Matthew Wrap Up

Matthew 2:1-6, 28:18-20

Matthew Wrap Up- Jesus Wins

Sermon Notes

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July 9, 2017

Lynchburg, Virginia

EXHORDIUM

         In the beginning of Jesus’s life, He was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the King. Wise men recognized that He was born King of the Jews. But the Jews were not so easily convinced.

         Herod feared that it might be true and sought to kill Him. As the years passed and Jesus began His ministry, it became more evident that He was indeed the King of the Jews. Instead of the leaders being pleased that the Davidic King had arisen, they rather chose to kill Him.

         But the word had been declared that the king would rule God’s people. We see in the beginning that ‘God’s people’ is revealed as “My people Israel.” But that is not enough people for Jesus to rule. He must rule the entire world.

         Later in Jesus’s life, instead of the world flocking to their king, there is an increasing opposition to Him. Some hail Him as their king but not on His terms.

         The issue often seems to boil down to one simple and very difficult duty. Will you submit to this King?

The chief priests, scribe, elders, Herod, Pontius Pilate, Judas, all said no. But thanks be to God that the story does not end there.

Story of Matthew

         Proclamation- Matt. 2:1-6   Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, ² Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. ³ When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. ⁴ And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. ⁵ And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, ⁶ And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

         When Jesus is born, wise men from the East come to worship Him. As we read this story, we realize that Jesus is to be worshipped by all men everywhere from the least to the greatest. He is the King of kings.

         At the end of His life, we see the charge posted above His head, King of the Jews. It was written in Latin, and Greek and Hebrew, signifying not only that Jesus was King of the Jews, but King of the pagan Greeks and world conquering Romans.

         But in between the wise men worship at the beginning and the final triumphant victory on the cross, proved in His Resurrection, there was a lifetime of faithful ministry that mostly produced opposition and finally produced complete rejection.

This Outline is from my Accordance Software, “Outlines of the Bible Books”

         David Lang, Greg Ward, and Sean Nelson, eds., Outlines of the Bible Books, Accordance electronic ed. (Altamonte Springs: OakTree Software, 2015), paragraph 1642.

EXEGESIS

I. Prologue (1:1-2:23)

A. The Genealogy of Jesus (1:1-17)

B. The Birth of Jesus (1:18-25)

C. The Visit of the Magi (2:1-12)

D. The Egyptian Sojourn (2:13-15)

E. The Slaughter of the Innocents (2:16-18)

F. The Return to Nazareth (2:19-23)

       Jesus re-enacts the events of Israel. He is the New Israel. He is the first born of creation. Jesus now is the King who inaugurates the new heavens and the new earth. He is the Second Adam who has come to fulfill what the first Adam failed to accomplish.

         He is the ruler of the nations. The nations come to serve Him even as a baby. The Wise Men bow to the baby Jesus. The enemies of God resist the Savior and try to murder Him. He and His parents flee to Egypt, just as Jacob, as Israel, had done 2000 years before.

         Herod kills the two-year old sons in Bethlehem but God delivered Jesus from the destruction, just as He had delivered Israel from the slaughter of the first born in Egypt through the shed blood of the Pascal Lamb.

         After the death of Herod, God brought the New Israel, Jesus, out of Egypt and back to the Promised Land.

II. The Proclamation of the Kingdom (3:1-7:29)

A. The Ministry of John the Baptist (3:1-12)

B. The Baptism of Jesus (3:13-17)

C. The Temptation in the Wilderness (4:1-11)

D. The Beginning of Jesus’ Galilean Ministry (4:12-17)

E. The First Disciples (4:18-22)

F. Great Crowds Follow Jesus (4:19-25)

G. First Discourse: The Sermon on the Mount (5:1-7:29)

1. The Beatitudes (5:1-11)

2. Salt and Light (5:13-16)

3. Christ Fulfills the Law (5:17-20)

4. Anger and Murder (5:21-26)

5. Lust and Adultery (5:27-30)

6. Divorce and Immorality (5:31-32)

7. Warning Against Oaths (5:33-37)

8. Warning Against Vengeance (5:38-42)

9. Love Your Enemies (5:43-48)

10. Warning Against Pretension in Giving (6:1-4)

11. The Lord's Prayer (6:5-15)

12. Warning Against Pretension in Fasting (6:16-18)

13. No One Can Serve Two Masters (6:19-24)

14. Warning Against Anxiety (6:25-34)

15. Warning Against Hypocrisy in Judgment (7:1-6)

16. The Father's Character (7:7-11)

17. The Narrow Gate (7:12-14)

18. Warning Against False Prophets (7:15-20)

19. Judgment Against False Prophets (7:21-23)

20. The Authority of Jesus (7:24-29)

Embrace Christ- John Baptist gains many disciples, baptizing them upon repentance. He looks to Jesus and says, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” Jesus gains many disciples. As His ministry spreads, many thousands flock to Him and are rewarded with healing and with bread.

