Matthew Introduction How to See Jesus as King and Prophet shows us Matthew’s purpose. He reveals Jesus as the promised King and the true Prophet. Matthew writes to religious people who need a kingdom mindset. He explains the gospel of the kingdom and calls us to see Jesus’ authority and hear His prophetic voice. Matthew leads us to understand who the King is, how His kingdom works, and why His words still shape us today.
Matthew Introduction How to See Jesus as King and Prophet
Audio
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Scriptures used in this lesson:
Deuteronomy 18:18, Matthew 1:1, Matthew 4:23, Matthew 5:17–18, Luke 17:20–21, Romans 14:17, Philippians 1:1, Matthew 2:2, Matthew 1:1, Matthew 3:16–17, Matthew 5:17, 1 Samuel 15:22, Matthew 1:1, Genesis 15:18, 2 Samuel 7:12–13, Ezra 2:1, Ezra 2:59, Ezra 2:62, Matthew 7:22–23, Matthew 1:18, Matthew 1:19, Matthew 1:20–21, Matthew 1:23,
Matthew Introduction How to See Jesus as King and Prophet
Introduction To The Study Of Matthew
I want to begin a study of the book of Matthew—the gospel according to Matthew. It is not Matthew’s gospel, because there is only one gospel, the gospel of Jesus Christ. My goal is to walk through this book with you and keep you supplied with notes as we go.
Matthew is called the book of the King. That alone tells us why it is important to study. You cannot have a kingdom without a king, and Matthew focuses on the King. I asked myself why I felt led to teach this book instead of Mark, Luke, or John. As we move through the introduction, I think you will see why. I believe it will pique your interest and offer new insights.
Matthew writes with the clear intent to show that Jesus is the Messiah, the Christ, and the King. The book is active, engaging, and extremely important. One thing we must understand from the start is that Matthew did not write to “lost” people. He wrote to religious people—specifically the Jews. I am not teaching this to lost people either. I am speaking to people like myself who were raised with religious ideas and programming.
Matthew Introduction How to See Jesus as King and Prophet
Our focus cannot stay on sin consciousness. We must develop a king consciousness. Everyone here already knows what sin is. What we need is a deeper understanding of who the King is, what He does, and what His kingdom is about. Matthew uses the word “kingdom” more than any other book in the Bible, so we will learn much about the King and His kingdom. After all, you cannot have a kingdom without a king.
The Purpose Of Matthew’s Gospel
The book of Matthew was not written to teach people how to get saved. Its purpose is to teach believers about the kingdom of heaven. That is the focus of our study. We want to understand what the kingdom is and how it operates.
Matthew Reveals The King And The Prophet
The first significant point in Matthew is that he reveals the King and His kingdom. But there is a second point we must see. Matthew also presents Jesus as the prophet, not just a prophet. Matthew shows Christ as the fulfillment of prophecy, but also as the active prophet of the present.
Matthew Introduction How to See Jesus as King and Prophet
The Book of Matthew gives us more insight into the prophetic ministry of Jesus than any other gospel. He records events and teachings concerning Jerusalem, the church, the world, and the final judgment. Matthew lets us see Jesus speaking prophetically into all these areas.
There is a commentator, Grosheide, who says that many people view Matthew’s Gospel mainly as the Gospel of the King. That view makes sense because we see Jesus come from a royal line. We see His kingship challenged by the Jews and Pilate. We see Him vindicate His kingship and claim all authority in heaven and earth. But Grosheide says this is not what truly sets Matthew apart.
What makes Matthew unique is how strongly it brings out the prophetic nature of Jesus. More than any other gospel, Matthew highlights Jesus as the fulfillment of prophecy and as the prophet who speaks of His own mission, suffering, and death. Matthew emphasizes Christ’s words more than His works.
Jesus Christ is the true prophet, the prophet of Deuteronomy 18:18.
Matthew Introduction How to See Jesus as King and Prophet
Deuteronomy 18:18
“I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.”
…and this gospel, as is shown both by its content and organization, is the word of Christ rather than his works that receives the emphasis. So the thing I want you to see is not only is he portrayed as the king, but he’s also the prophet.
