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Most of us can remember what it was like to be a child during the Christmas season. The weeks and days before Christmas morning were full of excitement and wonder.  As adults, most of us still enjoy this most wonderful time of the year. We look forward to the food, the music, and the excitement in our children’s faces. But sadly, many of us have lost that sense of wonder we once had.  I think we need to rediscover it this Christmas season. In fact, as we grow and mature in our faith, the celebration of Christmas should be characterized by an ever deepening sense of awe about the mystery of the incarnation.  

Galatians 4:4

⁴ But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law,

This verse provides three powerful principles about Christmas that will inspire our hearts and bring back the wonder of the Christmas season!

First, we find that Christmas came at the Perfect Moment. The fullness of time could be translated “at just the right time.” There was no moment in history either before or after that was more perfectly suited to the coming of Christ than that very first Christmas morning.  But then, God’s timing is always “just right.”

Second, we find that Christmas is a Profound Mystery. God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law. Jesus was both God and man. He was the logos that called creation into being. He thought it not robbery to be equal with God. In John 6:38 he states, “I have come down out of heaven.” Yet, he was also human. He became one of us. He identified with us.

Why? That he might redeem us from our sins. He came with Powerful Mission to set men free and to give them eternal life.

How can we not be filled with wonder and awe that God came to earth to save sinners like us? 

Biblical Time Management

With another Monday rolling around it seems like a good time to talk about how we can best manage the time the God has given us. Most of us want to use our time more effectively. In fact, Americans almost have an obsession with the idea of time management. Take a walk through any bookstore and you will find shelves of books on how to maximize your time.  What does the Bible say this subject?

First, time is important because our lives are brief. Psalm 39:4-5 “You have made my days a mere handbreath, the span of my years is as nothing before you. Each man’s life is but a breath.” The Apostle James echoes this in his epistle, “You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”  Since only a certain amount of time has been allotted to us, it is important to make the most of every day. “Be very careful then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15

Making the most of every day requires that we prioritize and set goals. Taking a few minutes each week, and even each day, to list what is most important, then writing out action plans to accomplish those items pays off in the end. If we allow our calendar to be ruled by the urgent, we will find ourselves running in a dozen directions and seldom getting the most important jobs accomplished. Take time and draw up a simple to-do list, prioritize it, and then go to work on that list, beginning with the most important, and you will have a gone a long way toward using your time wisely.

Remember, when setting priorities; place your focus on the eternal and not just the earthly. Put a premium on prayer and daily Bible study. Make Church attendance a top priority.  Set aside time for your family and your marriage.  We will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ one day. Let us be found faithful in our use of time.

Dr. Charles Stanley.

“How to fight like a Christian.”

Is there any challenge you are facing? Are there people or circumstances aligned against you in your health, finances, career, relationships, or walk with the Lord? If you want to overcome difficulty, the absolute best way is by spending time alone with God. Only He can give you victory.

How do you fight this battle on your knees? First you do so by setting aside time alone with the Father. It is easy to be distracted. You become so busy fretting about your troubles and running after solutions that you fail to turn to the One who can best help you. (Ps. 103:19)

Second, listen to the Father and expect Him to speak to you. Prayer is not just telling the Lord how you feel – although that is part of it. Rather, He wants to reveal Himself to you and direct you in the way you should go.

Third, if the Lord reveals any sinfulness in your life, repent of it immediately. Remember, the Father’s primary goal is to have an intimate relationship with you. When sin is present, it is evidence that you are hindering Him from having full access to your life. Therefore, agree with God about your iniquity and allow Him to teach you. He will show you how to change the way you operate for maximum intimacy with Him, effectiveness in your life, and influence with others.

Fourth, remember there can only be one general in this battle – and that is the Lord. God willingly employs His supernatural power in defending you, training you, and bringing out your full potential. However, you must be willing to acknowledge that He is in control and knows the path ahead better than you do.

Fifth, see everything that happens to you as coming from God. Why would you do this? Because if the Father allows a trial or challenge in your life, it is ultimately for your good and His glory (Rom. 8:28). Knowing that He has permitted the troubles in your life for your benefit makes it easier to forgive those who hurt you and accept the seemingly inexplicable circumstances you bear.

The truth, is, you and I are always going to encounter struggles until we go home to heaven. However, God has promised, “No weapon that is formed against you will prosper, and every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn. (Isa. 54:17) When you fight the battle on your knees and faithfully obey Him, you invite God to be your Redeemer, Defender, General, and Protector. That’s not only the best way to win—it’s the most wonderful, eternal path to triumph every single time.”

Hope this blesses you like it has me.

