Foley asks and addresses three questions of the congregation in the second half of this teaching, although I think the questions are more meant to be challenges for the church throughout the series of teachings on Matthew 5, 6, and 7.
- Is this necessary?
The short answer he gives is "yes." He cautions that, especially in a Protestant context, his congregation is used to hearing that it's only necessary to mentally affirm certain things as true, and that obedience and a righteous life are unnecessary for Christians.
He explains that, through most of church history, these teachings were understood as being for a segment of "super Christians" in the population, while the rest of the laity was held to a lesser ethical standard. He insists that this is not the true understanding or application of the teaching. Instead, rather than painting a picture of a "super Christian" (a monk or the pope or something), that the Sermon on the Mount paints a picture of a "regular Christian"... it is what is expected of each and every Christ follower.
- Is this possible?
Foley cautions that obedience to Jesus' teaching here is certainly possible, but only (1) through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and (2) within the context of a Spirit-filled community (a local church body). He cautions that modern Americans are primed to think about these questions as individuals, but that most (if not all) of the New Testament was written to communities. He uses an example of the extreme mistreatment that Christians invite onto themselves by following Jesus' commandments literally, and how it is possible to have the courage live this way if you have the comfort of a community dedicated to meeting your needs.
- Is this good?
Although he doesn't go into it much, Foley insists that following the SotM as a community will be good for that community, for each individual in that community, and ultimately for the onlooking world around them. The City on a Hill won't be elevated without obedience to Jesus' teaching. He says that Jesus himself, and the apostles in their writings, speak about the fact that the WAY Christians live their lives is the biggest way that the world sees the truth of the Gospel.