         Jesus not only heals Israelites, He heals a Centurion’s servant, a Canaanite, and offers rivers of living waters to a Samaritan woman. His Word and actions are meant for all men and women everywhere.

         Jesus presents teaching on the Sermon on the Mount that reveals the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and leaders of Israel. He ends the Sermon declaring that His teaching is the solid rock and that all other teaching is shifting sand. This begins to provoke strong resistance to Jesus among the leaders of Israel.

III. The Extension of the Kingdom (8:1-10:42)

A. Jesus Ministers to Multitudes (8:1-9:34)

1. Jesus Heals a Leper (8:1-4)

2. Jesus Heals the Centurion's Servant (8:5-13)

3. Jesus Heals Peter's Mother-in-Law (8:14-17)

4. The Cost of Discipleship (8:18-22)

5. Jesus Calms the Storm (8:23-27)

6. Jesus Heals Two Demoniacs (8:28-34)

7. Jesus Heals a Paralytic (9:1-8)

8. Jesus Calls Matthew (9:9-13)

9. Old and New Wine (9:14-17)

10. Jesus Heals the Ruler's Daughter (9:18-26)

11. Jesus Heals the Blind and Mute (9:27-34)

B. Jesus Calls Workers to the Harvest (9:35-38)

C. Second Discourse: The Apostolic Mission (10:1-42)

1. Jesus Sends Out the Twelve Apostles (10:1-15)

2. Jesus Warns of Persecution (10:16-25)

3. Fear Not (10:26-33)

4. Take Up the Cross (10:34-42)

       Although resistance to Jesus rises, He does not slow down His ministry. He heals all who come to Him, whether Jews or Gentiles. He begins to gather the apostles because He knows that He will go to Heaven and they will carry on His ministry on Earth. Of course, the disciples themselves, are unaware of this. They are looking for an Earthly Kingdom led by Jesus. Jesus, however, is in the process of developing a Heavenly Kingdom, led by the disciples on Earth. He reveals this particularly in the forgiveness of sins. Matthew 9:² And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.

         This messages is a particular affront to the religious leaders for who can forgive sin but God? We might add that they would think that God and His representatives could proclaim the forgiveness of sins. If Jesus forgave this man’s sin directly, without the mediation of the priests or of sacrifices, then He must either be God or an impostor. The  leaders chose to think He was an impostor. The paralytic, however, had his sins forgiven.

         Jesus gathers His twelve disciples then sends them out to conquer the world. They did not yet understand it, but this was the prologue to the Great Commission.

Matt. 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.

IV. Opposition to the Kingdom (11:1-13:52)

A. John the Baptist's Messengers (11:1-19)

B. Unrepentant Cities (11:20-24)

C. Rest for the Weary (11:25-30)

D. Disputes Over the Sabbath (12:1-14)

E. The Servant of the Lord (12:15-21)

F. Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit (12:22-32)

G. The Scribes and Pharisees Condemned (12:33-45)

H. Opposition From Jesus’ Own Family (12:46-50)

       Just when Jesus’s identity and teaching seem to be clearly that of God on Earth, the opposition to Him builds. The Pharisees resist Him because of their Sabbath views. But Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath. Chorazin and Bethsaida, where most of His mighty works were done, refuse to repent. Jesus proclaims the Gentile cities more righteous than them.

         Jesus heals a man on the Sabbath and the Jews accuse Him of doing His works by the power of the devil. Jesus teaches them about the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit and says that men will not be forgiven this sin.

