The Gospel according to Matthew is a portrait of Jesus — the story of our King.
There are three broad sections in the story:
Jesus’ identity and preparation for ministry (1:1-4:16)
Jesus’ announcement of the kingdom to Israel and resulting responses (4:17-16:20)
Jesus to Jerusalem: kingdom enactment through death and resurrection (16:21-28:20)
Unlike the other gospel writers, Matthew inserts 5 teaching segments into the
storyline:
1. Sermon on the Mount
2. Mission Discourse
3. Parables Discourse
4. Community Discourse
5. and the Eschatological/Olivet Discourse
Matthew also has a unique focus on the Kingdom of God (Kingdom is mentioned 55 times). God’s Kingdom came in an unexpected way through Jesus! God’s Kingdom is not static idea, but dynamic: it is advancing powerfully!
There are three ways the Kingdom of God comes on earth:
A. KINGDOM INAUGURATION: NEW BEGINNING
- Jesus’s public ministry marked a new beginning for all people, from all time
(4:16-17, 23). - Matthew the gospel writer experienced a new beginning in his life (9:9-13).
B. KINGDOM INVERSION: NEW WAY OF LIVING
- The true mission of Messiah was not about seizing a crown, but walking the way of the cross! We are to walk in His footsteps, dying so that we might live
(16:13-25). - When we live in the Kingdom way, we will be radically counter cultural and stand out in the world (5:1 – 7:27).
C. KINGDOM INCLUSION: NEW SENSE OF BELONGING
- The Jews believed that Kingdom of God revolved around them; but Matthew’s gospel ends with a commission to disciple the nations (Matt 28:18-19)!
- Many clues in Matthew’s gospel about God’s heart for the nations e.g. the two
centurions and their response of faith – they were included in the Kingdom (8:5-13, 27:54).
Conclusion
Pray this life-changing prayer: Your Kingdom Come!
Next Week’s Topic: Matthew 1:1–25
Next Week’s Speakers: Speaker(s): Rev Tan Kay Kiong (BPJ), Rev Edmund Wong (WDL) & Rev Dr Chua Chung Kai (East)