Within the Kingdom message goes out section (Matthew 4:12–7:29), a further subdivision can be made:

• Early Galilean Ministry (Matthew 4:12–25)

• First discourse: The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1–7:29)

  • Setting (Matthew 5:1–2)

  • Introduction (Matthew 5:3–16)

  • Relationship of law to new covenant (Matthew 5:17–48)

  • Inward righteousness (Matthew 6:1–18)

  • Social ethics (Matthew 6:19–7:12)

  • The two paths (Matthew 7:13–27)

  • Conclusion: Jesus’ authority (Matthew 7:28–29)

In the introduction to his sermon (Matthew 5:1–16), Jesus has highlighted the pattern of life to which kingdom citizens ought to aspire. Belonging to God through faith in the King (Jesus), we must not expect blessing to be seen in present material prosperity. We must recognise our dependence on God and need for his mercy. Moving on into the body, Jesus makes it clear from the start that he has come to fulfil what was previously revealed. When he interprets and applies God’s law in ways that are different from what God’s people are used to, he is not ignoring what was revealed but explaining what kingdom living will look like now that the Messiah has come (Matthew 5:17–20). A focus on kingdom living is then also the theme of Matthew 5:21–48 as Jesus expands on and explains six Old Testament legal texts, confirming that they all testify to the need for God’s people to pursue holiness/perfection as their Father is holy/perfect (Matthew 5:48).

Having taught from God’s law, Jesus goes on to address three aspects of basic Jewish piety that were central to Second Temple Judaism (Matthew 6:1–18). He explained how kingdom citizens ought to pursue righteous living for the sake of pleasing God and not winning the attention of people. Now he continues to explain how pleasing God will impact decisions about money. Instead of pursuing wealth, God’s people must pursue that which is consistent with what God has revealed in his Word.

Possessions should not be sought (Matthew 6:19–24) nor worried about (Matthew 6:25–34). This section as a whole bears close connection with the petition for daily bread (Matthew 6:11). The focus is on establishing proper priorities in this world. Kingdom citizens are to seek the purposes of God before their own. They can do so in confidence that the Father will care for them. If instead they worry about and focus on gaining possessions, then they are no different from pagans who do not know God.