Matthew- Teach Yourself the Bible Series: The Gospel of God's King

by Keith L. Brooks

Overview

Matthew's gospel is the bridge between Judaism and Christianity, presenting Jesus as the Messiah and mediator of the new covenant. Study the exciting changes that occur as Christian law replaces Levitical law, as the Lord's Supper replaces the Passover, and as the high priesthood of Jesus Christ replaces the old Aaronic priesthood.

The Teach Yourself the Bible series is one of the best New Testament studies you will find anywhere. Each book in the series is packed full of valuable questions on individual chapters of the Bible, check-ups to test your grasp of biblical truths, and usable suggestions for group study.

Grow in your knowledge of God through each New Testament book, then go on to study six aspects of Christianity essential for all believers: doctrine, prayer, eternal life, prophecy, Christian character, and Bible study.

Strengthen your relationship with the living God with all twenty-five books of the Teach Yourself the Bible Series. Each volume is a timeless, yet practical, study of the Word of God.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781575678993
Publisher:	Moody Publishers
Publication date:	06/01/1993
Series:	Teach Yourself the Bible
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	96
File size:	680 KB

About the Author

KEITH L. BROOKS founded the American Prophetic League of Los Angeles in 1930. He was the author of numerous Bible study courses, books, and tracts. Although Keith passed away in 1954, his wife, Laura, continued the ministry of the American Prophetic League until 1960. The League's Prophecy Monthly eventually merged with Moody Bible Institute's Moody Monthly. The published Bible study became the Teach Yourself the Bible Series from Moody Publishers.
KEITH L. BROOKS founded the American Prophetic League of Los Angeles in 1930. He was the author of numerous Bible study courses, books, and tracts. Although Keith passed away in 1954, his wife, Laura, continued the ministry of the American Prophetic League until 1960. The League's Prophecy Monthly eventually merged with Moody Bible Institute's Moody Monthly. The published Bible study became the Teach Yourself the Bible Series from Moody Publishers.

Read an Excerpt

Matthew â" The Gospel of God's King

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By Keith L. Brooks

Moody Publishers

Copyright © 1963 The Moody Bible Institute of Chicago
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-57567-899-3

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CHAPTER 1

Lesson 1

The Arrival of the King

____________________________________________

Matthew 1 and 2

Introduction to Matthew

Genesis opens with the generations of the heavens, earth and man. Matthew opens with the generations of the God-Man through whom there will be new heavens and a new earth. Sin appears at the outset in Genesis, and its course is traced onward. Salvation is presented at the outset in Matthew, and its marvels are unfolded. In Genesis a nation is founded. In Matthew a Church is predicted and the foundations are laid for it.

Matthew writes especially for the Jews. He uses more Old Testament references than the other Gospels put together. There are 120 quotations from 20 books of the Old Testament. The expression "that it might be fulfilled" occurs many times. Matthew presents Jesus to the Jews as the long-promised Redeemer of the Old Testament. He gives the facts necessary to establish the authority of Jesus with the Jews. His genealogy answers the question every Jew would be asking, "Is He of the house of David?" Matthew deals with His relations to Israel, so he goes back to the head of the race of Israel, to Abraham, and to Israel's great king, David. Luke deals with Jesus as the Son of man and goes back to Adam. John deals with Jesus as the Son of God and goes back into eternity.

Of what practical value, then, is Matthew's Gospel to the Church? It is the bridge between Judaism and Christianity. He presents Christ as the Mediator of a new covenant. There was really no new testament (covenant) until the blood was shed. Matthew shows how evangelical law takes the place of Levitical law; how the high priesthood of Jesus takes the place of the Aaronic; how the temporal promises to Israel give place to the spiritual; how the Passover sacrament gives place to the Lord's Supper; how the Jewish Sabbath gives place to the Christian's resurrection first day.

Matthew shows how the foundations of the Church were laid. Acts and the epistles show us how the superstructure was raised. Matthew therefore goes into greater detail as to the foundation teachings of Jesus, and he is very careful to show that these teachings are meant not merely for the Jew but for the whole world.

