ROUTE 66 EP 046

046 ROUTE 66 Gospel of Matthew

Sermon Date: May 10, 2026

Introduction: Shifting Focus from Circumstances to God

• Problem: The pastor began with a personal story of feeling overwhelmed by "grim circumstances." This is a common problem for Christians today, who can tend to focus on the negative, such as social injustices or personal difficulties, rather than on God's goodness and grace. This negative focus can lead to "deconstruction" of faith, where one begins to point a finger at God.

• Divine Correction: God reminded the pastor to stop focusing on himself and his circumstances and to see where God is already at work. We are called to focus on "God sightings" – the evidence of His goodness, grace, and mercy in our lives, no matter how small.

• Key Takeaway: Hard hearts are often a result of dwelling on inequities and negatives rather than on the goodness of God. We are encouraged to shift our perspective and actively look for what God is doing.

The Four Gospels: Four Perspectives of One King

• The primary picture of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew is that of the promised King of kings and Lord of lords.

• This is part of a larger series looking at the pictures of Jesus in the four gospels. (Next week's focus will be on Jesus as the Servant in the Gospel of Mark).

• The four gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) are not contradictory accounts but rather four different perspectives of the same Jesus, much like four eyewitnesses to a car crash would each have a unique viewpoint. These perspectives supplement each other, providing a fuller picture of Christ.

• These four perspectives align with the four faces of the cherubim described in the Book of Ezekiel:

  • The Lion: Represents a King (Matthew).

  • The Ox: Represents a Servant (Mark).

  • The Man: Represents the Son of Man (Luke).

  • The Eagle: Represents the Son of God (John).

Introduction: Building on the Right Foundation

The pastor begins by drawing an analogy: just as you wouldn't build a house on a bridge designed for transit, we should not build our doctrinal house on a transitional book of the Bible. The Book of Matthew serves as this crucial bridge, connecting the Old Testament to the New Testament.

• The Book of Matthew as a Bridge: It transitions the reader from the Old Covenant (the Law) to the New Covenant (Grace through Jesus Christ).

• The New Testament's Start: The New Testament covenant technically goes into effect at Jesus's death on the cross. The Gospels, therefore, capture a period of transition where Jesus moves people from religion to a relationship with Him.

• A Doctrinal Warning: It is dangerous to build core doctrines solely from the Book of Matthew without understanding its transitional context, as many verses can be easily taken out of context.

The Messenger: Matthew the Publican

• Matthew's Background: The author of this gospel, Matthew, was a "publican," a term for a tax collector found only in his gospel.

  • Tax collectors were despised, especially Jewish ones like Matthew, as they worked for the Roman occupiers and were known for corruption and gouging their own people.

• Matthew's Calling (Matthew 9:9):

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  "And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, 'Follow me.' And he arose and followed him."

  • This was the moment Matthew left his profession to follow the Lord fully.

• Matthew's Unique Personality in His Writing: God uses the unique personalities and backgrounds of the biblical authors.

  • Because of his background as a tax collector, Matthew's gospel mentions money more than the other gospels.

  • Example 1: Only Matthew records the story of the coin found in the fish's mouth.

  • Example 2: Only Matthew reports Judas throwing the "blood money" into the temple and its subsequent use to purchase a cemetery.

• Application: Be Who God Made You To Be.

  • Who God Is: God can use your past, even a dysfunctional or shameful one, for His glory.

  • Who I Am & How to Live: Like Matthew, who was likely disgusted by his past after encountering Christ, we should embrace who we are and who God has called us to be. God can use our past experiences to help us make a difference in the lives of others.

The King's Mission: Calling Sinners, Not the Righteous

• Scripture Focus: Matthew 9:10-13

• Context: Immediately after Matthew began to follow Jesus, he held a dinner at his house. Many "publicans and sinners" came to eat with Jesus and His disciples.

• The Pharisees' Objection: The religious leaders questioned why Jesus would associate with and eat with such people.

• Jesus's Response:

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  "But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." (Matthew 9:12-13)

• Key Applications:

  1. Eat with Sinners: To call sinners to repentance, we must build relationships with them. This involves more than just a brief conversation at church; it means inviting them into our homes and lives. "Churches are formed at dining room tables."

  2. It's a Relationship, Not Religion: The Christian life is about a relationship with God. Jesus uses the analogy of a physician and the sick. Those who are spiritually sick and lost are the ones who need the Great Physician, Jesus Christ. Worldly physicians can't heal the soul.

  3. Adopt a "Rescue Shop" Mentality: We must shift from our comfort zone to a mission-focused mindset. The pastor quoted Charles Studd: "Some wish to live within the sound of a chapel bell. But I want to run a rescue shop within a yard of hell." We are a spiritual hospital, and we should be actively bringing the sick into our homes and church, not just gathering with the saved.

A Panoramic View of Matthew: The King's Outline

The sermon provides a chapter-by-chapter overview to understand the book's structure and its consistent theme of Jesus as the King. The central keyword for the entire book is "King."

Chapter 1: The Genealogy of the King

• The sermon highlights Matthew 1:1-6, which traces Jesus's lineage.

