Studies in the Sermon on the Mount: God's Character and the Believer's Conduct

by Oswald Chambers

“We are so used to the sayings of Jesus that they slip past us; they sound sweet and pious and wonderfully simple, but they are in reality like spiritual torpedoes that burst and explode in the subconscious mind.” —Oswald Chambers
 
From the Beatitudes to the Golden Rule, Studies in the Sermon on the Mount guides you through the world’s most well known sermon, showing you how the truth of what Jesus taught should make a difference in your life today. That These studies, first taught in 1911 and published in 1915, now feature updated language that makes them more readable for today’s audiences.
 

Genres: Christian, Theology, Religion, Christian Living, Christianity, Nonfiction, Discipleship

104 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1960

About the author

Oswald Chambers was born to devout parents in Aberdeen, Scotland. At age 16, Oswald Chambers was baptized and became a member of Rye Lane Baptist Chapel. Even as a teenager, Chambers was noted for his deep spirituality, and he participated in the evangelization of poor occupants of local lodging houses. Oswald married Gertrude in May 1910, and on May 24, 1913, Gertrude gave birth to their only child, Kathleen. In 1915, a year after the outbreak of World War I, Chambers was accepted as a YMCA chaplain. He was assigned to Zeitoun, Cairo, Egypt, where he ministered to Australian and New Zealand troops, who later participated in the Battle of Gallipoli. Soon his wooden-framed "hut" was packed with hundreds of soldiers listening attentively to his messages. Confronted by a soldier who said, "I can't stand religious people," Chambers replied, "Neither can I." Chambers was stricken with appendicitis on October 17, 1917 but resisted going to a hospital on the grounds that the beds would be needed by men wounded in the long-expected Third Battle of Gaza. On October 29th, a surgeon performed an emergency appendectomy, but Chambers died November 15, 1917 from a hemorrhage of the lungs. He was buried in Cairo with full military honors. Gertrude, for the remainder of her life published books and articles for him edited from the notes she had taken in shorthand from his sermons. Most successful of the thirty books was, "My Utmost for His Highest", which has never been out of print and has been translated into 39 languages.

Reviews

[Quirkyreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

All I can say is oh my. This book came to me at the right time.

Personally I believe this book should be read after you have traversed the narrow path for some time. This is something that takes life expirence to help you get the gist of it.

It will be a book that I plan on revisiting often.

[Bungi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read this book twice so far. I believe i will read it again (and again, and again...).

Oswald Chambers has set out to explain one of the most simple, yet puzzling, passage in the Bible - the sermon on the mount (Matthew 5-7). Although written in simple language, this book has been one of the most challenging and edifying books i have read thus far. The passage is divided in to five sections and explained:
His Teaching and Our Training
Actual and Real
Incarnate Wisdom and Individual Reason
Character and Conduct
Ideas, Ideals, and Actuality

Without diluting the expectations of the passage on disciples of Christ, Chambers has set out to teach us the impossibility of it and yet live up to it. This book encourages the readers to greater commitment to, and deeper dependence on God.

I used this book as a daily devotional once. And as study during one of my retreat times.

I would recommend this book to anyone that seeks to be challenged and to go deeper with God.

[Amanda Tranmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of Chambers' typical Holy Spirit dynamite, concise and powerful, but more like selected study notes than a full treatment of the Sermon (read Martyn Lloyd-Jones for that!)

"The teaching in the Sermon on the Mount produces despair in the natural man, the one thing Jesus wants it to do, because immediately we get to despair we come to Jesus Christ like paupers, and are willing to receive from Him. "Blessed are the paupers in spirit" — that is the very first principle of the kingdom...As long as we have some conceited, self-righteous notion of our own — "Oh, yes, I can do this" — God has to allow us to go on until we break our ignorance over some obstacle, then we realize that, after all, Jesus knew best — "Blessed are the poor in spirit." It is receiving all the way along."

Bang!

(This Kindle version needs some additional proofing and editing. Lots of typos.)

[Aaron S · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this awe inspiring book of beauty simultaneously with my morning bible studies. Oswald Chambers is one of my favorite Christian writers. This book reaffirms his vast knowledge woven into relatable understanding. More of a study guide than a book for entertainment. A must read for anyone looking to grow as a believer of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior.

[Traci Rhoades · Rating 5 out of 5]

Warning: read with a pencil or highlighter. Chambers offers no excuses and no shortcuts. God doesn't just expect us to be good, he expects us to be holy. Looking at each section of the Sermon on the Mount, the author shows us first of all how impossible this is. Then he points again and again to the work of the Spirit in us. For with God, all things are possible.

[V Lynn McCabe Jr · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The golden rule for understanding in spiritual matters is not intellect, but obedience. Discernment in the spiritual world is never gained by intellect; in the common-sense world it is. If a man wants scientific knowledge, intellectual curiosity is his guide; but if he wants insight into what Jesus Christ teaches, he can only get it by obedience. If things are dark to us spiritually, it is because there is something we will not do. Intellectual darkness comes because of ignorance; spiritual darkness comes because of something I do not intend to obey." p 67

[J. Alfred · Rating 3 out of 5]

My brother and I have a joke: whenever Oswald Chambers is mentioned, we say "Oswald is my favorite Chambers." Look, whatever. Chambers writes in a way that is charmingly artless, and he has some insightful and powerful things to say about the Sermon on the Mount.

[Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow. heavy, heavy chambers. insightful, challenging, profound.

[Mhighst · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent and convicting read, although not exposition, on the Sermon on the Mount. Covers in extreme detail almost sentence by sentence. Was more about using the sermon to convict unbelievers and to grow believers in humility and sanctification than it was an exposition of the sermon points themselves. Two criticisms: 1 he restated the same few main points over and over and scattered throughout the whole book, so it was a jumble and hard to organize which made it seem like a million points when really when you stepped back it was just a few restated; 2 my main point summary (see below) were more like foundational truths, the sermons underlying meaning and chambers opinions than an exposition of the application meanings for the sermon...but maybe it's just what I took away, I'll have to read it again to re-check see if there were sermon meaning points or just big truths and opinions shared... *SPOILER* Bottom line: the standards set forth in the Sermon on the Mount are meant to be too high for anyone to reach so it drives you to the foot of the cross, to the one who did reach them on believer's behalf, to Christ. After we are saved fully, by faith in Christ, even though they are too high we are yet still called to strive to obey them (not for salvation, but for sanctification) with the power Christ's gives us, his Holy Spirit.
Main Points:
- Order of Things: 1st: Faith (be rightly related to God through Christ (Justification)) - 2nd: Practice (Work out what He has worked in (Sanctification))
- Focus on yourself with an audience of one
- Eyes on Jesus/God and His word (right root); not on religious figureheads nor even the best saint
- Obey the Holy Spirit (especially in the little things, little convictions); Faithful with little. Little choices over time become BIG ones.
- Never ever judge. Instead, truth with humility. Remember, pride comes before the fall & with the measure you use it will be measured to you.
- He gives you the power but you also need the discipline to work it out and grow in grace; God gives you the choice/power and you then work hard with Him.
- Priorities - make sure God is first; everything else will follow.
- Aim to confess Jesus himself because He is the whole truth (evangelism - Gospel), not solely the little ideas or little truths to others (apologetics). (Don't beat around the bush.)

[Ph. D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are serious about being a follower of Christ, read this book -- and expect to be convicted. I have filled Matt 5-7 in my Bible with notes from this piercing study of the greatest sermon ever preached. Here is the essence: "As we study the Sermon on the Mount we find that we are badgered by the Spirit of God from every standpoint in order to bring us into a simplicity of relationship with Jesus Christ. The standard is that of a child depending on God." (p. 98)

Read this book with reverence and humility.

[Stephanie H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Completely excellent. Chambers reads with a similar bluntness of theology as one find in Lewis, but with more immediate applications to one's life. So much is laid plain in his commentary that gives an immediate challenge to the way we live when compared to the words of Christ.

[J.M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing Bible study from my favorite nonfiction authors. This book packs a challenge--so good! This authors makes me look at Scripture from a personal angle instead of theoretical or analytical: Here is what Jesus said. Here is what He expects of me. What am I going to do with this?

[Preye Agbana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an expository book. Chambers delves deep into this sermon, helping readers to understand the magnitude and difficulty of Jesus’s teaching especially to the unsaved. Praise God, He gives us the Holy Spirit to carry out Jesus’s commandments.

[Dr PRAKASH · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a great book which tells about what God expects from man and how to live such life by Oswald Chambers. God expects man to be God-like. Sermon on the Mount by Lord Jesus Christ teaches us. Chambers commentary on Sermon on the mount is profound.

[Jan Norton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a more scholarly look at the Sermon on the Mount. Oswald, Chambers brings truth to reality. He reminds us that our focus must be on God alone, and not on the culture in which we live. This is a study on Matthew 5–7.

[Grant Humphreys · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an absolute joy to read this book. I forgot how eloquent Chambers was in his graceful and gracious presentation of deep topics we sometimes find hard to put into words. I'll come back to it often.

[Kylie Di Mauro · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading Oswald Chambers “my utmost for his highest” many years ago, so I thought I’d try one of his other books. I read this one in my daily devotions and I loved it as it goes through the beatitudes. I will definitely read another one of his books.

[Vinay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spiritual Guidance.

If you are looking for God’s word to guide you. Please read this book. Oswald Chambers has done an excellent job explains the sermon on the mount.

[janaki sugathadasa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sermon on the Mount

One of the best books I read.Author explain the sermon word by word. It help us to know better the holy word very clearly.

[Melissa ~ Slow Scenes of Home Weed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best study on the sermon on the mount... took me years to finish, each line is worth so much pondering! I keep it on my desk shelf for constant reference.

[donna K. Swanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very revelient

This spoke to what we as humans think first. Self Righteousness want to correct others Needing to live in the spirit.

