2) The Father of the Prodigal Son (an excerpt from Luke 15:20-24)
3) Audio Sermons by Gene Taylor
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Matthew\u2019s \u201cGood News\u201d of Jesus Christ<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Luther W. Martin<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first book of the New Testament, was written by Matthew, a resident of Capernaum. At this time, the Roman government had established a custom-house at Capernaum, and Matthew, a publican, had been appointed as a resident deputy (portitor), a collector of taxes, for the Romans. Portitors were not popular among their own people; they seemed to have \u201csold out\u201d to their conquerors by collecting taxes for Rome from their own kinsmen, the Jews. Alexander the Great through his military conquests several centuries before Christ, had spread the Greek language throughout the Mediterranean World. Now, Rome had conquered the \u201ccivilized\u201d world, and had forced Roman laws (civil and military), as well as politics, throughout its territories. And, although the koine Greek, was the language of politics, commerce, and even religion; it would be several centuries before the Latin Language would begin its ascendency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Matthew Wrote To Convince The Jews About Christ<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
It is not known whether Matthew\u2019s biography of Christ was the first to be written, or not. Some scholars have thought that it preceded Mark and Luke. In any event, Matthew, Mark, and Luke\u2019s biographies of Christ are called \u201csynoptic gospels,\u201d because they generally cover the same sequence of events in the life of Christ, while John\u2019s biography of Christ approaches the subject from a different perspective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As a tax collector under Herod Antipas, Matthew possessed a fluent ability in Aramaic or Hebrew Languages, as well as the commonly spoken koine Greek. Like most of the Jewish people, Matthew eagerly awaited the coming Messiah and King; and anticipated the establishment of a kingdom, that would be military, and political; and would possess such strength, that it would conquer all of its neighbors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Book of Matthew serves as a vital connection between the Old and New Covenants. Beginning with the very first verse, it is designed to interest the Jews: \u201cThe book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham\u201d because the Jews had long heard and read from the Old Testament prophets, how their King would be a descendant of King David \u2026 harking back to the \u201cglory days\u201d of Israel and Judah, in their expectations!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Gospel according to Matthew, would also provide a relationship between the Law of Moses and the Gospel of Christ; and this would prove to be particularly applicable to the Jews. Mark\u2019s biography of Christ, would be written in a style and manner to appeal to the Romans, and Luke\u2019s biography would be directed toward the Greeks. This would leave John\u2019s \u201cspiritual\u201d biography, with its different approach from the other three biographies, to bring to completion, the Heaven-inspired record, described as: \u201cthese are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name\u201d (Jn. 20:31).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Matthew\u2019s Record Has Some Peculiarities<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
One unusual aspect of Matthew\u2019s biography of Christ, will be listed: although there are some others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Of the four biographical books, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, only Matthew uses the expression \u201cKingdom of Heaven\u201d and it is used in thirty-one verses! Neither Mark, Luke nor John make use of the expression \u201cKingdom of Heaven!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Matthew does use \u201cKingdom of God\u201d five times; but the term \u201cKingdom of Heaven\u201d emphasizes a connotation that had a special appeal to the Jews . . . for whom Matthew\u2019s biography, was especially written!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ever since the prophet Daniel had written: \u201cAnd in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed\u201d (Dan. 2:44); the Jewish people had been looking for, and longing for, the prophetic kingdom! In fact, the very last question asked by the Apostles of Jesus, just before he ascended into heaven, was: \u201cLord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?\u201d (Acts 1:6)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The expressions \u201cKingdom of Heaven\u201d and \u201cKingdom of God\u201d are synonymous, they refer to the same thing; but specify some different aspects and characteristics concerning this \u201ckingdom\u201d that would also be designated as the Lord\u2019s ekklesia<\/em>, the called-out assembly, community, or church (called out of the world; called away from carnality and worldliness).<\/p>\n\n\n\n May I suggest that by using the term \u201cHeaven\u201d to the Jews, who were so all-wrapped-up in their thoughts of an earthly, political kingdom, that inspiration was stressing the heavenly or spiritual make-up of this kingdom! Jesus said: \u201cIf I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?\u201d (John 3:12) So, it appears that the \u201cKingdom of Heaven\u201d was used in contrast to earthly kingdoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A kingdom, possesses several attributes: (a) A king, as its ruler and law-giver \u2014 Christ! (b) The subjects; citizens who are obedient to the King \u2014 Christ! (c) The statutes or laws, as issued by the King \u2014 Gospel of Christ, contained in the New Testament! (d) The territory (scope) of this kingdom; the minds of men! \u201cThe kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, \u2018See here!\u2019 or, \u2018See there!\u2019 For, indeed, the kingdom of God is within you\u201d (Luke 17:20-21), rather than a geographical realm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Christ also proclaimed: \u201cMy kingdom is not of this world! If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews\u201d (Jn. 18:36). Thus, Christ left no question as to the nature of his kingdom! It was spiritual or heavenly! This, I believe, is why Matthew exclusively used the expression \u201cKingdom of Heaven\u201d in writing to these earthly-kingdom-anticipating Jews!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Matthew\u2019s biography of Christ\u2019s life, was specifically for instructing the Jews of the first century, A.D. In the 24th chapter of Matthew, the destruction of Jerusalem was predicted and described. This event took place in 70 A.D., when the Roman Legions over-ran Palestine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014 Via the Guardian of Truth<\/em> XXXIII: 3, pp. 84-85, February 2, 1989 -2-<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBut while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, \u2018Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.\u2019 But the father said to his slaves, \u2018Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found. And they began to celebrate\u201d (Luke 15:20-24, NASB). -3-<\/p>\n\n\n\n We were glad to have Gene Taylor<\/strong> preach for us last week, during our gospel meeting. He did an excellent job with each of his lessons. And all of his audio sermons<\/strong>, except one, can be accessed at the following website:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe Father of the Prodigal Son<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nAudio Sermons by Gene Taylor<\/h2>\n\n\n\n