We are living in the era of the prophet, even now. That makes Matthew a very relevant book for us. It speaks of the kingdom and the King, but it also teaches us about Jesus’ prophetic ministry. He is both the King and the Prophet, and Matthew reveals both roles.
Matthew Introduction How to See Jesus as King and Prophet
The Gospel Of The Kingdom In Matthew
The gospel of the kingdom in Matthew is both hebrastic and evangelistic. Hebrastic means it was written for the Hebrews. Matthew was a Hebrew writing to Hebrews. His purpose was not to convince Gentiles or lost people how to get saved. His purpose was to change the thinking of people who already knew the law. He wanted to move them from an old mindset into a new covenant mindset. He wanted the mind of Christ formed in them.
Yet Matthew is also evangelistic. Jesus commanded His disciples in Matthew 28 to go into all the world, teach the gospel, and baptize. So the message reaches outward, but its primary thrust is toward the Jewish people—toward religious people. It is aimed at people like me who grew up programmed in how to think about Scripture. The Jews were the same way. Their thinking was automatic. They were trained from childhood.
Matthew Introduction How to See Jesus as King and Prophet
Now Jesus announces a new covenant and a new era. He calls us to think differently. Many of us do not think today the way we did a year ago. The gospel of the kingdom reprograms us, and Matthew is full of that reprogramming. As we move through the book, you will see it again and again.
Authorship, Dating, And Purpose Of Matthew
Who wrote the book of Matthew? Most people agree it was Matthew. Some argue about everything, but it really does not matter. What is essential is the message.
Most scholars believe Matthew was written between AD 63 and 66. It may have been a little earlier, but not later. It could not have been written after AD 70 because Jerusalem had not yet been destroyed. Matthew records the prophecy of that destruction, but it had not happened at the time of writing.
Matthew Introduction How to See Jesus as King and Prophet
The purpose of the book is to win the Jews to Christ. Matthew proves that Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah promised in Scripture. It also warns of the consequences for those who refuse Him. Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of all prophecy.
Key Words And Phrases In Matthew
Let’s look at some key words in the book. The first is “kingdom,” used 56 times. That alone tells us the kingdom is a central theme in Matthew. If you want to study the kingdom, you have chosen the right book.
Next is the word group translated as just, right, righteous, or righteousness. These words appear 25 times. Matthew teaches about the kingdom, but he also addresses sin and personal transformation. Another keyword is “fulfill” or “fulfilled,” used 18 times. Matthew repeatedly shows how Jesus completes Old Testament prophecy.
Matthew Introduction How to See Jesus as King and Prophet
There are also critical key phrases. “Son of Man” appears 32 times. This points to the incarnation. It shows us Emmanuel—God with us. This title emphasizes that Jesus came in the flesh and lived among us.
Another phrase is “Father in heaven” or “heavenly Father,” used 20 times. This introduced a brand-new way of thinking. The Jews did not think of God as Father. He was Jehovah and the God of the covenant. But Jesus revealed Him as a personal Father who loves His children. That was a shocking and beautiful revelation.
Key Verses In Matthew
Let me give you what I believe are the key verses in Matthew. You may choose different ones, but these stand out to me. First is Matthew 1:1: “The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.” Matthew does not call Him the son of Adam. He highlights David and Abraham. There is a reason for that, and we will look at it soon. Why does Matthew choose those two names? It is an essential key to understanding the entire book.
Matthew Introduction How to See Jesus as King and Prophet
Matthew 1:1
“The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.”
Another key verse is Matthew 4:23.
Matthew 4:23
“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.”
Jesus preached one message—the gospel of the kingdom. That is what He proclaimed everywhere He went. Any other message is a distortion of the true gospel. The gospel of the kingdom always presents Jesus Christ as Lord.
When I say “kingdom,” I simply mean this: He is Lord. He is Lord of your home. He is Lord of your finances. Jesus is Lord of every part of your life. He is Lord at work and Lord at home. You must let Him rule in your personal life first. Then bring that into your family. Bring your family into the church, and let Him be Lord there as well. When He becomes Lord in the church, we can take Him into the community, and He becomes Lord there, too. It works from the inside out.
