Matthew 1:1-17 — Genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham
THE HISTORIC JESUS FULFILS ALL THE GENEALOGICAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE PROMISED MESSIAH, THE SEED OF ABRAHAM, WHO WOULD SIT ON THE THRONE OF DAVID
Matthew 1:18-25 — Virgin Conception of Jesus Christ
THE VIRGIN CONCEPTION IN FULFILLMENT OF OT PROPHECY AS CONFIRMED BY ANGELIC REVELATION WAS ESSENTIAL TO CHRIST’S ULTIMATE MISSION AS JESUS AND INCARNATE PRESENCE AS IMMANUEL
Matthew 2:1-12 — Wise Men Still Seek Him — The Adoration of the Magi Vs Antagonism from King Herod
THE COMING OF THE KING OF THE JEWS PROMPTS EITHER ADORATION AND WORSHIP OR FEAR AND OPPOSITION
Matthew 2:13-23 — Divine Protection of the Messiah against the Treachery of King Herod
DIVINE PROTECTION IN RELOCATING THE MESSIAH FULFILS OT PROPHECY
Matthew 3:1-12 — The Ministry of John the Baptist, the Forerunner of Jesus
THE BAPTISM OF JOHN EMPHASIZING REPENTANCE PREPARED THE NATION FOR THE SUPERIOR BAPTISM OF JESUS AND THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN
Matthew 3:13-17 — The Commissioning of the King — Baptism, Anointing and Approval
THE COMMISSIONING OF JESUS TO PUBLIC MINISTRY INCLUDED BAPTISM TO IDENTIFY WITH SINNERS, ANOINTING WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE PUBLIC APPROVAL OF GOD THE FATHER
Matthew 4:1-11 — The Temptation of Jesus Christ
JESUS AS THE SECOND ADAM DEFEATED THE TEMPTATIONS OF SATAN BY RELYING ON THE WORD OF GOD IN THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT
Matthew 4:12-25 — Summary of Powerful Impact of Early Galilean Ministry
MANIFESTING THE LIGHT OF JESUS TO A WORLD LOST IN DARKNESS REQUIRES COMMITTED DISCIPLESHIP, EFFECTIVE SOUL WINNING AND IMPACTFUL KINGDOM WORDS AND WORKS
Matthew 5:1-12 — The Beatitudes Tied to Kingdom Distinctives
LIVING OUT KINGDOM DISTINCTIVES MEANS THAT ONE WILL ENJOY BIG-TIME BLESSINGS EVEN WHEN PERSECUTED FOR THE SAKE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
Matthew 5:13-16 — Salt and Light — Impacting the World around Us — Or Good for Nothing?
KINGDOM CITIZENS SHOULD HAVE A POWERFUL INFLUENCE ON THE WORLD
- TO COUNTERACT DECAY BY STANDING FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS … AND
- TO SHINE THE TORCH OF TRUTH AND LIFE TO THE DARKNESS AROUND US
OUT OF A MOTIVATION TO BRING GLORY TO GOD
Matthew 5:17-20 — Jesus Fulfilling the Law — Sharpening the Focus . . . Raising the Bar
WHEN IT COMES TO UNDERSTANDING THE RIGHTEOUSNESS REQUIRED BY GOD, CHRIST BOTH SHARPENS THE FOCUS AND RAISES THE BAR
Matthew 5:21-26 — Dealing with Anger as Related to Murder
UNRESOLVED ANGER EXPRESSES MALICE TOWARDS OTHERS (SIMILAR MOTIVATION TO MURDER) WHILE ACTUALLY HURTING OURSELVES
