Sermon for December 4, 2011 - This Weeks sermon

Matthew 6:9-13 - After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

As we enter into the month of December it is appropriate that we start with the book of Matthew. We will cover first the introduction to Matthew and follow up with the genealogy of Christ and during the next two weeks we will of course cover the birth of Emanuel and other important issues that occurred because of his birth.

The Sermon for This Week is:

Part 1 - Gospel Of Matthew – Introduction

Part 2 - The Genealogy Of Jesus Christ - Matthew 1:1-17

Part 1 - Gospel Of Matthew – Introduction - Due to the sheer volume of verses covered in part 1 – I am forgoing my normal habit of printing out the verses and pray that you have a bible nearby to read from as the subject is covered.

INTRODUCTION

1. The book of Matthew has always occupied a position of high esteem in the faith and life of the

church: “When we turn to Matthew, we turn to the book which may well be called the most important single document of the Christian faith, for in it we have the fullest and the most systematic account of the life and the teachings of Jesus.” (William Barclay)

2. The writings of the early church fathers reveal that it was...

a. The most frequently quoted

b. Perhaps the most widely read gospel

...during the first two centuries of the church’s history

[Why was this book so popular? Perhaps we can understand why as we consider some background information pertaining to it...]

I. AUTHOR AND DATE OF THE GOSPEL

A. MATTHEW (LEVI)...

1. The apostolic origin and canonical rank of the gospel of Matthew were accepted without a doubt by the early church (ISBE)

2. Matthew, surnamed Levi, had been a tax-collector...

a. He became one of Jesus’ earliest disciples - Matthew 9:9; Mark 2:14

b. He was chosen to be one of the twelve apostles - Matthew 10:2-3

3. Having been such a close associate of Jesus during His earthly ministry...

a. Matthew’s gospel is a firsthand account

b. Unlike Luke who depended upon other eyewitnesses - Luke 1:1-4

B. BEFORE 70 A.D....

1. Irenaeus says it was written when Peter and Paul were preaching in Rome

2. Eusebius states that this was done when Matthew left Palestine and went to preach to others (Historia Ecclesiastica, III, 24)

3. Clement of Alexandria said that the presbyters who succeeded each other from the beginning declared that “the gospels containing the genealogies (Matthew and Luke) were written first” (Eusebius, Historia Ecclesiastica, VI, 14)

4. A date before 70 A.D. is considered by many to be the most feasible

II. THEME AND OUTLINE OF THE GOSPEL

A. ITS THEME OR PURPOSE...

1. Written to Jews, designed to prove that Jesus is the Messiah of OT prophecy

2. Evidenced by his frequent appeal to OT Messianic prophecies

a. He quotes from almost every book in the OT

b. Twelve times he identifies O.T. prophecies as being fulfilled in the life of Jesus – Matthew 1:22; 2:15,23; 4:14; 5:17; 8:17; 12:17; 13:14,35; 21:4; 27:9)

-- Thus one could say that the theme is: “Jesus, King of the Jews”

B. A DETAILED OUTLINE...

(adapted from The Wycliffe Bible Commentary)

1. The birth and childhood of Jesus Christ - Matthew 1:1-2:23

a. Genealogy of Christ - 1:1-17

b. Birth of Christ - 1:18-25

c. Visit of the Magi - 2:1-12

d. Flight into Egypt and massacre of the infants - 2:13-18

e. Residence at Nazareth - 2:19-23

2. The preparation for the ministry of Jesus Christ - Matthew 3:1-4:11

a. The forerunner of Christ - 3:1-12

b. Baptism of Christ - 3:12-17

c. Temptation of Christ - 4:1-11

3. The ministry of Jesus Christ - Matthew 4:12-25:46

a. His ministry in Galilee - Matthew 4:12-18:35

1) Residence at Capernaum - 4:12-17

2) Call of four disciples - 4:18-22

3) General survey of the Galilean ministry - 4:23-25

4) Sermon on the mount - 5:1-7:29

5) Ten miracles and related events - 8:1-9:38

6) Mission of the twelve - 10:1-42

7) Christ's answer to John, and related discourse - 11:1-30

8) Opposition from the Pharisees - 12:1-50

9) A series of parables on the kingdom - 13:1-58

10) Withdrawal of Jesus following John's beheading - 14:1-36

11) Conflict with the Pharisees over tradition - 15:1-20

12) Withdrawal to Phoenecia and healing of a Canaanitish woman's daughter - 15:21-28