Matthew Introduction How to See Jesus as King and Prophet
Every knee will bow. Every tongue will confess that He is Lord. That is the heart of the gospel of the kingdom. That is the message we are called to carry. It is simple but demanding. He is Lord, and He is King.
Another key passage in Matthew is found in chapter 5, verses 17 and 18. That statement sets the tone for much of Matthew’s teaching.
Matthew 5:17–18
“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.”
Jesus said all things must be fulfilled. That raises an important question. How will the knowledge of the Lord cover the earth? The prophecy says it will cover the earth as the waters cover the sea. That must happen before the end of this world or this age. We are not there yet. There are still many dry places in the world.
Matthew Introduction How to See Jesus as King and Prophet
This is why I do not worry about a rapture happening tomorrow. There is still much to be fulfilled. I need to get my life in order today. Jesus is not returning tomorrow because the knowledge of the Lord has not yet filled the earth. Scripture will be fulfilled completely. Not one jot or tittle will be left undone.
The Kingdom Within — Internal Transformation
So what is the message of Matthew? The kingdom of heaven is not primarily a material kingdom. It is not first about outward things. Jesus said the kingdom of God is within you. That is where it starts.
Luke 17:20–21
“And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.”
Matthew Introduction How to See Jesus as King and Prophet
Paul picks up on that in Romans 14:17.
Romans 14:17
“For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.”
The kingdom of God is not materialistic. We cannot build the kingdom in our city if the kingdom is not first alive in us. If we lose our righteousness, peace, and joy, we step out of the kingdom. How can we offer the kingdom to others when we are not walking in it ourselves? We get upset, we argue at home, and we struggle in our families. That shows the kingdom still needs to grow inside us.
The kingdom starts inside. It is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Those qualities must grow in you first. Then they grow in your family. Then they grow in the church. After that, we carry them into the community. That is the order—Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the outer parts of the earth. It always starts with the person.
Matthew Introduction How to See Jesus as King and Prophet
The kingdom is not material, and worldly principles do not govern it. The way up in the kingdom is down. To be great, you must be a servant. You do not climb a ladder in God’s kingdom. You learn to serve. Most worldly systems work the opposite. If you flip the world’s way upside down, you usually find the kingdom way.
Democracy Versus Theocracy
For example, the world loves democracy. But the kingdom of God is not a democracy. We do not vote on God’s will. The kingdom is a theocracy—God rules.
Let me explain. A democracy is shaped like a pyramid. The people are at the bottom, and the leaders sit at the top. Everything is built upward, and systems like that eventually fall. The Soviet Union was built that way. Most socialist nations are built that way. Even our own nation is built that way. One day it will fall, because no human system lasts forever. The kingdom of God will outlast every earthly structure.
The kingdom of God works differently. It is a theocracy. It does not rise from the bottom up. The kingdom comes from the top down. God sets the order. The foundation of the kingdom is apostles and prophets. Then come the elders. Then the deacons and the saints. This is God’s structure.
Matthew Introduction How to See Jesus as King and Prophet
Paul shows this in Philippians 1:1. We do not vote on truth or direction. God rules the kingdom, and His order flows downward to His people.
Philippians 1:1
“Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:”
In a local fellowship, you will usually find three groups: saints, deacons, and bishops or elders. That is the simple structure Paul described. We are all saints, but some serve as deacons, and some carry the responsibility of elders. My point is this: the kingdom of God is a theocracy. That is why I brought this up. The kingdom does not run like the systems of this world. It operates under God’s order.
The kingdom works opposite of the world. In the world, you climb up. In the kingdom, you climb down to serve. Almost everything in the world has to be flipped over to see how the kingdom works.
Matthew Introduction How to See Jesus as King and Prophet
The Limitless Nature Of The Kingdom
Next, the kingdom of heaven is not nationalistic. It is not limited to one nation or one land. Christians are not all in America. The kingdom goes far beyond borders. It is made up of people who are in Christ. It reaches every tribe, every people, and every nation.
The kingdom of heaven is also spiritual. It is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. It is governed by heavenly principles, heavenly character, heavenly nature, and heavenly order. The kingdom has no limits. There are no boundaries around it.
People often try to separate the “kingdom of God” from the “kingdom of heaven.” But there is no real difference. They describe the same kingdom. The phrase “kingdom of heaven” helps us see how limitless it is. You cannot place borders around heaven. You cannot say, “This far and no more.” Heaven has no walls. It has no end.
