By
Bishop Elijah H. Hankerson III, BA, MA, DD
LESSON NOTES:
I.
THE KEY TO UNDERSTANDING
THE ENTIRE BIBLE. If
you understand that the Bible is written to show us how humanity was created
for God, fell into sin, was reconciled through Christ (who was the product of a
family) and God will restore everything through His sacrifice on the Cross;
then you have the message of the entire Bible.
2 Corinthians 5:17-21 17Therefore
if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away;
behold, all things are become new. 18And all things are of God, who
hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the
ministry of reconciliation; 19To wit, that God was in Christ,
reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them;
and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20Now then we
are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in
Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21For he hath made him to
be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God
in him.
I.
THE BOOK OF MATTHEW.
A.
WHAT
HAPPENED POLITICALLY SINCE WE LEFT OFF FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT?
1.
THE
PERSIANS WENT OFF THE SCENE.
2.
THE
GREEKS CAME TO POWER.
3.
THE
GREEKS INHERITED AUTHORITY OVER THE JEWS.
4.
THE
GREEKS WENT OFF THE SCENE; BUT THEIR CULTURAL INFLUENCE REMAINED.
5.
THE
ROMANS CAME TO POWER AND INHERITED AUTHORITY OVER THE JEWS. They will remain in power through the
entire course of the New Testament. They govern the area in regions like Judea,
Samaria, Galilee, Decapolis, etc.
B.
WHAT
HAPPENED RELIGIOUSLY SINCE WE LEFT OFF FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT?
1.
YOU
HAVE SYNAGOGUES NOW. Jews
were required to attend the feasts and sacrifice at Jerusalem. But, what about
Jews that live abroad? The synagogue evolved at the time of Ezra to be a place
that Jews could come together and pray. There were never sacrifices at
synagogues.
a.
JESUS
FAITHFULLY WENT TO THE SYNAGOGUE.
Luke 4:16 16He went to Nazareth, where he had been
brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his
custom. He stood up to read,
2.
LANGUAGE
CHANGED IN THE AREA. Jews
spoke Hebrew in the Temple and in synagogues. But the everyday language in the
Promised Land was Aramaic. Greek was the common language of the region; so most
of the Jews that had been scattered abroad through the years spoke Greek. Latin
was not that common; even though Rome was in charge. Latin was mostly used in Roman
military matters.
a.
JESUS’
CROSS INSCRIPTION WAS MULTILINGUAL.
John 19:19-22 19Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to
the cross. It read: Jesus of Nazareth, the king of the Jews. 20Many of the Jews
read this sign, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and
the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek. 21The chief priests of the
Jews protested to Pilate, "Do not write 'The King of the Jews,' but that
this man claimed to be king of the Jews." 22Pilate answered, "What I
have written, I have written."
3.
SOME
DIVISION AMONG THE PEOPLE. Some
Jews wanted to be more cultured and others wanted to follow the old path. Jews
in the Holy Land felt superior to Jews that lived abroad. This division carried
over into the Church.
Acts 6:1 1In those days when the number of disciples
was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic
Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of
food.
4.
NEW
RELIGIOUS GROUPS AROSE. All
of them were a struggle to become the group. Other groups were furious that
Jesus and His group were rising to the top in prominence. To this very day many
seek to discredit Jesus.
Matthew 27:16-18 16And they had then a notable
prisoner, called Barabbas. 17Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate
said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which
is called Christ? 18For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.
a.
THE
SADDUCEES WERE THE ELITE.
b.
THE
PHARISEES WERE HOLINESS.
c.
THE
ESSENES WERE APOCALYPTIC MONKS. It is believed that John the Baptist was a part of this group; and
adopted his concept of baptism from the Essenes ritual washings.
d.
THE
SCRIBES WERE LEGAL EXPERTS.
e.
THERE
WERE TONS OF MESSIANIC GROUPS. Note in the following text the Sanhedrin had become the
Supreme Court of the Jews; but, yet and still Rome had total control of the
land.
Acts
5:33-39 33When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to
death. 34But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored
by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put
outside for a little while. 35Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: "Men of Israel,
consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 36Some time ago Theudas
appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him.
He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing.
37After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a
band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were
scattered. 38Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men
alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it
will fail. 39But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you
will only find yourselves fighting against God."
1.
THE
JESUS GROUP WAS CONSIDERED A NEW JEWISH CULT.
Acts 24:5 5For we have found this man a pestilent fellow,
and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a
ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:
5.
WHERE
DID A BUNCH OF NEW LAWS COME IN? Between the Babylonian exile and the time of Christ the Jews had
many oral laws and traditions that were placed in writing. These were to be
practical applications of God’s Word for everyday life. Jesus, however, felt
they had gone too far in placing their tradition above the Word of God; and
were more concerned with law keeping than really serving God. With the massive
fame of Jesus’ group; He became competition to the other groups.
