Four Story Glimpse of the Kingdom
Meet the Messiah • Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 15 viewsJesus has come to restore creation, defeat evil, forgive sin and call his people.
Notes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
Scaffold structures along the Brisbane River.
Look like oversized monkey bars reaching four storeys up.
Actually VIEWING PLATFORMS, giving you a glimpse into the future.
Not some science-fiction type scenario …
The site of future buildings.
Platforms showing the future view from each floor of the proposed building.
The idea is to help convince you to buy in.
To give you a glimpse of what could one day be yours.
With the goal of you buying in now.
In our passage today Matthew gives us a scaffold from which to glimpse the future.
Even though we are reading it 2000 years later he is still giving a us a scaffold from which to view the future.
Matthew records a series of events where Jesus gives us a glimpse into the future; a glimpse into the kingdom which he is ushering in, bringing in.
This is what Jesus has been preaching right from the start ()
From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
Repent and believe for the Kingdom of Heaven was near.
Here’s a glimpse of the coming Kingdom.
Here is a glimpse of the coming kingdom.
And Matthew is asking -” Will you buy in?”
Will you buy in to the Saviour’s Kingdom?
Matthew’s structure, his viewing platform has four storeys.
Prestigious building block ???
First floor, first storey a glimpse of the …
1. RESTORATION OF CREATION (8:23-27)
1. RESTORATION OF CREATION (8:23-27)
Matthew starts this part of his account in a boat.
Jesus & Co in a boat heading across the Sea of Galilee
Jesus sleeping
Storm blows up
Disciples gripped by fear.
Jesus rebukes
Order is restored.
On a plane in a storm. I look at the professionals, the cabin crew. If they are calm then I am calm. If they are nervous, I will be nervous.
But the actually story started a long, long time before that.
God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.
Right back at the start - when God had created everything through his powerful Word he looked and declared … it was very good.
We look around today and to some extent we can agree, this part of the world we live in is pretty good.
But there are parts that aren’t good.
Zimzala cafe ...
Drought in NSW …
Natural disasters… creation being hard to get along with.
Not good!
And the reason for this ‘not good’ is that human rebellion broke creation.
To Adam he said, “Because you listened to your wife and ate fruit from the tree about which I commanded you, ‘You must not eat from it,’
“Cursed is the ground because of you;
through painful toil you will eat food from it
all the days of your life.
Because you gave other voices more weight than mine,
Because you disobeyed me,
Rejected my rule
You will live in a broken world.
We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.
And here in a little boat on the Sea of Galilee broken creation groans.
Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping.
Jesus and disciples in a boat.
Jesus is asleep
Creation goes “here’s our chance” and throws a surprise weather event; literally a mega storm.
Creation rising up against the creator.
On a plane in a storm I look to the professionals - the cabin crew. If they look calm I stay calm. If they look nervous then I’ll get nervous. Nieve maybe but it works.
Looking at the professionals in this situation - I would be very nervous.
The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”
But Matthew wants us to see what the disciples couldn’t.
That these guys in a little boat, ploughing through a mega storm are in the safest place on earth, they are with Jesus, the creator, the Lord of all.
He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.
Don’t look at the cabin crew, look to the pilot.
Look to the one who is in control.
ASIDE: good to remember when it feels like life is out of control, that there is one who is powerful enough to take care of all those who are with him.
Looks horrific from our perspective, but as we trust in Jesus we are in the safest place in all the world. How comforting, how exciting.
Some commentators suggest that Jesus just has really good timing.
He woke up and spoke just as the storm was dying down.
Not how the eyewitnesses understand it.
The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”
Matt 8:
Matthew has been telling us all the way through his gospel that Jesus did this and that to fulfil what was said in the OT.
But here the situation is so obvious it’s like he doesn’t feel he need.
Who is like you, Lord God Almighty?
You, Lord, are mighty, and your faithfulness surrounds you.
You rule over the surging sea;
when its waves mount up, you still them.
Who is this man?
His name is Jesus, God the Son.
The one who created all things by his powerful Word.
Controls all things by his powerful Word.
Who here, gives us a glimpse of His Kingdom which he is preparing for all those who will trust in him.
Will you buy in to the Saviour’s Kingdom?
That’s the view from the first floor, that through Jesus God will bring the restoration of all creation, that one day it will again be very good.
He will reverse the curse.
He will bring in the new heavens and the new earth.
Second story, glimpsing the …
2. DEFEAT OF EVIL (8:28-34)
2. DEFEAT OF EVIL (8:28-34)
The boat arrives safely on the other side and the disciples hardly have time to recover from the first fright when they cop another one.
When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way.
