LESSONS FROM MATTHEW

 

Matt 6:33 – The Lessons of Matthew

 

Intro:  We are going to look at three lessons we can learn from the book of Matthew.

 

Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.

 

1.  Our first lesson is based upon Jesus’ teaching from the Sermon on the Mount and the

     Kingdom of God.   Jesus states that we are to seek the Kingdom of God first. 

2.  The Bible teaches the Kingdom of God is the place where the Lord dwells.  Paul

     Reveals that the believer is the temple of the Holy Spirit.  1 Cor 6:19-20  Simply put

     The believer is where the Kingdom of God is or dwells.  The Kingdom of God is in us

     Right now.

3. Paul taught the characteristics of the Kingdom are righteousness, peace and joy. 

    You can be righteousness, which is being right, true, genuine and living right before

    God...  It is a positive action.  It means doing what is right, just, honest and true.  This

     Is demonstrated in how we think, talk, and live.  It shows up in our plans, priorities,

     Attitudes and values.

4.  Jesus says this is something we must be seeking.  It must be a top priority of our

     Lives.

5  His kingdom is a spiritual kingdom that is in our hearts.  It is spiritual power that

     Envelopes the believer.  It is in and surrounds the believer.  This is an incredible

     Truth and gift.   

6.  Jesus is offering in this dispensation or time period not only righteousness but peace

     Within.  This is absence from strife and war.  The ability to joyful in the midst of

     Chaos and conflict around you.  You can be in the midst of conflict and yet be

     Peaceful.  Why?  Because you know God is your source, your help & defender,

     Overcoming ability and victory.  The Psalmist writes, “The joy of the Lord is my

     Strength. 

7.  Jesus stated through Matthew and the Sermon on the Mount that seeking God’s

     Kingdom and the righteousness it brings creates a wonderful promise. 

 

And all these things will be added unto you.

 

1.  The all things are the things Jesus talked about before he said these words.  Now this

      Requires us to read all of Matthew 5-6:32.  Now time does allow us to do this so I

      Will highlight the major points briefly.

2.  Jesus says, you will be blessed when you are meek, hunger and thirst after

     Righteousness, are merciful, pure in heart and are a peacemaker.  God will help you

     in your mourning, and persecution.  Matt 5:1-10

 

3.  When falsely accused, gossiped about, misunderstood and insulted because of Him.

     Jesus says rejoice and be glad, for two reasons, your have a great reward in heaven

     Waiting for you and they did the same thing to the prophets and believers before

     You.  Matt 5:11-12.

 

4.  You are salt and light and you know that Jesus is the fulfillment of the law.  You

     Know calling a person names is wrong, to settle wrongs quickly and pay your debts

      Promptly.  Matt 5:17-26

5.  You know that looking at a person in lust is wrong & that divorce is only allowed

     When a spouse has been unfaithful is some manner.  You keep your oaths, give

     when it is in your ability and love your enemies.  Matt 5:27-28

6.  You give to the needy, fast, store your treasures in heaven and don’t worry.  Matt

     6:1- 33   These are the things that are added unto you.

 

 7.  Jesus cares about all people.  He wants to heal, set free and bring peace within.  Let

      Us this morning let Him.

 

Jesus is not only the Messiah of the Jews but is the Savior of the world.

 

1.  The book of Matthew was written to show Jesus as the Messiah and His purpose was

     To bring the Kingdom of God to men.  Jesus was the incarnation of the divine and

     Human.  His redemption would link man and God together like never before.

2.  There are many books in the O.T. that show Christ’ coming to do away with sin but

     Also coming in glory to destroy the wicked.  Matthew was inspired by the Holy Spirit

     To write his account to show the difference. 

3.  As I close today.  I wish to remind you to seek the Kingdom of God with all your

     Heart, soul, mind and strength and the righteousness it brings.  When you do all the

     Resources of heaven are at your disposal. 

 

 

QUOTES FOR JULY 9, 2026

 

WORDS OF JESUS

 

Matt 27:46 – My God why have you forsaken Me. – Nov 10, 2013

 

1.           Jesus cries out this statement.  Jesus in that moment felt the full impact and agony of sin.  He who knew no sin became sin for us. 

2.           Jesus had never been separated from the Father.  In those hours on the cross Jesus felt that full separation. 

3.           It was our sins that put Him on the cross.  We should have been hanging there but He died in our place. 

4.           It was here that the perfect man felt the full impact of the imperfect world and reality of sin.  Our sins, past present and future were placed on Him. 

5.           This phrase is the only one repeated in more than one gospel.  It is David’s quote from Psalm 22:1.  David saw his Saviour a thousand years before the event hanging there and he says, “My God why have you forsaken Him.” 