13) Return to the Sea of Galilee and performing if miracles - 15:29-38

14) Renewed conflict with the Pharisees and Sadducees - 15:39-16:4

15) Withdrawal to the region of Caesarea Philippi - 16:5-17:23

16) Instruction of the twelve at Capernaum - 17:24-18:35

b. His ministry in Perea - Matthew 19:1-20:16

1) Teaching on divorce - 19:1-12

2) Blessing of the children - 19:13-15

3) Interview with the rich young man - 19:16-30

4) Parable of the laborers in the vineyard - 20:1-16

c. His ministry in Judea - Matthew 20:17-34

1) Another prediction of Christ's death and resurrection - 20:17-19

2) Ambitious request of Zebedee's sons - 20:20-28

3) Healing of two blind men - 20:29-34

d. His ministry in Jerusalem - Matthew 21:1-25:46

1) Triumphal entry - 21:1-11

2) Cleansing the Temple - 21:12-17

3) Cursing of the barren fig tree - 21:18-22

4) Questioning of Jesus' authority, and his parabolic answer - 21:23-22:14

5) Questioning of Jesus by various groups - 22:15-46

6) Jesus' public denunciation of the Pharisees - 23:1-39

7) Olivet Discourse - 24:1-25:46

4. The suffering of Jesus Christ - Matthew 26:1-27:66

a. Plot against Jesus 26:1-16

b. The final meal - 26:17-30

c. Prediction of Peter's denial - 26:31-35

d. Events in Gethsemane - 26:36-56

e. Events at the Jewish trials - 26:57-27:2

f. Remorse of Judas - 27:3-10

g. Events at the Roman trials - 27:11-31.

h. The Crucifixion - 27:32-56

i. Burial - 27:32-56

5. The resurrection of Jesus Christ - Matthew 28:1-20

a. Discovery of the empty tomb - 28:1-8

b. Appearance of Jesus Christ - 28:9,10

c. Report of the soldiers - 28:11-15

d. The great commission - 28:16-20

III. SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE GOSPEL

A. A JEWISH GOSPEL...

1. We’ve noted its frequent appeal to OT prophecies

2. It’s organization is mostly topical, as opposed to strictly chronological (a common style in Jewish literature)

-- It appears to have been written with a Jewish audience in mind

B. AN ECCLESIASTICAL GOSPEL...

1. It is the only gospel which mentions the word “church”

a. It foretells its beginning - Matthew 16:18

b. It describes some of the life in the church - Matthew 18:15-17

2. It contains lengthy discourses especially beneficial to those in the church

a. Such as the sermon on the mount - Matthew 5-7

b. Such as the many parables - Matthew 13

c. Such as the Olivet discourse - Matthew 24-25

3. It contains admonitions important to disciples of Christ

a. Such as the importance of doing the Father’s will - Matthew 7:21-23

b. Such as observing all that Jesus commanded - Matthew 28:20

-- In other words, this was a gospel designed for use by those in the early church

C. AN EVANGELISTIC GOSPEL...

1. It is a preaching gospel

a. Especially when compared with the apostles’ preaching found in Acts

b. For it expands upon the basic elements and point made in their sermons

2. Consider these themes in apostolic preaching:

a. God’s promises in the OT have been fulfilled - Acts 3:18, 24

b. The long-awaited Messiah, born of David’s line, has come - Acts 13:23

c. He is Jesus of Nazareth - Acts 13:23

d. He went about preaching and doing good through mighty works - Acts 10:38

e. He was crucified according to the promise and will of God - Acts 2:22-23

f. He was raised from the dead, and exalted at God’s right hand - Acts 2:24, 32-33

h. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead - Acts 3:20-21; 17:30-31

i. Therefore, all should heed His message, repent, and be baptized - Acts 2:36-38

-- All of these points are expanded in the gospel of Matthew

CONCLUSION

1. The purpose which Matthew’s gospel served in the first century was simple...

a. To confirm faith in Jesus as God’s Anointed One (the Messiah)

b. To instructing disciples on living the Christian life

2. It can serve a similar purpose for us today...

a. Increase our faith in Jesus as the Christ

b. Instruct us in the righteousness expected of those in His kingdom

The last three verses present the climax of this amazing gospel:

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: 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

Have you submitted to the authority and command of Jesus as it pertains to becoming His disciple and observing what He taught? If so, then you have the precious promise of His abiding presence in your life!

Part 2 - The Genealogy Of Jesus Christ - Matthew 1:1-17 - The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren; And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram; And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon; And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias; And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa; And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias; And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias; And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias; And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon: And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel; And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor; And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud; And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob; And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.

INTRODUCTION

1. We begin our study by reading the first seventeen verses of the Matthew (Matthew 1:1-17 – See above)

2. We are told that all scripture is profitable in - 2 Timothy 3:16-17 - All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

a. This includes such sections as the one we have just read

b. Though some may consider it a dry, laborious genealogical table of names...