Matt 8:28
Out of a storm and into an episode of “Stranger Things,” demonic show down.
These guys live in the cemetery and they are giving the locals stick, no one dares go near them.
Dad use to own a small farm just out of town.
If you had a break down or got bogged when it was dark and had to walk back into town where we lived you had to go past the Wee Waa cemetery. Think nothing of it driving past in the daylight. Walking home in the dark a-whole-nother story.
Dad always telling us that there was nothing to worry about.
But here in Gadarenes people had good reason to be afraid.
Look at the extent and the intent of this evil that has come of the cemetery to confront Jesus.
And he said to them, “Go.” So they came out and went into the pigs, and behold, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the waters.
The demons begged Jesus, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.”
He said to them, “Go!” So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water.
Matt 8:
EXTENT.
Other gospel accounts tell us that the name of the demons was legion = 6000 Roman soldiers.
And they also tell us that there were 2000 pigs in the herd.
INTENT.
Destruction and death.
At odds with God, completely different goals.
No wonder the locals are afraid.
We are not told what the disciples are doing at this point - probably hiding behind Jesus.
That makes perfect sense, wise tactic.
Because notice what Jesus does.
He said to them, “Go!” So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water.
Matt 8:
In this whole section the only thing we see Jesus doing is to utter one word … Go! and this huge, destructive, demonic force retreats in total and instant submission.
In another section of the Bible James tells followers of Jesus to resist the devil and he will flee from you. As followers of Jesus we have the power of Jesus at work for us NOW so that we are not helpless in the face of such a presence.
Here in Matthew we have a glimpse of the coming Kingdom of the Saviour.
But it’s just a glimpse …
“What do you want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?”
Matt 8:
This is a glimpse, it’s not the appointed time.
The appointed time when all evil will be dealt with comprehensively has not yet arrived.
Ivan Milat - they are using words like evil and hell in relation to him - all of a sudden we are allow to talk about judgment and punishment.
How can God let that sort of evil to roam the earth?
It’s not the appointed time. BUT when it comes …
When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth—Gog and Magog—and to gather them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore. They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God’s people, the city he loves. But fire came down from heaven and devoured them. And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
There will come a time when all evil will be destroyed.
It won’t be a long drawn out fight with the balance swinging from one side to the other.
It will be swift and decisive - by the Word of the Almighty it will all be over.
In fact Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness back in chapter 4 signalled this victory. And through his death and resurrection Jesus swung the death blow, crushed the serpent’s head. He is just in the death throes until the appointed time.
Which Kingdom will you be a part of? On that day where will you be standing?
Apart from faith in Jesus now you will be declared on team evil.
Good works and clean living won’t do it if you are not a part of Team Jesus.
State of Origin starts on Wednesday night - interrupted our planned Session meeting.
NSW and Qld have completely different and opposing goals.
Someone playing well for Qld will be targeted and taken down by NSW players.
Doing good whilst on the wrong side doesn’t make the opposition favourable towards you.
Matthew gives us a glimpse of the future victory, which puts the present into context.
Are you running on Team Jesus?
The people of the Gadarenes see what Jesus has done in v34 and ask him to leave.
34 Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region.
Jesus says Go to the demons and they go.
People say Go to Jesus
But what is really scary about this episode is that People say Go to Jesus, and he goes.
Don’t dismiss Jesus.
We are happy to declare Ivan Milat as one deserving of hell. No one has threatened contracts or stopped sponsorships over these claims.
BUT the offense of the Bible is that apart from Jesus you are headed to the same destination as an unrepentant Ivan Milat.
Matthew is giving us a glimpse into the future, will you buy into the Kingdom of the Saviour?
When the time comes, on that last day, Jesus will return and put an end to all evil, all rebellion, all those outside of personal relationship with him.
Will you buy in to the Kingdom of the Saviour?
First story - restoration of creation
Second story - end of evil
Third story a glimpse of the …
3. FORGIVENESS OF SIN (9:1-8)
3. FORGIVENESS OF SIN (9:1-8)
In chapter 9 Jesus gets back in the boat and heads back to Capernaum.
There he meets a man who cannot walk but he has some friends who can.
Jesus does exactly what they are expecting
He addresses this man’s greatest need.
There is just a bit of confusion as to what this greatest need might be.
Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.”
There is a greater need than your physical brokenness, you spiritual brokenness.
There is also some confusion about whether or not Jesus has the authority to address this greatest need.
At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, “This fellow is blaspheming!”
But look at how Jesus defines this lack of belief ...
Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts?
Evil
Matthew then reports on how Jesus displays his authority to forgive sin.
Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” Then the man got up and went home. When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to man.
For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.” And he rose and went home.