6.           Scholars have debated for centuries if this was Jesus feeling the full abandonment of the Father or if Jesus now understood the cry of a forsaken and abandon person who is separated from God by their sins.

7.            In that moment Jesus felt the desertion of His friends and as well felt the full impact of man’s separation from God.  It is a mystery of the incarnation that in that moment He who had been with the Father from the beginning now felt abandoned by Him.  Let us never let that happen to us.  Stay close to God.

WHO IS CHRIST

 

Matthew 16:13-20

New International Version (NIV)

Peter Declares That Jesus Is the Messiah

¹³ When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”

¹⁴ They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

¹⁵ “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

¹⁶ Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

¹⁷ Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. ¹⁸ And I tell you that you are Peter,^[a] and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades^[b] will not overcome it. ¹⁹ I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be^[c] bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be^[d] loosed in heaven.”²⁰ Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.

Matthew 16:13-28

A very important conversation

A very important conversation happened about this time. The *disciples had been with Jesus for some time. They had seen his *miracles. They had heard him teach. They had seen the great love and care that he always showed. They were near Caesarea Philippi.

Then, Jesus asked his *disciples this question:

·        Who did people say that Jesus was?

The *disciples replied with many answers:

·        Some people thought that John the Baptist had become alive again. These people guessed that Jesus was really John.

·        Some people thought that Jesus was perhaps Elijah or one of the prophets.

 

·        But Peter said this:

Matthew 16:16 Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God’.

Jesus is the *Messiah and the son of God

This was a wonderful answer. 'Christ' means the same as *Messiah. Peter realized that Jesus was the son of God.

Jesus had an explanation for what Peter had said. The *disciples could only say this because God had told them. God had helped them to believe in Jesus.

Wrong ideas about the *Messiah

Jesus immediately told them not to tell anyone. Why did he say this? It was because of the Jews’ idea of a *Messiah. They expected that the *Messiah would be a military leader. They thought that the *Messiah would defeat the Romans. The security of the Jews was important. But Jesus had come to do something that was far more important.  He had come to save mankind from their sins. 

Jesus then reveals because of this revelation voice by Peter that certain results and blessings would come.

Upon men like Peter the Lord will build his church.  Men who God has shown the truth of Jesus Christ and they stand upon that.

The gates of hell will not prevail, overcome or destroy the church.  We win, conquer, overcome and have victory. No demon, worldly influence and fleshly opponent will defeat us.

We have the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven.  Righteous, peace, joy and love.  Keys in those days represent power and authority.  We have the power and authority to do the works of Christ.  We are His ambassadors and representatives and we can continue His work.  

Whatever we bind on earth is bound in heaven and whatever we loose on earth is loosed in heaven.  The power of binding and loosing is powerful.  This is a fact and reality of authority.  Mixed with faith, love and power we are an unbeatable force for God. Talk about Peter and John at the gate called beautiful.  

This is a foundational passage for the authority of the believer

 

 

BLESSED ASSRUANCE

 

Blessed Assurance – 1 John 5:13-15 – May 25^th 2008

 

Intro:  It seems to have taken a long time to get here but this is the second last message of 1 John.  Today we are going to learn about assurance and the power of prayer.  Both essential in the life of faith.

 

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so you may know that you have eternal life.

 

1.  This letter is written primarily to the Christians of the church at Ephesus.  This was a

     Church that according to Jesus in Rev 2:4-5, had forgotten their first love, and they

     Have fallen from a great height of faith.  He tells them to repent and do what they did

     At first or they would have their lamp stand removed. 

2.  Now the church at Ephesus was not all backslidden in fact far from it.  In Rev 2:2-3

     Jesus commends them on their patience, hatred of wickedness, ability to test false

     Teaching, perseverance, ability to endure hardship and refusal to grow weary.

3.  Unfortunately when you have forgotten or neglected your first love one of the results

     Is not fully knowing where you stand.  John wrote them to remind them that if they

     Believe in the name of the Son f God they would know they have eternal life.

4.  Scholars tell us this verse, it the Key to he Book of John.  John wrote it so that his

     Readers and audience of that day and today, would know that they have eternal life.

     Frank Thompson says this verse is “The purpose of this Word.”  This is the foundation

     Of the next verse and subject we will cover which is the power of prayer. 

5.  Now remember John in the last paragraph, talked about the testimony of God.  He is

     Saying here that the assurance of ones salvation always rest fundamentally and

     Sufficiently on the direct promises of God.  As Roy B Zuck wrote.  “One’s assurance

     Rests on the testimony of God. “

6.  Here are some assurance scriptures.

 

a.  In Col 2:2, Paul tells us that assurance brings encouragement and unity in love.

