GOD REVEALED

The GospelsActs of the ApostlesLettersRevelation

A Walkthru’ of the New TestamentLesson 1: Matthew: God’s Kingdom on

Earth

Matthew: God’s Kingdom on Earth

Mark: Christ, Chief Cornerstone

Luke: Son of Man Seeks and Saves

John: Life to the Full

NT Walkthru’: The Gospels

◦Introduction – God’s Kingdom on Earth◦Descent of the King◦The King’s Herald◦Kingdom Warfare◦Kingdom Values◦Kingdom People (Disciples)◦Keys to the Kingdom◦The King Returns◦The King Redeems◦The King Conquers◦The King Commissions

Presentation Overview

New Testament Timeline

Matthew introduces the long awaited Messiah, the King bringing to earth, His Kingdom.

The Kingdom of heaven belongs to:◦The poor in spirit (5:3)◦Those who are persecuted for Christ’s sake (5:10)

◦Those with faith as a child (18:1-10)

Who work towards completely eliminating sin

Introduction – Kingdom of Heaven

Kingdom of heaven is not experiencing on earth:◦ Wealth ◦ Freedom from sickness◦ Unlimited powers◦ Mystic experiences◦ Blessings for the sinner

Without dealing with the sin.

Kingdom of Heaven on earth

◦ The wise men knew◦ King Herod knew◦ A few shepherds and good men and women…

That Jesus was the MessiahWhat about the rest of the Jewish race?

Make the heart of this people calloused; make their ears dull and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.“ – Isa 6:10

Descent of the King

9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. 10 When they saw the star, they i

rejoiced with exceeding great joy. Ch 2,

What was this star? How did the Magi find it?

Descent of the King

The Magi, could have been (some sort of) descendents of Balaam who prophesied: A Star shall come out of Jacob; A Scepter shall

rise out of Israel, And batter the brow of Moab, And destroy all the sons of tumult. (Numbers 24:17)

Another pointer is: The scepter shall not depart from Judah..until

Shiloh comes, and to him shall be the obedience of the people. (Genesis 49:10)

Descent of the King – The Magi

They were plural (number not known) with 3 types of gifts

Saw the star and birth and followed it till it settled over house where child was

This journey was probably several months (given age below which Herod killed kids) (Matt 1,2)

The “star” must have been God’s presence (like pillar of fire and smoke – See notes)

http://creationtoday.org/the-wise-men-and-the-star/#.VR4XTtyUeFA

Descent of the King – The Magi (Cont’d)

◦Bare minimal food◦Bare clothing◦A “voice” in the wilderness

Bold Honest True One purpose of heralding Christ

◦Died a martyr’s death◦Applauded by Christ as “greater than Elijah”

The King’s Herald – John the Baptist ch 3

Made himself small so that Christ could stand tall

Made himself small so that Christ could stand tall

Read 8:18-22,12:46-50,13What are the requirements of a disciple?Prepared to: Sacrifice comforts Sacrifice family priorities Do God’s will Have a receptive heart Value the kingdom over everything Focus on Christ

The Kingdom People

Christ’s temptations (Matt 4:1-11) are a vivid illustration of the constant battle between the two kingdoms:◦In the world - The external power sruggle against the principalities and powers

◦In our lives - The internal battle against the flesh

Kingdom Warfare

Matthew 24:24For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.Matthew 7:15"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.

Matthew 22:14"For many are invited, but few are chosen."

Matthew 24:5For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Messiah,' and will deceive many.

Matthew 24:11and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.

Kingdom Warfare – False Prophets

False prophets camoflouge Satan’s kingdom to appear like God’s kingdom

False prophets camoflouge Satan’s kingdom to appear like God’s kingdom

“Blessed are: the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be

satisfied. the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. the pure in heart, for they shall see God. the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons[a] of God. those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is

the kingdom of heaven. you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of

evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Matt 5:3-12

Kingdom Values

Kingdom of Heaven(Christ’s) vs Earth’s values

Kingdom Values – ch 5-18

Kingdom of Heaven Kingdom of Satan

Invisible but penetrating – 5:13-16 Externals matter

Based on whole bible (not only NT) –5: 17-20

Distinguishes NT as “cool ride” to heaven

An internal attitude not only external action - 6-10

External façade

Treasures long lasting and eternal -13:45-47

Money, status, indulgence – Now

Needs will be provided - 6:25,26 Insatiable cravings

Revealed by God - 16:17 Deceived by man

Small is great - 18:1-4 Seek popularity and greatness

How can we avoid missing God’s guiding clues in our life, as Israelites missed their much awaited Messiah?

In what way/s can we make ourselves small so that Christ can stand tall?

Look at the chart on Kingdom values vs. Satan’s values. Do we see penetration of the Satan’s values in our churches today? What can we do about that in our personal lives? In our church?

Discussion

Keys to the Kingdom are special powers in heaven and earth endowed by ChristRead Matt16:13-20Conditions on which you get the keys to the kingdom: Acknowledging Christ as God Receptive to Holy Spirit

Keys to the Kingdom

What salient features do we observe on the King’s return? False Messiahs leading people

astray Wars between nations Famines, Earthquakes Christians hated and killed Gospel reaches world False prophets Sin rampant Abomination of desolation set up

in holy place. Signal to flee Sun, moon darkened, stars fall,

powers of heaven shaken Second coming visible to all

amidst mighty trumpet blast

The King Returns – ch 24

Innocent blood had to be shed in the most painful death– to usher in the Kingdom. What was the blood

shed for? How is Christ’s work

of salvation misinterpreted today?

The King Redeems – chs. 26,27

Some unusual aspects surrounding resurrection: Earthquake Tombstone rolled away –

angel sits on it Guards shook with fear and

fainted on seeing angel Angel tells Mary Jesus is risen

and has gone ahead to meet disciples

Jesus meets women and disciples

Religious leaders bribe guards to falsify story

The King Conquers - ch 28

Jesus’ last words: I have all power on

heaven and earth Go to all the world Make disciples Baptize Teach ALL my

commands I am with you always(18-20)

The King Commissions – ch 28

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rk8ERxqCZqQ What are we

commanded to do as his disciples from Matt 28:18-20

In what way are you personally implementing the great commission?

Discussion, Video clip