When you enter the kingdom, you step into something without boundaries. It has no national limits, no racial limits, no earthly limits. The kingdom is as limitless as heaven itself.
Matthew Introduction How to See Jesus as King and Prophet
Christ Revealed In Matthew
How was Christ seen in this book of Matthew? In chapter two, verse two, he’s the king.
Matthew 2:2
“Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.”
Chapter one, verse one, he’s the son of David.
Matthew 1:1
“The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.”
Chapter one, verse one, he’s the son of Abraham. Chapter three, verse 16 and 17, he’s the anointed one.
Matthew Introduction How to See Jesus as King and Prophet
Matthew 3:16–17
“And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Chapter five, verse 17, he’s the fulfillment of the law and the prophets.
Matthew 5:17
“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.”
Outlines Of The Book Of Matthew
I gave you two outlines for the book of Matthew. I am not sure we will follow either exactly, but they help us see the book’s flow. The first outline shows The Beginning And Early Ministry of Jesus in chapters 1 through 4:11. Then it covers His ministry from 4:12 through chapter 20:34. After that comes The Climax Of His Earthly Ministry in chapters 21 through 28.
Matthew Introduction How to See Jesus as King and Prophet
The second outline looks at Matthew as the book of the King. It shows the Preparation Of The King in chapters 1 through 4. Then The Presentation Of The Kingdom in chapters 5 through 10. Next is the Preaching Of The Kingdom in chapters 11 through 25. Finally, we see The Passion Of The King in chapters 26-28.
Overview Of Matthew’s Narrative Flow
Here is an overview. Matthew has 28 chapters and is called The Book Of The King. We begin by looking at the three groups of fourteen generations that led to the birth of the King. We then see the wise men—Gentiles—come to honor the newborn King.
Next, John the Baptist steps onto the scene to prepare the way. He announces that the King is at hand. Jesus is then anointed. After that, we sit with Him on the mountain to receive the constitution of the kingdom—the Sermon on the Mount. The Beatitudes serve as the preamble, and we accept them directly from the King.
Matthew Introduction How to See Jesus as King and Prophet
In chapter 10, we receive the call to discipleship. And we learn something important. Faithfulness will bring persecution. When you walk in the principles of the kingdom and speak the truth without watering it down, you will face opposition. Even if you only talk the truth but do not fully live it, persecution still comes. Jesus said we would have tribulation, but He also said to be of good cheer.
The Conflict Between Flesh And Spirit
Why does this happen? Because the carnal mind does not like kingdom truth. Mine doesn’t. Yours doesn’t. I do not battle the devil nearly as much as I used to. I have learned to resist him, and the Bible says he will flee, and I know his devices. My biggest battle now is not with demons—it is with my own mind.
The biggest battle I face is not the devil. It is the mind that sits between my ears. That mind gives me more trouble than anything else. And the Bible says this is normal. Galatians 5 tells us the flesh and the Spirit are at war. They oppose each other. My flesh does not like kingdom truth. It prefers human thinking. It prefers the easy way. So I must bring my thoughts under control. I must cast down wrong imaginations. I must bring every thought into obedience to Christ. Many of you know exactly what I am talking about.
Matthew Introduction How to See Jesus as King and Prophet
The devil is already defeated. Paul said in Ephesians, “Give no place to the devil.” That means I can give him a place, but I do not have to. The word “place” means territory. Do not give him territory in your life. Do not give him a foothold. Make it a bottomless pit for him. But even with the devil defeated, you will still fight your own mind—and sometimes someone else’s mind.
Kingdom Parables And Discipleship Lessons
Matthew then takes us into the kingdom parables in chapter 13. We learn how the seed must fall into good soil. In chapter 18, we learn about Christian discipline. This is an area we often ignore. Sometimes when I start teaching on discipline, it feels like everyone wants to get up and walk out.
Then in chapter 23, Jesus gives seven woes. These show that the King is not always soft. He is also stern and demanding. He does not tolerate those who block others from entering the kingdom. “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites!” Jesus was not afraid to confront religious attitudes.