Collin Wimberly

A Theology of Work

In 1981 the band Loverboy released the song “Working for the Weekend.” The idea of the song was that we work 5 days a week, so that we can really live each weekend. According to this point of view, work is a means to an end and that end is a good time. Is that really the purpose of work? Is it a necessary evil that we all must endure to have the things we need and want?


Scripture says No! Work is divine gift to humanity through which God is glorified. Exodus 20, verse 11 states that for 6 days you shall labor. God Himself modeled this for us in creation. The universe was created by Him, from nothing, in 6 days. Therefore, God is a worker and we ought to work as God does. Jesus often remarked to His disciples that He came to do his Father’s work. In John 5:17 He told the religious leaders of His day that “My Father is always at work to this very day, and I too am working.” Christ came to defeat sin, death and Hell through His death on the cross and His resurrection from the dead. His work was the redemption of humanity.

What does this mean for us? That work can and should be God-centered and Gospel motivated. We work for far more than a paycheck or the pleasures it can provide. We work for the glory of God. We avoid the sin of laziness and idleness that Christ might be most honored by our lives. Work gives us a way to provide for our family and others, just as Christ’s work provided a way that our greatest need might be met. There are no small tasks. No meaningless occupations from the Scripture’s viewpoint.

Martin Luther King, Jr. said it well . . .

“If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as a Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, 'Here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.”

Let’s continue to do our jobs well to the glory of almighty God!

 

A good word for men who preach the Word.

"Get your texts from God - your thoughts, your words, from God.
It is not great talents God blesses, so much as likeness to Jesus.
A holy minister is an an awful weapon in the hand of God.
A word spoken by you, when your conscience is clear,
and your heart full of God's Spirit, is worth ten thousand words
spoken in unbelief and sin."

Robert Murray M'Cheyne

I've posted this before, but thought I would repost it - mostly for my own sake!

Here's something I keep in my sermon folder, and that I read over just before I preach (Sorry Brent!).

IMPACT PREACHING

Always preach to make an eternal  IMPACT!

I - I preach an Inspired Text
2 Timothy 3:16 (NKJV)
16alll Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every
good work.

M - I preach to Magnify Christ
1 Corinthians 1:23 (NKJV)
23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and
to the Greeks foolishness,

P - I must preach from a Pure heart
Psalm 24:3-4 (NKJV)
Who shall ascend unto the hill of the Lord? He who has clean hands
and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn
deceitfully.

A - I must preach under the Anointing of the Spirit
Ephesians 5:17-18 (NKJV)
17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the
Lord is. 18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but
be filled with the Spirit,

C - I must preach with a Crucified Life
Galatians 2:20 (NKJV)
20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but
Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by
faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

T - I must preach Trusting God for the Results
Isaiah 55:11 (NKJV)
So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not
return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall
prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

Preach as a dying man to dying men! Preach as if this were the last sermon
I will ever preach, because it just might be!

THE C WORD!

In most churches that I am acquainted with commitment is one of, if not the most often mentioned issue at staff meetings.  People don’t seem to be as committed as they once were.  Attendance is dropping off.  Volunteerism is down. So what are we to do? Well, we challenge our people to be more committed to the church.  We preach sermons, teach Sunday School lessons, even develop programs that encourage us to love our church and get more involved.  And on the whole, they really don’t work.  For a few months things seem better. But pretty soon we are right back to where we were at first, or maybe even worse off.

The problem is that we never addressed the fundamental issue of commitment.  As believers we are called together to fellowship and to serve, but we do so not out of love for the church, but out of love and devotion to Christ.  We are to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind and body. He is to be Lord of all we are and ever will be.  When we are supremely devoted to Christ we will love the Church.  When Christ is Lord our service will be given naturally and joyfully. There will be no need for guilt inducing sermons or programs. When we are devoted to Christ we are most devoted to the fellowship of believers!  Why? Because he commands us to love one another. He commands us not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together, but to provoke one another to good works.  Devoted Christ-followers are consumed with serving and pleasing the one who served them through His death on the cross.

Gospel centered ministry demands that we stop trying to lead people to greater devotion to the church, but lead them to something infinitely better. Devotion to Christ. 

Are you committed? 

How to be Filled with the Spirit - Sunday's sermon

http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=6914118222

The word dogma has gotten a bad rap over the last few years. It has come to mean something that is cold, dead and dull. Dogmatic has come to mean someone who will not change or accept others or in some cases to describe someone who is unreasonable in their beliefs. This is unfortunate. Dogma simply means religious beliefs. Basically, it means the same thing as doctrine or teaching. Christian dogma or doctrine is nothing more than the beliefs that make up the Christian faith. Christianity is a doctrinal or a dogmatic faith.

