Sermon
112920SS-Book Of Matthew.mp3
An overview of the book of Matthew
AUTHOR: MATTHEW, whose original name was Levi.
THEME: “Jesus Is the King of the Jews.”
Matthew was a Jew from Galilee who wrote the book that shows Jesus as King of the Jews. This is why there are 65 references to the Old Testament.
Some have broken down the book in a simple outline.
Matthew shows Jesus as: Prince (1-12) Prophet (13-23) Priest (24-28)
In the 1st verse of Matthew, The LORD Jesus is also shown to have a relationship with two covenants.
- The Abrahamic Covenant of Promise (Genesis 15:18)
- The Davidic Covenant of Kingship (II Samuel 1:8-16)
KEY WORDS:
Kingdom of Heaven – 32 times
Fulfilled – 17 times
DATE: 57 A.D.
INTRODUCTION: The Old Testament closes with the book of Malachi who was the last prophet to speak on behalf of God prior to the coming of the Messiah. For 400 years, the voice of God was silent. Finally, His voice is once again heard through the volcanic preaching of John the Baptist. His message? (Matt. 3:2) –Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. In Gen. 3:15, we hear for the first time the good news of salvation mentioned. And now, finally, Messiah is coming to the earth.
The greatest doctrine of the 1611 Authorized King James Bible is when the main Person of the Bible is crowned King of kings and Lord of lords, the Lord Jesus (Luke 24:25-27; Rev. 19:11-16). The first four books of the New Testament focus upon the earthly ministry of the Lord Jesus. Matthew focused on the King of the Jews (Matt. 2:2). Mark focused on the servant of the Lord (Mark 10:45). Luke concentrated on the humanity of Jesus (Luke 19:10) and John concentrated on the deity of the Saviour of mankind (John 20:30-31).
These books constitute a transition from the Old Testament in the New Testament. The three main transitional books are Matthew, Acts and Hebrews. These books are dangerous to rest upon for doctrinal issues. The book of Matthew operated under the Mosiac Law until the death of Christ (Matt. 27:50; Heb. 9:16-17). The Lord prophesied that both kingdoms were at hand, but this was conditional upon the acceptance of the Messiah by the people of Israel (Matt. 11:12-14; 17:10-13). The Messiah was rejected and crucified. During the crucifixion the Saviour petitioned the Father to forgive the Jews. The LORD answered that prayer and gave the Jews another opportunity to receive their Messiah in the book of Acts. As the book of Deuteronomy refers to a second giving of the Law so the book of Acts refers to the second opportunity for the Jews to accept their Messiah (Acts 2:36; 3:14; 4:10-12; 7:51-53). The Jews as a whole rejected the Messiah again; therefore, the book of Acts records the transition from the Jews to the Gentiles (Acts 28:25-28). The book of Acts also records the transitions from Israel to the church, from Peter to Paul, and from Jerusalem to Antioch.
Each of the four Gospels was written to show Jesus in a different light. For example, if my son wrote a book about me, he would show me as a father. If my wife wrote my life story, she would show me as a husband. If another Preacher wrote a book about me, he would how him as a fellow worker. Had my Mom written a book about me, she would have pictured me as a son. It is like a diamond being looked at from four different angles. The reflection of light would cause it to glisten beautifully a different way from each angle but it would be the same diamond. Hence, the LORD inspired four different men writing about the life of Christ. Each of the four gospels, though appearing to be repetitive, actually give four different glimpses of the same Savior.
Matthew – presents the Messiah as the KING. The book was written by Levi, the tax-collector to the Jewish or Hebrew people with the main purpose of proving to them that Jesus Christ was the promised Messiah. Today, the major obstacle to the Jewish people is their unwillingness to accept Him as the promised Messiah.
Mark – presents Jesus the Messiah as the SERVANT. You will not find a genealogy in this book because a servant doesn’t need one. It was written to the Romans.
Luke – presents the Messiah as the SON OF MAN or as the perfect man. This book was written to the Greeks.
John – presents the Messiah as the SON OF GOD or as God Himself This gospel was written to all the world.
