Background: Title: The earliest inscription (Kata Matthaion) of this Gospel attributes it to MATTHEW Matthew. However, this is only by strong tradition; the Didache (c. Jesus the King A.D. 120) is the first to use this as a title. The Book of Matthew was incorporated in Tatian’s Diatessaron, the Old Latin, and the Old Syriac Versions. Author: Key Text: Mt 16:16-19 The early church unanimously ascribed the book to Matthew, the Simon Peter answered, “You are the apostle. But there is no internal evidence to ascribe it to any particular Christ, the Son of the living God.” author. Papias, an elder of Hierapolis (A.D. 80-155), states that Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon Matthew wrote the Gospel in the Hebrew tongue. Irenaeus and Origen both say that Matthew wrote a Gospel in the Hebrew. And Pantaenus, son of Jonah, for this was not revealed according to Eusebius, found a copy of the Gospel in Hebrew in India, to you by man, but by my Father in which had been left there by Bartholomew. These three sources seems heaven. And I tell you that you are to indicate a second century tradition that Matthew was the author. Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not Matthew (“Gift of God”), sometimes called Levi (Mk 2:14; Lk 5:27), was the son of Alphaeus. He was a tax collector or publican, who overcome it. I will give you the Keys of became one of the apostles (9:9). When Jesus called him, he left all to the kingdom of heaven; whatever you follow Jesus (Lk 5:28). He resided in Capernaum, a large city on the bind on earth will be bound in heaven, northwest coast of the Sea of Galilee and one of the many places of and whatever you loose on earth will taxation for the Romans. Matthew was a Jew, but had great influence be loosed in heaven.” with the Romans. He was trustworthy, competent, and efficient, and apparently conducted his business in an honest manner. After Jesus called him, Matthew was so grateful that he gave Jesus a reception, and invited many publicans and sinners. They came in large numbers to Theme: meet Jesus (9:10; Luke 5:29). Matthew wrote to persuade Jews (and Gen- His name is found in all the list of disciples (10:3; Mk 3:18; Lk 6:15; tiles) that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah Ac 1:13). But after the ascension of Christ, we have no certain data with promised by the Old Testament. respect to his work. Early church tradition states that he preached in Judea for about fifteen years, and then went to Ethiopia, Persia, and Parthia. Nothing certain is known about his death. Date: There are several opinions as to the dating of the writing of Matthew, but the opinions are basically guess-work on the part of scholars. It would seem that the book was written before the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 because of the predictive nature of the narrative in chapter 24. Some have given the book a date of A.D. 40. Therefore, a date between A.D. 40 and A.D. 70 would not go far astray. Summary: Matthew was written as defense, a handbook of instruction. It is arranged systematically according to subject-matter rather than chronologically. The aim is to powerfully declare that Jesus is the Messiah and in Him the O.T. is fulfilled. He wants it clear that Christianity is not a “new” religion of a group of fanatics, but is the consummation of all the prophets predicted. Jesus is the King and the Kingdom of Heaven is being ushered into the realm of men. The profusion of quotations from the O.T. underscore that fact. Jesus was born a king, lived like a king, spoke like a king, died like a king, rose from the dead and promised to come again as the King of kings. 