Matthew 5:27-30 — Dealing with Lust as Related to Adultery
AVOIDING ADULTERY DOESN’T GIVE YOU A PASS TO INDULGE IN LUST
Matthew 5:31-32 — Dealing with Adultery as Related to Divorce and Remarriage
WHEN A DIVORCED PERSON REMARRIES THE RESULTING UNION CONSTITUTES ADULTERY
Matthew 5:33-37 — Integrity Should Make Oaths Unnecessary in Normal Speech
OATHS ARE UNNECESSARY IN NORMAL SPEECH SINCE GOD DESIRES SIMPLE TRUTHFULNESS BASED ON PERSONAL INTEGRITY
Matthew 5:38-42 — Going the Extra Mile Instead of Retaliation for Personal Wrongs
KINGDOM ETHICS REQUIRE GIVING UP OUR RIGHTS WHEN WE ARE WRONGED INSTEAD OF RETALIATING
Matthew 5:43-48 — Love for Enemies without Partiality
THE TRANSCENDENT TEACHING OF JESUS REGARDING THE GREATER RIGHTEOUSNESS OF KINGDOM CITIZENS CLIMAXES WITH THIS COMMAND TO LOVE OUR ENEMIES WITHOUT PARTIALITY
Matthew 6:1-4 — Practice Righteousness the Right Way from the Right Motivation — Example of Giving Alms
PRACTICING RIGHTEOUSNESS FOR PUBLIC ACCLAIM FORFEITS HEAVENLY REWARD – TRUE VS HYPOCRITICAL PIETY -- EXAMPLE OF GIVING ALMS
Matthew 6:5-6 — Practice Righteousness the Right Way from the Right Motivation — Example of Praying
PRACTICING RIGHTEOUSNESS FOR PUBLIC ACCLAIM FORFEITS HEAVENLY REWARD – TRUE VS HYPOCRITICAL PIETY -- EXAMPLE OF PRAYING
Matthew 6:7-15 — The Model Prayer as Taught by Jesus
OUR PRAYERS SHOULD NOT TRY TO MANIPULATE GOD BUT SHOULD EXPRESS OUR COMPLETE DEPENDENCE IN WORSHIP AND PETITION FOR NEEDS AFTER THE PATTERN INSTRUCTED BY JESUS
Matthew 6:16-18 — Practice Righteousness the Right Way from the Right Motivation — Example of Fasting
PRACTICING RIGHTEOUSNESS FOR PUBLIC ACCLAIM FORFEITS HEAVENLY REWARD – TRUE VS HYPOCRITICAL PIETY -- EXAMPLE OF FASTING
Matthew 6:19-24 — Kingdom Perspective Towards Wealth — What Do You Treasure?
UNDIVIDED ALLEGIANCE AS CITIZENS OF THE KINGDOM MUST BE REFLECTED IN OUR VALUE SYSTEM, VISION AND VOLITION (LOYALTIES)
Matthew 6:25-34 – Kingdom Perspective Towards Worry — Can You Trust God to Provide?
SEEK GOD’S PRIORITIES AND TRUST HIS PROVISION RATHER THAN WORRYING
Matthew 7:1-6 — Prohibition against Censorious Judging Balanced by the Need to Exercise Discernment
DON’T BE OVERLY CRITICAL OF OTHERS BUT DON’T BE NAÏVE REGARDING VICIOUS OPPONENTS OF GOD’S TRUTH
Matthew 7:7-11 — Our Heavenly Father Answers Prayer
GOOD THINGS COME TO US FROM OUR GOOD HEAVENLY FATHER IN RESPONSE TO PERSISTENT PRAYER
Matthew 7:12 — Golden Rule of Relationships
KINGDOM ETHICS SUMMED UP IN THE GOLDEN RULE CONSISTENT WITH THE LAW AND THE PROPHETS = LOVING OTHERS
Matthew 7:13-29 — Challenges to Implement Kingdom Righteousness
COMMIT TO OBEYING THE TEACHING OF JESUS
Matthew 8:1-17 — 3 Healing Miracles to Confirm His Authority — Featuring the Power of Jesus and the Universal Scope of His Ministry