     Fullness and complete understanding.

b.  Paul writes in 1 Thess 1:5, that with deep conviction and the power of the Holy Spirit

     Comes assurance.

c.  Paul then in 1 Tim 1:12, reminds Timothy that faithful service gives strength and

     Assurance. 

d.  The writer of Hebrews says in Heb 10:22, that when we draw near to God with sincere

     Hearts, we will have full assurance.  With that will come a cleanse heart, mind and

     Body.

e.  In1 John we have five assurance scriptures more than any other book in the New

     Testament.  They are, 2:3, 3:19, 4:13, 5:10 & 5:13  

 

 

 

 

 

This is the assurance we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

 

1.  This is such a powerful statement.  There is again not just assurance knowing about

     Salvation but also in the power of prayer.  This statement gives confidence when we

     Pray.  This is scriptural & spiritual knowledge.  You know in your inner most being.

2.  Dan 9:12 & 1:23, tell us that before our prayer request is out of our mouth the answer

     Is on the way.  Heb 4:15 tells we have access to the throne of God.  Immediately and

     Instantaneously.

3.  I could talk for a long time about the power of prayer.  But John puts so simple.  If we

     Ask anything according to His will, He hears us.  What assurance, what confidence.

     You say what is the will of God.  This book I am holding in my hand.  This morning

     I am not giving a discussion about the will of God except to say.  The Bible is the will

     Of God.  What is the will of God for you and me?  It is tell others about Him.  To love

     One another.  To stay close to God and do whatever He asks.  Seek His kingdom first.

4.  The will of God is to supply all your needs, your food, shelter, clothing and

     Transportation.  Even the smallest of needs.   Talk about what Jess said in the Sermon

     On the mount about the flowers and birds.  I love this story.  4582.

 

And if we know He hears us whatever we ask, we know that we have what ask of Him. 

 

1.  The French mystic, Jean Guyon said, it is the simple faith of a child who knows that

     When ask our father for something out of love if it is possible and good for us he will

     Give to us. 

2.   This verse is a simple declaration of faith and truth.  You know in your heart, soul

      And mind.  You know God will hear you.  I personally believe His ear is tune to

      Our requests, desires and needs.  What ever it is, you know.  You know, you

      Know. 

3.  It is this simple.  We know, He hears, we ask, He gives and we get.  This declaration

     Of faith is a cornerstone verse of prayer.  John believed this and so should we John

     Saw in action in the life of Christ.  Jesus calmed the waves, fed the 5000, healed the

     Sick, cleansed the leper and raised the dead on this statement.  Jesus stated in the book

     Of John that the Father granted whatever he asked because they were one.  We can be

     One with the Father if we take this verse to heart.

4.  John is stating you have a divine audience and a promise of answered prayer and

     God’s provision.   This is a promise from God.  There are 3476 groups of promises

     In God’s words.  Hundreds of categories.  All given to us his people and John is re-

     Stating this so as we open these altars today and pray for you.  Take this to heart.

     The will of God is to save, heal, deliver, restore, reconcile, forgive, encourage,

     Strengthen,  bring victory, protect, guide, direct and bring total victory

ENDTIMES

 

Warning against the Anti-Christ's - May 27, 2007

 

Intro;  It is apparant we live in a wicked age.  Jesus said, that in the last days that men would do what their hearts desire and that is what has happened.  Today, John talks about what is the Spirit of the anti-christ and the difference between it and the church.  Today we will spend time talking about this.

 

1.  John reveals twice in vs 18, that the end of the age and its hour has come.  John believed as

     we do that we are living in the last days.  Climate change, war, terror, hatred for Israel, politics

     based on oil and resources.  All the attention focused on the middle east is all an indicator that

     we are living in the last days.  If you have not pick up my study on the last days, please do so it

     is available in the church foyer.

 

2.  John reveals to the church in Ephesus and to us that the anti-christ is here.  This morning

     we will examine this spirit from the three foremost biblical authorities on this spirit.  John,

     Jesus and Paul. Many believe the actual person who will become the antichrist is alive

     somewhere right now just waiting his time.  John reveals that the antichrist is not just a person

     but a spirit and It is shown in these ways and these are its charactertistics. 

