Matthew 4:23–25
The Gospel According to Matthew • Sermon • Submitted
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Intro
Intro
Lord willing, I hope to continue on today in our study on the Gospel According to Matthew. We are moving forward this week to Matthew chapter 4, verses 23-25.
Turn there if you would please.
In some of the past sermons we had been studying the Galilean ministry of Jesus. In Galilee is where his official public ministry began and where he first preached the Kingdom of Heaven. It is where he called his first disciples and those who would become the Apostles. We know from the Scriptures that most of the activity of Jesus was centered around Capernaum, in Galilee, but now his ministry is beginning to spread through all the region of Galilee.
Let’s read from Matthew,
And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them. And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan.
4:23
4:23
As we look at verse 23, we see our Lord is now taking the message of God’s grace to more people. And there are three means by which he does this, 1) teaching, 2) preaching, and 3) miracles. If the Lord grants it, I hope to cover these three things.
Teaching
Teaching
Matthew lists teaching and preaching separate, and there is good reason— there is a difference between the two.
There is also a distinction of teacher and preacher made by Paul in 2 Timothy 1:11 “Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.”
In the Greek the word for teaching is didasko (διδάσκω), which means to instruct and to impart knowledge— it is to bring out more detailed information.
Jesus went into the synagogue, where the people of God went for worship and for instruction. He went to where the people would go to hear the Word of God expounded upon and taught.
And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught. And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.
Jesus would take the Scriptures which the Jews had and he would expound upon it, telling them of the Gospel promises contained therein and how the Kingdom of Heaven— and those glorious promises of Grace— have now come to be fulfilled in him. There was a knowledge and an authority in his teaching that no one else has ever had. This teaching of our Lord is part of his fulfilment of his office of Prophet— where he teaches us all things according to the will of the Father.
The teaching aspect of Jesus’ ministry shows his heart towards his people, he wants his people to know truth, he wants them to grow in knowledge of his grace, and he wants his people to know the Holy and Triune God more intimately.
Preaching
Preaching
Preaching is different than teaching— their emphasis is not the same.
The word preaching from the Greek is, kērússō (kay-russo)(κηρύσσω), it is to proclaim, to make known important information publicly.
The same Greek word is used in Revelation 5:2 and is translated as proclaiming, “And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?” Preaching and proclaiming are both often associated with a loud voice, as it is often done in a more open setting.
If you would, open up to
Titus 1:3 (KJV)
But hath in due times manifested his word (this is the Gospel) through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;
The Gospel is made known, it is made clear, by preaching. Preaching is a proclamation, a heralding in of the Good News.
John Gill said of this verse and the preaching,
through preaching; through the ministry of the word by the apostles; in which Christ is revealed in the glory of his person, and the fulness of his grace, and in the efficacy of his blood, righteousness, and sacrifice; and in which the Gospel, that was ordained before the world was, and is the fellowship of the mystery which was hid in God, is published; and in which the promise of eternal life, which lay in God’s heart, in the covenant of grace, and in the hands of Christ, and which with Christ, and his Gospel, were hid under the dark types, shadows, and sacrifices of the law, is clearly made known:
There also is something other than the essential Gospel itself that can be preached, or proclaimed.
For an example, turn to 2 Timothy 4:2. Paul writes,
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
The word “word” there is not capitalized as it is not specifically referring to the Word as Jesus, or specifically his Gospel— however the Gospel can be part of it. But, the sense of the word referred to by Paul here is truth— proclaim and make known truth. This is in contrast to those who preach errors as Paul warned against in the previous chapter.
To be “instant” there, is to be always persisting in, or always with urgency— there should be a persistent proclaiming of truth with an urgent plea to follow it. This is something that should never cease.
“In season” is a favorable or good time— as in being freely able to address masses of people who are ready and accepting to hear. The situation welcomes the proclamation of truth.
“Out of season” is an unfavorable or a bad time— as in during persecution, sickness, trials or tribulations. Out of season is also not a situation where the Gospel preacher of truth is welcomed. Paul warned of this in the following verses.
Essentially, this verse is saying— Always be persistent in proclaiming truth with urgency, no matter what the situation.
We see this from our Lord in the Gospels— he is always preaching truth, he is persistent, he does it with urgency, and according to the Spirit does it no matter the situation.
Paul goes on with Reproving there in that verse. That is to prove truth, or prove with truth the error of those who are wrong— it should bring guilt to those in the wrong.
Rebuking comes when reproving fails. Rebuking is to denounce with strong and forceful disapproval of errors or false teachings.
Exhorting here is to earnestly support or encourage a person to accept truth. It is a call and urging to believe in and live in truth.
This is all to be done with longsuffering, which is patience, with teaching sound truth and pure doctrine.
We see Jesus often use this form of preaching truth in contrast to the teachings of the Pharisees. There is often an urgent plea to flee from the sins of the Pharisees, and their teachings reproved or rebuked.