DESPERATE SITUATIONS SHOULD PROMPT EVEN THE OUTCASTS OF SOCIETY TO REACH OUT TO JESUS FOR THE POWER OF HIS HEALING TOUCH
Matthew 8:18-22 — The Demands of Discipleship
DISCIPLESHIP DEMANDS RADICAL COMMITMENT
Matthew 8:23 – 9:8 — 3 Miracles Showing the Authority of Jesus
THE MANIFESTATION OF THE AUTHORITY OF JESUS STIRS UP REACTIONS OF BOTH AWE AND REJECTION
Matthew 9:9-13 — Calling All Sinners
THE MISSION OF MAKING DISCIPLES REQUIRES CONSORTING WITH SINNERS WITH HEART OF COMPASSION
Matthew 9:14-17 — The Question of Fasting Contrasts the Old with the New
JESUS BRINGS THE INWARD RIGHTEOUSNESS OF THE MESSIANIC AGE THAT CANNOT MESH WITH FORMER EXTERNAL SYSTEMS OF RELIGIOUS RITUAL
Matthew 9:18-34 — Impressive Healing Miracles Earn Jesus a Mixed Reputation
WHILE JESUS DEMONSTRATES COMPASSION IN HEALING AND VALUES EVEN WEAK FAITH, THE RESPONSE TO HIM BEGINS TO REFLECT POLARIZATION
Matthew 9:35 – 10:4 — Mission of Jesus Delegated to the Apostles
THE MISSION OF JESUS REPRODUCES ITSELF BY THE VISION CASTING, AND THE CALLING AND COMMISSIONING OF GOSPEL WORKERS
Matthew 10:5-15 — Instructions for the Jewish Prioritized Mission
FAITHFULNESS TO THE PATTERN OF CHRIST, DEPENDENCE ON GOD AND PROPER RESPONSE TO REJECTION OR RECEPTION MUST CHARACTERIZE EVANGELICAL MISSIONS
Matthew 10:16-23 — Persecution in the Evangelistic Mission — Wolves, Sheep, Snakes and Doves
IN THE PROCLAMATION OF THE GOSPEL EXPECT PERSECUTION THAT WILL INTENSIFY IN THE END TIMES (FROM WOLVES OF FALSE RELIGION, GOVERNMENT, FAMILY AND SOCIETY) – SO BE SNAKES AND DOVES
Matthew 10:24-31 — Reassurance Regarding Persecution
PERSECUTION SHOULD BE EXPECTED BUT NOT FEARED
Matthew 10:32 – 11:1 — Cost and Compensation of Discipleship
DISCIPLESHIP INVOLVES CONFESSION, CONFLICT, COST BUT ALSO REWARD
Matthew 11:2-19 — Don’t Look for Shortcuts to the Arrival of the Kingdom
FELLOWSHIP WITH CHRIST’S SUFFERINGS MUST PRECEDE ENJOYMENT OF KINGDOM EXALTATION – NO BYPASSING THE CROSS
Matthew 11:20-24 — Woes Against Unrepentant Privileged Cities
GREATER OPPORTUNITY AND REVELATION BRING MORE SEVERE JUDGMENT FOR FAILURE TO REPENT
Matthew 11:25-30 — Sovereign Revelation But Universal Invitation
ESSENTIAL DIVINE REVELATION IS TARGETED BUT UNIVERSAL DISCIPLESHIP INVITATION IS EXTENDED TO ALL
Matthew 12:1-14 — Two Sabbath Controversies
SHOWING LOVE AND MERCY DEMONSTRATES THE SUPERIOR AUTHORITY AND MERCIFUL PRIORITIES OF JESUS OVER LEGALISTIC FORMALISM
Matthew 12:15-21 — Messiah Characterized as the Beloved Servant of the Lord
AS THE SPIRIT-EMPOWERED SERVANT OF THE LORD, THE CHOSEN MESSIAH WILL BRING JUSTICE TO THE GENTILES WITH COMPASSION AND POWER
Matthew 12:22-32 — The Unpardonable Sin
