Monday on the Mount is a series of videos that Dave recorded and posted on YouTube and Facebook on Mondays. The videos are based on Dave’s book, The Sermon on the Mount: The Greatest Motivational Speech Ever. Order a signed copy of the book from Dave by clicking here https://bit.ly/3eQQXzh. Total cost, including shipping, is only $10 per copy!
Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™
Video 1:
#MondayOnTheMount This is the first in a series of videos, an introduction, based on my book, The Sermon on the Mount: The Greatest Motivational Speech Ever. The Sermon on the Mount can be found in the Book of Matthew, Chapters 5 through 7. Imagine Jesus delivering a motivational speech to the masses gathered along the shores of the Sea of Galilee. That is my approach with both the book and these videos. Each video also includes a moment of reflection.
Video 2:
#MondayOnTheMount Matthew 5: 1-2
1 One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around him, 2 and he began to teach them.
Just imagine what that must have looked like! Most people would have had butterflies in their stomach facing a crowd like this. But not Jesus!
Video 3:
#MondayOnTheMount Matthew 5:3
3 God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
This is the first of the Beatitudes in which Jesus talks about who is blessed and why. Some surprises to follow!
Video 4:
#MondayOnTheMount Matthew 5:4
4 God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
God knows that we grieve at loss. In those moments when we may feel the darkness coming on, He will be your light!
Video 5:
#MondayOnTheMount Matthew 5:5
5 God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth.
Some people have a hard time being humble, but God has a way of showing us how!
Video 6:
#MondayOnTheMount Matthew 5:6
6 God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied.
“It’s not fair!” Life is not fair. There is only one who is fair and that is God!
Video 7:
#MondayOnTheMount Matthew 5:7
7 God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
If you are merciful to others, then you will be shown mercy when you need it!
Video 8:
#MondayOnTheMount Matthew 5:8
8 God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.
None of us truly have pure hearts, so how can we see God? By looking into the Son!
Video 9:
#MondayOnTheMount Matthew 5:9
9 God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.
We are called to serve others, not to be served. It is the distinction between “service” and “serve us”.
Video 10:
#MondayOnTheMount Matthew 5:10
10 God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
Was Mother Teresa some kind of religious nut? I have an answer that may surprise you!
Video 11:
#MondayOnTheMount Matthew 5:11-12
11 God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. 12 Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.
What do you do when the haters hate? The Sermon on the Mount may have an answer!
Video 12:
#MondayOnTheMount Matthew 5:13
13 You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless
Feeling a little salty today? You should – you are the salt of the earth!
Video 13:
#MondayOnTheMount Matthew 5:14-16
14 You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
Having trouble seeing the light at the end of the tunnel? You shouldn’t, because you are the light of the world!
Video 14:
#MondayOnTheMount Matthew 5:17-19
17 Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. 18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved. 19 So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Looking for gray area in the Word of God? Um, well, you may notice that they are called the 10 Commandments, not the 10 suggestions!
Video 15:
#MondayOnTheMount Matthew 5:20
20 But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!
Do you know people who are truly righteous and others who are self-righteous? Jesus has a message for both of them!
Video 16:
#MondayOnTheMount Matthew 5:21-22
21 You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ 22 But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.
Ever caught yourself calling another driver an idiot on the road? It turns out that Jesus might think you are the idiot!
Video 17:
#MondayOnTheMount Matthew 5: 23-24
23 So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, 24 leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.
You know how it is, when you are the way to the temple to make a sacrifice, and you realize you have this grudge…oh wait, we don’t do that anymore. Nope, but we still have guilt, grudges, and resentments. See what Jesus has to say about those!
Video 18:
#MondayOnTheMount Matthew 5:25-26
25 When you are on the way to court with your adversary, settle your differences quickly. Otherwise, your accuser may hand you over to the judge, who will hand you over to an officer, and you will be thrown into prison. 26 And if that happens, you surely won’t be free again until you have paid the last penny.
In the criminal justice system…” sometimes things do not go your way. Much better to take it to God rather than take your chances with a jury of your peers.
Video 19:
#MondayOnTheMount Matthew 5:27-30
27 You have heard the commandment that says, ‘You must not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 So if your eye—even your good eye—causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your hand—even your stronger hand—causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.
Did Jesus really say that you should gouge out an eye or cut off your hand if they cause you to commit sin? Yup! Watch the video to learn more!
Video 20:
#MondayOnTheMount Matthew 5:31-32
31 You have heard the law that says, ‘A man can divorce his wife by merely giving her a written notice of divorce.’ 32 But I say that a man who divorces his wife, unless she has been unfaithful, causes her to commit adultery. And anyone who marries a divorced woman also commits adultery.
When is infidelity more than just adultery? When it becomes unfaithfulness to God!
Video 21:
#MondayOnTheMount Matthew 5:33-37
33 You have also heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not break your vows; you must carry out the vows you make to the Lord.’ 34 But I say, do not make any vows! Do not say, ‘By heaven!’ because heaven is God’s throne. 35 And do not say, ‘By the earth!’ because the earth is his footstool. And do not say, ‘By Jerusalem!’ for Jerusalem is the city of the great King. 36 Do not even say, ‘By my head!’ for you can’t turn one hair white or black. 37 Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one.
Ever say “I swear to God?” That might not be the best idea!
Video 22:
#MondayOnTheMount Matthew 5: 38-42
38 You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. 40 If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. 41 If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles. 42 Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow.
An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth? That seems kind of harsh! Yet, Jesus tells us to even going to the point of turning the other cheek when someone slaps the right one. WHAT??!! Watch the video for more on this.
Video 23:
#MondayOnTheMount Matthew 5:43-48
43 “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. 44 But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! 45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. 46 If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. 47 If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. 48 But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.