1) It is profitable for doctrine

2) It is profitable for instruction in righteousness

3. My objective will be to share some spiritual thoughts that can be gleaned from this scripture

[Since Matthew is the only one of the four gospel writers to begin his gospel with a genealogical record of Jesus, let me first suggest a reason why...]

I. WHY MATTHEW BEGINS WITH THIS GENEALOGY

A. IT IS CONSISTENT WITH THE NATURE AND PURPOSE OF HIS GOSPEL...

1. It has been observed that:

a. Matthew wrote for the Jews

b. Mark wrote for the Romans

c. Luke wrote for the Greeks

d. John wrote for the church

2. Matthew’s gospel was designed to convince Jews that Jesus is the Messiah

a. Fulfillment of Jewish prophecy is a recurring theme - e.g., Matthew 1:22-23 - Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 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. - Matthew 2:4-6 - And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, 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. - Matthew 2:14-15 - When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son. - Matthew 2:17-18 - Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not. - Matthew 2:23 - And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.

b. Genealogy was certainly important to the nation of Israel - Genesis 5, Genesis 10, 1 Chronicles 1-9 – (Too many verses to print out please consult your Holy Bible)

B. TO SHOW THAT JESUS FULFILLS TWO MESSIANIC PREREQUISITES...

1. The Messiah had to be a descendant of Abraham - cf. Genesis 22:18 - And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.

2. The Messiah had to be a descendant of David - cf. Isaiah 11:1-2 - And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; - Isaiah 11:10 - And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.

-- Matthew 1:1 proclaims this to be true of Jesus, and Matthew 1:2-17 demonstrates it

[Whatever else Jesus may have done, if He was not a descendant of Abraham and David, He could not be the Messiah. So a gospel directed especially to the Jews would naturally settle this issue before proceeding. Now let’s note some...]

II. SIGNIFICANT FEATURES OF THIS GENEALOGY

A. THE WAY IT IS DIVIDED...

1. Into three sections of fourteen names each - Matthew 1:17 - So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.

b. David to the Babylonian captivity

c. Babylonian captivity to Jesus

-- This may have been to facilitate committing to memory

2. Which may explain why some names were omitted

a. Between Joram and Uzziah there were three kings (Ahaziah, Joash, & Amaziah) - cf. Matthew 1:8 - And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias;

a. Abraham to David

b. But such omission was not unusual in Jewish genealogies; minor figures were often deleted

-- The main purpose was to establish essential connections, not minor details

B. JESUS’ “LEGAL” RIGHT TO DAVID’S THRONE IS ESTABLISHED...

1. Not His “fleshly” right, for Matthew describes Jesus as the adopted son of Joseph

2. Luke records the “fleshly” ancestry of Jesus in Luke 3:23-38 - And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli, Which was the son of Matthat, which was the son of Levi, which was the son of Melchi, which was the son of Janna, which was the son of Joseph, Which was the son of Mattathias, which was the son of Amos, which was the son of Naum, which was the son of Esli, which was the son of Nagge, Which was the son of Maath, which was the son of Mattathias, which was the son of Semei, which was the son of Joseph, which was the son of Juda, Which was the son of Joanna, which was the son of Rhesa, which was the son of Zorobabel, which was the son of Salathiel, which was the son of Neri, Which was the son of Melchi, which was the son of Addi, which was the son of Cosam, which was the son of Elmodam, which was the son of Er, Which was the son of Jose, which was the son of Eliezer, which was the son of Jorim, which was the son of Matthat, which was the son of Levi, Which was the son of Simeon, which was the son of Juda, which was the son of Joseph, which was the son of Jonan, which was the son of Eliakim, Which was the son of Melea, which was the son of Menan, which was the son of Mattatha, which was the son of Nathan, which was the son of David, Which was the son of Jesse, which was the son of Obed, which was the son of Booz, which was the son of Salmon, which was the son of Naasson, Which was the son of Aminadab, which was the son of Aram, which was the son of Esrom, which was the son of Phares, which was the son of Juda, Which was the son of Jacob, which was the son of Isaac, which was the son of Abraham, which was the son of Thara, which was the son of Nachor, Which was the son of Saruch, which was the son of Ragau, which was the son of Phalec, which was the son of Heber, which was the son of Sala, Which was the son of Cainan, which was the son of Arphaxad, which was the son of Sem, which was the son of Noe, which was the son of Lamech, Which was the son of Mathusala, which was the son of Enoch, which was the son of Jared, which was the son of Maleleel, which was the son of Cainan, Which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God.