ATTRIBUTING WORKS OF JESUS TO DEMONIC POWER UNLEASHES A POWERFUL REFUTATION DENOUNCING THIS UNPARDONABLE SIN
Matthew 12:33-37 — Exposing the Source of Evil — Speech Matters
SPEECH REVEALS ONE’S INNER CHARACTER AND WILL BE JUDGED
Matthew 12:38-50 — Warning Addressed to This Present Evil Generation
REJECTION OF MANIFEST TRUTH LEADS TO SEVERE JUDGMENT WHILE TRUE DISCIPLES PRIORITIZE SPIRITUAL FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS
Matthew 13:1-23 — Germination of the Kingdom — Introductory Parable of the Sower and the Soils
VARYING RESPONSES TO THE WORD OF GOD HIGHLIGHT FRUITFULNESS AS THE KEY EVIDENCE OF GENUINE DISCIPLESHIP
Matthew 13:24-43 — Parables Describing Kingdom Growth — Both Positive and Negative
THE KINGDOM OF GOD WILL EXPERIENCE SIGNIFICANT GENUINE AND COUNTERFEIT GROWTH UNTIL CHRIST RETURNS AT THE END OF THE AGE TO EXERCISE JUDGMENT
Matthew 13:44-46 — Greatness of the Kingdom — Its Value and Appropriation
THE SUPREME VALUE OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD MOTIVATES AN APPROPRIATION OF TOTAL COMMITMENT
Matthew 13:47-50 — Gathering the Harvest of the Kingdom — Parable of the Fisherman’s Dragnet
THE FINAL JUDGMENT WILL SEPARATE OUT THE WICKED AND CONDEMN THEM TO ETERNAL SUFFERING
Matthew 13:51-52 — Schooling the Scribes — Comprehension and Communication
GOLD NUGGETS OF KINGDOM TRUTH INCLUDE BOTH NEW AND OLD REVELATION
Matthew 13:53-58 — No Home Court Advantage for Prophets — Just Rejection
FAMILIARITY BREEDS CONTEMPT IN JESUS’ HOME TOWN OF NAZARETH – THOSE CLOSEST TO US RESPOND IN HURTFUL REJECTION AND UNBELIEF
Matthew 14:1-12 — The Beheading of John the Baptist — Speaking Truth to Depraved Power Can Cost You Dearly
DEPRAVED POWER COWERS IN FEAR, CONCEALS A GUILTY CONSCIENCE AND COMPLIES WITH MANIPULATIVE SCHEMES
Matthew 14:13-21 — Miraculous Feeding of the 5,000 — Messianic Provision
JESUS OFFERS HIMSELF AS THE BREAD OF LIFE FOR THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL
Matthew 14:22-36 — Walking on Water — Growing Insight into the Identity of Jesus
FAITH FOCUSES ON THE DIVINE IDENTITY OF JESUS WHO HAS POWER OVER CREATION AND RESCUES THOSE WHO CALL OUT TO HIM
Matthew 15:1-20 — Defilement Is a Heart Issue
DON’T SUBSTITUTE RELIGIOUS TRADITION EMPHASIZING CEREMONIAL CLEANLINESS FOR DIVINE COMMANDMENTS EMPHASIZING INTERNAL PURITY
Matthew 15:21-31 — Compassion Extended to Gentiles: Mega Faith Rewarded and Healings on the Hill
MERCY EXTENDED TO THE GENTILES DESPITE JESUS FOCUSING ON THE PRIORITY OF HIS MISSION TO THE JEWS
Matthew 15:32-39 — The Feeding of the 4,000 — Extension of Messianic Provision to the Gentiles
COMPASSION AND PROVISION SHOWN TO THE GENTILES BY THE MESSIAH CONTRASTED WITH THE DISMISSIVE ATTITUDE OF THE DISCIPLES