This means that simply claiming to be Christian does not make one a Christian. Feeling like one is a Christian is not enough. Dogma is the objective truth that defines what a Christian is. Simply using Christian terminology does not make one a Christian. If Dogma defines Christianity, than where do we get it from? What is the source of doctrine or belief for the Christian? Certainly not my feelings or personal impression of how I think things are. The Bible tells us that the heart is wicked and will deceive us.

All dogma (Christian dogma) has Scripture for it's source. Not one of its sources, not even the primary source, but THE source. For instance, many people claim to believe in Jesus Christ. For some He is a great prophet who taught timeless life lessons concerning this great spiritual journey of life. Others claim that he was the greatest of all God's creations. Some even claim that he is one of many, many gods who populate the cosmos. Recently I read an article that claimed that Christ is within each of us. He is love and love is eternal. The problem is that none of these views of Christ are Christian.

The Bible paints an awe inspiring picture of Christ. He is eternal, without beginning or end. He is the second person of the Trinity. He has always existed in perfect fellowship with the Father and the Holy Spirit. He died on the cross for our sins. He arose from the dead and now sits at the right hand of the Father. He rules and reigns over the universe and will one day set all of his enemies under his feet and we will reign with Him. To present Christ as anything less than the everlasting God is to present a false Christ. To claim that he is one of many gods is idolatry. Dogma guards the purity of the Christian faith.

Here is another example. I read an article recently that claimed that God the Father exists in a flesh and blood body. When I read this, I have to admit I laughed out loud. John 4 is pretty clear. "God is Spirit and those who worship Him must worship him in Spirit and truth." To claim that the Father is confined by a flesh and blood body is contrary to Scripture and unchristian.

As believers Dogma must be our delight. it is life and health. Read what Dorothy Sayers writes.
"We are constantly assured that the churches are empty because preachers insist on too much upon doctrine - dull dogma they call it. It is the neglect of dogma that makes for dullness. The Christian faith is the most exciting drama that staggered the imagination of man - and the dogma is the drama.

A new start!

It's been a few years since I last posted on this blog. For the last few months I've had this nagging desire to write and reflect on pastoral ministry, the gospel, living out the Christian life and anything else that happens to get hung up in my head. My goal is to post two to three times a month, maybe once a week.
I want this blog to be encouraging to my students and my church members. Maybe we can all stir one anther up to greater faith by thinking, praying and studying scripture together.

That's all. A simple vision.

The question no one asks

Have you ever been stopped dead in your tracks by a verse of Scripture? I imagine that all believers have experienced this many times. Over the past few weeks I have been arrested by a question that the priests and the Sadducees asked Peter and John in Acts 4:7. In chapter 3 Peter and John were on their way to the temple to pray. A certain man, lame from birth was begging at the temple gate and cried out for alms. Peter, in one of the most memorable moments in the book of Acts, says to him, I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus of Nazareth, rise up and walk.

As you can imagine this caused quite a stir at the temple. For years this man had sat at that gate and begged; now he is leaping and running and praising God. The religious leadership responds by sending guards and arresting Peter and John. The next day, they meet with the high priest and his family. Their question haunts me, by what power or name did you do this?

A miracle had taken place. They could not deny the validity of it. All they could ask was, "how did you do this?"

That is a question no one asks the church today. There is such a lack of spiritual power that the miraculous is most often argued away on theological grounds. God no longer works that way. Miracles and signs were for the apostles, but not for us.

Really?

Don't get me wrong. I'm not advocating some kind of pentecostal experience or charismatic showmanship that manipulates people and attempts to produce "signs and wonders." However, I do believe that God is still in the business of real life-change. It seems evident to me that the greatest argument for the truth of Christianity should be Christians themselves. Our lives should showcase the power and grace of God. Broken and twisted lives made new by the power of the Gospel should be our greatest apologetic. As a pastor my prayer is that the power of God to change lives and to save the lost will be so evident in my church that the world can only say, "by what power did you do this? How is this possible?"

I have been thinking a good deal about how I spend my time lately. The Bible commands us to number our days, to consider that we have only a limited time alloted to us for life on this earth. James refers to our lives as clouds of vapor that burn off in the early morning sun. Peter refers to life as grass, here today and gone tomorrow. Since our time is so limited, our earnest desire should be to make the most of it to the glory of God. In Ephesians Paul commands believers "to make the best use of the time, knowing that the days are evil." The pace of life in our society is stiffling. We run from one event to another. It seems our life just rushes by. What do we do? I don't know if I'm the best person to answer this question. It seems that my time has become more and more pressed as the years have gone by. Just the event calender at our church is enough to overwhelm me. And with 9 children there is always someone or something needed my attention! So, for a start, we must set priorities. What is most important? My time with God and my time with family are non-negotiables. I don't want the years to pass by and find myself distant in my relationship with God or my wife or my children. I want to be intentional in the way I spend my days. If I am not careful life will fill my calender for me. This is what Paul means when he says make the best use of your time. Don't neglect what is most important for what seems to be most pressing. This is my mid-year resolution. I hope I do better keeping this one than my new year's resolution for losing 20 pounds!