Chapter 1 is the Birth Chapter

Matthew traces the ancestry of Jesus back to David, and then to Abraham. As the Son of David, Jesus is connected with the Davidic covenant and the throne rights (II Samuel 7:16, 17; I Chronicles 17:7-14). This would be the first question to be settled in the mind of a Jew. Is He of the royal line? Is He to be the King of Israel?

As the Son of Abraham, Jesus is connected with the Abrahamic covenant, which has to do with the promised land (Genesis 12:2, 3; 13:14-17; 15:2-18). This would be the second consideration of a Jew.

It should be noted that while Matthew connects Jesus with the kingly line and proves Him God's appointed King, he nowhere indicates that it was Jesus' purpose in His first advent to overturn the governments of earth and set up His earthly kingdom. This could not occur until the sin question was settled, and the kingly aspect of Jesus' work is therefore always referred to as future, as being the purpose of His second advent.

It will be noted that the genealogy given in Luke (3:23-38) does not correspond with the one given in Matthew. Matthew gives the line from Joseph, the "supposed" father of Jesus, back through Solomon (a younger son of David) to David. Luke gives the line from Mary, the mother of Jesus, through Nathan (another son) back to David. It will be observed, however, that Luke 3:23 says: "the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli." The original here merely says "which was of Heli." Since Matthew tells us (1:16) that it was Jacob who begat Joseph, Heli was evidently connected with Joseph in some other way, probably as his father-in-law. Heli seems to have been Mary's father, as an ancient Jewish writing indicates. Further, Matthew and Luke both indicate clearly that Jesus was not the natural son of Joseph. Hence, Jesus, through Mary His mother, was humanly descended from David through Nathan, while Joseph, His foster father, was descended from David through Solomon and the kings of Judah. It is worthy of notice that Jesus is the only person who can prove His descent from David. His genealogies in Matthew and Luke are the only ones from David that have been preserved in the entire world.

1. Who was the real father of the Child Jesus?

Matthew 1:20 _______________________________

2. How should every Jew have known that the Saviour (Emmanuel) would be virgin-born?

Matthew 1:22, 23 ____________________________

The kings of Judah were all descended from David through Solomon, right down to Jehoiachin (also known as Jeconiah, Coniah and Jechonias). Zedekiah followed Jehoiachin, but was the latter's uncle.

3. What curse was pronounced on Coniah?

Jeremiah 22:28-30 ______________________________

Many think this curse would have barred Jesus from the throne had He been the natural son of Joseph, who was actually descended from Coniah. Others believe this barrier was merely immediate, not affecting the distant future. It is a fact, however, that Joseph's line is traced through Coniah, and Mary's is not. Jesus was not begotten of natural generation. He was born of Mary—not Mary and Joseph. He was not the son of a man. He was THE SON OF MAN, begotten of the Holy Spirit.

4. Of whom was God's Son made?

Galatians 4:4 ____________________________________

5. Whose seed was to destroy Satan, according to the earliest prophecy of the Saviour?

Genesis 3:15 ______________________________________

6. What prophecy, bearing this out, was later given by Isaiah?

Isaiah 7:14 _______________________________________

7. With what special mission was Jesus born into the world?

Matthew 1:21 ______________________________________

8. How did John the Baptist point Jesus out to the first disciples?

John 1:29 ________________________________________

9. In Matthew 1:18-25, how many times at the least, is the virgin birth of Jesus indicated?

Matthew 1:18, 18, 20, 23, 25 __________________________

10. What had one of the prophets said about Bethlehem centuries before?

Micah 5:2 _________________________________________

"Bethlehem" means "House of Bread."

11. By what striking name did Jesus refer to Himself in this connection?

John 6:35 __________________________________________

12. What wish of David's was fulfilled in Bethlehem?

II Samuel 23:15 ____________________________________

13. What is Christ's promise to us?

John 4:14; 7:37, 38 _________________________________

Chapter 2 is the Bethlehem Chapter

The wise men from the East were Gentiles. This seems to be the first indication of the coming fulfillment of God's purposes toward the Gentiles. It is significant that this star was manifested to strangers. Virgil and others say that there was at that time a general expectation of the advent of some great one.