The Gospels are 48% of the New Testament
The Synoptic Gospels
Matthew, Mark and Luke are “Synoptic.” “Syn” – together, “optic” – seen Synoptic – Seen together
John is unique
| Unique to itself | Similar to the others | |
| MATTHEW | 42% | 58% |
| MARK | 7% | 93% |
| LUKE | 59% | 41% |
| JOHN | 92% | 8% |
Only 3 Events Are Found In All Four Gospels
- Feeding of the 5,000
- Christ’s triumphal entry
- The crucifixion and resurrection.
THE AUTHOR,
- His name, “Matthew,” means “gift of Jehovah.” Could this mean that God’s men are gifts to His people from Him?
- His original name was “Levi,” which means “joined.” “Matthew” was probably given to him as his new apostolic name.
- He was a Jew.
- His father’s name was Alhaeus.
- His home was at Capernaum.
- His business was the collection of dues and customs from sons and cods crossing the Sea of Galilee or passing along the great Damascus Road, which went right along the shore between Bethsaida and Capernaum.
- He was wealthy. One reason was that his office was one that was bought at an auction. Since it was such a lucrative office the rich Jews would bid for the right to be tax collector. Then, too, tax collectors themselves became even more wealthy .
- He was drawn to Jesus by Jesus Himself. Luke 5:27, 28.
- He immediately became a soul winner. Luke 5:29-32. He made a feast in his own house, perhaps in order to introduce his former companions and friends to Jesus. No doubt Zacchaeus was impressed by Matthew’s conversion and later received the Saviour .
- He lived for several years after the resurrection of Christ. He is listed in Acts 1:13. The Gospel of Matthew was probably written at least 20 years later. It is believed that Matthew remained in Jerusalem for 15 years and then went as a missionary to the Persians, Parthians and Medes. Perhaps he died as a martyr in Ethiopia .
THEME – “JESUS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.” Matthew constantly keeps before his people the Old Testament Scriptures showing that Jesus is the Messiah and the King. His genealogy, for example, takes Jesus back through the kingly route to David. He constantly refers to the Old Testament in an effort to prove that Jesus is the Messiah predicted in the Old Testament. He refers to the Old Testament Scriptures about 100 times. He refers to the prophets about 50 times. His writings are bound in statements to show that Jesus fulfilled the prophetical Scriptures. The Jew would require such a procedure and in this manner only could the Messianic claims of our Lord be established.
Thus his words and works furnish the proof that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah. Hence, he constantly speaks of the Kingdom. He speaks of the Gospel of the Kingdom. In the training of the twelve, Jesus presented the law of the Kingdom. By parables He spoke of the progress of the Kingdom. By including many details, Matthew proves that our Lord is the promised King.
Because of this unique purpose1 Matthew omits many things that Luke, Mark, or John include. For example, the Gospel of Luke is written to show Jesus as the Son of Man. Since Matthew is written to show Him as the King, Matthew omits such stories as the annunciation to Mary, Mary’s visit to Elisabeth, the birth of John the Baptist, the appearing of the angels to the shepherds, the circumcision and presentation of Jesus at the temple, Jesus’ visit to Jerusalem at the age of twelve, and the early years in Nazareth. Matthew is not presenting Him as a man; he is presenting Him as the Jewish King, the Messiah to the Jews.
III. THE PRACTICAL TEACHINGS OF MATTHEW. Matthew 5, 6 and 7. The Sermon on the Mount is given to show us the constitution of the Kingdom of Heaven when Jesus reigns during the Millennium but there are many beautiful truths and principles that can by taken from it to use now while we are in the Kingdom of God. Matthew is telling us that the life lived for Christ in the New Testament should exceed the legalism of the Old Testament. He urges us to go farther than the Old Testament saint. Let us notice some key verses.
- Matthew 5:20. The scribes and Pharisees lived a life of legalism. We can go beyond that.
- Matthew 5:21, 22. The Old Testament taught not to kill. Now Jesus comes and teaches us that we should not even hate.
- Matthew 5:23, 24. We are reminded that to bring our gifts to the altar is important, but it is more important that we be reconciled first to a brother who hath ought against us.
- Matthew 5:38, 39. We are told to turn the other cheek, not to give an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth .
- Matthew 5:41. We are told to go the extra mile.
- Matthew 5:44. We are told not only to love those that love us, but to love our enemies. We are to love our enemies, bless those that curse us1 do good to those who hate us, and pray for those who despitefully use us.
