Matthew: The King Has Come

1. General Introduction

   1. Author: Matthew; undisputed in early church tradition

   2. Date: Probably 64-70 AD. After Mark written with Peter's help in Rome; before Jerusalem fell.

   3. Purpose: Authoritative teaching about Jesus and His kingdom. For Jews and Gentiles: Instruct Jews in their Messiah (fulfillments); proclaim salvation to all Gentiles throughout the world (Great Commission)

   4. Key Themes: The Kingdom of God has come in Christ. How to live as citizens of Christ's kingdom.

   5. Structure

      1. Prologue 1, 2

      2. 5 Narrative-then-Discourse sections on the Kingdom, ended by a common formula in 7:28; 11:1; 13:53; 19:1; 26:1.

      3. Conclusion: Passion/Resurrection 26-28

1. Prologue: Christ's identity and work 1, 2

   1. The Genealogy of the King 1:1-17

   2. The Birth of the King 1:18-2:23

2. The Kingdom of God 3-25

   1. The Kingdom Comes in Christ 3-7

      1. Initiating the Kingdom in Jesus 3:1-4:11 Baptism, wilderness temptation

      2. Announcing the Kingdom 4:12-25 "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Calls disciples, preaches, heals.

      3. First Discourse: Sermon on the Mount 5-7 The blessings, law, piety, heart, judgment, forgiveness, and obedience of Christ's kingdom and its citizens.

    

   2. The Works of the Kingdom 8-10

      1. Christ Demonstrates God's Work 8, 9 Healing the sick, calling disciples, power over nature, spirits, sin, sinners, death; call to faith. "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest."

      2. Second Discourse: Kingdom Mission: Christ Commissions God's Workers 10 First preaching & healing mission, instruction in workers' task, warnings & encouragements.

    

   3. The Nature of the Kingdom 11-13

      1. Earthly or Heavenly? The Identity of John and of Jesus 11, 12 Forerunner; Messiah. Both call to faith, repentance, & salvation. But Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath, gentle, works by God's Spirit, greater than Jonah the prophet & Solomon the king.

      2. Third Discourse: Kingdom Parables 13 Preaching the gospel, believers & unbelievers, worldwide growth, great value, final judgment, spiritual growth, rejection by the world.

    

   4. The Authority of the Kingdom 14-18

      1. Jesus' Character and Authority 14-17 John dies. Jesus feeds, protects, heals; Pharisees mislead, defile, and will be destroyed! Keys of the Kingdom, mission is to die on cross, transfiguration ("Listen to him!"), authority by faith.

      2. Fourth Discourse: Character and Authority of the Church 18 Humility before Christ, resist temptation, salvation & reconciliation, else excommunication, forgive as you have been forgiven.

    

   5. Kingdom Blessings and Kingdom Judgments 19-25

      1. Final Questions From Galilee to Jerusalem: Why May Enter? 19, 20 Family life: divorce, remarriage, children. Riches vs. entering kingdom; fairness in kingdom wages. Opening the eyes of the spiritually & physically blind.

      2. The King Enters Jerusalem 21-23 Triumphal entry, cleansing the temple, men resist the King's authority. Pharisees & Saducees lay traps, but are condemned.

      3. Fifth Discourse: Kingdom Judgment 24, 25 Signs of the end of the age, watch & be ready by obeying.

3. Conclusion: Passion and Resurrection 26-28

   1. Preparations 26:1-56 Anointed, Passover/Last Supper, Gethsemane prayer, betrayal & arrest.

   2. The Trial and Execution of the King 26:57-27:56

   3. Burial, Resurrection, Great Commission 27:57-28:20