14. What was the twofold purpose of Christ's coming?

Luke 2:32 ________________________________

15. To whom was an earlier revelation of the Saviour's birth made?

Luke 2:8-11 _____________________________

God spoke to the Jews through an angel, and to the Gentiles through a star—in the language each would best understand, perhaps.

16. What title did the wise men give Jesus?

Matthew 2:2 _______________________________

"Born King" is unique. Ordinarily, men are born to be king, or else born and later made king though not born to be.

17. In what spirit did Pilate's soldiers apply the title "King of the Jews" to Jesus?

Matthew 27:29 ____________________________

18. How was this title used in the writing above His head on the cross?

Matthew 27:37 ____________________________

19. How did the wise men use it?

Matthew 2:2 (last clause) ___________________

20. How did Herod and the people of Jerusalem take the news of the birth of the King?

Matthew 2:3 _________________________________

This is a summary of today's experience. Christ is either the source of keenest trouble or supreme joy.

There had been recent agitations, so the ancient historian Josephus tells us, and six thousand Pharisees had refused the oath of allegiance to Herod. They had quoted prophecies of the coming of a King from heaven who would overthrow him. Perhaps this was why Herod was disturbed. Perhaps the people feared Herod's rage. Underneath all this fear was the mistaken notion that Christ's kingdom would then clash with the secular powers. The star itself intimated a heavenly kingdom. The heavenly kingdom was at hand.

21. Who understood Micah's prophecy (Micah 5:2) to refer to the birthplace of Israel's Messiah or Christ?

Matthew 2:4-6 ________________________________

22. What did Herod pretend he too wanted to do?

Matthew 2:8 __________________________________

23. What was the wise men's reaction when they saw the star again?

Matthew 2:10 ___________________________________

24. In telling of the finding of the right place, does Scripture mention the mother of the Child first?

Matthew 2:11 _____________________________________

25. When the wise men fell down, whom did they worship?

Matthew 2:11 _________________________________

26. When the angel spoke to Joseph, who was mentioned first?

Matthew 2:13 ____________________________________

27. When the angel spoke to Joseph later in Egypt, who was mentioned first?

Matthew 2:20 ___________________________________

28. Whom does Matthew mention first?

Matthew 2:21 __________________________________

This is no literary blunder. This Child is God, for God only is to be worshiped.

29. What titles are applied to this Child by Isaiah, in one verse?

Isaiah 9:6 __________________________________ ___________________________________________

As a man child, Jesus was "born"; as the eternal Son, He was "given," for He was pre-existent.

Here is divine homage paid to an infant in arms, in an obscure house. It is unparalleled. If Jesus was not the divine Son of God, they were gross idolaters. Evidently the Babe Jesus, in all His obscurity, was thought to be greater than Solomon in all his glory, for Solomon was not worshiped.

30. What warning was given the wise men from God?

Matthew 2:12 ______________________________________

31. To whom does Matthew apply the prophet's statement about Israel being called out of Egypt?

Matthew 2:15; HOSEA 11:1 __________________________

32. What did Herod, in his anger, cause to be done?

Matthew 2.16 ________________________________

Ordinarily, Satan does not seem to be greatly concerned about babies, but how early he tried to kill Jesus! We wonder how God could permit such a slaughter. But remember that these babies were martyrs for Jesus' sake. Surely they will have a martyr's reward. Shall we call them the "infantry" of the army of martyrs?

33. What had God done to the murderer Herod meanwhile?

Matthew 2:19, 20 ___________________________

This is the history of all assaults ever made on Christ and His kingdom—whether by infidels, critics, institutions or nations. They fade away. Those who seek His saving power never die.

34. In what city of Galilee was Jesus reared?

Matthew 2:23 __________________________________

check-up time No. 1 __________________

You have concluded your study of chapters 1 and 2, dealing with the Arrival of the King. Review now by rereading the questions and your answers. If you are not sure of some answer, reread the Scripture portion given. Then take the following test to see how well you understand and remember the truths thus far studied.

In the right-hand margin write "True" or "False" after each of the following statements.

