Following Jesus Series - Sermon 2

Enter God’s Kingdom

Text: Matthew 4:12-17

Introduction

Isaiah had wrote about people who “walked in darkness.” What is sad about the time of Matthew penning God’s Word, the people had come to the point of “sitting” in darkness. That is to say, many had reached a point of thinking there was no Hope for them.

What we learn from God’s Word today is that God will never leave us without Hope. Christ has fulfilled the prophecy we were all desperate for Him to fulfill; Light came down to lead us to the kingdom He was bringing down. The question is, “Will you enter God’s kingdom?”

1) The Call Of Jesus

A. It is from Jesus

His origin is without beginning.

His earthly genealogy extends to the throne of David.

His nature is without flaw (sinless)

He was truly God and truly man.

His power is greater than that of the devil.

His approval is from Heaven.

B. It is continual

John was put in prison due to his message and his rebuke to Herod’s unholy marriage.

Jesus left because He had not come to conquer Herod, but to conquer your sin, death, hell and the grave!

Jesus travels to Nazareth — rejected.

Jesus travels to Galilee.

Nothing would hinder the gospel message from reaching every corner of the world.

C. It is purposeful

Don’t overlook Jesus’ new headquarters and it’s significance.

A mixed population.

Matthew 4:13 (JPCS Mt): Galilee was crossed by military highways north to south and by ancient caravan routes east to west. In this busy international corridor one could as easily meet a Roman courier or a Greek architect as a quisling Jewish tax collector or a Hebrew peasant.

It was to fulfill a prophecy regarding those who were in spiritual darkness — Gentiles (vv15-16)

Illustration: Our recent power outage! As I was trying to explain why things were different to our almost 2 year old, I’m also being reminded of the darkness I used to live in spiritually. There is a lot of similarities.

He preached “Repent and believe the gospel.”

2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

Acts 17:30 “And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:”

To welcome ALL into a kingdom of love He was bringing down.

Declaring the gospel is the most honorable thing you could ever do! JESUS DID!

“Repent” is one of the great foundation stones Christianity is built upon!

“All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.”

2) Those Whom Jesus Calls

They were the poorest and most humble of life.

Peter, Andrew, James and John were fishermen.

The kingdom being brought down was not intended for one class over the other.

The majority of the world is in poverty and ignorance.

Does not exclude you from the highest place in service of Christ.

Quote: “Is a man humble? Does he feel his sins? Is he willing to hear Christ’s voice and follow him? If this be so, he may be the poorest of the poor, but he shall be found as high as any in the kingdom of heaven. Intellect, and money, and rank, are worth nothing without grace.” — J.C. Ryle

When considering this reality, it just validates even more that Christianity MUST have been from Heaven.

Those who were our first teachers were poor fishermen, without wealth, rank, power, etc….

On one side you had the Roman Empire, their priests and elaborate temples. On the other side you had to poor workmen with God’s grace.

Two parties unequally matched!

Christianity must have been from God!!!

3) The Mission Of Jesus

A. We gain understanding of Jesus’ mission through the character of His miracles.

His miracles were that of mercy and kindness.

Our Lord went about doing GOOD!

To remove “goodness” from Christianity is equal to removing Christ from Christianity. It then becomes mere humanitarian aid.

These were demonstrating the POWER OF GOD.

He could heal the sick with only a touch, cast out devils by speaking one word and save ALL who will simply come to Him by faith.

These were demonstrated to speak of His ability to be our great spiritual physician.

No bodily disease incurable.

No disease of the soul beyond cure.

No broken heart beyond making whole again.

No injury to the conscience that cannot be overcome.

LISTEN, do you realize how stricken and crushed we are by sin? Yet when Jesus is applied, we are made clean and whole!!!

These demonstrate His compassion.

He rejected no one who came to Him!

Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”

Even though He is in Heaven, His character has not been altered.

Why would you not bring your needs to Jesus?

The FIRST need you must bring to Him is your need of a Savior!!!

Romans 10:8-9 “8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”