 

a.  By people going out from among us.  vs 19,  People get saved and then for one reason or

    another they live and feel that they are no longer subject to the church, it leaders, teachings,

    organization and dotrinbe.  The spirit of the antichrist operates on pride.  Some feel they are

    to spiritual or superior in their outlook than the church.  Talk about two yong men at

    Sunnyside.  John says that individuals under this spirit do not remain true to the truth.  They are

    the ones looking for the last fad or spiritual high. 

b.  John reveals that the spirit of anti-christ lies and why not it is based upon satan the father of

     all lies.  vs 22

c.  Those under this influence deny that Jesus is the Christ.  Every religion in the world is under

     the iinfluence of the spirit of anti-christ.  vs 22

d.  They deny the relationship between the Father and the Son.  They discount and dismiss the

     trinity.  The J.W`S and Mormans both of which I have extensive experience deny Christ is

     part of the trinity.  Even people within the Pentecost umbrella deny the trinity.  vs 22

e.  John makes it clear that a person that does this is aligned with the antichrist.  vs 22

f.   John again reveals this spirit's characteristics in in 1 John 4:3 and 2 John 7, that it will deny 

     that Jesus came in the flesh.  To deny Jesus coming in the flesh denies his humanity and all

     He did on the cross.  The denial is at the core of redemption.  If Jesus did not come in the flesh

     there is no physical substitute sacrifice for sin.  There would be no broken body to deal with

     infirmities, iniquities, transgressions, sickness,  sorrows, lack of peace, and healing as

     Isaiah pictured it for us in Is 53:4-6.

g.  Without Jesus coming in the flesh.  His precious blood that was shed could not bring

     forgiveness, total removal of sin, victory over death, hell and the grave.  Eternal life would not

     be ours.  Because of the blood, we have success, access to the throne of God in prayer and

     so many other things that time does not permit me to further explain.  John had a more clearer

     picture of this spirit than any other New Testament writer.   John saw The Gnostic belief that

     attack the church in its early stages do this.  He called this spirit and its promoters deceivers.   

 

3.. Jesus revealed in Matt 24:9-15.  The characteristics of the world preceeding the antichrist.

     This again helps identify the spirit of anti-christ.

 

a.   It hates, persecute and kills those who belong to God.  vs 9

b.   It causes many to turn from the truth, betray and hate those in the faith.  vs 10 

c.   It causes people to believe in false prophets and false truth.  vs 11

d.  It causes an increase in wickedness because anything goes.  vs 12

e.  The love of many will grow cold.  vs 12  

f.   The spirit of the antichrist wants to profane & displace the worship of God with itself.  vs 15

 

4.  Paul saw the spirit of antichrist in the physical form in 2 Thess 2:1-12 where Paul talks his

    characteristics as follows.

 

a.  It is a spirit of rebellion and lawlessness.  vs 3

b.  It opposes, and exalts itself over anything of God.  It wants worship and even claims to be

     God. vs 4

c. It is the secret power behind lawlessness.  vs 7

d. It displays countfeit miracles, signs and wonders and every sort of evil to deceive those who

     are perishing. vs 9-10

e. It preys upon people that refuse to love the truth and be saved.  vs 10

f.  It is especially powerful with people who delight in wickedness.  vs 12

g.  In Rev 13 and 17, it is know as the beast.  Whose main objective is power, prestige, worship

    and domination.

 

5.  John then contrasts the spirit of the antichrist to what a true believers possesses.  True

     beleivers have. 

 

a.  An anointing from the Holy One.  You have been set aside dear friends for holy service with

    a calling, power, authority and enablement.  vs 20

b.  There is a sense of belonging, a desire to stay connected with God and the community of

     believers.  You know that the church is not perfect but you are willing to be part of the solution

     instead of an outside critic.  vs 19

c.  You know the truth and you know it has no lie.  You believe every word in the bible and

     promote it to others because you know it has set you free and it will do the same for others.

     vs 21

d.  You acknowledge the Son and you have the Father.  Jesus to you is both Saviour and Lord.

     You publicly testify of HIs Lordship by you words, deeds, thoughts and attitudes.

e.  You make a commitment to keep what you heard from the beginning.  You work to stay

     fresh, full of vision, strength and be committed.  vs 24

f.  This allows you to remain in Christ and possess eternal life.  You will always have the Father

    and the Son.

 

3.  Frank Thompson revealed in his Bible outline that this passage is talking about the rise of

     antichrist's with their apostacy and denial of Christ.  This is the sign of the last time period.

 

a.  This passage is an exhortation to remain in the truth with the assurance that divine anointing

     will give all the need instructions.

b.   I want to point out three things in closing.  First, Paul point out in 2 Thess 2:7, that the Holy

     Spirit is holding back this spirit and until He is removed this spirit cannot fully manifest itself. 

     Where does the Holy Spirit live.  In Us.  We hold back this spirit.  Secondly, Jesus will destroy

     this spirit with the breath of His mouth and with the splendor of His coming.  Jesus is coming

     back church.  Lastly, God has allowed people to be under this spirit`s influence.  I believe

     we need to pray for people to be set free from this.