Impossible and visible to prove the impossible and invisible - unless of course you’re God.
I use to have a mechanic who insisted on showing me the used and worn parts he had replaced every time I had my car serviced. I used to say to him, Nick, I trust you, you don’t have to show me. But each time he showed me. Our little ritual.
Jesus is shows us the parts. Something visible to attest to the invisible.
He does have the authority to forgive sins.
And that is seen when he was raised from the dead after he died to bring forgiveness for all his people.
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them.
Matthew gives us a glimpse of the Kingdom of the Saviour, that as Saviour Jesus has come to forgive sins.
So far, Matthew has given us a glimpses of where God’s Mission is going
Restoration of Creation, the Defeat of Satan, Forgiveness of Sin.
He is presenting a good case for buying into the Kingdom of the Saviour.
Top floor. The promise of not just a glimpse but the whole panorama …
4. THE MISSION OF GOD (9:9-13)
4. THE MISSION OF GOD (9:9-13)
AS we step into the fourth story the view is amazing but not what we would expect.
So now we have reached the top floor, the Penthouse Suite.
And what do we find?
What amazing miracle will be on display?
What inspiring glimpse will await us?
At first glance, as we step into this story, it seems there is no miracle.
Just a tax booth on the edge of town.
And Jesus talking to a tax collector!
Matthew 9:9
As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.
The first thing we notice is that there doesn’t seem to be a miracle.
Just a tax booth on the edge of town.
And Jesus inviting a tax collector to be his follower.
But this is the most amazing of all miracles.
Matthew is sitting in his tax booth, ripping people off, busily not making friends - no merit (some suggest he was an honest tax collector, but that misses the point completely).
Not hard to imagine that Matthew is despised among the polite community.
Jesus says follow me. Not an invitation but an imperative, a command.
And effective. Matthew follows.
We hear this tempted and go all CSI - Crime Scene Investigation.
Must of heard Jesus before and shown some interest
How else would he make such a radical decision?
But Matthew’s own testimony is that Jesus commanded Follow me and he did.
The miracle here is that the lost is found. The sinner is saved.
The sinner is saved.
Unless Jesus opens our eyes to the truth of the gospel, our need for him we are hopelessly lost, outside his Kingdom.
The good news is that the Saviour calls. The Saviour saves.
Are you listening?
The story of one guy at Ballina was that he was dragged to church by his family one Sunday.
Why would you go to church when there is surfing, fishing and the beach?
By the end of the service he was convinced that Jesus was someone to take seriously. A little while later he started following Jesus.
He sat
This is a strange calling.
Gets more strange
But it’s not just that Matthew (the author of this gospel) follows Jesus.
The issue is that Jesus associates, hangs out with Matthew’s motley crew of undesirable friends.
While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples.
The religious leaders voice the question that
Matthew 9:10
PLEASE NOTE:
Jesus hasn’t gone to church and then been asked out to lunch.
He went to the gay bars and the strip clubs and and then gone back to the after party.
The guys who go to church are loudly offended.
When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
Matt 9:
How is this the view from the Penthouse Suite?
Feels more like the gutter.
Here is the good news about the MISSION OF GOD.
On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Jesus has come to find those in the gutter and to save them, rescue them, to drop in for lunch with them.
Jesus comes to seek and to save.
God’s posture toward his people has always been MERCY.
The whole story of the Bible up to this point is that God has chosen his people, stuck with his people, rescued his people, and provided for his people not because they deserved it - they have never deserved it, WE NEVER DESERVE IT - not because they went through the motions of religious practice. But on the basis of mercy, God’s Steadfast love and faithfulness.
He found us, he called us, he saved us.
D.A. Carson. Christians can never afford to adopt a self righteous attitude toward other sinners. We are nothing more than beggars showing other beggars where the food is.
The doctrine of election.
We are saved because God chose to shine his favour on us.
26 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.
26 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”
But we are saved for a reason.
The elect are elect so that they may engage in God’s Mission to the world - that all nations may be blessed through the ones God has chosen.
Started with Abraham ( … I will bless the world through you) and continued to this day
Blessed to be a blessing.
Matthew understood it right from the start.
Come over for a BBQ and meet Jesus, he is awesome.
Maybe that should be the Mission Statement of our church.
I haven’t climbed the scaffold along the Brisbane River.
THE MISSION OF GOD.
I haven’t seen the views on offer there.
But we have climbed Matthew’s structure, we have been given a glimpse of the coming Kingdom.
The message is that the broken will be made whole, that evil will be defeated, and that sin will no longer be an aspect of life.
The mission is that through us, God’s elect, that message will ring through out the Shire, the World.
Will you buy into the Kingdom of the Saviour?
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”