I am including an excerpt from Charles Spurgeon’s wonderful devotional, “Morning and Evening.” This paragraph is taken from the morning devotion on December 9. I thought this might be a good follow up to Sunday Morning’s sermon.

“Therefore will the Lord wait that he may be gracious unto you.”

— Isaiah 30:18

God often delays in answering prayer. We have several instances of this in sacred Scripture. Jacob did not get the blessing from the angel until near the dawn of day—he had to wrestle all night for it. The poor woman of Syrophenicia was answered not a word for a long while. Paul besought the Lord thrice that “the thorn in the flesh” might be taken from him, and he received no assurance that it should be taken away, but instead thereof a promise that God’s grace should be sufficient for him. If thou hast been knocking at the gate of mercy, and hast received no answer, shall I tell thee why the mighty Maker hath not opened the door and let thee in? Our Father has reasons peculiar to himself for thus keeping us waiting. Sometimes it is to show his power and his sovereignty, that men may know that Jehovah has a right to give or to withhold. More frequently the delay is for our profit. Thou art perhaps kept waiting in order that thy desires may be more fervent. God knows that delay will quicken and increase desire, and that if he keeps thee waiting thou wilt see thy necessity more clearly, and wilt seek more earnestly; and that thou wilt prize the mercy all the more for its long tarrying. There may also be something wrong in thee which has need to be removed, before the joy of the Lord is given. Perhaps thy views of the Gospel plan are confused, or thou mayest be placing some little reliance on thyself, instead of trusting simply and entirely to the Lord Jesus. Or, God makes thee tarry awhile that he may the more fully display the riches of his grace to thee at last. Thy prayers are all filed in heaven, and if not immediately answered they are certainly not forgotten, but in a little while shall be fulfilled to thy delight and satisfaction. Let not despair make thee silent, but continue instant in earnest supplication. ^[1]

Here are some words of wisdom from Dr. Charles Stanley.

“Is there any challenge you are facing? Are there people or circumstances aligned against you in your health, finances, career, relationships, or walk with the Lord? If you want to overcome difficulty, the absolute best way is by spending time alone with God. Only He can give you victory.

How do you fight this battle on your knees? First you do so by setting aside time alone with the Father. It is easy to be distracted. You become so busy fretting about you troubles and running after solutions that you fail to turn to the One who can best help you. (Ps. 103:19)

Second, listen to the Father and expect Him to speak to you. Prayer is not just telling the Lord how you feel – although that is part of it. Rather, He wants to reveal Himself to you and direct you in the way you should go.

Third, if the Lord reveals any sinfulness in your life, repent of it immediately. Remember, the Father’s primary goal is to have an intimate relationship with you. When sin is present, it is evidence that you are hindering Him from having full access to your Life. Therefore, agree with God about your iniquity and allow Him to teach you. He will show you how to change the way you operate for maximum intimacy with Him, effectiveness in your life, and influence with others.

Fourth, remember there can only be on general in this battle – and that is the Lord. God willingly employs His supernatural power in defending you, training you, and bringing out your full potential. However, you must be willing to acknowledge that He is in control and knows the path ahead better than you do.

Fifth, see everything that happens to you as coming from God. Why would you do this? Because if the Father allows a trial or challenge in your life, it is ultimately for your good and His glory (Rom. 8:28). Knowing that He has permitted the troubles in your life for your benefit makes it easier to forgive those who hurt you and accept the seemingly inexplicable circumstances you bear.

The truth, is, you and I are always going to encounter struggles until we go home to heaven. However, God has promised, “No weapon that is formed against you will prosper, and every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn. (Isa. 54:17) When you fight the battle on your knees and faithfully obey Him, you invite God to be your Redeemer, Defender, General, and Protector. That’s not only the best way to win—it’s the most wonderful, eternal path to triumph every single time.”

Hope this blesses you like it has me.

Collin Wimberly

On Systems of Theology

I enjoy having responses to my articles. Even from people who do not agree with me. To answer the brother (or sister!) who responded to my last article, let me quote Spurgeon on theological systems.