• Context & Application: This isn't just a list of names to skip. It establishes Jesus's royal credentials as a descendant of King David and Abraham, proving He has the rightful claim to the throne.

• A Nugget of Grace: The pastor points to Matthew 1:6, which mentions "...David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias." This subtle inclusion of the story of David, Bathsheba, and Uriah—along with other figures in the lineage with "jacked up" pasts (like Tamar, and Ruth the Moabite)—shows that Jesus's own family line was filled with dysfunction and baggage.

  • Who God Is: God is not deterred by human brokenness. He purposefully includes imperfect people in His perfect plan.

  • Who I Am & How to Live: This is a comfort. Jesus identifies with our dysfunction and our past. No matter our background—even one marked by things like alcoholism and family trauma, as the pastor shared from his own childhood—we can find identification and hope in Christ. We should be thankful that Jesus understands our baggage.

Chapter 2: The Birth of the King

• This chapter contains the familiar Christmas story, detailing the arrival of the prophesied King.

Chapter 3: The Messenger of the King

• The messenger is John the Baptist, who acts as a herald preparing the way for the King, fulfilling Old Testament prophecy (specifically aligning with Isaiah chapter 40).

• John's message was: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." The King had arrived.

Chapter 4: The Preparation of the King

• This chapter describes Jesus's temptation in the wilderness.

• Context & Application: By overcoming temptation, Jesus proved Himself faithful, worthy, and qualified to be the King. He identifies with our struggles and testing.

Chapters 5-7: The Constitution of the King (The Sermon on the Mount)

• Context & Application: The pastor emphasizes that the Sermon on the Mount is not a manual on how to get saved. Jesus had not yet died on the cross, which is the basis of our salvation. This sermon is the law of the kingdom, presented to the nation of Israel as the standard for the physical, earthly kingdom they were anticipating.

• How to Live:

  1. We can and should glean wisdom from these chapters.

  2. However, our ability to live out the principles of the Sermon on the Mount comes not from our own effort but from Calvary. It is what Jesus did for us on the cross that empowers us.

  3. Similar to the Ten Commandments, if we focus on walking in God's Spirit (Galatians 5:16), the principles of the law will be fulfilled in us naturally. Our primary responsibility is to be filled with the Spirit daily and let Him have control.

• Kingdom of God vs. Kingdom of Heaven: The pastor introduces a key distinction: The Sermon on the Mount offers entrance into the kingdom of heaven. The phrase "kingdom of heaven" is unique to Matthew’s gospel.

  • Kingdom of God: A spiritual kingdom.

  • Kingdom of Heaven: A physical, earthly kingdom promised to Israel, starting with the covenant in Genesis 12.

Chapters 8-9: The Miracles of the King

• These chapters are filled with the powerful miracles of Jesus, further demonstrating His authority and power as King.

Chapter 10: The Apostles of the King

• The word "apostle" means "sent one." Here, Jesus sends out His disciples to proclaim the message, empowering them for the work.

Chapters 11-12: The Rejection of the King

• A major shift occurs. Despite witnessing the King's genealogy, miraculous birth, preparation, constitution, and miracles, the nation of Israel begins to formally reject Him. The pastor points to Matthew 12:24 as a key moment. After all the evidence presented, the religious leaders see Jesus's mighty works and accuse Him of performing miracles by the power of "Beelzebub, the prince of the devils."

• The Unpardonable Sin: This accusation is identified as the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit (Mark 3:30, Matthew 12:31-32).

  • Pastor's Clarification: The specific, unforgivable sin of blaspheming the Holy Spirit was tied to the historical context of Jesus's physical presence on Earth. The leadership of Israel witnessed the undeniable miracles of the Holy Spirit through Christ and consciously attributed that divine power to demons.

• John the Baptist's Doubt: While in prison, even John the Baptist has a moment of doubt, sending his disciples to ask Jesus, "Art thou he that should come? Or do we look for another?" (Matthew 11:3).

  • Jesus’s Reassurance: Jesus doesn't rebuke John but points him to God's work (Matthew 11:4-5).

  • Application: Even the best servants of God can have doubt. The lesson is to take our eyes off ourselves and our problems and look at what God is doing in the world.

• John's Role as Elias (Elijah): Matthew 11:13-14 explains that if Israel had received the kingdom, John would have fulfilled the prophecy of Elijah's return. Because they rejected the King, Elijah himself will return during the Tribulation (Revelation 11).

Primary Events & People in Matthew

1. The Pharisees: A Warning Against Hypocrisy

• The Pharisees are a prominent group in Matthew, and Jesus exposes their hypocrisy, particularly in Matthew 23.

• Characteristics of the Pharisees: They had hard hearts, practiced lip service, clung to the "letter of the law," and were stuck on religious tradition rather than simple faith.

• Jesus's Warning: In Matthew 16, Jesus warns His disciples to "beware of the leaven of the Pharisees." Leaven (yeast) in the Bible is a symbol for sin or bad doctrine.

• The King's Frustration: God's primary object of frustration was not the sinners, but the proud Pharisees who were too proud to admit they needed a Savior.

