The King and His Kingdom in Matthew
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WEST VIRGINIA SCHOOL OF PREACHING VICTORY LECTURES October 27 30, 2003 THE KING AND HIS KINGDOM IN MATTHEW Denver Cooper, Director Louis Rushmore, Editor Published By & Order From West Virginia School of Preaching P.O. Box 785 Moundsville, WV 26041 (888) 418-4573 overseen by the elders of Hillview Terrace Church of Christ Fourth Street and Willard Avenue Moundsville, West Virginia 26041 printed & bound by Louis Rushmore RD 3 Box 28 Cameron, WV 26033 (888) 725-7883 [email protected] www.gospelgazette.com 2 DEDICATION The apostle John stated that when some one dies ‘in the Lord,’ his works do follow them. This would certainly be true of John Cunningham. On April 19, 2003, John finished his earthly work and went on to receive his reward. He was ninety years old. His works live on. When someone mentions the Church of Christ in Chester, John and Gaynell immediately come to mind. He and Gaynell were married on September 15, 1945. For many years, John served as an elder. He was active in every phase of the work of the congregation where he served as a deacon, a Bible class teacher, a personal worker and an elder. He gave spiritual leadership to the congregation that he loved so much. The Cunningham home was characterized by hospitality and their door was always open to others. John always emphasized that our growth as a congregation is tied to our getting to know each other better. His love for the church was unquestioned. He loved to hear the Bible taught and traveled many miles to support faithful preachers. John knew the truth and expected preachers to uphold it. He was able to work well with his fellow elders and made a real contribution to the decisions they made. He was a strong supporter of West Virginia School of Preaching and believed in the work it is doing. Preachers, both young and old, found a friend in him. While his life on earth is over, his works continue. Frank Higginbotham 3 “Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due ; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour” (Romans 13:7). Elders to be Honored The brethren planning the 2003 Lectureship decided to honor two men who have served as elders of the Hillview Terrace Church of Christ. Brethren Walt Masters and Howard Sole have served together for 38 years. They have worked together and with others in a very cooperative manner. The peace and harmony of the church at Hillview Terrace, the success of the West Virginia School of Preaching, along with the many mission areas that have benefited from their generous financial gifts, attest to their live for the souls of men. May God continue to bless them always in the service of Jesus Christ. Preacher to be Honored The brethren planning the 2003 Lectureship also decided to honor a preacher. Brother John Hamilton was born September 23, 1918 at St. Joe, Ohio. He was married to Delrose McCoy also of St. Joe, Ohio on May 31, 1946, and they have a daughter, Nancy Joella. John and Delrose became Christians in 1939. He attended Freed-Hardeman University, received the B.S. degree from Abilene Christian University and his M.A. from Eastern New Mexico University. John began his preaching career at Portalis, New Mexico in 1950. His local work took him to Portalis, NM; Rifle, CO; Bloomington and Martinsville, IN; Chelsea, MI; Woodsfield, Massilon and Shadyside, OH. In addition to his local work, John has held numerous Gospel meetings in a greater number of states. Needless to say, John and his good wife remain faithful to the Lord and we extend hearty congratulations to this great Christian couple. May God continue to bless both of you in your service to the Lord. 4 PREFACE The Book of Matthew is the foundation for the 2003 “Victory” lectures. This study seems to be most appropriate because of the great amount of confusion in our day with regard to the church and the kingdom. Matthew clarifies much of it. Matthew the evangelist and apostle was a Galilean Jew who wrote by inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Nearly every chapter has a prophecy from the Old Testament with 43 direct quotations. Matthew presents Jesus as the offspring of David, the prophesied Messiah and predicted King. He is presented as the one through whom man is reconciled to God. J.W. McGarvey wrote: “Matthew has enriched his narrative with such a selection of gems from the treasury of the Great Teacher, as must ever make his book the most frequently read of all the books of the New Testament.” The recorded parables emphasize the kingdom of heaven. Since the book is believed to have been written about 60 A.D. to 64 A.D., it had to precede the fall of Jerusalem. He climaxes his record of the Gospel with what we call the Great Commission, showing that all of every nation, Jew and Gentile, should be baptized. The sermon of the Mount is an example of the great discourse of the Master, presented with beauty and fullness. The question, “But whom say ye that I am?” is answered thoroughly. Denver E. Cooper 5 TABLE OF CONTENTS JESUS, HUMILIATION AND ABUSE ............................ 