Matthew 15:3-6 3Jesus replied, "And why do you
break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? 4For God said, 'Honor
your father and mother' and 'Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be
put to death.' 5But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been
used to help their father or mother is 'devoted to God,' 6they are not to
'honor their father or mother' with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for
the sake of your tradition.
Matthew 15:9 9They worship me in vain; their teachings are
merely human rules.'"
C.
FACTS
ABOUT MATTHEW
1.
MATTHEW
MEANS “GIFT OF THE LORD,” BUT HE WAS ALSO KNOWN (BEFORE HIS CALL) AS LEVI. He had a very large house and was quite
popular among the local worldly crowd. The religious community despised Levi.
Jesus’ association with him caused much disdain.
Mark 2:13-17 13Once again Jesus went out beside the lake. A
large crowd came to him, and he began to teach them. 14As he walked along, he
saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax collector's booth. "Follow
me," Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him. 15While Jesus was
having dinner at Levi's house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with
him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. 16When the
teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the sinners and tax
collectors, they asked his disciples: "Why does he eat with tax collectors
and sinners?" 17On hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not the
healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous,
but sinners."
2.
MATTHEW
WAS CONSIDERED A TRAITOR TO HIS OWN PEOPLE; BY SERVING AS A TAX COLLECTOR;
APPARENTLY THIS IS WHERE HE GOT ALL HIS BIG SPENDING MONEY. Jesus called him off that job.
Matthew 9:9 9As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man
named Matthew sitting at the tax collector's booth. "Follow me," he
told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.
3.
EVEN
THOUGH MATTHEW WAS AN EYE WITNESS OF CHRIST’S MINISTRY, HE USED THE GOSPEL
ACCORDING TO MARK AS HIS TEMPLATE.
4.
MATTHEW
WAS WRITING TO JEWS, PROVING THAT JESUS WAS THE LONG AWAITED KING, THAT WOULD
SIT ON THE THRONE OF DAVID.
5.
MATTHEW
WAS AN ANOINTED APOSTLE THAT WORKED MIRACLES. He was filled with the Holy Ghost.
Acts 4:33 33With great power the apostles continued to
testify to the resurrection of the LORD Jesus. And God's grace was so
powerfully at work in them all
Matthew 10:1 1Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and
gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and
sickness.
Luke 9:1 1When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he
gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases,
Mark 6:7-13 7Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send
them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits. 8These were
his instructions: "Take nothing for the journey except a staff-no bread,
no bag, no money in your belts. 9Wear sandals but not an extra shirt.
10Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. 11And if
any place will not welcome you or listen to you, leave that place and shake the
dust off your feet as a testimony against them." 12They went out and
preached that people should repent. 13They drove out many demons and anointed
many sick people with oil and healed them.
6.
MATTHEW
FOCUSES MORE ON THE SAYINGS OF CHRIST THAN ANY OTHER GOSPEL.
a.
JESUS
IS THE NEW MOSES ESTABLISHING A NEW NATION. Just as Moses gave us five books; Jesus gives 5 great
teachings.
i.
SERMON ON THE MOUNT (Matthew
5-7).
Matthew
5:3-12 3"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of
heaven. 4Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5Blessed are
the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6Blessed are those who hunger and
thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy. 8Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see
God. 9Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is
the kingdom of heaven. 11"Blessed are you when people insult you,
persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same
way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
ii.
REACHING THE LOST (Matthew 10).
iii.
THE PARABLES (Matthew 13).
iv.
THE
CHURCH (Matthew 18).
Matthew 18:15-20 15"If your brother or sister sins,
go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you,
you have won them over. 16But if they will not listen, take one or two others
along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or
three witnesses.' 17If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and
if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or
a tax collector. 18"Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be
bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
19"Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about
anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20For
where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them."
b.
THE
END TIMES (Matthew 24-25).
7.
MATTHEW
WAS NOT COMPOSED TILL ABOUT 40 YEARS AFTER THE ASCENSION.
D.
THE
MESSAGE OF MATTHEW IS THAT JESUS FINALLY FULFILLS THE PROPHECY OF A REDEEMER!
1.
THE
BIRTH OF CHRIST AND THE BEGINNING OF HIS MINISTRY (Matthew 1-4:12).
2.
JESUS
MINISTERS IN THE GALILEE REGION (Matthew 4:12-18).
3.
JESUS
MINISTERS IN JUDEA (Matthew 19-20).
4.
JESUS
MINISTERS TO ALL HUMANITY (Matthew 21-28).
1.
JESUS’
BIRTH.
·
Born
in Bethlehem
Matthew 2:3-6
~ Micah 5:2
Matthew 2:3-6 3When King Herod heard this he was disturbed,
and all Jerusalem with him. 4When he had called together all the people's chief
priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be
born. 5"In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what
the prophet has written: 6"'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are
by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.'"