- Matthew 5:13. The Christian is called “the salt of the earth.” We are to do our best to keep the earth from becoming so rotten that God will destroy it.
- Matthew 5:14-16. We are called “the light of the world.” We are supposed to hold our light high so people may see it and glorify God.
CONCLUSION: The entire book is simply showing that Jesus is the Messiah and teaching us now that He has come, we are to go far beyond the Old Testament manner of life. Let us realize that grace should motivate us to do more than the law.
OUTLINE OF THE BOOK OF MATTHEW
- HIS COMING. (Matt.1:1-4:25)
He came to display grace to an undeserving world.
In ch. 1, we find the genealogy mentioned which appears dry and
boring. However, one will notice the mentioning of 4 women which was unheard of in a Jewish genealogy.
- Tamar. (Matt. 1:3) Tamar is mentioned in (Gen. 38). She dressed up like a harlot and deceived her father-in-law and had illegitimate twins. She represents the sin of Incest.
- Rahab. (Matt. 1:5a) Rahab is mentioned in (Joshua 2:1). Prior to getting saved, she is described as a harlot.
- Ruth. (Matt. 1:5) Ruth is mentioned in (Ruth 1:4) and is identified as a foreigner, a native of Moab. She was thus looked upon by the Jews as being inferior and outside of God’s provision for salvation.
- Bathsheba. (Matt. 1:6) The wife of Uriah is referring to Bathsheba, where we find in (2 Sam. 11), she had an affair with King David while her husband was away at war. She was an adulterer.
Why would God include these 4 women in the genealogy of a King? In order to demonstrate His grace! If God can use someone involved in incest, a harlot, an adulterer, and a woman from a vile and wicked people then God can use anyone.
He came to fulfill Scripture.
Matt 1:22‑23 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Jesus had to come as He did and when He did or the Bible would have been violated and God made a liar.
He came to please His Father.
Matt 3:17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
What would please the Father more than anything in the world? The restoration of man’s fellowship!
He came to reveal His Father.
Matt 4:16 The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.
Jesus Christ came to bring light into a dark world temporarily held in the grips of Satan.
When the King stepped down from heaven to scatter the darkness of sin’ what happened? (John 1:4-5) – “In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.”
- HIS MINISTRY. (Matt. 5:1-18:35)
His teaching. (Matt. 5:7-29)
- That the influence of a person is vital.
Matt 5:13‑14 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his
savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
Here, the individual Christian is referred to as salt and light. Salt helps to prevent spoilage. The world is slowly corrupting and decaying. It is becoming rotten with sin yet a Christian can slow down this decaying by their presence.
How are we to be a light? It is every person’s responsibility to help someone who is still lost in darkness by knowing how to share the gospel and doing what you know.
- That the affection of a person is vital.
Matt 6:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
One of the greatest stumbling blocks in the Christian’s life will be over money. That’s why Christ said more about money than about heaven and hell put together.
But notice, it isn’t money that is the problem – it is the affection or love for it.
- That the attitude of a person is vital.
Matt 6:34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
It boils down to this. Either trust God and quit worrying or try to run your own life and worry if it will turn out right. Rom. 14:23 – whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
- That the assurance of a person is vital.
Matt 7:21‑23 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into
the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
These people were religious but lost. They knew Christ, they performed miracles and great works and were shocked when they were not allowed into heaven.
A person’s assurance of salvation can’t be based upon knowing who Jesus is (the devils know that) or upon anything they have done. Salvation is based only upon what Christ did, and our willingness to accept His “one way to heaven” (found in Rom. 10:13).
His healing. (Matt. 8:1-9:38)
Jesus demonstrated His Sovereignty in healing by only healing certain people. He healed a leper, a servant, a mother-in-law, and a palsied man.
Why didn’t Jesus heal everyone who was sick all over the world at the same time? Because He has a purpose for every healing and a purpose for every person not healed.
Thousands must have received healing during the lifetime of Christ, but the one thing that consumed Him was not their physical problems, but their spiritual. (Matt. 9:35-36) – And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, an preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
His Disciples. (Matt. 10:1-42)
They were given power.