[Nathan Albright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perhaps most famous for his work My Utmost For His Highest, this mercifully short (only about 100 pages or so) book is deeply uneven, and suggests that the author was deeply unaware of his own critical attitude. Of course, being a person with an intensely critical attitude myself, it can be fairly easy to not realize when one is being less than charitable to others while that lack of charity is conspicuously obvious to everyone else. That is to say, I empathize with the problem of the author because it is one I share in flamboyant abundance. This author demonstrates a marked tendency to afflict the comfortable without a balancing tendency to comfort the afflicted, which is not too surprising from someone who was a part of the holiness movement and a notably stern Scotch Baptist. To be sure, it is nothing too unusual to reflect on the Sermon on the Mount, as that is one of the most notable parts of Jesus' ministry as a wellspring of material for thought and reflection [1]. This particular exploration is a demanding one, though, and one that carries with it certain unfriendly and unbiblical language that demonstrates the author is not engaged in exegesis so much as proof-texting, although that is a common enough tendency that is rarely provokes commentary.

This book takes a little more than 100 pages to deal with the Sermon on the Mount in five chapters. There is a foreword and a publisher's foreword that encourages readers to deal with the arcane language of this text in order to gain insight from it. And, to be sure, this is a text that has some insightful comments, although the author (like many) tends to contradict himself from one chapter to another. The first chapter covers Matthew 5:1-20, labeled as His teaching and our training, and then the author calls Matthew 5:21-42 "actual and real," Matthew 5:43-6:34 "incarnate wisdom and individual reason," Matthew 7:12 "character and conduct," and Matthew 7:13-29 "ideas, ideals, and actuality." The author, as can be seen, has a strong interest in actuality, but his titles are far more arbitrary than they are revelatory. Each individual chapter includes a great deal of material that serves as a scriptural commentary, featuring old-fashioned language (which may have been more common when the author wrote in the early 20th century) and an approach which is not particularly loving at all.

Given that much of this book reeks of a "be you warm and filled" approach, and the author's language presents a barrier to contemporary understanding and the sort of unloving approach that does not cut much ice in the present age, what is worthwhile about this book. In many ways, this book is useful both because its insights are tough-minded and remind us of the elevated demands of God and His desire to transform us into His image rather than accept us as we are in our original fallen state. Additionally, this book is a reminder of the need for authors to be humble with the biblical texts that we are dealing with. All too often it is easy to forget that when we comment on scripture, we do so at great risk to our own well-being in that if we are foolish in our statements we will suffer accordingly for leading people astray. In this book we see an author who became most famous posthumously for his devotional writings show himself to be an ungenerous critic of his time and, simultaneously, a critic of judging others even after he has done so. He attempts to give the harshest possible meaning for Matthew 7:1-5 and finds that it rebounds on him to make him look particularly hypocritical, something we all ought to remember, lest the same misfortune happen to us. None of us is immune to teaching kindness and showing harshness, and this is especially dangerous for those of us who are intensely critical writers. For that reminder alone this book is of worth to writers and commentators on scripture and culture.

[1] See, for example:

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[William Ware · Rating 5 out of 5]

I borrowed this from the library but now I want a copy to keep with me. There are certain books that inspire me and I feel should be read often. It is a great devotional reading to get your day started with spiritual insights. It will continually challenge your thinking and bring a delightful desire to understand and know God in reality. It opens your eyes to the relationship of the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ and the Father. I really enjoyed reading this book.

[Jay Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Classic OC

I was looking for a relatively brief study of the Sermon on the Mount. This is classic Oswald Chambers. Excellent review and study of Jesus’s most famous sermon.

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, which is typical for Chambers. The book was a compilation of lectures at God's Bible School in Cincinnati in 1907.
"It is the work of the Holy Spirit to bring back into the conscious mind the things that are stored in the subconscience."
"Intellectual darkness comes because of ignorance; spiritual darkness comes because of something I do not intend to obey."
"The measure of our growth in grace is our attitude toward other people."
"We hear only what we listen for."
Probably the biggest insight was his definition of the essense of sin -- "my claim to my right to myself."

[Kathleen McKim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you really want to understand the work of the Holy Spirit in a believer's life? If you do, this book will change your life. Chambers unpacks Christ's teachings from the Sermon on the Mount as they can only be authentically lived by true disciples in the power of the Spirit. Best if read slowly and meditated upon, along with the Scripture itself. Repeat often with prayer.

[Ruth E. Holmes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life Changing

I was look for something by Oswald Chambers because I find his My Utmost for His Highest so challenging - in a good way. I was intrigued by the title and have been amazed and challenged by this as well. I would recommend this for any seeking a deeper walk with Jesus.

[Andy Brock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Read

Though most of what we have from Oswald Chambers is the loving product of his widow's faithfulness, I think we can appreciate the sincereness of his life in Christ. I think, too, that Chambers is spot on in his treatment of the Holy Spirit is the author of the Sermon on the Mount in our disposition.

[Scott Lake · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is written by a "true" Christian. An in depth study not only of The Sermon on the Mount but also what kind of life every person should be living. I enjoyed it immensely even though it definitely convicted my heart and made me want to be a better person, so I guess that it did exactly what it set out to do; it taught and informed me.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great study! I wish I could sit with Chamber and Lewis and just discuss it all. This showed what Jesus' true mission and meaning was.