Matthew 16:1-12 — The Signs of the Time and the Leaven of False Teaching
BE AWARE OF THE SIGNS OF THE TIME AND BE WARY OF FALSE TEACHING
Matthew 16:13-20 — The Confession of Peter Regarding the Identity of Jesus
THE FOUNDATION OF THE UNSTOPPABLE CHURCH IS THE APOSTLES (AS REPRESENTED BY PETER) WHO EMBRACED THE TRUE IDENTITY OF JESUS AND WERE DELEGATED AUTHORITY TO ENFORCE HIS TEACHING
Matthew 16:21-28 — The Passion of the Messiah and the Price of Discipleship
THERE IS NO AVOIDING THE CROSS – EITHER FOR JESUS OR FOR HIS DISCIPLES
Matthew 17:1-13 — The Transfiguration — Suffering is the Path to Glory
THE TRANSFIGURATION UNCOVERED THE GLORY OF MESSIAH TO PROVIDE A PREVIEW OF THE COMING KINGDOM
Matthew 17:22-23 — Jesus’ Second Prophecy of His Passion and Resurrection
REPEATING THE PROPHECY OF HIS CENTRAL MISSION STILL DOES NOT COMPUTE WITH JESUS’ SAD DISCIPLES
Matthew 17:24-27 — Accommodation to Avoid Offense
JESUS PAID THE TEMPLE SUPPORT TAX TO AVOID OFFENSE DESPITE BEING THE LEGITIMATE FOCUS OF TEMPLE WORSHIP
Matthew 18:1-4 — True Greatness in the Kingdom — How to View Yourself Compared to Others
GOD MEASURES GREATNESS BY THE STANDARD OF HUMBLE DEPENDENCE RATHER THAN ACHIEVEMENTS OR WORLDLY RECOGNITION OR SOCIAL-ECONOMIC STATUS
Matthew 18:5-9 — Guard Against Dangerous Stumbling Blocks
DON’T BE A STUMBLING BLOCK TO FELLOW BELIEVERS OR TO YOURSELF
Matthew 18:10-14 — Parable of the Lost Sheep
3 REASONS WHY WE MUST NOT DESPISE ANY OF GOD’S VULNERABLE SHEEP SINCE THEY ALL ARE INDIVIDUALLY VALUED
Matthew 18:15-20 — Confronting Sin in the Believing Community
THE STEPS FOR CONFRONTING SIN IN THE BELIEVING COMMUNITY DEPEND ON THE DELEGATED AUTHORITY FROM THE RATIFYING DIVINE PRESENCE
Matthew 18:21-35 — Unlimited Forgiveness to Fellow Believers
HAVING BEEN FORGIVEN MUCH, BELIEVERS MUST NOT PUT LIMITS ON THE FORGIVENESS THEY EXTEND TO OTHERS
Matthew 19:1-12 — Permanency of Marriage
GOD DESIGNED MARRIAGE TO BE A PERMANENT ONE-FLESH DIVINE UNION BETWEEEN MAN AND WOMAN FOR LIFE
Matthew 19:13-15 — Jesus Blesses the Little Children
JESUS WELCOMES LITTLE CHILDREN AND POINTS TO THEIR HUMILITY AND DEPENDENCE AS IDENTIFYING MARKS OF KINGDOM CITIZENS
Matthew 19:16-26 — The Rich Young Ruler — Salvation is for Those Who Forsake Everything and Follow Jesus
LOVERS OF WEALTH MUST CHOOSE BETWEEN FOLLOWING CHRIST OR CLINGING TO THEIR MATERIALISTIC VALUE SYSTEM (THE IDOLS OF POSSESSIONS)
Matthew 19:27 – 20:16 — Rewards for Spiritual Service
RATHER THAN INSECURITY OR ENVY REGARDING REWARDS FOR SPIRITUAL SERVICE, BELIEVERS SHOULD FOCUS ON GOD’S GRACE IN GRANTING ETERNAL LIFE AND HIS JUSTICE AND SOVEREIGN DISCRETION
Matthew 20:17-19 — Jesus’ Third Prophecy of His Passion and Resurrection