a. A record of His ancestry from His mother’s side

b. Where He is shown to have descended from David through Nathan, not Solomon

-- A careful study of Luke 3 confirms this

3. This helps to answer a puzzling dilemma found in the OT

a. God promised that the Messiah would come from the loins of David

b. But a descendant through Solomon, Jeconiah (Matthew 1:11 - And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon:), was so wicked that God promised none of his descendants would rule on the throne of David - Jeremiah 22:24-30 - As I live, saith the LORD, though Coniah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah were the signet upon my right hand, yet would I pluck thee thence; And I will give thee into the hand of them that seek thy life, and into the hand of them whose face thou fearest, even into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of the Chaldeans. And I will cast thee out, and thy mother that bare thee, into another country, where ye were not born; and there shall ye die. But to the land whereunto they desire to return, thither shall they not return. Is this man Coniah a despised broken idol? is he a vessel wherein is no pleasure? wherefore are they cast out, he and his seed, and are cast into a land which they know not? O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the LORD. Thus saith the LORD, Write ye this man childless, a man that shall not prosper in his days: for no man of his seed shall prosper, sitting upon the throne of David, and ruling any more in Judah.

c. How then would God fulfill His promise to David?

1) By a descendant from a son other than Solomon

2) Which Jesus was, having descended in the flesh from Nathan

4. So Jesus is both “legal” and “fleshly” heir to the throne of David...

a. “Legal” heir by virtue of His adoption by Joseph, descendant of Solomon

b. “Fleshly” heir by virtue of His birth by Mary, descendant of Nathan

C. THE INSERTION OF FOUR MOTHER’S NAMES...

1. They are unique, not only to be included in such a list, but in that:

a. Three were tainted in regards to moral purity

1) Tamar played a harlot

2) Rahab was a harlot

3) Bathsheba was an adulteress

b. Ruth, though morally sweet and noble, mingled the royal blood line with Gentile blood!

2. Why mention these four women? Perhaps to suggest...

a. The relation of Christ to the stained and sinful?

b. Jesus would be a King to show mercy and pity to harlots, and open His kingdom to include Gentiles?

[Whether this was Matthew’s intention here, he later does illustrate that Christ extended mercy to the morally repugnant and would enlarge His kingdom to include all nations. Finally, let’s consider...]

III. LESSONS TO BE LEARNED FROM THIS GENEALOGY

A. GOD ALWAYS KEEPS HIS WORD...

1. He made promises...

a. To Abraham

b. To David

c. Through Isaiah

...and the coming of Jesus, son of David, son of Abraham, fulfilled that promise!

2. We can therefore have confidence that God will keep His word!

a. E.g., the promise of His Son’s final coming - cf. Acts 1:9 - And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

b. There is no need to lose heart!

1) The duration between this promise and its fulfillment has barely reached the time between the promise made to Abraham and its fulfillment!

2) I.e., 2000 years passed, but God still kept His promise to Abraham

3) Likewise He will keep His promise to us!

B. GODLINESS IS NOT INHERITED...

1. Many godly fathers have had ungodly sons!

a. Solomon had Rehoboam

b. Hezekiah had Manasseh

c. Josiah had Jeconiah

2. As it has been said, “God has no grandchildren”

a. Being a child of God does not insure that your children will be God’s children!

b. As parents, let us...

1) Be diligent to raise our children in the “nurture and admonition of the Lord”

2) Not lose heart when our children stray (even Manasseh eventually repented)

C. THE GREATNESS OF OUR LORD’S MERCY AND COMPASSION...

1. Jesus humbled Himself when He came to this earth in the likeness of men - cf. Philippians 2:5-8 - Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

2. He did this for our sakes!

a. To taste death for everyone - Hebrews 2:9 - But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

b. To help bring us to glory - Hebrews 2:10 - For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

c. To deliver us from the fear and power of death - Hebrews 2:14-15 - Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

d. To become our merciful and faithful High Priest - Hebrews 2:16-18 - For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

CONCLUSION

1. All this and much more, Jesus did by becoming what the first seventeen verses of Matthew’s gospel proclaims: “...the Son of David, the Son of Abraham”

2. This genealogy of Jesus Christ...

a. Establishes the right of Jesus to be the Messiah

b. Reminds us of God’s mercy

1) In the lives of Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba

2) In our own lives by fulfilling His promise to send Son to die for our sins

Have you received the mercy God offers through Jesus Christ, “...the Son of David, the Son of

Abraham”?

Prayer: Mark 16:15-16 - And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. - Lord I truly thank You for giving the opportunity to present these words to my brethrens. I pray that You will keep them in Your blessings and accept them into Your heart - this I pray in the name of Thy Son, Jesus, the Messiah, Your only begotten son which Ye sent to save mankind from themselves. Amen

Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen. - Ephesians 6:23-24

This sermon is in the Public Domain - Free for all to use with the only requirement: That it never be used for profit.