"It has been my earnest endeavor ever since I have preached the Word, never to keep back a single doctrine which I believe to be taught of God. It is time that we have done with the old and rusty systems that have so long curbed the freeness of religious speech. The Arminian trembles to go an inch beyond Arminius or Wesley, and many a Calvinist refers to John Gill or John Calvin as any ultimate authority. It is time that the systems were broken up, and that there was sufficient grace in all our hearts to believe everything taught in God's Word, whether it was taught by either of these men or not . . . . If God teaches it, it is enough. If it is not in the Word, away with it! Away with it! But if it be in the Word, agreeable or disagreeable, systematic or disorderly, I believe it."

Amen - Spoken as only a Baptist could say it!

Labels and Name Calling

I've noticed over the past few years that many folks want to put a 'label' on me theologically. They want to know if I'm conservative (I am), if I am an inerrantist (I am), if I am an expositor (definitely), or if I am a Calvinist. The first three are easy. Each represents a specific theological position that is understood by most people. But it seems everybody has their own definition of Calvinist. What the person asking the question means may be different than what I mean when I answer. So, I always ask "What do you mean by Calvinist?

If you are asking if I hold to the five points of Calvinism, then the answer is no. I am not a five-point Calvinist. If you are asking if I believe that God is absolutely sovereign and rules over the affairs of this universe, then my answer is yes. I believe that. Do I believe that God arbitrarily picked some to save and damned others to hell, then no I don't believe that. If you are asking if I believe that humanity is hopelessly lost in sin, needing a savior, and that God must draw them to Christ before they can be saved, then yes I believe that. Do I believe that the atonement is so limited that Christ's death was solely for the sake of the elect, no I do not believe that. Do I believe that Christ died for the sins of the world, that his atonement was sufficient for all, but only effectual to those who received him by faith, yes I believe that. Do I believe that election simply means that God knew in advance who would be saved, no I do not believe that. Do I believe that election is God's sovereign display of His glory whereby he regenerates, justifies, and sanctified, and glorifies sinners, but is in no way inconsistent with the free agency of man, O yes I believe that.
Do I believe that all true believers endure to the end? You bet I do.

Some people have claimed that my theology is a hodge-podge. I disagree. I believe it is Biblical. I preach and hold to the truth that God is sovereign, not man. Yet, the Bible is clear that our choice about salvation matters. I like what Macarthur stated about election and human responsibility. They are like twin tracks on a railroad. They run side by side throughout eternity.

Finally, I am not a big "systems" man. My goal is to have a Biblical theology. That, friend, is why I do label myself a Baptist, not a Calvinist or a covenant theological or a dispensationalist - I am Baptist. To me that simply means "Biblical.

Collin

The Practice of Prophetic Living

John the Baptist was one of the most colorful characters in the NT. He was a fiery preacher, and a desert dwelling prophet calling people to a radical commitment to God. G. Campbell Morgan stated in his commentary on Luke that we need some John the Baptists today. We need people to prepare the way of the Lord. The church needs men and women who will stand up and stand out for God. But today, as in John's day, a prophet's message is seldom well-received. John was imprisoned and ultimately beheaded for his preaching. Here in America we will not lose our life for our witness, at least not yet, but we may lose our reputation. We may lose our jobs or our friends. Prophetic living always carries a price.

Will you live a prophetic lifestyle? Will you take up the mantle and example of John? I don't mean move to the desert and wear camel's hair underwear. I do mean live an uncompromising and God-saturated life. It may carry a cost, but the blessing is much greater.

The Gospel of Matthew
For those of you who would like a little more info on the Gospel of Matthew as we study through it, I have included a very good introduction form the ESV study Bible. I love the ESV's clear and accurate translation as well as the flow of the language. The ESV is the only translation that I use in preaching from the pulpit and I highly recommend it.

