The Millennium - the Thousand Years of Revelation 20

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03 Matt 5-6a The Sermon on the Mount # 1 – 5:1-12 Introduction, the Beatitudes

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02 Matt 3-4 Jesus Begins His Ministry

Jesus had to take two critical steps before He publicly called His hearers to “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” First He went to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. There the Holy Spirit descended on Him as a dove, and the Father declared Him to be His chosen, beloved Son. Next Jesus was compelled to go to the wilderness. There, after fasting for forty days, He was tempted by the devil. Having been baptized and tempted, He began preaching, healing, and calling disciples. As a result, a large crowd desired to follow Him.

Click on the "Matthew" label for other posts in this series.

Sources include the Truth for Today Commentary, various Bible dictionaries, etc.

3:1-12 John Prepares the Way. How?

What had Isaiah said (40:3) about John?

John was a _______ preacher because _________.

Supply an adjective and a reason. For example, “John was a bold preacher because he called out the Pharisees and Sadducees for their hypocrisy.”

Others:

Strong, blunt, strange-looking, wild, threatening …

Like what OT prophet? 2 Kg 1:8; Mal 4:5; Mt 11:14

Later – Mt 11 – Jesus’ response re: John.

His message? Vipers. Wrath. Axe. Stones.

Confession, repentance, forgiveness of sins. Mk 1:4

3:11 Jesus – water, but more!. Jn 3:5, 22; 4:1-2

Holy Spirit (then and now) and fire (judgment).

Winnowing fork? Wheat? Chaff? Barn?

3:13-17 John Baptizes Jesus. Why?

Note: First evidence that Jesus was without sin.

To do what was right, as God required.

To identify with lost sinners.

To be visibly anointed by the Holy Spirit.

To be publicly identified by John. Jn 1:29-34

To be declared “Son of God” from heaven.

To be identified as the Messianic Servant. Is 42:1

To be prepared for ministry and temptation.

To set the example for all to follow today.

4:1-11 Satan Tempts Jesus. Why?

Who led, even compelled, Jesus to go? Why?

“God tests; Satan tempts”. Discuss.

Is it a sin to be tempted? Discuss. He 2:18; 4:15

Why 40 days? Moses. Elijah. Israel’s 40 years.

#1 Hunger is a God-given need! So why not?

It’s sinful to satisfy God-given needs in ungodly ways.

What “food” had Jesus been living on for 40 days?

#2 God promised protection! So why not?

God tests us, but we are not to test God.

We must not deliberately put ourselves in a spot where we then demand that God does our bidding.

How are we tempted to test God?

#3 Jesus would gain glory. So why not?

How does Satan want us to compromise righteous values and behavior, in order to “get ahead” in the world?

How do His 3 temptations model ALL of ours? Discuss.

4:12-17 Jesus Begins His Ministry.

Why Galilee? [1] John in custody; [2] Isa 9:1-2.

Is 9:1 But there will be no more gloom for her who was in anguish; … Zebulun and the land of Naphtali … on the other side of Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles. 2 The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. Those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them.

Why leave Nazareth for Capernaum? Lk 4:16-21.

Discuss Jesus’ first message:

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

4:18-22 Jesus Calls Four Disciples.

Not the first time. Jn 1:35-42.

This call parallels Mk 1:16-20. Cf. Lk 5:1-11.

Fishermen: unlikely choice because …

Fishermen: fitting choice because …

They left everything to follow Jesus because …

They made that decision even though …

They may have regretted it when … Matt 19:27ff.

How is their call similar to / different from ours?

4:23-25 Jesus Teaches and Heals.

Why did large crowds follow Jesus (4:25)?

Discuss the origin and function of synagogues.

The gospel (good news) Jesus preached.

The extent, purpose(s) of Jesus’ healing miracles.

Illness was sometimes, but not always, caused by demons. Mt 17:14-18; Mk 1:21-28; 9:14-29

Decapolis: confederation of ten Gentile cities in northeastern Palestine.

How does all this lead up to the Sermon – Mount?

Both before and after the sermon: Jesus’ authority.

Note the parallel bracket after the sermon. Mt 8:1-17.

01 Matt 1-2 Genealogy and Birth

Matthew (or Levi) is a Jewish tax collector in first-century Capernaum. He’s been working every day, making money, and keeping his routine. But all that changes. Jesus says, “Follow Me!” He hosts a dinner for Jesus in his home, inviting other sinners to come. Through his Spirit-inspired account, we get to meet Jesus, too.

Click on the "Matthew" label for other posts in this series.

Sources include the Truth for Today Commentary, various Bible dictionaries, etc.

1:1-17 The Genealogy

of Jesus the Messianic King

Why do people care about their DNA and lineage?

1:1 Why “son of David” and “son of Abraham?”

Who are the surprising characters in Jesus’ line?

Tamar: scorned, cheated, tricky. Ge 38:6-30

Rahab: Canaanite prostitute. Jo 2:1-21

Ruth: Moabite dtr-in-law of Naomi. Ru 1-4

Bathsheba: sinfully taken by David. 2 Sa 11-12

Manasseh: Judah’s most sinful king of all. 2 Kg 21

Mary: a poor, unmarried, virgin teenage girl.