  • Who God Is: God can save anyone—murderers, adulterers, addicts—but He cannot save someone who is too proud to admit their need for salvation, as He will not override their free will.

  • Scripture Focus: Matthew 21:31-32. Jesus declares that the "publicans and the harlots" who believed John would enter the kingdom of God before the unbelieving religious leaders.

  • Encouragement: This is an encouraging message. It's not about our status, but our heart. We can either be a proud Pharisee or a grateful "nobody" who receives the truth of God.

2. The Canaanite Woman: An Example of Faith

• In contrast to the faithless Pharisees, Matthew highlights the faith of a Gentile—the Canaanite woman.

• The Encounter: Jesus tests her faith by initially ignoring her, telling her He was sent only to Israel, and even calling her a "dog."

• The Lesson: Her humble and persevering response—"Yes, Lord, but...Even dogs eat at the crumbs of the master's table"—is praised by Jesus. He uses her as an object lesson to the Israelites, declaring, "Woman, great is your faith." This story demonstrates the kind of persistent, humble faith God desires.

The Major Pivot: The Parables of the King (Matthew 13-25)

Following this official rejection, Jesus's teaching method undergoes a major shift to parables.

• The Purpose of Parables: Parables are a divine method of revealing truth to some and concealing it from others. Jesus explains in Matthew 13:13-14 (quoting Isaiah) that He speaks in parables because the people are "seeing, but see not." This method serves to "weed out" those who are not genuinely seeking truth.

• The Principle of a Hardened Heart: The pastor used the example of Pharaoh, who first hardened his own heart before God hardened it. When a person continually rejects God's truth, God may give them over to a "reprobate mind" (Romans 1).

• The Two-Fold Effect of God's Word: The pastor used two analogies:

  1. "The same boiling water that softens the carrot also hardens the egg."

  2. "The same sun that will melt the ice, it'll also harden the clay."

• Who Understands? While parables concealed truth from the proud, they revealed mysteries to the humble and believing, like the "common people"—the uneducated fishermen—whom Jesus invested in.

The Betrayal of the King (Matthew 26)

• Key Events: This chapter focuses on Judas's betrayal and Peter's denial of Jesus. It is the moment when "innocent blood was betrayed."

The Death of the King (Matthew 27)

• The King Crucified: Matthew 27:37 highlights that the accusation written above Jesus's head was, "This is Jesus the King of the Jews."

• The Veil is Torn: When Jesus "yielded up the ghost" (Matthew 27:50-51), the massive veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.

  • Significance: This signifies that the Old Testament sacrificial system is fulfilled and the barrier between humanity and God has been removed. We now have direct access to God only because of what Jesus did on the cross.

• Application (Only Perfect People Go to Heaven): The pastor shared a personal story about his brother's funeral.

  • Example: His brother struggled in life, but the pastor declared he was "perfect" in heaven. Not by his own deeds, but perfected and made righteous by the blood of Jesus Christ, which he had received by faith.

The Resurrection of the King (Matthew 28)

• The Living King: The resurrection is what separates Jesus from all other religious figures. He is alive.

• The Great Commission and Lingering Doubt:

  • Scripture Reference: Matthew 28:16-17. After His resurrection, Jesus meets the disciples, and scripture notes, "And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted."

  • Pastor's Observation: It is telling that even after seeing the resurrected Christ, some of His own disciples still struggled with doubt.

The Great Commission: A Commission for Failures

• Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20

• Jesus's Response to Doubt: In spite of their doubt and recent failures, Jesus gives them the most important job on the planet. He says, "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore..."

• Application:

  • Who God Is: God is a God who commissions and entrusts His most important work to people who fail and have doubts. He doesn't wait for us to be perfect.

  • Who I Am & How to Live: As Christians, we are like the disciples. We may feel we have failed God, yet He still entrusts us with the Great Commission. We are called to be ambassadors for Christ.

  • Relying on God's Power: We cannot fulfill this commission in our own strength. The pastor references Isaiah 40:29, "He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength." Jesus promises His presence ("I am with you always").

Conclusion: Will You Open Your Eyes?

• Final Scripture Focus: Matthew 20:30-34

• The Story: Two blind men cried out to Jesus for mercy. The crowd tried to silence them, but they persisted. Jesus stopped and asked them, "What will ye that I shall do unto you?" They responded, "Lord, that our eyes may be opened." Jesus had compassion, touched their eyes, and immediately they received their sight and followed Him.

• Theological Picture: This is a beautiful picture of salvation.

  1. Free Will: Jesus asks what they will that He do, highlighting that God honors our free will. He waits for us to ask.

  2. Desperation for Salvation: The men were desperate to be saved from their condition, a picture of a lost person tired of sin.

  3. Immediate Transformation: The moment they surrendered their will to His, they were healed. This is analogous to being born again.

• The Final Challenge: Are You Willing to Take Your Place with Jesus?

  • The blind men were ostracized and rebuked, but they were willing to be numbered with the transgressors to get to Jesus.

  • Are we willing to be ostracized? Are we willing to take our place with the harlots, tax collectors, and fishermen to follow the King?

  • When we do, He reveals truth to us. The parables that were a mystery to the proud become clear to the humble heart and believing mind.