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.” (Surah Adh-Dhariyat, 51:56).
“And they were not commanded except to worship Allah, [being] sincere to Him in religion, inclining to truth, and to establish prayer and to give zakah. And that is the correct religion.” (Surah Al-Bayyinah, 98:5).
Another profound verse underscores that life was not created aimlessly:
“And We did not create the heaven and the earth and that between them aimlessly. That is the assumption of those who disbelieve, so woe to those who disbelieve from the Fire.”(Surah Sad, 38:27).
These verses convey that creation is intentional, meaningful, and divinely ordained. The essence of man’s creation lies in his recognition of Allah, his conscious submission to the Divine Will, and his dedication to a life of worship, service, and ethical living.
Worship in Islam is not confined to rituals alone but extends to every aspect of human existence—how we earn, govern, lead our families, engage with society, and preserve the environment. Every righteous deed done with sincerity for Allah’s pleasure becomes an act of worship.
Imam Al-Ghazali explains in Ihya Ulum al-Din that true worship stems from knowledge of Allah and a heart that submits lovingly to His will. Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah likewise stresses that man’s highest honor lies in fulfilling the purpose of servitude (`ubudiyyah) to Allah, which brings inner peace and divine elevation.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) demonstrated this perfect balance of worship and engagement in worldly affairs. He was a husband, a leader, a statesman, and a worshipper who said: “The most beloved deeds to Allah are the most consistent, even if they are few.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 6464)
Living in harmony with this divine purpose not only brings personal fulfillment but also collective peace. Conversely, neglecting it results in moral confusion, injustice, and spiritual emptiness.
Therefore, recognizing and living by our purpose is not a luxury but a necessity. It is the key to real success in this life and salvation in the Hereafter.
By Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai, the Author
Fruitful Living
Trusting God with our anxieties (final)
Jesus not only instructs us not to worry — He explains why worrying is counterproductive to our well-being:
❖ Worry is blind. It refuses to learn from nature, history, or personal experience. Birds and flowers testify to God’s faithfulness. The history of Israel is filled with God’s miraculous provision — from Egypt to the Red Sea to the Promised Land (Deut. 8:14–15).
❖ Worry refuses to learn the lesson of life. Time and again, God has helped us bear the unbearable and overcome the insurmountable. He strengthens us even when we reach the breaking point — and keeps us from breaking.
❖ Worry is irreligious. It stems not from our external circumstances, but from a heart full of fear and distrust. Yet Scripture declares:“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.” — Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)
The antidote to worry: El shaddai
Proverbs 18:10 says, “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” One of the most comforting names of God is El Shaddai, which first appears in Genesis 17:1 and appears 218 times in the Bible.
❖ El means “Strong One.”
❖ Shaddai means “The Breasted One.”
Together, El Shaddai paints a picture of God as:
❖ Our Strong Nourisher
❖ Strength Giver
❖ Satisfier
❖ All-Bountiful Supplier
❖ Fulfiller of Needs
❖ The Life-Giver who brings dead things back to life
(e.g., Abraham and Sarah conceiving Isaac at 150 and 90 years respectively)
In knowing who God is, we find the courage to release our anxieties. If He is truly El Shaddai — strong, sufficient, and sustaining — then we are safe in His hands.
Practical steps to peace
In Philippians 4:6–7, we are given a divine prescription for peace:
1. Stop being anxious and fretful. Recognize the emotional and spiritual toll of worry.
2. Go to God in prayer about everything. Nothing is too big or small.
3. Pray for yourself. God is your Father — your relationship with Him is personal.
4. Thank Him as you pray. Gratitude builds faith and reminds us of His past faithfulness.
When we do this, God’s peace — not the world’s peace — will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 4:7 (NIV)
CONCLUSION
We are living in uncertain times. Pressures abound and anxieties easily multiply. But as children of God, we are called to walk a different path — one of quiet confidence, steady trust, and daily surrender.
God’s Word is clear: worry doesn’t help — but trust in God brings peace. Let us shift our focus from fear to faith, from anxiety to adoration. Let us anchor our hearts in the unchanging character of El Shaddai — our Almighty God — and rest in His perfect care.
By Rev. Dr Joyce Aryee, the author