Author and Title
Since none of the four Gospels includes the names of their authors in the original manuscripts, they are all technically anonymous. This is not surprising, since the authors likely compiled their Gospel accounts for members of their own churches, to whom they were already well known. However, historical documents from early church history provide significant insight into the Gospels' authorship. The earliest traditions of the church are unanimous in attributing the first Gospel to Matthew, the former tax collector who followed Jesus and became one of his 12 disciples. The earliest and most important of these traditions comes from the second century in the writings of Papias, bishop of Hierapolis in Asia Minor (c. a.d. 135), and Irenaeus, bishop of Lyons in Gaul (c. 175). Because these early church leaders had either direct or indirect contact with the apostolic community, they would have been very familiar with the Gospels' origins. Moreover, no competing traditions now exist (if they ever did) attributing Matthew's Gospel to any other author. If Matthew did not write the book, it is hard to see why the false ascription would bear the name of a relatively obscure apostle when more well-known and popular figures could have been chosen (e.g., Philip, Thomas, or James).Matthean authorship is denied by some modern scholars, especially on the view that the author of Matthew borrowed much of his material from Mark's Gospel. Given that Matthew was an apostle while Mark was not, it is assumed that Matthew would not have needed (or chosen) to depend on Mark's material. But even if Matthew did borrow from Mark's Gospel, it would only have added to Matthew's apostolic credibility since the evidence suggests that Mark himself relied extensively on the testimony of the apostle Peter.When Jesus called him, Matthew was sitting in the tax collector's booth (9:9), collecting taxes for Herod Antipas, and this may have been along a commercial trading route about 4 miles (6.4 km) from Capernaum. However, since the narrative surrounding Matthew's call is set in Capernaum (9:1, 7, 10; cf. 4:13), the tax booth may have been on the Sea of Galilee at Capernaum, since Herod also taxed fishermen. At his calling in the first Gospel he is referred to as “Matthew” (9:9), while Mark's and Luke's Gospels describe him as “Levi the son of Alphaeus” (Mark 2:14) and “Levi” (Luke 5:27). The reason for the variation in names has elicited much discussion, but most scholars believe that the tax collector had two names, Matthew Levi, which he either possessed from birth or took on following his conversion. His occupation as a tax collector implies that he had training in scribal techniques and was thus able to write, while his identity as a Galilean Jewish Christian suggests his ability to interpret the words and actions of Jesus in light of OT messianic expectations.

Date
The precise date of the writing of Matthew's Gospel is not known. Some scholars argue for a date later than the destruction of Jerusalem in a.d. 70, since Jesus alludes to this event in 24:1–28. Of course, such a conclusion is warranted only if one denies Jesus' ability to predict the future. In light of Irenaeus's assertion (c. a.d. 175) that Matthew composed his Gospel while Peter and Paul were still living (Irenaeus, Against Heresies 3.1.1), it is traditionally dated to the late 50s or early 60s.

Theme
This is the story of Jesus of Nazareth, recorded by the apostle Matthew as a compelling witness that Jesus is the long-anticipated Messiah, who brought the kingdom of God to earth and is the prophesied fulfillment of God's promise of true peace and deliverance for both Jew and Gentile. crafted his account to demonstrate Jesus' messianic identity, his inheritance of the Davidic kingship over Israel, and his fulfillment of the promise made to his ancestor Abraham (Matt. 1:1) to be a blessing to all the nations (Gen. 12:1–3). Thus in large part Matthew's Gospel is an evangelistic tool aimed at his fellow Jews, persuading them to recognize Jesus as their long-awaited Messiah. At the same time, the Gospel reveals clearly to Gentiles that salvation through Jesus the Messiah is available to all nations. For Jewish Christians, Matthew's Gospel provides encouragement to stand steadfast amid opposition from their own countrymen, as well as Gentile pagans, secure in the knowledge of their citizenship in God's kingdom. Against the backdrop of such opposition to Jesus' message, Matthew establishes the identity of Christ's church as the true people of God, who now find their unity in service to Jesus despite previous racial, class, and religious barriers. His Gospel provides necessary instruction for all future disciples, Jew and Gentile, who form a new community centered upon devotion and obedience to Jesus the Messiah amid significant opposition.Many scholars have suggested that the prominent church in Antioch of Syria, whose members included both Jewish and Gentile Christians (cf. Acts 11:19–26; 13:1–3), was the intended audience of Matthew's Gospel. They point to the Gospel's influence on Ignatius, an early bishop of Antioch. At the same time, Matthew's message spoke to all of the fledgling churches of his day, and the Gospel appears to have circulated rapidly and widely.History of Salvation SummaryJesus comes as the messianic King in the line of David to fulfill the OT, especially its promises of everlasting salvation. The ultimate fulfillment comes with his crucifixion and resurrection.

Literary Features
The primary genre of Matthew is the Gospel, and the organizing framework of all four Gospels is narrative or story. However, with the narrative framework of Matthew's Gospel, a major amount of space is devoted to Jesus' discourses. Beyond that, the usual array of subtypes are found: birth stories, calling or vocation stories, miracle stories, parables, pronouncement stories, encounter stories, passion stories, and resurrection stories.The most notable literary feature of the book's format is the alternating pattern around which the book is organized. The material in Matthew's Gospel is based on a rhythmic, back-and-forth movement between blocks of narrative material and blocks of discourse material. There are five passages of discourse, which can be viewed as corresponding to the five digits on the human hand and can be easily remembered if one lists the questions that Jesus in effect answers in each unit:

(1) How are citizens of the kingdom to live (chs. 5–7)?

(2) How are traveling disciples to conduct themselves on their evangelistic journeys (ch. 10)?

(3) What parables did Jesus tell (ch. 13)?

(4) What warning did Jesus give about not hindering entrance into the kingdom and on forgiveness (chs. 18–20)?