I. Third Discourse: Parables on the Nature of the Kingdom (13:1-50)

1. Parable of the Sower and the Soils (13:1-23)

2. Parable of the Weeds (13:24-30)

3. Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Leaven (13:31-33)

4. Explanation of the Parables (13:34-43)

5. Parables of the Treasure and the Pearl of Great Value (13:44-46)

6. Parable of the Net and the Fish (13:47-50)

       Jesus teaches on the nature of the Kingdom of God. His  Word will go out and find soil to grow. Sometimes, the sown word will be snatched away, sometimes it will grow for a time and wither, sometimes it will last for awhile until the worries of the world choke it out, but eventually it will find good soil and become highly productive.

         The kingdom will not be pure. It will have both chaff and wheat. But God will sort this all out in due time. The wheat into His barns but the chaff will be burnt.

         The kingdom starts like a tiny little mustard seed but eventually it grows large enough for the birds of the air to take refuge in its branches. The kingdom fills the earth like leaven growing in a loaf. This kingdom is of great worth, like a treasure in hid in field and discovered anon. The kingdom gathers a great harvest of men, like a net caste into the sea, some good and some bad, until all are sorted out in the end.

V. The Authority of the Kingdom (13:51-19:2)

A. Jesus’ Authority Rejected at Nazareth (13:51-58)

B. John the Baptist Beheaded (14:1-12)

C. Jesus’ Authority Demonstrated Yet Misunderstood (14:13-17:27)

1. Jesus Feeds Five Thousand (14:13-21)

2. Jesus Walks on Water (14:22-33)

3. The Sick are Brought to Jesus (14:34-36)

4. The Pharisees Confront Jesus and are Condemned (15:1-9)

5. The Things That Defile a Person (15:10-20)

6. The Canaanite Woman's Faith (15:21-28)

7. The Crowds Wonder at Jesus' Miracles (15:29-31)

8. The Feeding of the Four Thousand (15:32-39)

9. An Evil and Adulterous Generation (16:1-4)

10. Warning Against the Pharisees and the Sadducees (16:5-12)

11. The Pharisees Confront Jesus and are Condemned (15:1-9)

12. Peter's Confession (16:13-28)

13. Jesus' Transfiguration (17:1-13)

14. Jesus Heals an Epileptic Demoniac (17:14-23)

15. Jesus Pays the Tax (17:24-27)

       Jesus again asserts His authority to rule Heaven and Earth. He feeds five thousand with five loaves and two fish. But He is rejected by the Pharisees. Jesus teaches that man is defiled from the inside out and not the other way around. This teaching also opposes the Pharisees, who love to strain out gnats and swallow camels.

         In the midst of the Pharisees rejection, Peter confesses that Jesus is the Messiah. It is a good confession and Peter believes it fully. So do the other apostles and many of the disciples. Jesus is transfigured and the Heavenly Father again reveals that Jesus is His beloved Son. These great revelations are not enough so sustain even the apostles, to faithfulness. They must continue to wait for the power of the Holy Spirit.

D. Fourth Discourse: Life Under Kingdom Authority (18:1-35)

1. The Greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven (18:1-6)

2. Warning Against Temptations (18:7-9)

3. The Parable of Lost Sheep (18:10-14)

4. The Correction of a Brother (18:15-20)

5. A Parable of Forgiveness (18:21-35)

       Jesus begins to teach on the nature of His kingdom. He calls little children into His midst and says that we must be like them in humility and faith. Those who humble themselves will be great in the kingdom. Those who exalt themselves will be cast down.

         Jesus speaks of the lost sheep and seeking the one wandering sheep, even at the expense of the ninety-nine who are faithful. He then teaches on discipline in the Church, even up to the point of excommunication. But that teaching is in the context of seeking the lost one. It is meant for restoration, reconciliation and healing. But if the lost sheep will not repent and return with to the Good Shepherd, then he will will be utterly lost and devoured by the enemy.

VI. The Coming of the Kingdom (19:1-25:46)

A. The Journey to Jerusalem (19:1-20:34)

1. Questions About Divorce (19:1-15)

Jesus teaches them on divorce. The only reason one can divorce is because of unchastity. The Jews divorce God. But He is not guilty of fornication. They not only divorce Him, they condemn Him to death.

         So, after Jesus dies, He is free to marry another. Thus, His bread is brought down from Heaven, the New Jerusalem. He will remain faithful as He always has. The New Jerusalem will be faithful because Jesus will make her a lovely bride, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing.

         You, who are in Christ’s Church, have become a member of His bride. We are not married to Jesus as individuals but we in the sense that we are the bride of Christ. The Church has become the object of Christ’s affections.