Matthew Introduction How to See Jesus as King and Prophet
I remember saying something in Griffin a while back. I said we had created an image of Jesus as a soft drink machine. We think we can put in our tithe, push a button by quoting a favorite verse, and get exactly what we want out of Him. Maybe a Coke, perhaps a Sprite, maybe a root beer. But that image is breaking down. It is not working anymore. Jesus is putting real demands on our lives.
Obedience Versus Sacrifice — A Kingdom Requirement
Let’s turn to 1 Samuel 15. This is more important than finishing the notes. Jesus represents a new anointing. David represented a new anointing. Saul’s system had to go. It was time for something fresh. In 1 Samuel 15:22, we see what God desires.
1 Samuel 15:22
“And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.”
Matthew Introduction How to See Jesus as King and Prophet
Samuel asked a simple question: What is better—sacrifice or obedience? The answer is obedience. Sacrifice still allows your will to stay involved. You give what you choose to give. You tithe what you choose to tithe. Your will is still in control. But obedience removes your will. When I obey God, I do not get to decide anything. I do what He wants, when He wants it. That is why obedience is better than sacrifice. It removes the Delbert in me. It removes that Lucifer nature that wants to say, “I will” instead of “Thy will.”
We do not like that truth. We do not want anyone making demands on us, not even Jesus, and we prefer the soft, smiling Jesus. But He is King. He is Lord. Matthew shows us Jesus’s stern side, especially in chapters 24 and 25. He speaks prophetically about the destruction of Jerusalem. Then He describes the final judgment as the separation of sheep and goats. This happens right before the passion of the King in chapters 26 and 27. Then comes the resurrection of the Firstfruits.
The King’s Authority And The End Of The Age
The book ends with the King receiving all power and giving that authority to us. He sends us out to take the message of the kingdom to all nations. When that message truly takes hold, it brings the end of the age—not the end of the planet, but the end of the old worldly system. When the kingdom of God fills us, there will be no more secular humanism. No more systems built on man. No more schools handing out condoms and no more so-called “safe sex.”
Matthew Introduction How to See Jesus as King and Prophet
Some colleges now give freshmen a “safe sex package.” How would you feel if your daughter received one? I want to see that entire system end. I want to see the kingdom take over. But we have been trained to accept worldly solutions.
I was talking with someone about this recently. They told me what their father and grandfather had witnessed. They saw the birth of the gasoline engine, and they saw radio, television, and even space shuttles. Think of the changes in one lifetime. Then I thought about what I have seen. Movies shifted from mild language to filth. Pornography moved from hidden magazines to open, explicit, shocking material—heterosexual, homosexual, and even bestiality.
We have watched this happen. We allowed it. But now I sense the King pulling back the reins and saying, “Enough.”
Matthew Introduction How to See Jesus as King and Prophet
Cultural Decline And The Need For Kingdom Mindsets
Twenty years ago, no one would have dared suggest handing out condoms in high schools. Today it is normal. We have been programmed to accept things the mind of Christ would never accept. We tell ourselves, “If they want to do it, it’s all right.” But it is not all right. If we truly have the mind of Christ, then we must let that mind come forth. We should be overcoming the gates of hell, not running from them. Jesus said the gates of hell will not prevail against us, yet it often feels like we are the ones who cannot prevail.
Part of the problem is that we get buried in our doctrines. We argue over tongues, baptism, eschatology, and everything else. I prayed at the ministerial meeting, “Lord, make us one. Help us get beyond our foolish doctrines. Let us become one as You and the Father are one.” But as long as we build little walls around our beliefs, we cannot walk in unity. Meanwhile, the schools are handing out condoms, and we are arguing over theology. No wonder I felt like preaching this today.
Matthew Introduction How to See Jesus as King and Prophet
The book of the King ends with Jesus receiving all power. He gives us that authority so we can preach the kingdom to all nations. That is what brings the end of the age—the end of the old system. The word “aeon” means age or era. It speaks of the Messiah’s period, present or future. It is the old order passing away.
Beginning The Genealogy And Kingdom Foundations
Now, let me shift gears. What can I give you in the next fifteen minutes? Let’s begin with Matthew 1:1. This opening section, verses 1-17, provides us with the proof of who Jesus truly is. “The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.” That is where Matthew starts.