8 By Roy H. Lanier, Jr. HISTORICAL REVIEW OF THE KING AND HIS KINGDOM IN MATTHEW............................................. 19 By Louis Rushmore THE PARABLE OF THE SOILS..................................... 38 By Jason E. Ridgeway BIRTH OF THE KING..................................................... 47 By Emanuel Daugherty JOHN, THE HARBINGER OF THE KING ................... 64 By Dan Kessinger WORSHIP ETHICS.......................................................... 79 By Steve Higginbotham TEMPTATIONS OF THE KING..................................... 84 By Eddie Cooper JESUS’ TRIALS............................................................... 92 By Roy H. Lanier, Jr. MIRACLES IN Matthew 8-9.......................................... 100 By W. Terry Varner THE MUSTARD SEED & LEAVEN ............................ 120 By Justin R. Odom NAMES OF THE KING IN THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW .................................................................... 128 By Charles C. Pugh III KINGDOM ATTITUDES .............................................. 147 By Frank Higginbotham THE GOLDEN RULE.................................................... 157 By Steve Higginbotham KINGDOM DIVIDED.................................................... 162 By Glenn E. Hawkins JESUS: DEATH.............................................................. 172 By Roy H. Lanier, Jr. TRANSFIGURATION OF THE KING ......................... 181 By Greg Tidwell 6 THE PARABLE OF THE TARES................................. 186 By Wesley Simons ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE KINGDOM................... 197 By Bruce Daugherty THE KINGS TRIUMPHANT ENTRY.......................... 207 By Dennis Curd JUDGING ....................................................................... 213 By Frank Higginbotham INVITATION OF KING ................................................ 222 By Terry Jones RESURRECTION .......................................................... 229 By Dennis Curd OFFENSES IN THE KINGDOM................................... 236 By Wesley Simons THE PARABLE OF THE WICKED HUSBANDMEN 250 By D. Gene West OPPONENTS OF THE KING........................................ 264 By John F. Board JUDGMENTS OF KING................................................ 272 By Alan C. Cole MARRIAGE-DIVORCE AND REMARRIAGE........... 279 By Wesley Simons SABBATH CONFLICTS OF THE KING ..................... 296 By Charles J. Aebi MARCHING ORDERS OF THE KING ........................ 304 By Denver Cooper 7 JESUS, HUMILIATION AND ABUSE By Roy H. Lanier, Jr. Let it be understood at the very first that humiliation and exaltation of Jesus relates only to his human nature. Such things cannot be attributed to his Divine nature. The Divine nature is immutable, and therefore it is incapable of diminution or increase. His humiliation was temporary, his exaltation is permanent. His humiliation began with his birth and ended with his death. This dual-natured Person, though humiliated by taking on humanity, was exalted above all, and now sits at the right hand of the Majesty on high, all things subject to Him (Hebrews 1:3). The Emptying, Kenosis One of the most glorious passages about humility in the Bible is when Paul calls for Christians to follow Jesus. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:5-11 KJV) JESUS, HUMILIATION AND ABUSE by Roy H. Lanier, Jr. This is the cardinal passage in the New Testament that describes the humiliation of our Lord. The concept is beyond the finite mind of humans to understand fully, but several considerations can be grasped: 1. In context, Paul is appealing for unity and humility – vv 1-4. 2. The appeal is to have the “mind” of Jesus. The Greek uses tou=to fronei=te, touto phroneite , translated literally as “this think ye.” A modern translation uses “Your attitude should be” (NIV). 3. This would be what Paul means when he later speaks of their working out their own salvation – v. 12. 4. Paul appealed to Christians in Philippi to have this mind, or attitude, and it would make full his joy – v. 2. 5. Jesus, previous to his incarnation, existed in the pure spirit form of Deity. 6. He “thought it not robbery” (KJV) to be in this equal spirit form, or as another translation states: “counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped” (ASV) – v. 6. The NASB adds a footnote: “i.e., laid aside His privileges.” 7. He “made himself of no reputation” (KJV, NKJV), or “emptied himself” (ASV, NASB), or “made himself nothing” (NIV) in such way as to leave heaven and pure spirit form in order to accomplish incarnation – v.