173 Sermon Outline Pollution Free Living Introduction: Outline: Throughout history false teachers have perverted the I. Introduction to the Epistle (vss 1-4) truth. The serpent (Satan) in the Garden of Eden was A. The Person—Jude, brother of the Lord (Mt 13:55), is the the first but certainly not the last. Moses had to deal writer of the letter. (See “Background” section of handout.) with false prophets in Egypt. Jeremiah hurled a B. The People stinging rebuke at the false teachers of Israel and C. The Purpose—vs 3 Judah (Jer 14:14). Paul prophesied that some among 1. “Contend earnestly” (to wrestle) denotes the extreme efforts the leaders of the church would fall away into error which are to characterize the faithful in defense of the truth. (Ac 20:29-30). And the Spirit explicitly taught that 2. “For the faith” - the body of Truth about Christ. false teachers and prophets would be around in the 3. “Which was once for all delivered” to the saints. last days (1Ti 4:1-2). D. The Immediate Occasion—vs 4 The Epistle of Jude is especially concerned with false II. Jude’s Warnings About Their Judgment and Character (5-10) teachers. The key word of the book is “apostasy.” The A. Jude provides three warning examples as evidence that such main body of the epistle is an impassioned attack on heretics would not escape the vengeance of God. those who pervert God’s truths, accompanied by 1. The unfaithful Israelites in the wilderness (vs 5). collected examples of God’s vengeance on such 2. The angels which sinned (vs 6). people. Jude heaps up image upon image, graphi- 3. The cities of the Plain (vs 7). cally depicting the polluted character of the licentious 4. The Application (vss 8-9). apostates against whom he is warning the church. He B. Three instances of individual wickedness (vs 11). returns again and again to the subject—as though 1. Cain, an example of disobedience (1Jn 3:12). language was insufficient to give an adequate idea of 2. Balaam, an example of greed (Nu 22:5-7). their sin—to express his burning hatred of their 3. Korah, an example of railing (Nu 16:1-35). perversion of the doctrine of the Christ. C. An analysis of the wicked men Jude rebukes (12-16). 1. “Hidden reefs in your love feasts.” Jude discloses the way of dealing with error. It is “Be 2. “Clouds without water carried along by wind.” loyal to the Truth,” the theme of the letter. 3. “Autumn trees without fruit, doubly dead, uprooted.” 4. “Wild waves of the sea casting up their own shame like foam.” 5. “Wandering stars.” III. Jude’s Exhortation to the Faithful A. Reminder That Ungodly Men Were to be Expected (17-19). B. Encouragement to Build on the Most Holy Faith (20-21). 1. Stay firm in the faith (vs 20) 2. Pray in the Holy Spirit. 3. Keep yourself in the Love of God (vs 21). 4. “Waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord...” (21) C. How are we to treat those caught up in false teaching? 1. To the doubting—have mercy. 2. To others—use firmness. 3. To still others—mercy and fear. Conclusion: (24-25) 174 Topics Christ in Matthew Major Lessons Jesus is the son of David (1:1); therefore, a rightful heir to the 1. The events in the life of Christ that are only found in throne and kingship. He is the son of Abraham (1:1); therefore, Matthew’s gospel: a rightful seed for the promises given to Abraham to bear fruit. a. The announcement to Joseph (1:18-25). He was conceived by the Holy Spirit (1:18-22); therefore, could b. The visit of the wise men (2:1-12). rightfully claim to be God. He is called Immanuel, “God with c. The massacre of the children (2:16-18). d. The flight into Egypt (2:19-22). us.” (1:23). He was born to be King (2:2) and is King. e. The condemnation of the cities where most of his miracles were done (11:20-30). The Gospel of Matthew presents in clear, precise language that f. A demoniac healed (9:27-34). Jesus is the long awaited Messianic King about whom the g. The parables of the tares (13:24-30), hidden treasure prophets spoke. Over 100 passages from the Old Testament (13:44), and drag-net (13:47). underline and support this thesis. The Christ had to be born of h. The confession of Peter (16:17-19). a virgin (1:23) in the city of Bethlehem (2:6). The ensuing i. Jesus pays tax by a miracle (17:24-27). persecution would cause Him to flee into Egypt (2:15) and to j. The teaching of forgiving a brother and the parable of the return to live in the city of Nazareth (2:23). His coming and unmerciful servant (18:15-35). ministry were to be announced by one who was like Elijah, John k. The laborers in the vineyard (20:1-16). the Baptist (3:3). He was to speak in parables (13:35), perform l. Two blind men are healed (20:30-34). miracles (8:17), yet be a humble servant (12:18-21). Matthew m. The two sons (21:28-32). n. The rejection of the nation by Christ (21:43). puts great emphasis upon the royalty of Jesus. His message was o. The marriage feast (22:1-14).