New Sunday Teaching Series: God’s Mission in Matthew “God’s” – Our focus will follow that of the inspired author, i.e., to teach us who God is. “Mission” – Our focus will be on God’s mission, the Misseo Dei, to which God has called us and for which he has equipped us. “in Matthew” – Our focus will be on the gospel narrative in the first book of the NT. Matthew has a special interest in Jesus as the fulfillment of the OT story, which we will also highlight.

Advent: The Beginning of the Christian Year A time of preparation for Jesus’ coming or “advent” We celebrate his 1 st Advent and anticipate his 2 nd Advent. We tell Jesus’ Story through song, Scripture, teaching, prayer, and symbol. The season of Advent culminates in the 12 days of Christmas.

Matthew’s Gospel 1. Why does it begin with a genealogy of Jesus? 1 A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham:

Matthew’s Gospel 1. Why does it begin with a genealogy of Jesus? 1 A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham:

Jesus as the fulfillment of the promise to David. The LORD declares to you that the LORD himself will establish a house for you: When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom... Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever. 2 Samuel 7:11-12, 16 (NIV)

Jesus as the fulfillment of the promise to Abraham. I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you. Genesis 12:2-3 (NIV)

Matthew’s Gospel 1. Why does it begin with a genealogy of Jesus? Matthew begins his gospel with a genealogy to show that Jesus is the one in whom God is fulfilling the two key promises of the OT story: To Abraham (blessing to all peoples through his descendents) To David (an eternal dynasty through his descendents)

Matthew’s Gospel 2. Why does the genealogy list five women?

2 Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, 3 Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar, Perez the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, 4 Ram the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, 5 Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse, 6 and Jesse the father of King David. David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah's wife and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.

Matthew’s Gospel TamarDaughter-in-law of Judah (Gen 38) RahabProstitute in Jericho (Jos 2) RuthMoabitess descended from Lot (Gen 19) BathshebaWife of Uriah stolen by David (2 Sam 11) MaryUnwed and pregnant mother of Jesus (Mat 1)

Matthew’s Gospel 2. Why does the genealogy list five women? Matthew lists five different women in Jesus’ genealogy to highlight God’s use of all kinds of people to bring Messiah into the world. Each of these five women has an association of human failure and immorality, yet God graciously chose to work through such human failure to bring about the salvation of humans and all creation.

Matthew’s Gospel 3. Why is the genealogy divided into three groups of fourteen names? 17 Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Christ.

David דוד D V D D = 4 V = = 14

Matthew’s Gospel 3. Why is the genealogy divided into three groups of fourteen names? Matthew apparently uses the number 14 as another way of highlighting Jesus as the “seed” of David, and thus the rightful heir to David’s eternal dynasty. This dynasty is the “kingdom of God” (or “kingdom of heaven”) foretold in the OT, which was at the center of Jesus ministry and message: From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” (Mat 4:17)

Matthew’s Gospel What the Genealogy Teaches Jesus is the seed of David and seed of Abraham anticipated and longed for in the Old Testament story. During Advent and Christmas we celebrate God’s past faithfulness to his promises, give thanks for his present faithfulness, and anticipate his future faithfulness. He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon!” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! Rev 22:20 (NLT)

Matthew’s Gospel What the Genealogy Teaches Jesus came to us through God’s merciful and gracious redemption of human failure and sin. Just as God redeemed the sins of OT characters such as Lot, Judah, Rahab, and David, so he will redeem our sin and use us to accomplish his glorious, saving purposes. This is the “good news” of the Gospel!

Matthew’s Gospel What the Genealogy Teaches Jesus came to establish God’s kingdom, to be the wise and righteous Davidic king God’s people have needed and desired.

1 Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot— yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root. 2 And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. 3 He will delight in obeying the Lord. He will not judge by appearance nor make a decision based on hearsay. 4 He will give justice to the poor and make fair decisions for the exploited. The earth will shake at the force of his word, and one breath from his mouth will destroy the wicked. 5 He will wear righteousness like a belt and truth like an undergarment. Isaiah 11 (NLT)