Matthew - All Authority (Page 3)

Matthew - All Authority (Page 3)

Matthew – All Authority

A madman, meh-men and magi

The story of the wise men visiting Jesus is packed full of action and suspense. Tonight we look at three of the characters in more detail. This gives us a clearer picture of Jesus and challenges us to consider how we will respond to the news of Jesus’ birth.

What makes Jesus so special?

The gospel of Matthew is all about Jesus. If there are questions about Jesus today, that’s no different from the first century AD. Who is he? Why did he come? What did he do? So right from the outset the disciple Matthew introduces us to several things about Jesus that set him apart as someone very special… his ancestry, his birth, his names and his role. He may have been born into the family of a humble, rural carpenter, but we mustn’t let that fool us. As we find out in this message, Jesus was always destined to be God’s promised Messiah. And that has massive implications for you and me today!

Decision Time

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches what it looks like to be a part of his kingdom. How will you respond to his teaching? Will you enter through the narrow or the wide gate? Will you be a wise or foolish builder?

Kingdom living in relationship with others

From judging others, to how we pray, to doing to others what we’d like them to do to us; Jesus covers various issues in these verses as he helps his followers to see the implications of being part of the Kingdom for all of their lives, in particular in relationship with other people.

The allegiance of the heart

In this passage, Jesus warns against having divided loyalties. Storing up treasures for ourselves on earth will turn our eyes from the things of God, and command the allegiance of our heart.

Greg Beaumont: The secret righteousness of the King’s people

Jesus has just given a massive lesson on Kingdom ethics and he finishes with those daunting words “Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect”. In Matthew 6:1-18 Jesus piles even more on top of us – we can’t just strive for perfect actions but we need perfect motives too otherwise we will get no heavenly reward. This all seems too much, except that Jesus tells us that these expectations are played out in relationship with God – our loving heavenly Father – who sent his son to die for us. What a joy it is to seek to please a Father like this!

The King’s people… in the world

Having already given his disciples a description of life as the King’s people, in the beatitudes, Jesus addresses the question, “What does it mean to be the people of the king in our relationship to the world?” He says they are salt and light in the world. That is, as followers of Jesus (the King’s people) our lives are to cause others to glorify God by being unmistakably distinctive.

The Jesus revolution begins

Many of the world’s most famous people have been revolutionaries – people who lit a spark that changed the world by grabbing the imagination (and the hearts) of their followers. By this measure, Jesus Christ would have to be at the top of the list. His three short years in the spotlight started something that is still being felt 2000 years later! How did he do it? What was His secret? In this message Pastor Murray takes us back to where it all started – the places, the culture, the people and the strategy He used. From these humble beginnings the world has been changed forever. Have you joined the Jesus revolution? If not, this message will challenge you to join up today.

The Son comes

Jesus finally arrives on the scene, he is baptised and is about to begin his public ministry. John the Baptist and the Heavenly Voice announce him to be God’s chosen Messiah who will suffer for and rescue his people. He comes with all authority. People, then and now, must respond in true repentance.