In the pastoral epistles there is more of an emphasis on teaching than preaching for elders, who must be able to teach. I believe the reason for that is the example of Jesus in our passage from Matthew 4, the gathering of God’s people requires a more in-depth teaching of the Scriptures. If you recall from our study on disciples we looked at believers moving from spiritual milk to the meatier things, which comes through in-depth teaching of the Word of God.
As our Lord met in the synagogues, which were a foreshadow of the gathering of local churches, he would teach and expound upon the Word of God. He was imparting a heavenly knowledge of the Scriptures. This goes back to Nehemiah 8:6 which reads,
So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.
Teaching moves believers beyond the first principles of the oracles of God, as the writer of Hebrews says in chapter 5, verses 12-14.
This is why it is critical for elders to,
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Whether one is teaching the deeper things of God’s Word, or preaching the Gospel and pure doctrinal truth— studying the Word of God, being saturated in it is critical, along with being fervent in prayer.
I think back to Acts chapter 6 with this.
Turn there if you would please.
I’m actually going to start in Acts 5:41-42 , the last 2 verse of chapter 5.
And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
Acts 6:1–4 (KJV)
And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God (it is not pleasing to God, to the Elders, nor to the church— to leave studying, meditating, teaching and preaching), and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
I think this shows the weight of the importance of teaching and preaching the Word of God. In following the ministry of our Lord, by the will of God and the leading of his Holy Spirit, the Apostles knew that they needed, which all Gospel ministers need, to have their lives saturated in the Word of God and always be in communion with God through prayer— so that they could be properly teaching and preaching daily.
This decision in Acts 6 to begin the office of deacon and allow the elders to attend to the ministry of the Word had a big impact. Look down to verse 7,
And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
The Word of God increased— the Gospel was being preaching and pure doctrine was being taught. As a result of this “the number of the disciples multiplied”. Remember that a disciple is someone who is learning and obedient follower of Jesus Christ— they are being taught and instructed, then doing the same with others.
Christ led this example of teaching and preaching, which we are first brought attention to in Matthew 4, and it is seen all throughout the Gospels. It is a pattern that the under-shepherds are to follow, and the churches are to be protective in the exercise of— ensuring it is maintained— both to the Glory of God and to the benefit of his people.
4:23b-24
4:23b-24
Miracles
Miracles
Back to Matthew 4:23. The next means of our Lord getting his message of the Kingdom spread was miracles. Verse 23, “And Jesus... (was) …healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.”
To the incarnate Son of God, healing of any sickness, disease, or infirmity is not hard. As we see in verse 24, Matthew 4:24, in “Syria… they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.”
This was a big thing here, there were many sick. For this time, Providence had permitted a great many people to receive these afflictions. Some of these things were very severe, as some people where possessed of devils. Medical issues such as insanity and palsy were virtually incurable in those days.
But all of these things had been ordered so that Jesus Christ would be proven to be more than a mere man— for these things were to prove he was God and the promised Messiah, with a demonstration of his power. The Jews anticipated miraculous signs to accompany the coming of the Messiah.
Jesus confirms all of this in Matthew 11:2-6.
Turn there please.
Matthew 11:2–6 (KJV)
Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, And said unto him, Art thou he that should come (that is the Messiah), or do we look for another? Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
This is Jesus’ verification to John that he is the Messiah that has come by fulfilling the Scriptures— which in this case Jesus is referencing Isaiah chapters 29 and 61.
In these miracles, he also showed God’s grace, his love, and his compassion.
In Matthew 14:14, it reads
And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.
He then feed the multitude with fives loaves of bread and two fishes.
These miracles were backing up and confirming the Lord’s teaching and preaching. As these things could only be done by God, he proved that his message originated from God himself.
John 14:10–11 (KJV)
Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake.
Peter proclaims this similarly in,
Acts 10:36. Turn there please.
The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
Jesus Christ is Lord of all. Sent by the Father, anointed and filled with the Holy Spirit, he went about doing good— doing miracles along with preaching the message of God.
4:25
4:25
Let’s go back to Matthew chapter 4 and look at verse 25,
And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan.
Verse 24 said that Jesus was in Syria, and his fame spread throughout, causing people to come to him and to bring those in need of healing.
Jesus’ ministry was rapidly growing. People from all over where coming to him.
William Hendriksen wrote in his commentary on this passage,
The universal character of the healings is also brought out by the fact that since Jesus was going through all Galilee, the Galilee with its mixture of Jew and Gentile, and healed “every illness and every infirmity among the people,” hence he never even asked a sick person, “Are you a Jew or a Gentile?” He healed all, regardless of race of nationality. Truly he was, and is, “the Savior of the world” (John 4:42, 1 John 4:14). Commentary pg 250
People from all around came and heard the Gospel preached, they heard God himself teach them, and they saw many miracles. No one was going through the crowds separating Jews from Gentiles. There was no discrimination.
The spread of our Lord’s ministry in that region was an example of how the Kingdom would spread far beyond.