·
Infant
in Egypt
Matthew
2:13-15 ~ Hosea 11:1
·
Massacre
of children
Matthew
2:16-18 ~ Jeremiah 31:15
·
Boyhood
in Nazareth
Matthew 2:23
(oral prophecy)
2.
JESUS
ANCESTRY.
·
Virginal
conception
Matthew
1:18-25 ~ Isaiah 7:14
·
Seed
of a woman
Matthew 1:21
Genesis 3:15
·
Son
of David
Matthew 1:1,
2 Samuel 7:12-14
3.
JESUS
MINISTRY.
·
Enlightened
mankind
Matthew
4:12-16 ~ Isaiah 9:1-2
·
Proclaimed
justice
Matthew
12:17-21 ~ Isaiah 42:1-4
·
Healed
the sick
Matthew
8:16-17 ~ Isaiah 53:4
·
Taught
in parables
Matthew
13:34-35, Psalms 78:2, Matthew 13:11-15, Isaiah 6:9-10
4.
JESUS
MINISTRY OPPOSED.
·
Met
with opposition
Matthew
21:42-43, Psalms 118:22
·
Stone
builders rejected
Matthew
21:42, Acts 4:11, Ephesians 2:20, 1 Peter 2:7, Psalms 118:22-23
·
Met
with hard heartedness
Matthew
15:7-9, Romans 11:9-10, Isaiah 29:13, Psalms 69:22-23
5.
JESUS
BETRAYED.
·
Praised
from the mouth of babes
Matthew
21:16, Psalms 8:2
·
Triumphal
entry to Jerusalem
Matthew
21:4-11, Luke 19:28-44, John 12:13, Zechariah 9:9, Isaiah 62:11
Matthew
23:39, Luke 13:35, Psalms 118:26
·
The
betrayal price
Matthew 26:14-16,
Matthew 27:5-10, Zechariah 11:12-13
·
Disciples
scattered
Matthew
26:31, Zechariah 13:7
6.
JESUS
CRUCIFIED.
·
The
crucifixion
Matthew 27:33-46, Psalms 22:1-18
Matthew 27:33-46
33 They came to the place called Golgotha.
(Golgotha means “The Place of the Skull.”) 34 There the soldiers
gave Jesus some wine mixed with gall. But when he tasted it, he refused to
drink it.
35 The soldiers nailed Jesus to a cross. Then they
threw dice to divide his clothes between them. 36 The soldiers
stayed there to guard him. 37 They put a sign above his head with
the charge against him written on it: “this is Jesus, the king of the Jews.”
38 Two criminals were nailed to crosses beside
Jesus—one on the right and the other on the left. 39 People walked
by and shouted insults at Jesus. They shook their heads 40 and
said, “You said you could destroy the Temple and build it again in three days.
So save yourself! Come down from that cross if you really are the Son of God!”
41 The leading priests, the teachers of the law,
and the older Jewish leaders were also there. They made fun of Jesus the same
as the other people did. 42 They said, “He saved others, but he
can’t save himself! People say he is the king of Israel. If he is the king, he
should come down now from the cross. Then we will believe in him. 43 He
trusted God. So let God save him now, if God really wants him. He himself said,
‘I am the Son of God.’” 44 And in the same way, the criminals on
the crosses beside Jesus also insulted him.
45 At noon the whole country became dark. The
darkness continued for three hours. 46 About three o’clock Jesus
cried out loudly, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” This means “My God, my God, why
have you left me alone?”[b]
·
Crucified
with thieves
Matthew
27:38, Luke 22:37, Isaiah 53:9, 12
·
Given
vinegar and gall
Matthew
27:34, Psalms 69:21
·
Lots
cast for his garments
Matthew 27:35,
Psalms 22:18
·
Taunts
of mockers
Matthew
27:39-44, Psalms 22:7-8
·
"Forsaken"
by God
Matthew
27:46, Psalms 22:1
·
Burial
in rich man’s tomb
Matthew
27:57-60, Isaiah 53:9
7.
JESUS
RESURRECTED.
·
Resurrection
Psalm
16:8-11, Jonah 1:17, Hosea 6:2, Matthew 12:40
Matthew 12:40 40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights
in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three
nights in the heart of the earth.
F.
THE
GREAT COMMISSION TO SPREAD THE WORD THAT THE REDEEMER HAS COME!
Matthew 28:19-20 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all
nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded
you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
II.
PRAYER FOR SALVATION. As we close, if you have not received this
Jesus pray this simple prayer:
"Father, I know that I
have sinned against You. Please forgive me. Wash me clean. I promise to trust
in Jesus, Your Son. I believe that He died for me—He took my sin upon Himself
when He died on the cross. I believe that He was raised from the dead. I
surrender my life to Jesus today.
"Thank You, Father, for Your gift of
forgiveness and eternal life. Please help me to live for you. In Jesus' name,
Amen."
[1] https://www.simplybible.com/f986-prophecies-fulfilled-by-christ.htm.
(Accessed May 8, 2020).
No comments:
Post a Comment