As Pastor Tony leads us through the Gospel of Matthew this fall, we’ve gathered several resources to enrich your study and reflection. We pray these tools will encourage your walk with Christ and help you grow in your knowledge and love of the Lord as we explore this Gospel together.
“This Gospel was written by a man for men about the Man. Matthew wants all people everywhere to bow down before that Man, the one to whom all authority in Heaven and on earth has been given. He wants Gentiles and Jews to submit to their King, trusting Jesus to be Savior from sins and Lord of life. He wants us to know Jesus, worship him, obey his teachings, and tell others to do the same.” — Douglas Sean O’Donnell, Preaching the Word Commentary, Matthew: All Authority in Heaven and on Earth
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Three Things You Should Know about Matthew | Mark Ross (Ligonier)
Matthew | Chapter by Chapter Resources from Ligonier
Commentary on Matthew | Douglas Sean O’Donnell (TGC)
Matthew Summary | Paul David Tripp (video)
Resources from Matthew | Various Pastors/Professors (RTS Archives)
More Resources from Matthew | Various Sermons & Bible Exposition (Monergism)
Overview of Matthew | The Books of Scripture by Pastor Jonathan Sole (see below)
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MATTHEW
Author: Although the writer never mentions his name, the church has long recognized the apostle Matthew as the sole author.
Date: Matthew was likely written in the 50s or early 60s.
Theme: Jesus is the Messiah who fulfills the OT prophecies.
Summary: Matthew wrote to convince his Jewish readers of the messiahship of Jesus of Nazareth. Matthew picks up where Chronicles ends and serves as a bridge into the New Testament. The use of genealogy to begin the gospels connects Jesus to the lineage of David and the promise made to Abraham. The genealogy of Jesus is the final one in all the scripture because he is the fulfillment of all Gods promises. Matthew structures his gospel with five major discourses the Jewish reader saw as a connection to the five books of Moses – Jesus’ authority as king and sovereign rule run as a thread throughout the account. Matthew’s Sermon on the Mount is Jesus’ most extended continuous recorded discourse. The conclusion is the great commission to make disciples.
Key Passages: The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the Son of Abraham (1:1).
She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins (1:21).
And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes (7:28-29).
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age (28:18-20).
Christ Connection: Jesus is God’s anointed who possesses all authority in heaven and on earth.
Application: Matthew teaches us that Jesus fulfills the Old Testament promises. We are not looking for another, nor can we improve upon what Jesus taught and did. Let us make obedience to Jesus our number one priority. Following Jesus is our created purpose, and it unites us back to the Father through the redemption accomplished by the Son and applied by the Spirit. We must take discipleship seriously because Jesus commanded and commissioned his followers to do it.
Used with permission.