JESUS CONTINUES TO PUT THE FOCUS ON HIS UPCOMING BETRAYAL, CRUIFIXION AND RESURRECTION (WHILE HIS FOLLOWERS ARGUE OVER WHO IS THE GREATEST)
Matthew 20:20-28 — Squashing Selfish Ambition
TRUE GREATNESS IN THE KINGDOM DERIVES FROM HUMBLE SERVICE AS MODELED BY JESUS, NOT THE SELFISH AMBITION OF THE WORLD
Matthew 20:29-34 — Restoring Sight to the Blind
BLIND PEOPLE CAN HAVE THEIR SIGHT RESTORED BY CALLING UPON JESUS FOR HIS COMPASSIONATE MERCY
Matthew 21:1-11 — Public Entry into Jerusalem as the Messiah King
GRAND ENTRANCE OF THE MESSIAH KING INTO JERUSALEM ACCOMPANIED BY POPULAR PRAISE BUT BLIND PERCEPTION
Matthew 21:1-17 — Cleansing Temple Corruption
THE MESSIAH KING ASSERTS HIS AUTHORITY OVER THE TEMPLE IN ANTICIPATION OF IMPENDING JUDGMENT
Matthew 21:18-22 — Cursing of the Fruitless Fig Tree
JUDGMENT ON THE HYPOCRISY OF ISRAEL FORESHADOWED IN THE CURSING OF THE FRUITLESS FIG TREE
Matthew 21:23-27 — Dispute Regarding the Source of Jesus’ Authority
HARD HEARTS THAT REFUSE TO SUBMIT TO THE LEGITIMATE AUTHORITY OF JESUS CANNOT OBJECTIVELY JUDGE HIS CLAIMS
Matthew 21:28-32 — Parable of the Two Sons — Exposing the Unbelief of the Jewish Religious Leaders
ACTIONS MEAN MORE THAN MERE WORDS – GOOD INTENTIONS CANNOT BE SUBSTITUTED FOR GENUINE REPENTANCE AND THE OBEDIENCE OF FAITH
Matthew 21:33-46 — Parable of the Wicked Tenant Farmers
THE WICKEDNESS OF ISRAEL’S RULERS IN REJECTING GOD’S PROPHETS AND EVENTUALLY HIS OWN SON HAS CAUSED A RADICAL SHIFT AWAY FROM A KINGDOM FOCUS ON THE NATION OF ISRAEL
Matthew 22:1-14 — The Wedding Banquet and the Illegitimate Guest
CONTEMPT FOR KINGDOM INVITATION AND KINGDOM REQUIREMENTS RESULTS IN FATAL CONSEQUENCES
Matthew 22:15-22 — The Tax Trap — Controversy Regarding Paying Taxes
BEGIN WITH YOUR PRIMARY OBLIGATION TO SUBMIT TO GOD AND YOU WILL HAVE NO STRUGGLE SUBMITTING TO CIVIL GOVERNMENT
Matthew 22:23-33 — Controversy Regarding Marriage in the Resurrection
THE DOCTRINE OF THE RESURRECTION CAN BE DEFENDED BY UNDERSTANDING BOTH GOD’S WORD AND GOD’S POWER
Matthew 22:34-40 — Controversy Regarding the Greatest Commandment
JESUS PROVES HIS AUTHORITY BY DEFINING LOVE AS THE HEART OF SPIRITUAL ETHICS – BOTH IN RELATION TO GOD AND MAN
Matthew 22:41-46 — Greatest Question of All: How Can Christ Be Superior to David?
THE SON OF DAVID MUST ALSO BE ACKNOWLEDGED AS THE AUTHORITATIVE SON OF GOD
Matthew 23:1-12 — Beware of Hypocritical Religious Leaders (Scribes and Pharisees)
HYPOCRITICAL RELIGIOUS LEADERS ELEVATE SELF AND SEEK NOTEREITY
Matthew 23:13-36 — 7 Woes Directed against the Hypocrisy of the Religious Leaders
HYPOCRITICAL RELIGIOUS LEADERS DESERVE SEVERE DENUNCIATION FOR THEIR IMPACT OF DESTRUCTIVE CORRUPTION