Matthew 1:1
“The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.”
Matthew does not call Jesus the son of Joseph or the son of Adam. He does not take the genealogy back to the beginning of mankind. Luke does that in his gospel. Luke traces Jesus’ line back to Adam and even calls Adam the son of God. Matthew chooses a different path. He highlights Abraham and David. There is a reason for that.
Matthew Introduction How to See Jesus as King and Prophet
To understand it, we need to look at a few scriptures. Let’s start in Genesis 15. You cannot have a kingdom without a king, and you cannot have a kingdom without territory. A kingdom must possess something. God made a covenant with Abraham and promised him land. That is important for understanding why Matthew begins with Abraham.
Then we look at David in 2 Samuel 7. God promised David a throne. He promised that David’s seed would rule. That is the other part of a kingdom—a king who sits on a throne. So Matthew begins with Abraham because of the land covenant, and with David because of the throne covenant.
This is why Matthew presents Jesus as the son of Abraham and the son of David. Jesus fulfills both covenants. He has the right to the land and the right to the throne. Matthew wants us to see Him as King.
Genesis 15:18
“In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:”
Matthew Introduction How to See Jesus as King and Prophet
Your own kingdom begins with your life. It is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. Jesus said the kingdom is within you. Your life is the territory He wants to rule. Your body is your earth, your vessel, and your home is part of your kingdom. So the first thing you must do is possess yourself. I do not mean worship yourself. I mean, bring your life under the rule of the King. Let Jesus be Lord in every part of you.
A kingdom must have territory. Something must be possessed. In Genesis 15, God made a covenant with Abraham. In verse 18, God said, “Unto thy seed have I given this land.” He marked out the land from the river of Egypt to the Euphrates. The covenant with Abraham was a land covenant. God promised territory. Of course, there were enemies in the land that had to be driven out. But the central promise was land.
So when we talk about Abraham, we are talking about the seed who will inherit and possess the land. That is why Matthew connects Jesus back to Abraham. It shows Jesus has the legal right to inherit the promised territory.
Matthew Introduction How to See Jesus as King and Prophet
Now look at 2 Samuel 7:12. Here God makes a covenant with David. This covenant focuses on the throne, not the land.
2 Samuel 7:12–13
“And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.”
Nathan spoke to David and told him that after he died, God would raise up a seed from his own line. God said He would establish that seed’s kingdom. This descendant would build a house for God’s name, and God would establish his throne forever. God also said He would be a father to him and treat him as a son. Even if he committed iniquity, God would correct him, but not remove His mercy the way He did with Saul.
Then God gave the heart of the covenant: David’s house, his kingdom, and his throne would be established forever. That was God’s promise. Abraham received the land covenant. David received the throne covenant. A true king must have both a land to rule and a throne to sit on.
Matthew Introduction How to See Jesus as King and Prophet
Matthew highlights Jesus as the son of Abraham and the son of David to show He holds both rights. Jesus has the Abrahamic right to the land and the Davidic right to the throne. He is the true King and the true Messiah.
Matthew’s Message To Religious People
Matthew is not writing this to “lost” people. He is not trying to convert Gentiles. He is speaking to religious people—people like me who have been shaped by tradition and programmed in our thinking. We do not need someone to explain what sin is. We already know that. What we need to understand is the kingdom of heaven.
The message for today is about the land and the throne. It is about possessing what God has given us and learning how to take dominion in our lives. We will address sin, but the focus is on kingdom understanding.
The Purpose And Importance Of Genealogies
Now, about the genealogies in Matthew 1. There are seventeen verses of names. It would sound amusing if we all stood and read them out loud together. But Matthew includes them for a reason. He wants to prove who Jesus is. God keeps precise records. We see genealogies not only in Matthew but also in Genesis 5, Ezra 2, and other places.
Matthew Introduction How to See Jesus as King and Prophet
That brings us to Ezra 2:1. This passage helps explain why genealogies matter so much.