The Gospel will be preached, and disciples will be taught, to the uttermost parts of the earth— "to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people…” Rev 14:6. And God will call his people, both Jews and Gentiles from around the world, to receive his grace.
Christ’s power was evident, not just in the miracles, but in the message. He has power to forgive sin, he has the power to bring salvation. Redemption is in him alone.
He proclaimed that he was “… the way, the truth, and the life… (and) no man cometh unto the Father, but by…” him (John 14:6).
The miracles performed in the New Testament were there to verify the messenger and to verify the authenticity of the message. The miracles were not the focus, they were not what was the important part of the message, it was the message itself that had the greatest and truest affect on the multitudes— because “… the holy scriptures… are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” 2 Tim 3:15.
Oh how misguided are those who believe that miracles are more important than the message of the Gospel. John 12:37
But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:
Miracles do not bring about salvation.
The miracle mentality does not stop with signs and wonders, it carries on in appealing to mankind’s desires. For many, miracles are a show, a form of entertainment; they appeal to the senses and to the emotions. Any attempt to appeal to men’s senses, emotions, or desires in hopes of them getting saved is very misguided.
There were many in the days of our Lord who saw miracles and had responded by the effects of witnessing something so great— but they did not respond to the message that Jesus was preaching, they did not have a true and genuine, Holy Spirit wrought, faith.
John 2:23, 24
John 2:23–24 (KJV)
Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did. But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men,
There are many people who believe in Jesus Christ, but not in a way that is a true saving faith that is wrought about by the Holy Spirit in a regenerate person.
Some people believe in the historical Jesus, they believe he existed— like George Washington existed. This is an intellectual faith, a mere intellectual assent. They may believe Jesus existed, they may believe many things in the Bible— but real faith escapes them. James says, James 2:19 “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.”
There is also a temporal faith, that trusts God for things in their lives, like health, finances, worldly joys— essentially all they care about is being taken care of in this life, living happily and comfortably in this world. This faith may be temporary, and quickly fade from one request or event to the next. This too, is not a true saving faith.
Luke 8:13 (KJV)
They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy (this is an intellectual belief); and these have no root (the Word of God did not take root, because the Holy Spirit did not bring about regeneration), which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away (that is the temporal believer— who also does not have true faith).
The true believers are described by the Apostle John,
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Paul wrote in,
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
True faith is a gift of the Holy Spirit given to God’s regenerate elect. And with true faith comes evidence of God’s work.
A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
There must be a change in a person who confesses salvation. With a change in the heart there is a change in actions and behavior— the nature and character of the regenerate new man changes.
James wrote, two verses before the one about the devils believing,
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
A person cannot confess Jesus Christ as their Savior and continue to live in sin as if nothing happened. A true experience of God’s grace is going to change a person.
Intellectual and Temporal faith are not saving faith, and as we continue through the Gospels, we see many people who once followed Christ leave him because it came to be demanded of them to live by true faith— of which they did not have.
A true faith is accompanied by true repentance. With repentance there is conviction of personal sin, fear of the punishment due that sin, and the desire to receive forgiveness of that sin.
A lot of people came to see the amazing works of Jesus, but many did not want to forsake all things, especially their sin, to follow him.
Close
Close
When Jesus responded to John the Baptist’s question concerning if he is the Messiah, Jesus quoted some from Isaiah 61:1. The full verse, and verse 2, read,
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
Jesus read this passage in a synagogue as recorded by Luke in chapter 4, verse 13. Luke wrote that after Jesus read the passage, Luke 4:20-21
Luke 4:20–21 (KJV)
… he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.
What we see in Matthew 4:23-25 is further fulfillment of the promises of God concerning his Covenant of Grace, foretold since the first sin by our first parents.
Isaiah 35:5-6a says,
Isaiah 35:5–6 (KJV)
Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing…
Jesus taught and preached about the Kingdom of Heaven and the glorious Sovereign and free grace of God. He performed miracles to support his message and to authenticate it. And, although the miracles changed lives, they were temporary to this life. True transformation came by the work of God on the souls of men— having an everlasting effect into eternity.
The Gospel was being used to transform lives in a way that miracles could never do. It was the means by which lost sinners could receive the glorious message of God’s free gift of grace that saves them.
By preaching the Kingdom and performing miracles, Christ was revealing himself to be the King of kings, the sovereign ruler of the Kingdom of Heaven.
In showing the power of his Kingdom, Jesus was fighting the effects and curses of sin, and the devil. The fallen world, and the prince of it, are not superior to the Kingdom of Heaven. The devil and his kingdom are not going to prevail against the All Mighty God and his Christ.
The King showed what his kingdom consists of— grace, mercy, compassion, love, holiness, and righteousness.
Those who have been given true faith are the citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven— Jesus said, “Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God.” Mark 4:11.
Please turn to Revelation 21:4. I’ll close with this.
One day, when God’s Kingdom comes in its full glory, we will reign with him, and every child of God will be cured of all physical infirmities— no more sickness, no more disease, no more the effects of sin and a fallen world.
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
Amen.