Although the Sermon on the Mount is admired by Christians and non-Christians alike, it is widely ignored in practice. Jesus' Beatitudes are seen as optional guidelines applicable to saints but too strenuous for ordinary believers who find it hard enough to follow the Ten Commandments.

In accessible and entertaining prose, Yount explores the essential messages of the Sermon in an effort to help modern believers answer the popular question " What would Jesus do?" by helping the reader understand what he did do and teach. Questions at the end of each chapter make the book ideal for individual reflection and group study.