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Text: Matthew 4:23-25
Contrast the kingdoms
- The methods of ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ would serve to set in contrast the present corruptible kingdoms of this world against the coming incorruptible kingdom of heaven.
- Teaching in their synagogues…
- To the Jew first.
- Note the contrast: Matthew 7:29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
- preaching the gospel of the kingdom…
- The word gospel means “good tidings”. You get that from two verses in your Bible. Isaiah 52:7 and Romans 10:15. This is important to note because the Lord Jesus Christ has not died on the cross and risen from the dead yet, but this is apparently the good news of the kingdom.
- As opposed to imprisoning, attacking, bullying, and destroying.
- 1 Corinthians 1:21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
- 2 Timothy 4:2 – Preach the word
- Titus 1:3 – God manifested his word through preaching
- …healing all manner of disease…
- This is the demonstration of God’s kingdom’s power over the uncleanness associated with the kingdoms of this world.
- Ministry of contrasting power.
- This is not faith healing.
- Jesus healed some people in spite of the lack of faith. How about raising Lazarus from the dead? How much faith did that take on the part of Lazarus?
- Children were healed b/c of their parents.
- If healing is for the glory of God, what if God knew He would get more glory out of you sick? Paul’s thorn in the flesh.
- Purpose of the healing ministry
- Everyone that was healed eventually died, so what was the point?
- To prove the identity of God in the flesh: Psalm 103:1-3, Malachi 4:2, John 3:2 – ministry to Israel to identify Jesus Christ as the Son of God
- The Son of God removes the curse. Notice Matthew 8 begins with leprosy, palsy, fever, then many diseases and devils.
- Healing was done on some occasions were it yielded no fruit in the person’s life; Luke 17:17-19 ten lepers
- All were healed for the glory of God.
- One of the judgments placed on disobedient Israel was the sickness and disease of other nations, Deuteronomy 28:58-61, (28:45-46 calls it signs and wonders)
- As a soul that has been purchased by Jesus Christ and made part of his ministry, it is your job to contrast the kingdoms as well.
- Romans 13:12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
- 2 Corinthians 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
- Ephesians 5:8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
- 1 Thessalonians 5:5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
- 1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
Common appeal
- …his fame went throughout all Syria…
- Gentiles come to Christ
- Romans 10:19, 11:11 talks about God using strangers to provoke Israel to jealousy. Romans 10:19 But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you.
- Matthew has the approach of highlighting Jesus Christ as the King of Jews, but rejected by the Jews and accepted by strangers.
- Matthew 2, the wise men come from the east.
- Matthew focuses on the Lord’s ministry in Galilee of the Gentiles
- Matthew records John’s indictment of the Jews religious leadership.
- Matthew makes a point to note the Jesus Christ came out of Galilee of the Gentiles in 4:12-16.
- Matthew also notes four apostles who came out of Galilee of the Gentiles. (Matthew hismelf is also from a town in Galilee)
- Matthew shows the Lord’s fame spreading to Syria and the Syrians coming to the Lord Jesus Christ.
- Sermon on the mount was preached to the multitudes, not in the synagogues.
- Matthew records the centurion then says he hasn’t found such faith in Israel in 8:10.
- Matthew records the Lord telling the multitudes not to make him known among the Jews because they sought to kill him. Then ties that with fulfillment that Jesus Christ is going to be accepted by Gentiles. Matthew 12:14-21
- Matthew records the sign of Jonah as picturing Jesus Christ in Matthew 12:38-45. Jonah was from Galilee. Jonah was sent to Gentiles. Jonah was dead and buried for three days and three nights.
Converting people’s hearts to the truth
- The Lord’s method will put on display what he’s looking for out of man which is a conversion of the heart toward the truth.
- …there followed him… Indicates a willing assent.
- Persuading
- Acts 19:8 And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.
- Act 28:23 And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.
- Conversion
- James 5:19-20 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; 20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
- Psalm 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
- Isaiah 1:27 Zion shall be redeemed with judgment, and her converts with righteousness.
- Matthew 13:15 For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
- Acts 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