What do you know about others in this list?

What does this list prove about God, history, people, and choices and consequences?

Why did God wait so long to send Jesus? Ga 4:4

Discuss the 3 sections and the 14-14-14.

Why might Matthew have omitted some ancestors?

1:18-25 The Conception and Birth

of Jesus the Messianic King

Betrothal: one-year binding engage’ pre-marriage.

Joseph: genuine conviction + true compassion.

Lk 1:26-38 Gabriel is sent to Mary.

Here, an angel is also sent to Joseph.

Jesus = OT Joshua, “Yahweh is salvation.”

Immanuel = “with us, God” (El).

“This happened to fulfill …” 19 times in Matt.

Isa 7:14 – The prophet’s telescope.

Joseph “knew her not” --- until. 13:55-56; Lk 2:7

How do many people overrate Mary, and why?

“Hail Mary”. Mediator, redeemer. Statues. Churches.

What and why: “Immaculate Conception?”

Mary’s “perpetual virginity.”

At the same time, why must we not underrate her?

Why is Joseph’s obedience so vital as well?

Why would many today advise abortion for Mary?

Why would Joseph and Mary not get an abortion?

What if they had?

2:1-12 The Magi’s Worship

of Jesus the Messianic King

Magi: priestly advisers, astrologers, wise men. Perhaps sorcerers or magicians. Acts 13:6, 8

The east: Arabia, Persia, Chaldea, Parthia, etc.

Irony: divine use of astrology. God rules the stars.

Star: [1] Junction of Jupiter and Saturn (Johannes Kepler, 1571-1630)? [2] New star (Karl Wieseler, 1813-1883) or [3] Comet in 5 BC, visible for 70 days Colin Humphreys), noted in Chinese records? [4] Halley’s comet? [5] Meteor? [6] Miracle-made?

Worship: 13x in Matt. 2:2, 8, 11; 4:9, 10; 8:2; 9:18; 14:33; 15:25; 18:26; 20:20; 28:9, 17.

Place? Bethlehem! Scribes knew! Mic 5:2; Jn 7:42

6 mi. S of Jerusalem. “House of bread.” Where Rachel died, Boaz and Ruth met, David was born.

Herod’s hypocrisy: “That I may worship him.”

2:9 Star – miracle-made; “stood over the place.”

Jesus: child (not newborn), in house (not manger).

Gold; frankincense (“pure incense”) – resin or gum with sweet fragrance, from southern Arabia; myrrh – also resin or gum, used as scent for beds and garments, ointment for the dead, and anesthetic.

“Myth Busters”

We do not know …

The date, month, season, and year of Jesus’ birth.

The number of the wise men.

Their names. Tradition made them up! Gaspar, Melchior, Balthazar.

No biblical authority …

December 25 as the celebrated date of His birth.

Other “holy days” on today’s religious calendars.

Not present …

The magi were not at the manger with the shepherds at Jesus’ birth.

Their visit came later, when Jesus was a child in a house.

Irony …

Poverty, squalor, filth, and animal stuff present.

Herod the Great, Ruled 37-4 BC

Eldest son of Antipater.

Idumean (Edomite). Ruled Galilee, then Judea.

Loyal to Rome; art patron, expanded temple area.

Centralized gov’t, fortresses, and foreign soldiers.

Cruel fighter, cunning negotiator, subtle diplomat.

Proud, greedy, and a ruthless murderer.

Murdered his wife Mariamne and two of his sons.

Paranoid. Insecure. Afraid of threats to his throne.

Killed all male infants if legal heirs to the throne.

Matt 2:16 The slaughter of male children fits.

2:13-23 The Escape from King Herod

of Jesus the Messianic King

Angel’s 2nd message to Joseph: “Flee to Egypt!”

Hos 11:1. “My son” – OT Israel, NT Jesus.

Jer 31:15. OT: Babylon. NT: Herod’s attack.

Death of Herod the Great: 4 BC.

Angel’s 3rd message to Joseph: “Go to Israel!”

Fear of Archelaus, with good reason!

4th message (dream) – “Go to Galilee!”

Prophets: “He shall be called a Nazarene.”

Perhaps a play on word netser, “branch.” Is 11:1

Explains: born in Bethlehem, raised in Nazareth.

Herod Archelaus, Ruled 4 BC – AD 6

Son, prime successor of Herod the Great.

Brother of Herod Antipas (killed John, tried Jesus).

Augustus gave him half his father’s land, split the rest between Antipas and Philip (tetrarch, 1/4).

Ethnarch over Idumea, Judea, and Samaria.

Interfered in the high priesthood. Married against Jewish law. Brutally oppressed Samaritans, Jews.

In revolt the people sent deputations to Caesar to have Archelaus denounced. His rule was ended in A.D. 6 when the Roman government banished him to Gaul and added his territory to Syria.