Ezra 2:1
“Now these are the children of the province that went up out of the captivity, of those which had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away unto Babylon, and came again unto Jerusalem and Judah, every one unto his city;”
Ezra begins by listing the children of the province who came out of captivity. These were the people who had been taken to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar. They were now returning to Jerusalem. I often ask, “How many of you want to come out of captivity?” Well, these are the people who did it. And how many want to enter the New Jerusalem? Then we must leave Babylon, leave the world system, and come into God’s city—His church.
Matthew Introduction How to See Jesus as King and Prophet
This is the point I am making. There are principles here for getting out of Babylon and moving into the New Jerusalem. There is a pattern for escaping the world’s grip and entering God’s order. Now look at verse 59, because it shows something significant.
Ezra 2:59
“And these were they which went up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsa, Cherub, Addan, and Immer: but they could not shew their father’s house, and their seed, whether they were of Israel.”
Every person who came out of Babylon had something in common. They all had to be connected to a man and a city. They had to relate to someone and submit to someone. Each had to identify with a man and with a city. That was the requirement. If a person could not identify with a man and a city, they did not come out of Babylon.
This principle still speaks to us today. You cannot come out of the world system and into God’s order without connection and identification. You must be joined to leadership and to a fellowship. Isolation will not free anyone from captivity.
Matthew Introduction How to See Jesus as King and Prophet
Now look at verse 62.
Ezra 2:62
“These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but they were not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood.”
Some people in Ezra’s list tried to find their names in the genealogical records, but they were not found. As a result, they were considered polluted and removed from the priesthood. That tells us something important. God keeps perfect records. It is not enough to have your name on a church roll. You must show the seed within you. You must prove your identity and relate to the right man—Jesus Christ, the King. If you cannot identify with Him, you cannot come out of Babylon.
Matthew Introduction How to See Jesus as King and Prophet
There is more here. I also see the pattern of a pastor in a city, a local fellowship, a connected body of believers. Today, many people float around. They do not attend anywhere consistently. They do not identify with anyone, and they have no pastor, no church, no real connection. But the New Testament teaches that we must be fitly joined together. We must walk in unity with the body of Christ.
Another thought is this: many people enter ministry because Grandpa was a preacher or Grandma was a firm believer. They think it automatically passes down. But it does not work that way. You must show the seed within you. You must reveal the nature of Christ and demonstrate the calling God placed on your life. It is not enough to say, “I’m a Christian.” It is not enough to prophesy or speak in tongues or even work miracles. Jesus said we will be known by our love.
Matthew Introduction How to See Jesus as King and Prophet
True Identity And Knowing Christ
Matthew 7:22–23
“Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? in thy name done many wonderful works?
And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
Matthew 7 tells us that on the final day, many will say, “Lord, Lord, I worked miracles in Your name. I cast out devils, I prophesied, and I operated in the gifts.” But Jesus will say, “Depart from me. I never knew you.” The problem is not their works. It is that they had no proof of who they were. They did not carry the true seed or the true nature of Christ. Their identity was not real.
Biblical Insights On Marriage, Family, And Oneness
Let me give you one more thought before we close. I want to meddle just a little. Matthew chapter 1 ends with the story of Jesus’ birth in verses 18-25. You know the story well. Mary was found with child before the marriage was consummated. They were espoused, which means they were legally promised to one another. It was stronger than an engagement but not yet a completed marriage. And in that condition, she was discovered to be with child.
Matthew Introduction How to See Jesus as King and Prophet
Matthew 1:18
“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.”
In Joseph and Mary’s day, the parents arranged the marriage. They set it up. That was normal. Now imagine trying that today. How would your children respond if you told them who they were going to marry? Most of them would rebel. They would say, “Daddy, I’ll obey you, but I don’t want to do this.” Our children would push back hard.
So I asked myself, if they could do it then, why can’t we do it now? Why couldn’t I go to a friend and say, “Let’s join our families. Your daughter and my son would make a good match.” But today the answer would be, “No, Dad, I’m choosing Bill,” or “No, Dad, I’m choosing Susan.”
Matthew Introduction How to See Jesus as King and Prophet
The Breakdown Of Family Structure
The real issue is deeper. We have lost control of our children. They not only resist arranged marriage, but they also resist guidance on who to date. Parents used to influence these things. Now, many children insist on making all the decisions themselves. Something is wrong in our families. The family is the basic atom of society. And when the atom splits, destruction follows—just like what happened at Hiroshima. When the family breaks apart, society breaks apart with it.