(5) How will human history end (chs. 24–25)? Matthew even used a set formula to signal these units, ending them with the statement “when Jesus had finished [these sayings]” (7:28; 11:1; 13:53; 19:1; 26:1).Matthew's distinguishing stylistic features include recurrent quotation and citation from the OT and an emphasis on Jesus as being kingly or royal (even the opening genealogy places Jesus' father Joseph in the Davidic line). Additionally, Matthew is fond of the term “Son of David” as a title for Christ, statements to the effect that “this was done that it might be fulfilled as the prophets had said,” and the formula “the kingdom of heaven is like . . .”

Key Themes
1. Portrait of Jesus. Jesus is the true Messiah, Immanuel (God incarnate with his people), Son of God, King of Israel, and Lord of the church.1:1, 23; 2:2; 14:33; 16:16; 18:20; 21:5–9
2. The bridge between Old and New Testaments. Jesus fulfills the hopes and promises of the OT through his messianic genealogy, fulfillment of OT prophecies, and fulfillment of the OT law. These bridging qualities may have been one reason Matthew was chosen to begin the NT canon. Another possible reason is that many in the early church thought that Matthew was the first Gospel written, and another is that it was personally written by an apostle, in contrast to Mark and Luke.1:1–17, 22–23; 2:4–5, 15, 17, 23; 5:17–20
3. Salvation-historical “particularism” and “universalism.” Matthew's Gospel traces God's continuing work of salvation within Israel (“particularism”) and extends this saving work to all the peoples of the earth (“universalism”), through the person and work of Christ.10:5–6; 28:19
4. The new community of faith. The early church included both Jewish and Gentile Christians. Matthew's Gospel would have encouraged them to transcend ethnic and cultural barriers to find unity in service to Jesus the Messiah as members of his universal church.11:28; 16:18–19; 28:19 5. The church is built and maintained by Jesus' continuing presence. God's saving work in the present age is carried out chiefly by and through the church, which Jesus continues to build and inhabit. Anyone who responds to Jesus' call—whether Jew or Gentile, male or female, rich or poor, slave or free—is brought into the fellowship of his church to enjoy him and participate in the community of his kingdom.16:18; 18:15–20; 22:10; 28:20
6. A “great commission” for evangelism and mission. Jesus' command to “make disciples of all nations” is found only in Matthew and has motivated countless believers to reach out to the lost with the good news of the gospel. As Jesus made disciples in his earthly ministry, he commissions his church to follow his example.28:19
7. Jesus' five discourses recorded in Matthew can be viewed as a manual on discipleship. The presentation of five of Jesus' major discourses, addressed at least in part to his disciples, forms the most comprehensive collection of Jesus' instructional ministry found anywhere in Scripture. They paint a holistic picture of life lived in obedience to Christ, and the church has used them to instruct disciples through the ages.chs. 5–7; 10; 13; 18–20; 24–25

The Setting of Matthew
The events in the book of Matthew take place almost entirely within the vicinity of Palestine, an area extending roughly from Caesarea Philippi in the north to Beersheba in the south. During this time it was ruled by the Roman Empire. The opening chapters describe events surrounding Jesus' birth in Judea, where Herod had been appointed king by the Romans. The closing chapters end with Jesus' death, resurrection, and ascension during the rule of Pontius Pilate and the tetrarchs Antipas and Philip.

