Matthew: The kingdom of Heaven is at hand
Opening readings: Matthew 5:1-12 (the beatitudes); 6:9-13 (Lord’s Prayer); 11:28-30 (the call to rest and learn from Christ)
This is a compilation of notes by Pastor Doug as he prepared to teach a systematic study through the New Testament to a group of middle and high school teens every Sunday morning. Doug learned from some of the best teachers of his generation, and in doing so, he learned to “steal” the best ideas and sermon presentations from other great teachers. So, his notes aren’t original to him but “stolen” from those whom he learned from. You’re welcome to steal his notes if you happen to be short on ideas for Sunday morning.
But you won’t find his scribbled notes that grew along the edges of his paper as he made final preparations in the early mornings as he listened for final instructions from the Lord. He believed those were often the best insights.
Author:
Matthew, also called Levi, one of the twelve apostles Mark 2:14
Undoubtedly a Jew who was a publican, or Roman tax collector, chapter 10:3.
When he was called by Jesus he left everything and followed him, Luke 5:27, 28
He made a great feast for Christ, who attended it, despite the fact that the publicans belonged to a despised class, Luke 5:29.
To whom addressed:
Primarily to the Jews. This view is confirmed by the fact that there are about sixty references to the Jewish prophecies and about forty quotations from the Old Testament.
Christ’s mission to the Jews is especially emphasized chapter 10:5-7 ;( the kingdom of heaven is at hand.) 15:24 ‘lost sheep of Israel’ John one; He came to his own but his own received him not.
Key Words:
Fulfilled; this word is repeated often to show the Jewish nation the Old Testament prophecies were fulfilled in Christ. That message was received by the general public but the leaders rejected him which led to his death.
Kingdom; the word kingdom appears fifty times, and the phrase kingdom of heaven thirty times.
Purpose: To show that Jesus of Nazareth was the Kingly Messiah of Jewish prophecy.
Distinctive Features of the Book of Matthew:
- The genealogy of Christ, chapter 1:1-17 (from Abraham to David, to Mary…the son of David)
- Incidents and discourses found only in this Gospel
- The visit of the Magi chapter 2:1 “Where is he who is born King of the Jews?”
- The flight into Egypt chapter 2:13, 14 “Herod will seek the young child.”
- The slaughter of the innocent babies chapter 2: 16 “put to death all the male children
- The return to Nazareth chapter 2:19-23 “He shall be called a Nazarene.”
- John the Baptist tells off the religious leaders chapter 3:7 “Brood of Vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?”
- The Sermon on the Mount (complete version) chapters 5-7 “Blessed are the poor in spirit.”
- Come unto me verse in chapter 11:28 “Come unto me…take my yoke upon you…learn of me…”
- Peter walking on the water chapter 14:28-31 “O Lord if it is you, command me to come to you.”
- The denunciation of the Pharisees, as an extended discourse chapter 23. “Your house is left desolate.”
- The thirty pieces of silver received by Judas chapter 26:15 “they counted out to him thirty pieces…”
- The return of the thirty pieces of silver chapter 27:3-10 “I have sinned…betraying innocent blood.”
- The dream of Pilate’s wife chapter 27:19 “I have suffered…in a dream because of him (Jesus).”
- The appearance of resurrected saints chapter 27:52 “bodies of the saints…were raised.”
- The watch at the sepulcher chapter 27: 64-66 “You have a guard, make it as secure as you can.”
- The bribing of the soldiers chapter 28:12, 13 “they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers.”
- The earthquake at the resurrection chapter 28: 2 “there was a great earthquake.”
- The great commission chapter 28:19, 20. “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.”
Miracles found only in Matthew
The two blind men healed chapter 9:27-30 “Son of David have mercy on us.”
The tribute money chapter 17:24-27 “Take the fish…you will find a piece of money.”
Parables found only in Matthew (The kingdom parables)
The tares chapter 13:24 “the enemy came and sowed tares.”
The hidden treasure chapter 13:44 “the kingdom of heaven is like treasure.”
The pearl of great price chapter 13:45 “found one pearl of great price.”
The draw-net chapter 13:47 “The kingdom of heaven is like a fishing net.”
The unmerciful servant chapter 18:23 “The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king…”
The laborers in the vineyard chapter 20: 1-16 “The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner…”
The two sons chapter 21:28-32 “tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you.”
The marriage of the king’s son chapter 22:1-14 Kingdom wedding feast
The ten virgins chapter 25:1-13 The kingdom of heaven shall be like ten virgins…
The parable of the talents chapter 25:14-30 The kingdom of heaven is like a traveling man…
The parable of the sheep and the goats chapter 25:31-46 When the Son of Man comes…then the king shall say…
Analysis of the Book of Matthew:
From the standpoint of the Kingship of Christ.
The King: The story of the Kingly Messiah
Lineage and birth, chapter one
Search for the king chapter 2:2
Adoration of the child king chapter 2:11
The herald of the King chapter 3:1-12
Spiritual victory over the devil chapter 4:1-11
Proclamation of the King chapter 4:17
The king summons his first followers/disciples chapter 4:18-22
The laws and mandates of the king (Sermon on the Mount) chapters 5-7
The words and miracles of the King chapters 8-12
The kingdom parables chapter 13.
The murder of his herald (John the Baptist) chapter 14:1-12
The king’s power over nature and disease chapter 14:14-36; 15:32-39
The kings’ suffering and future glory foretold chapters 16 & 17.
The principles and character of the subjects of the kingdom chapters 18-20
His triumphant entry, rejection, parables, and prophecies chapter 21:1-2:14
Foiling the plots of his religious enemies chapter 22:15-46
Denouncing of the religious leaders chapter 23
Prophecies of the future chapters 24 & 25
Events leading up to his betrayal chapter 26:1-46
His trial chapter 26:57-75; 27:1-31
His crucifixion chapter 27-31-50
Events immediately following his death on the cross chapter 27:51-56
His resurrection and commission of his followers chapter 28
Let me know what you think.