         What does this mean? It means that Jesus is the ever-faithful One. Israel murdered Him as a guilty husband but she was a liar. Thus, God rejected her and took up another bride, one who would be faithful to Him.

         This new bride is not faithful of her own accord. The first bride was unfaithful because she operated in the flesh. Now, she is made a spiritual body, the New Jerusalem come down from Heaven. This Heavenly Jerusalem is the bride of covenant, of promise. This is the one who receives the promised blessings.

2. The Last Will Be First (19:16-30)

3. The Parable of the Vineyard (20:1-16)

4. Jesus Predicts His Death (20:17-19)

5. The Son of Man Will Give His Life as a Ransom (20:20-28)

6. Jesus Heals the Blind (20:29-34)

B. Jesus Enters Jerusalem (21:1-23:39)

1. The Triumphal Entry (21:1-11)

2. The Cleansing of the Temple (21:12-17)

3. The Cursing of the Fig Tree (21:18-22)

4. Conflicts With the Religious Authorities (21:23-27)

5. The Parable of the Two Sons (21:28-32)

6. The Parable of the Tenants (21:33-46)

7. The Parable of the Wedding Feast (22:1-14)

8. The Religious Authorities Test Jesus (22:15-46)

9. Woe to the Teachers of the Law (23:1-39)

C. Fifth Discourse: The End of the Age (24:1-25:46)

1. Signs of the Time (24:1-35)

2. No One Knows the Day and Hour (24:36-51)

3. The Parable of the Virgins (25:1-13)

4. The Parable of the Worthless Servant (25:14-30)

5. The Separation of the Sheep and Goats (25:31-46)

As Jesus sets His face towards Jerusalem, His plans begin to take sharp contrast. Jesus teaches on divorce, revealing that Israel is unfaithful. He comes in to Jerusalem, hailed as a king. He is coming for His bride. He cleanses the Temple but curses the fruitless fig tree, Israel withered on the vine. The religious leaders continue to prove themselves hypocrites. They begin to realize that Jesus really is the Messiah. Instead of serving Him, they are determined to kill Him.

Jesus then teaches about the Prodigal Son in a story that condemns the older son. He teaches about the Landlord and tenants, which condemns those who are put in charge of the vineyard, like the older brother, like the leaders in Israel. He teaches on the wedding feast, revealing that invited guests thought little or nothing of the marriage of the King and the Bride, and thus He condemns them and seeks to invite other guests, even Gentiles from the hiways and byways.

The continue to reject Him and Jesus teaches them that there will be final judgment upon them. He points particularly to the destruction of their sacred Temple and cty.

VII. Jesus’ Passion and Resurrection (26:1-28:20)

A. Jesus Betrayed and Arrested (26:1-56)

1. The Plot Against Jesus (26:1-16)

2. The Last Supper (26:17-35)

3. Jesus’ Prayer and Arrest (26:36-56)

B. Jesus Tried and Put to Death (26:57-27:56)

1. The Trial Before the Sanhedrin (26:57-75)

2. The Trial Before Pilate (27:1-26)

3. The Crucifixion (27:27-56)

C. The Resurrection (27:57-28:20)

1. Jesus’ Burial (27:57-66)

2. The Resurrection (28:1-15)

3. The Great Commission (28:16-20)

       Jesus eats with His apostles. He gives them bread and wine, His body and blood, reminding them to remember His death until He comes again with glory. Of course, He does so a short time later at Pentecost, where the first fruits of the season are eaten and a great celebration of God’s bounty is had by one and all. The kingdom will now begin in earnest. But Jesus does not overthrow the religious leaders, Herod, or Pontius Pilate.

       Finally, Jesus is rejected completely by the leaders of Israel, by Herod, by Pontius Pilate. He is deserted by His own disciples and left alone to die.

         In His death is not defeat. He defeats His enemies in death. His aim was to bring His people into His Kingdom through the forgiveness of sins and the only this could be accomplished once for all, is if the perfect Paschal Lamb was slain and His blood spread upon the lintels of our hearts. This Jesus did, proclaiming, “It is finished.”

         And then He rose from the dead to prove His victory. And He gave His Church marching orders to disciples the nations after receiving power from on high. Jesus wins.

EXHORTATION

Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: ²⁰ Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.