The Gospel of Matthew | Jesus, King of Heaven and Earth

Matthew at a Glance

The Gospel of Matthew recounts the most important happenings in all of world history—the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. A tax collector named Matthew left his profession to follow Jesus and then wrote his Gospel to tell the story of the long-awaited Messiah, who came to fulfill God’s promise of peace and salvation for sinners. Matthew reveals Jesus’ true identity, that he is the way—the only way—to eternal life. 

Matthew’s Gospel contains five discourses (organized teachings), which provide us with a manual for discipleship. These discourses show us how to live by faith in a fear-filled world and to shine the light of Christ in dark places. Among the riches of this Gospel we find Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, his many parables, and his teaching about how human history will end. But overarching everything else is the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus himself, vividly shown to us by one who loved his Lord. 

Key Themes in Matthew

  • Jesus is the true Messiah, Son of God, King of Israel, and Lord of the church.

  • Jesus fulfills all the hopes and promises of the Old Testament.

  • Christ followers are to live faithful and obedient lives that reflect their Savior.

  • All believers are to participate in Jesus’ Great Commission of making disciples of all nations.

Simple Overview of Matthew*

I. (Prologue) The King’s Advent (1:1–4:25)

A. His Birth (1:1–2:23)

B. His Entry into Public Ministry (3:1–4:25)

II. The King’s Authority (5:1–9:38)

A. Discourse 1: The Sermon on the Mount (5:1–7:29)

B. Narrative 1: The Authenticating Miracles (8:1–9:38)

III. The King’s Agenda (10:1–12:50)

A. Discourse 2: The Commissioning of the Twelve (10:1–42)

B. Narrative 2: The Mission of the King (11:1–12:50)

IV. The King’s Adversaries (13:1–17:27)

A. Discourse 3: The Kingdom Parables (13:1–52)

B. Narrative 3: The Kingdom Conflict (13:53–17:27)

V. The King’s Administration (18:1–23:39)

A. Discourse 4: The Childlikeness of the Believer (18:1–35)

B. Narrative 4: The Jerusalem Ministry (19:1–23:39)

VI. The King’s Atonement (24:1–28:15)

A. Discourse 5: The Olivet Discourse (24:1–25:46)

B. Narrative 5: The Crucifixion and Resurrection (26:1–28:15)

VII. (Epilogue) The King’s Assignment (28:16–20)

*MacArthur, J. (2001). The MacArthur quick reference guide to the Bible (Student ed., p. 178). W Pub. Group.

Summer in the Psalms

The Book of Psalms, or the Psalter, is a collection of poems written by more than half a dozen men spanning the time of Moses to the time of Ezra & Nehemiah (almost 1,000 years) expressing the full range of human emotions-joy, desperation, thanksgiving, fear, trust, anger, and awe. This “anatomy of all parts of the soul” as it has been called has been used by the church for millenia to express its worship. May we, with the Church of all ages, see the Great King celebrated in these songs of praise and with greater clarity and eagerness meditate on His greatness, pray for His strength, sing to His name.

Types of Songs: The Psalms contain many different types of literature. For our purposes we will classify them in 5 categories, though these could certainly be broken down further.

Hymn: Songs of praise to God for some aspect of His nature or simply celebrating some manifestation of His faithfulness in the Psalmist’s life.

Lament: These songs start out as complaint for current distressing circumstances, transition into petition for God to act, and most often end with a declaration of trust in God’s salvation. There are 50+ laments in the Psalms.

Imprecatory: These unsettling prayers call upon God to judge, curse, and, sometimes, destroy God’s enemies.

Kingship/Royal: These are Psalms which celebrate or declare the reign of God as King. Some celebrate the Davidic King as representative of God’s reign on earth.

Wisdom: These Psalms echo the Proverbs in many ways. They are songs specifically focused on teaching God’s people a manner of life pleasing to the LORD.

The Book of Psalms:

Title: Our English title Psalms comes from a Greek word which is a translation of a Hebrew word mizmor. This term signifies plucking, as in, the action that would happen in playing a stringed instrument. The title in most Hebrews manuscripts, however, is Tehillim which means Songs of Praise. This word has the same root as the word Hallelujah.

Authors: There are at least 7 authors through whom God worked to write the Psalms: David (73), Korah (12), Asaph (12), Heman, Ethan, Moses, and Solomon. Many Psalms are anonymous.

Date: From the time of Moses to the time of Ezra Nehemiah. About 1400BC. - 450BC.

Structure: The Psalms were collected and organized into 5 Books. The conclusion of the first 4 books is signaled by a benediction (41.13; 72.19; 89.52; 106.48)

Book 1: Chapters 1-41

Book 2: Chapters 42-72

Book 3: Chapters 73-89

Book 4: Chapters 90-106

Book 5: Chapters 107-150