Matthew 10:1 And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
Jesus sets forth a wonderful principle here in that if He has called you to a task, He will empower you and enable you to perform that task. With the job comes the ability to complete the job.
They were given provision.
Matt 10:10 Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.
- Jesus now instructs the disciples of 2 truths:
#1 – It is the responsibility of the people to take care of the workman – the preacher.
#2 – It is the responsibility of the workman to trust the Lord to provide his needs.
- They were given problems. Since when did we ever get the idea that serving God was easy?
- They were weaker than the enemy. (Matt. 10:16) – “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.“
- They were to be arrested and beaten. (Matt. 10:17) – “But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;“
- They were to be tried for their faith. (Matt. 10:18) – “And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.” In the last decade, scores of preachers have been taken to court for charges ranging from child brutality (spanking) to tax evasion (trying to force the church to forfeit their tax-exempt status.)
- They were given solutions to every problem.
- They were told to flee persecution.
Matt 10:23 But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.
(1) I’m sure they would rather have been given power to call down fire from heaven! But Christ had to evade His enemies during many of His conflicts.
- They were told not to be afraid.
Matt 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not
able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
(1) As we look back to the beginning of this chapter,
we recall that these disciples were given power to HELP, but not to defend themselves. Their defense was to be of the Lord!
HIS RECEPTION. (Matt. 11:1-12:50)
He was doubted by John the Baptist.
Matt 11:3 And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?
This brings out 2 important truths:
(1) From Jesus’ perspective, it clearly shows the failure of even the best of people. John the Baptist was in a position to know the Scriptures, to have seen the visible sign of the dove, and to have heard the voice from heaven – but he still had doubts.
(2) From John’s viewpoint, he provides us with a good example. When he was faced with doubt, he didn’t ask a friend but rather he brought his doubts to the Lord.
He was rejected by the privileged cities.
Matt 11:20 Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not:
These cities accurately picture our world and society today. Many people, saved and lost, are only interested in Jesus the miracle worker but aren’t willing or wanting to accept Him as their King – the Supreme ruler of their lives!
He was received by the crippled but rejected by the healthy.
Jesus healed the man with the withered hand (Matt. 12:13) and the demoniac (Matt. 12:22) but was rejected by the Pharisees!
The spiritual lesson is that Jesus can’t heal our broken spiritual condition unless we see our need.
HIS PARABLES. (Matt. 13)
In this chapter we find Christ describing the effect of the gospel in the world till the time of His return and then into His millennial reign.
These parables basically give the same picture of “professing” Christianity versus true Christianity in the world.
There will be a mixture of thorns and fruit, Parable of the sower tares and wheat, Parable of the tares various birds lodging in a single tree, parable of the mustard seed, leaven and dough, parable of the leaven bad fish and good fish, parable of the drag-net. (Matt. 13:22-47)
All of these simply teach the fact that the millennial kingdom will be composed of both saved and lost, as will the church.
HIS REVELATION. (Matt. 14:1-17:27)
- Of His power.
- He fed the 5,000.(Matt. 14:15-21)
- He walked on the water. (Matt. 14:22-36)
- Of His purpose.
- To offer Himself as King to the chosen people. Matt. 15:24) –But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
- To establish His church upon, not Peter, but Himself. (Matt. 16:18) – And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
- To save the lost. (Matt. 18:11) – For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.
HIS SACRIFICE. (Matt. 23-27)
- Was plotted by men.
Herodians. This group was a political organization who desired an earthly king of power and might.
Sadducees. This group was a religious organization composed of liberals who denied the resurrection.
Pharisees. The Pharisees were a religious group whose ultra-conservatism was twisted into deadly legalism.
Was predicted by Scripture.
(Matt. 26:24) – “The Son of man goeth as it is written of him.”
(Ps. 22) – called the “Crucifixion Psalm” describes His agony in detail. (Ps. 22:14-17)
(Isa. 53) – portrays the brutal, sacrifice made by Christ. (Isa. 53:5-7)
Was pleasing to His Father.
(Matt. 26:39) – “Nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.”
(Matt. 26:42) – “Thy will be done.”
Was puzzling to Pontius Pilate.
Matt 27:22 Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.
When the King is presented, everyone must make a choice – either He reigns in your life, or He is rejected in place of yourself!
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