Scripture: Genesis 12:1-3

C.I.: Our King has Come!

Today and through June we will study the Gospel of Matthew – paying particular attention to the kingdom.
Matthew writes that Jesus is our King! – As King, Jesus rules by decree (i.e., word) & by design (i.e., example).

I. The Presentation of the King (Matthew 1 – 4)

A. The King and the Heavenly Promises (Chapter 1)

1. God’s people (whether in the Old/New Testament) have always put their faith in the word of God.

a. Matthew knows his audience. – He knows they need to have a reason to believe in Jesus.
1) (Rom. 3:1-2), “What advantage has the Jew? – Great in every respect. – First of all they were entrusted with the oracles of God.”
2) So, Matthew goes to the 2 figures – to whom God had made incredible promises (Matt. 1:1):
(i) David - (II Sam. 7:12-14), “When your days are completed and you lie down with your fathers, - I will raise up your descendant after you, - who will come forth from you, - and I will establish His kingdom. – He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of His kingdom forever. – I will be a Father to Him & He will be a Son to Me”
1. (Heb. 3:6), “Christ was faithful as a Son over His house – whose house we are…!”
(ii) Abraham – (Script. Read. & Gal. 3:16), “Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. – He does not say, ‘And to seeds,’ as referring to many, but rather to one, ‘And to your seed,’ that is Christ.”

b. That Jesus is the fulfillment of all of God’s promises – is made plain by the Gospel of Matthew.
1) Matthew cites over 60 O.T. Messianic references – each time he refers them to Jesus!
2) (Matt. 1:22-23), “Now all this took place that what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet might be fulfilled, saying, ‘Behold, the virgin shall be with Child, and shall bear….’”
3) The question for us, is – “If God made us a promise – should we expect Him to keep it?” – Since God keeps all His promises – we can trust that Jesus truly is the long awaited KING!

B. The King and the Heavenly Promotion (Chapter 2)

1. This King who has come – desires to be more than just – the King of the Jews…
a. God uses a heavenly promotion – to announce to the world – that His King has come!
1) (2:1-3), “Now after Jesus was born in B. of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in J., saying, ‘Where is He who is born King of the Jews? – For we saw….’”

b. Since the world may not have read “the oracles of God” – He uses a Big Screen to promote Him!
1) (Rom. 1:20), “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible attributes, His eternal….”
2) (Psa. 19:1), “The heavens are declaring the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring….”
3) Question for us, “Are we willing to accept the evidence of creation – and to what lengths then will we go to worship the King?”

C. The King and the Heavenly Proclamation (Chapter 3)

1. This is now a third means God uses to present the fact that the King has come!
a. For God makes it known through the proclamation of His prophets.
1) (3:1-3), “Now in those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ - For this is the one referred to by Isaiah the prophet, saying, ‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness, make ready the way of the Lord, make His paths straight.’”
2) Note – the message about the preparation for “the Kingdom” – is the message about preparing our hearts and our lives - for the King!

b. God then uses two examples (bad/good) – to show 2 different hearts (1 prepared and 1 not).
1) Bad Ex.: (v. 7), “But when John saw the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, - he said to them, ‘You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?’”
2) Good Ex.: (vs. 13-15), “Then Jesus arrived from Galilee at the Jordan coming to John, to be baptized by him. – But John tried to prevent Him, saying, ‘I have need to be baptized by you, - and do You come to me?’ – But Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.’”
3) Since all of God’s commands are “righteous” – Jesus could not have been our example – if He refused to obey God’s command to be baptized – (Lk. 7:30).

c. If anyone misses the proclamation of the prophets – God makes His own heavenly proclamation
1) (vs. 16-17), “And after being baptized, Jesus went up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove….”
2) Why was God pleased with Jesus? – Because His Son was the perfect example for all of us!!!
3) We have heard the proclamation of prophets (both O.T./N.T.) & also from heaven! – The question before your hearts, then is, ‘Do you believe what you have heard about Jesus?!’

D. The King and the Heavenly Progression (Chapter 4)

1. The experience of the King is similar to all those who are part of His kingdom…
a. Immediately after His baptism – Satan goes after Him
1) (v. 1), “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness in order to be tempted by the D.”
2) Every new believer has had this experience – decide to follow Jesus – here comes Satan
3) (Rev. 2:10; 12:17), “Do not fear what you are about to suffer…” – “And the dragon was….”
4) Jesus was victorious because He His faith was not in Himself but God (vs. 4, 7, 10).

b. After this He then goes forth to proclaim the gospel of the Kingdom & invite others to join Him
1) (v. 17) “From that time Jesus began to preach & say, ‘Repent, for the K. of God is at hand.’”
(i) The King is now declaring His Kingdom – those whose hearts are ready will receive it.
2) Again, as a good example - (vs. 18-19), “And walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw 2 brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. – And He said to them, ‘Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men.’”

CONCLUSION:

Today God has made known to us that the King has Come: (Review Chs. 1-4).
He also desires for us – by decree & example - to become sons of God (Gal. 3:26f).