I am trying to teach my own children something from a biblical perspective—something we often discuss. It is the idea of oneness. I do not want Lance or Bonnie to date many people. I do not wish them to form shallow attachments. They need to date with purpose. I want them to think in terms of unity and commitment.
Let me be honest. I dated many people when I was young. I thought I was good-looking, and I liked the attention. But often my motives were wrong. I was looking for what I could get. My wife was the opposite. She dated very few people—only two, and I was one of them. She had a oneness in her that I did not.
Matthew Introduction How to See Jesus as King and Prophet
Learning Oneness In Marriage
When we got married, I faced a problem. I had not learned oneness. I had dated so many people that my heart was scattered. Even after marriage, something in me still wanted to look around. My wife never struggled with that. She had oneness worked into her life from the beginning. She was whole in that area. I was not.
You can disagree with me about many things—my views on government, the way I preach, or the way I present myself. But you must give me credit for one thing: I care deeply about my family. I want oneness built into my children. I do not want them dating casually. They should date only if they can seriously consider a lifetime commitment. They do not need to face the struggles I had to face. I want them to grow into true unity with the one God gives them.
It took me years to become truly one with my wife. That old nature in me—the part that wanted to date around—had to die. It took time to overcome that. But my goal is for my children to start where I ended, not where I began.
Matthew Introduction How to See Jesus as King and Prophet
Joseph’s Righteous Response And God’s Intervention
Now, back to Joseph and Mary. Their marriage had been arranged. The families set it up. Then Mary was found to be pregnant. Joseph knew there was only one natural way that could happen. Yet he was a righteous man. He was a good man. Scripture calls him just. And that sets the stage for one of the most beautiful moments in Matthew’s story.
Matthew 1:19
“Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.”
For Joseph, this situation must have been overwhelming. His future wife—his chosen partner for life—suddenly turned up pregnant. Any man would struggle with that. Any man today would react the same way. We know Joseph wrestled with it. But think about Mary’s parents, too. What must they have felt?
Matthew Introduction How to See Jesus as King and Prophet
Now imagine if this happened today. Imagine Mary—fourteen years old—and she turns up pregnant. What would today’s system suggest? “Mary, have you considered an abortion?” Millions of children have been lost this way. Millions of voices—pastors, prophets, evangelists, teachers—have been taken out of the womb before they ever had a chance to live. What if Mary had lived in our culture? What would have happened to Jesus?
But let me end on a good note. God intervened. The angel came to Joseph and explained everything. Joseph trusted God. He listened. And everything was set right.
Matthew 1:20–21
“But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”
Matthew Introduction How to See Jesus as King and Prophet
Emmanuel — God With Us And In Us
I believe God cared deeply about who Joseph married. And I believe God still cares about who our children marry. I do not just think He can guide them—I believe He will. Also, I believe that. I believe God can give me vision and wisdom about who Bonnie should marry and who Lance should marry. He can make it clear, just as He did for Joseph.
The life that was conceived in Mary was conceived by the Holy Ghost. In the same way, the life of Christ that is birthed in you is also by the Holy Ghost. Christ dwells in you. He lives within the womb of your mind, your spirit, and your inner being.
Christ also dwells within our fellowship. He is present in our church. He is Emmanuel—God with us.
Matthew 1:23
“Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”
Emmanuel dwells in you. The fullness of the Godhead lives in you. God Himself lives in you. This is not just an old story from centuries ago. It is true today. The life birthed in you is Emmanuel. When we touch one another, we are touching God. God with us.
Matthew Introduction How to See Jesus as King and Prophet
And in a real way, we help save one another from our sins. Not by our own power, but by allowing Christ in us to shape each other. You will work out some of my rough edges. I will work out some of your rough edges. When we walk in the principles of the kingdom, we help each other grow. We help each other change.
You will not like everything about me. I promise you that. But that is good, because it works on you. And I will not like everything about you. But that is good, because it works on me. I am not the same person I was a year ago. I am not the same person I was five years ago. Christ has changed me. I am a new creation. Emmanuel—Christ in you, and Christ in me—has shaped me.
Matthew Introduction
Matthew Introduction
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