Sermon Tone Analysis

Opening Illustration

Over 10 yrs ago when we first came to Alstonville Wollongbar the Bruxner Hwy was the main road through.

You could sit outside ESP drinking your coffee as 18 wheeler trucks rumbled through a few metres away .. the lovely smell of diesel and dust

There was a rumour .. even a memory of a 30+ yr old promise, that ONE DAY there would be a BY PASS .. take the traffic out of Alstonville and return to quiet village

Most people said “Don’t hold your breath .. never see it in our lifetime!”

.. Yet here we are living in the peace and quiet as the trucks trundle along the by-pass .. not just Alstonville but Ballina as well!

A PROMISE … but will it really happen?

An EXPECTATION .. but the longer it takes the less you believe it will really happen .. and the detail is fuzzy

Matthew .. the tax collector turned disciple of Jesus has written to explain his eye witness account of KING JESUS .. he is showing that Jesus IS the PROMISED ONE .. it’s taken some time but now He is here!

Salvation has come to Israel .. and to the ends of the world !

Let’s take a look

Fulfilled Promise

Jesus begins a PUBLIC MINISTRY now that John the B is in prison .. and you have to wait until to get the whole story .. and while John’s ministry had focussed on the WILDERNESS ..get ready .. Jesus concentrates on Galilee (SEE MAP) .. lived in Capernaum .. in the area of ZEBULUN and NAPHTALI

And Matthew is writing to help fellow Jews to join the dots … Jesus has started MINISTRY in ZEBULUN and NAPHTALI … ring any bells??!

Well it was 700 yrs ago!

Isaiah prophesied .. 15 “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— 16 the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.”

15 “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,

the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan,

Galilee of the Gentiles—

16 the people living in darkness

have seen a great light;

on those living in the land of the shadow of death

a light has dawned.”

n

Amazing !

God’s plan and purpose have taken a while … 700 yrs .. but now it’s all happening

Y’see .. in 586BC .. the Babylonians finally and completely razed Jerusalem and all of Israel to the ground .. total destruction and the Jews taken into EXILE .. the first people to feel the IRON FIST of Babylon were the jews of the Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali .. Babylonian domination gave way to other NATIONS ruling over Israel .. in Jesus day it was the ROMAN EMPIRE

15 “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,

JESUS STARTS in the same region the EXILE STARTED .. ZEBULUN and NAPHTALI

Isaiah foretold this as well.

BUT he also told of the day of rescue.

the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan,

The day that God would restore his people (). - A light shining in the dark (v16), rescue from living in the shadow of death.

Jesus points the way .. v17, “Repent for the Kingdom of God is near.”

Galilee of the Gentiles—

People must have understood the term the kingdom of heaven.

.. v23 we get a clue to how they understood it - good news.

.. and those who see it as GOOD NEWS will ..

REPENT - turn back; turn back to God; stop walking away from him.

16 the people living in darkness

Recognise your need of restoration of relationship with God.

Coz when you are born that relationship is severed .. you are not right with God .. for ALL HAVE SINNED AND FALL SHORT .. Rom 3

My understanding is that the Ballina Bypass has been talked about and promised for the last 30 something years.

Some people probably felt it would never come.

But it has come.

There are some things to still work out, but basically the time is here, the bypass is at hand, it’s near.

You can’t do it yourself.

this will be the only way that you will be able to enjoy the salvation to come

have seen a great light;

When Jesus preaches that the kingdom of heaven is at hand or near - he’s talking about his ministry.

on those living in the land of the shadow of death

Jesus is the One come about by God’s divine work (1:20); the son brought out of Egypt (3:15), … who identified with us in BAPTISM … who remained faithful in the wilderness (4:1-11), ..the One the Father declares as His son who is in perfect relationship with God (3:17).

Jesus is the TRUE ISRAEL.Jesus is the people of God that no descendant of Adam could be.

Jesus in the garden remained obedient to God’s will - if any other way please - but your will be done.

He is God’s abundant provision of grace (), who despite our sin enables us to be right with God

Jesus is the Kingdom of Heaven where God’s rule is perfectly honoured.

a light has dawned.”

n

The only way to be a part of that kingdom then is through relationship with Jesus.

Later in the New Testament Paul will refer to being “in Christ.”

Being in Christ is being in relationship with him - Lord and Saviour, which means being in the Kingdom.

There is no other way … Satan knows who Jesus is; believes who Jesus is; but refuses relationship with him - repentance.... What about you?

The New International Version.

(2011).

().

Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

Fishers of Men

Jesus the Messiah is the ONLY way we can be brought back to the Father .. this message has to go out to everyone and Jesus recruits followers .. there is an URGENCY

Here is Jesus walking beside the sea and there are fishermen .. 2 sets of brothers Simon Peter and Andrew .. James and John .. the Zebedee boys .. just ORDINARY BLOKES … ROUGH … UNEDUCATED

John’s gospel gives helpful background .. these guys were already disciples of John the B .. and had already met Jesus

They are convinced Jesus is the LAMB OF GOD .. and they are willing to leave their livelihood to follow Jesus .. TRUSTING HIM

Have you wondered why Jesus didn’t RECRUIT FOLLOWERS from the the temple or the synagogues .. the religious leaders .. TEACHERS OF THE LAW ?

Well it’s pretty clear ... Jesus has come to save the sinners - the ones who recognise their need

The LEARNED .. the CHURCH PEOPLE .. SCRIBES … PHARISEES .. they thought they were OK .. and as the gospel accounts unpack, you see growing animosity .. hatred for Jesus the KING .. just like Herod .. Jesus is a RIVAL .. a BLASPHEMER

Yet to HUMBLE people .. even TAX COLLECTORS like Matthew .. who’s mates with these FISHERMEN .. they know their deep need - understanding our need more and more.

Trusting Jesus more and more.

Being convinced of his kingship more and more.

FAITH.

There’s no “Invite Jesus into your heart” .. it’s repent and believe .. enter the kingdom

().

Christian Maturity - understanding our need more and more.

Trusting Jesus more and more.

Being convinced of his kingship more and more.

FAITH.

Jesus isn’t a HOUSE GUEST .. He’s the OWNER OF THE HOUSE ..

He has the right to tell you how to live

Jesus doesn't make an an offer.. an invitation ...

He states a command (v19a) - follow me, walk with me.

And Jesus’ promise to these guys is ... (v19b)

You are men of fish now - I’ll make you fishers of men.

you follow me and I’ll give your life purpose you follow me and I’ll equip you for the journey.

You are men of fish now - I’ll make you fishers of men.

Against convention Jesus calls these fellas to be His disciples .. usually disciples seek out a TEACHER

And this is a beautiful invitation isn’t it.

Full of grace.

I’ll do the work in you.

I’ll equip you.

Ballina Bypass taking shape - can see the basic outline of where it is going.

Jesus doesn’t say, “If you guys can prove your worth then I’ll give you the job.”

Follow me and I’ll make you fishers of men.

Matthew shows us here the shape of the ministry which Jesus will preform.

There is a real note of grace.

This is ON THE JOB training .. Jesus moves among the unworthy, the ordinary, the lowly.