Outline
The Arrival in History of Jesus the Messiah (1:1–2:23)
The genealogy of Jesus the Messiah (1:1–17)
The angelic announcement of the conception of Jesus the Messiah (1:18–25)
Magi report the star-sign of the birth of “the King of the Jews” (2:1–12)
OT prophecies are fulfilled in Jesus the Messiah (2:13–23)
John the Baptist Prepares for the Appearance of the Messianic Kingdom (3:1–17)
Jesus the Messiah Begins to Advance the Messianic Kingdom (4:1–25)
Temptations of the Messiah (4:1–11)
Jesus the Messiah begins his Galilean ministry (4:12–25)
The Authoritative Message of the Messiah: Kingdom Life for His Disciples (5:1–7:29)
(First Discourse)Setting, Beatitudes, and witness of the kingdom of heaven (5:1–16)
The messianic kingdom in relation to the law (5:17–48)
The development of kingdom life in the real world (6:1–7:12)
Warning! With Jesus or against him? (7:13–29)
The Authoritative Power of the Messiah: Kingdom Power Demonstrated (8:1–9:38)
Healings, discipleship, and overpowering Satan's strongholds (8:1–9:8)
Unexpected discipleship, miracles, and workers (9:9–38)
The Authoritative Mission of the Messiah's Messengers (10:1–42)
(Second Discourse)Commissioning and instructions for the short-term mission to Israel (10:1–15)
Instructions for the long-term mission to the world (10:16–23)
Characteristics of missionary disciples (10:24–42)
Opposition to the Messiah Emerges (11:1–12:50)
Jesus, John the Baptist, and ministry in Galilee (11:1–30)
Confrontations with the Pharisees (12:1–45)
Jesus' disciples are his true family (12:46–50)
Mysteries of the Messianic Kingdom Revealed in Parables (13:1–53)
(Third Discourse)The opening of the Parabolic Discourse (13:1–23)
Further parables told to the crowds (13:24–35)
Explanations and parables told to the disciples (13:36–53)
The Identity of the Messiah Revealed (13:54–16:20)
Prophet(s) without honor (13:54–14:12)
Compassionate healer and supplier for Israel (14:13–21)
The Son of God worshiped (14:22–36)
Teacher of the Word of God and compassionate healer (15:1–39)
Peter confesses Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God (16:1–20)
The Suffering of the Messiah Revealed (16:21–17:27)
The suffering sacrifice (16:21–28)
The beloved, transfigured Son (17:1–13)
Sons of the kingdom (17:14–27)
The Community of the Messiah Revealed (18:1–20:34)
(Fourth Discourse)Characteristics of life in the kingdom community (18:1–35)
Valuing the kingdom community (19:1–20:34)
The Messiah Asserts His Authority over Jerusalem (21:1–23:39)
The triumphal entry into Jerusalem: Jesus' authority as Messiah (21:1–11)
The temple actions: Jesus' pronouncement on the temple establishment (21:12–17)
Cursing the fig tree: Jesus' judgment of the nation (21:18–22)
Controversies in the temple court over Jesus' authority (21:23–22:46)
Warnings against the teachers of the law and the Pharisees (23:1–12)
Woes of judgment against the teachers of the law and the Pharisees (23:13–36)
Lament over Jerusalem (23:37–39)
The Delay, Return, and Judgment of Messiah (24:1–25:46)
(Fifth [Olivet] Discourse)The beginning of birth pains (24:1–14)
“Great tribulation” and the coming of the Son of Man (24:15–31)
The nearness and time of Jesus' coming (24:32–41)
Parabolic exhortations to watch and be prepared for the coming of the Son of Man (24:42–25:30)
Judgment at the end (25:31–46)
The Crucified Messiah (26:1–27:66)
Plot, anointing, and betrayal to the religious leaders (26:1–16)
The Passover and the Lord's Supper (26:17–35)
Gethsemane: Jesus' agonizing prayers (26:36–46)
Jesus arrested (26:47–56)
The Jewish trial of Jesus (26:57–27:10)
The Roman trial of Jesus (27:11–26)
Jesus the Messiah crucified (27:27–44)
The death of Jesus the Messiah (27:45–50)
Testimonies, women followers, and burial (27:51–66)
The Resurrection and Commission of the Messiah (28:1–20)
An empty tomb and the risen Jesus (28:1–10)
The conspiracy to deny the truth of Jesus' resurrection (28:11–15)
The risen Jesus' Great Commission (28:16–20)

The sermon of Charlie Peace

Charlie Peace was a criminal. Laws of God or man curbed him not. Finally the law caught up with him, and he was condemned to death. On the fatal morning in Armley Jail, Leeds, England, he was taken on the death-walk. Before him went the prison chaplain, routinely and sleepily reading some Bible verses. The criminal touched the preacher and asked what he was reading.“The Consolations of Religion,” was the replay.
Charlie Peace was shocked at the way he professionally read about hell. Could a man be so unmoved under the very shadow of the scaffold as to lead a fellow-human there and yet, dry-eyed, read of a pit that has no bottom into which this fellow must fall? Could this preacher believe the words that there is an eternal fire that never consumes its victims, and yet slide over the phrase without a tremor? Is a man human at all who can say with no tears, “You will be eternally dying and yet never know the relief that death brings”?

All this was too much for Charlie Peace. So he preached. Listen to his on-the-eve-of-hell sermon.
“Sir” addressing the preacher, “if I believed what you and the church of God say that you believe, even if England were covered with broken glass from coast to coast, I would walk over it, if need be, on hands and knees and think it worth while living, just to save one soul from an eternal hell like that!”(Ravenhill, Leonard, Why Revival Tarries, Fires of Revival Publishers, Zachary, LA, 1973, p. 19)

Who is that tall, skinny, guy with the great hair?

This is not the best quality in the world, but it is fun to remember. This was in 1986 at Trinity Baptist Church in Lake Charles, La. One of the last Common Good concerts. Also, its good to remember Gary Griffith, one of the best friends I ever had. He stands now in the presence of Christ and the assembly of the first born! Miss you brother!