This is a summary of Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount in Matthew.

Following Jesus in this broken world looks quite different because it means fixing our eyes on God and his otherworldly kingdom. There’s hunger and longing, tears and pain (5:2–12), but this is what it means to be salt and light for a world that needs help (5:13–16). Jesus and his way in the world look different, but it’s what the Law and the Prophets have been pointing to all along (5:17–19). You can’t settle for a righteousness that’s less than him and his way (5:20); it’s gotta be more than mere external obedience. Following Jesus means striving for inner and outer wholeness, hearts and minds at one with him (5:21–48).

Following Jesus means doing what you do for the Father alone, not to be seen by others (6:1–6). Pray for his will to be done, pray for his provision, his forgiveness, and his protection (6:7–13). Be like the Father by forgiving others when they do you wrong (6:14–15). Fix your eyes on heaven and not on the darkness of this world. What you fix your eyes and your thoughts on impacts who you are on the inside (6:16–24). Fix your eyes on the Father because that is where your help comes from, help even for the most practical things that you worry about. Ironically, looking up is the most practical thing you can do to help yourself not be anxious as you move through your days down here on earth (6:25–34).

Don’t look out and fixate on other people and their faults. To do so would be to waste your precious time and energy on something that only makes things worse for you (7:1–6). Talk to the Father and ask him for help because he can and will help you (7:7–11). As far as other people go — treat them how you want to be treated. This is what it means to follow Jesus and fulfill the requirement of the Law and the Prophets. This is the narrow way (7:12–14). Watch out for those who point you down other paths. You’ll recognize them by the way their lives contrast with Jesus’s life. You’ll be able to tell who is following our Lord; it’s the ones who do what Jesus delights in (7:15–20). Jesus isn’t tricked. He’ll make it all clear for everyone to see on the last day (7:21–23). Build your life on Jesus, the only solid foundation there is. He’ll sort it all out in the end (7:24–27).

Footnote

A summary of Jesus’s Sermon on the Plain in Luke can be found here: The Prepared Person: A Summary of Jesus’s Sermon in Luke.