“Wait – I have to love my enemies?” “Yes, and pray for them, too.” “Just because when it rains we both get drenched?” “Yes!” Confused? You won’t be after you watch this video!
Video 24:
#MondayOnTheMount Matthew 6:1-4
1 Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. 2 When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. 3 But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. 4 Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
“Isn’t giving to charity or performing community service and then making sure everyone knows what I did the best way to get recognition and attention from others?” Nope. Jesus tells us to do our good in private and that will lead to an even better reward!
Video 25:
#MondayOnTheMount Matthew 6:5-13, Part 1
5 When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. 6 But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. 7 “When you pray, don’t babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. 8 Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him! 9 Pray like this:
Our Father in heaven,
may your name be kept holy.
10 May your Kingdom come soon.
May your will be done on earth,
as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today the food we need,
12 and forgive us our sins,
as we have forgiven those who sin against us.
13 And don’t let us yield to temptation,
but rescue us from the evil one.
“Lay me down to sleep…” Good, but not quite right. “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound…” I love that hymn, but those are not the words we should pray. Try, “Our Father who art in heaven…”
Video 26:
#MondayOnTheMount Matthew 6:5-13, Part 2
“The Lord’s Prayer is so amazing! But, I have more that I want to say to God.” I have some ideas for you!
Video 27:
#MondayOnTheMount Matthew 6:14-15
14 “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. 15 But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.
“I can’t believe what they did to me! I will NEVER forgive them!” Never? That’s a long time and Jesus has something to say about that.
Video 28:
#MondayOnTheMount Matthew 6:16-18
16 And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. 17 But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. 18 Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
Them: “Oh, I am so hungry! What a sacrifice I am making for my health and for God!” Me: “Wow, that is amazing. How long have you been fasting? Days? A week? Longer?” Them: “It has been so long, I can’t remember.” Me: “There are fresh crumbs on your face…” Fasting is not about us. It is something we do to draw closer to God!
Video 29:
#MondayOnTheMount Matthew 6:19-21
19 Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
They say you can take it with you. I say, watch me! Er, but God may have a different idea in mind.
Video 30:
#MondayOnTheMount Matthew 6:22-23
22 Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is good, your whole body is filled with light. 23 But when your eye is bad, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is!
“Hmmmm, do I want to live in light or in darkness? Seems like a trick question!” It’s not! Watch the video to find out more!
Video 31:
#MondayOnTheMount Matthew 6:24
24 No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
Think you’re the master of your life? Think again – your mortgage or rent, habits that you have, relationships, etc. are are laying claim to that title!
Video 32:
#MondayOnTheMount Matthew 6:25-27
25 That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
Worries, worries, worries! What worries do you have and what can you do about them? This video has some answers for you.
Video 33:
#MondayOnTheMount Matthew 6:28-30
28 And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
Ever have that dream where you are naked out in public or at school? Don’t worry…it’s not a dream! JK, don’t worry because God is going to clothe you!
Video 34:
#MondayOnTheMount Matthew 6:31-33
31 So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God[x] above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
What do you need? More than what you already have? Why? Do you really need it? God knows the answer and He is the solution.
Video 35:
#MondayOnTheMount Matthew 6:34
34 So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
Are you worried? What about? Are you worried about your worrying? Why? God can handle all of that for you!
Video 36:
#MondayOnTheMount Matthew 7:1-5
1 Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. 2 For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. 3 “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? 4 How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.
“Wow, can you believe he did that?” “Did you hear what she said?” “Oh, that group is always doing things to…” STOP! God has reserved judgement for Himself – and it may not be as harsh as you think.
Video 37:
#MondayOnTheMount Matthew 7:6
6 Don’t waste what is holy on people who are unholy. Don’t throw your pearls to pigs! They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you.
Who do you save your best for? Your family? Friends? God?
Video 38:
#MondayOnTheMount Matthew 7:7-8
7 Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.
“So, what does God want me to do?” “Ask.” “I just did! Seriously, how do I find God?” “Seek.” “I am seeking, but I am not finding. It seems all the doors are closed to me.” “Knock.” “What is with these one word answers?” Watch this video to find out!
Video 39:
#MondayOnTheMount Matthew 7:9-11
9 You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? 10 Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! 11 So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask Him.
God wants you to have good things – not just underwear and socks for Christmas! “What?” Yeah, you might need to watch the video to understand.
Video 40:
#MondayOnTheMount Matthew 7:12
12 Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.
Jesus is working towards his big finish. He drops a little thing in this video that you may have heard of: The Golden Rule!
Video 41:
#MondayOnTheMount Matthew 7:13-14
13 “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. 14 But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.
What’s the difference in where you end up between Heaven and Hell? Jesus explains that it is a very narrow gate!
Video 42:
#MondayOnTheMount Matthew 7:15-20
15 Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. 16 You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? 17 A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. 18 A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. 19 So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. 20 Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.
Are you a tree that yields good fruit or bad fruit? What does that even mean? Jesus explains it all!
Video 43:
#MondayOnTheMount Matthew 7:21-23
21 Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. 22 On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ 23 But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’
So, I can prophesy, cast out demons, and perform miracles in Jesus’ name, and still not ‘get into’ heaven?” Yes, but it is not that simple – Jesus has the answer!
Video 44:
#MondayOnTheMount Matthew 7:24-27
24 Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. 25 Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. 26 But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. 27 When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.
What is the foundation of your life? What do you stand on? What gives you the support you need? Is it the shifting sands of the world or the bedrock of Jesus?
Video 45:
#MondayOnTheMount Matthew 7:28-29
28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 for he taught with real authority—quite unlike their teachers of religious law.
Wow! Jesus has delivered the greatest speech ever, leaving his audience in awed amazement.