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Due to Mother’s Day, we decided to cancel tonight’s gathering. We will see you next week for a special missions service in the main sanctuary. See you then!

In the last 8 chapters of Matthew we see Jesus teach, reprimand, warn, pray, be betrayed, abandoned, accused, murdered, and resurrected!

The book ends with what is known as the “Great Commission” - Jesus commission to those that follow him. In other words He gives them their mission.

So, what in the book of Matthew stood out to you the most? Which of Jesus’ teachings challenged or changed you? What acts of ministry touched you? How does the Great Commission move you?

We can learn a lot in this one book, and we should read it as well as the other Gospels (Mark, Luke, and John) often. These are not books that we simply read once! So I encourage you to continue in reading Matthew or starting one of the other Gospels and encounter the message and ministry of this man Jesus and let it change your life!

The “Message” of Jesus is that God’s kingdom and the kingdom life that comes with it is near and available now and that “eternal life” is not just “life when you die” but it is relationship with God (John 17:3)

The “Ministry” of Jesus / of God’s Kingdom is this: serve one another in love

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Day 5: Chapters 17 -20

Ok, now it’s your turn…

Put your notes, thoughts, “questions to ponder”, and anything else that comes out of today’s reading in the comment section below.

Don’t give up reading now, we’re almost there! I know it can get tough to get all 4 chapters in, but let’s push through together!

Day 4: Chapters 13 - 16

Chapter 13

Some notes:

• The third teaching discourse of the book
• 7 parables
• Jesus explains why He teaches in parables
• Jesus rejected in his own home town

Questions to ponder:

• Which of the parables spoke something particular to you?
• Does Jesus teaching in parables help you to understand the Kingdom better?
• Place yourself in the listening crowd during one of the parables. Imagine what you might be thinking as Jesus spoke. Imagine the reaction of those around you. What thoughts come to mind?

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Day 3: Chapters 9 - 12

Chapter 9 - Jesus continues to heal

Some notes:

• Jesus continues to demonstrate the power of the Kingdom through several healings
• Jesus mentions how faith plays a part in His healing work
• He continues to rub the pharisees the wrong way by forgiving sins and by socializing with “sinners”
• Jesus states his intentions to call not the righteous but sinners
• Note in verse 8 how the people acknowledge Jesus’ humanity

Questions to ponder:

• Re-read verses 10-13. Why did the Pharisees question Jesus’ choice of company? How might we apply what we learn here to ourselves as Jesus followers?
• Why do you make of Jesus’ quote of Hosea 6:6 - “I desire mercy, not sacrifice”?

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Continuing our week in Matthew.

Day 2 - Chapters 5 -8

Chapter 5 - The Beatitudes

Now this chapter is worthy of an in-depth study in itself!

Some notes:

• This is the first of the 5 major teaching sections in Matthew
• Note the contrast between this teaching on Mount Sinai and Moses’ giving of the Law in Exodus
• This teaching focuses on the way of life in the Kingdom
• Note the “upside down” nature of Jesus teaching (i.e. - blessed are the poor in spirit, the meek, the merciful, etc.)
• Note how this teaching goes beyond the former teaching of what makes a person righteous and “blessed”

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As part of the discussion at last nights Quest, we will be spending this week reading through the Book of Matthew. Here on the site we will look at 4 chapters each day; highlighting points and asking questions. You are invited to interact and share your thoughts as we learn the Message of Jesus together.

Introduction to the book of Matthew

Author: Considered anonymous although some believe it is the work of the apostle Matthew (Levi the tax collector)

Audience: Most likely Jewish Christians who were committed to the Gentile mission

Some background notes:

• Matthew weaves together the story of Israel and the extension of the Kingdom to Gentiles
• Matthew frequently notes the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies
• Jesus is presented as the fulfillment of the Jewish Scriptures (Old Testament)
• Jesus is Teacher and “true interpreter of the law” and his disciples are to be learners
• Jesus’ followers are expected to not only listen to His teaching but to live what they are taught
• The book is structured around 5 major discourses of Jesus: Sermon on the mount (5-7), Commissioning the 12 disciples (10), Parables of the Kingdom of Heaven (13), Church life and discipline (18), Woes against religious leaders and end times teaching (23-25).

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The Message

You cannot separate the Man from the Message. Nor can you separate the Mission from the Ministry. With Jesus, it all works together: man, message, mission, ministry.

Jesus was the epitome of “practice what you preach” - He WAS what He preached.

The message flowed out of WHO he was.

His teaching “amazed” people and his audience commented several times that he spoke “with authority” and not like the pharisees. (ouch)

His Message drew and transformed, enraged and engaged, confronted and challenged people. It ultimately got him killed . And it is still effecting our world today.

Jesus’ Message is central to who He is and it is central to our relationship with God.
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This week we’ll be back in the multi purpose room and will be continuing our discussion on Jesus. At the last Quest, Pastor Jeff started part two of our Meeting God series as he talked about how God entered “our space” through the person of Jesus.

This week we are going to look closer at Jesus and particularly His Message. What does Jesus’ Message teach us about Him? about God? about us? Was Jesus’ Message more than just some good teaching? Let’s dig in and find out! See you this Sunday!

Something to think about:

Jesus said that he came to proclaim that the “kingdom of God” had come near. What do you think that means? How might we think about this in the context of getting to know God relationally (which is what we are trying to do in this series)?