1. The angel of the Lord told Joseph that that which was conceived in Mary was of the Holy Ghost. __________

2. The Bible says God's Son was made of a woman. __________

3. John the Baptist pointed out Jesus as "the Light of the world." __________

4. The prophet who said Christ would be born in Bethlehem was Hosea. __________

5. It was David who longed for a drink from the well in Bethlehem. __________

6. The wise men referred to Jesus as "the Son of God." __________

7. The title "King of the Jews" was used above Jesus' cross to indicate the "crime" of which He was accused. __________

8. Herod and the people of Jerusalem were troubled at the report that a King was born. __________

9. The wise men worshiped the Child and His mother. __________

10. The prophet that said "Out of Egypt have I called my son" was Hosea. __________

Turn to page 96 and check your answers.

CHAPTER 2

Lesson 2

The Introduction of the King

___________________________

Matthew 3 and 4

Ten-elevenths of Jesus' life was spent in obscurity at Nazareth. One-third of the four Gospels is devoted to the story of the last seven days of Jesus' life. This is an unparalleled biography. Jesus came into the world to die, not to live. He was now about thirty years old.

Chapter 3 is the Baptism Chapter

1. What did John the Baptist say was at hand?

Matthew 3:2 _______________________________

2. What did John say the people must do in preparation for the kingdom?

Matthew 3:2 ___________________________________

3. What did Jesus say was the great requirement for being a part of this kingdom?

John 3:3, 5, 7 ____________________________________

4. Does the fact that one uses religious terms necessarily indicate that he belongs to the heavenly kingdom?

Matthew 7:21 _____________________________________

5. What did Jesus say in the Sermon on the Mount is perhaps the first requirement?

Matthew 5:3 ______________________________________

6. How did Jesus put it on another occasion?

Mark 10:15 _______________________________________

Dr. Maclaren says: "The kingdom of heaven is the rule of God through Christ, present wherever wills bow to Him, future as to complete realization." Dr. F. B. Meyer says it is the heavenly kingdom, the reign of God over the hearts and lives of men.

7. Describe the apparel of John, the King's herald.

Matthew 3:4 ______________________________________

Those who expected Messiah as a temporal prince would look for a forerunner in pomp and splendor. John was unpretentious in the eyes of the world.

8. Did John go to the people or did they come to him?

Matthew 3:5 ____________________________________

9. In contrast, what does the Lord's Great Commission require of Christians?

Matthew 28:19 ________________________________

10. What did John evidently expect the people to do when he baptized them?

Matthew 3:6 __________________________________

11. What "washing does every man need?

Titus 3:5 __________________________________

12. What further significance did the rite of baptism assume after Christ's death and resurrection?

Romans 6:3, 4; Colossians 2:12. Identification with Him in ________________________________________

13. Who besides John discerned the evil motives of the Pharisees and others, and roundly condemned them?

Matthew 23:27, 28 ______________________________

Some have said about John: "He is savage, vulgar, sensational." Others have said: "He is a plain talker, but his old axe cut me loose from the world, and he broke my heart with his story about the Lamb of God."

14. Will having good relatives or pious ancestors save anybody?

Matthew 3:9; JOHN 8:39, 44 _______________________

15. What did John say God could do if He wished?

Matthew 3:9 _______________________________

16. In what two elements was Jesus to baptize?

Matthew 3:11 ___________________________________

Baptism with the Holy Spirit evidently refers to believers, while the context indicates baptism with fire refers to judgment on unbelievers.

17. Are all believers baptized with the Holy Spirit into the body of Christ, or only some believers?

I Corinthians 12:12, 13 _____________________________

18. Did John the Baptist discover that Jesus was the One who would baptize with the Holy Spirit and was the Son of God, before or after he baptized Him?

John 1:33, 34 ______________________________________

19. Since He was perfectly sinless, why did Jesus insist that John baptize Him?

Matthew 3:15 _______________________________________

Jesus, evidently, was baptized "unto righteousness" instead of "unto repentance." By accepting John's baptism, He approved John and His message, and began to identify Himself with His sinful people.

20. How many of the three Persons in the Godhead are referred to in connection with Jesus' baptism?

Matthew 3:16, 17 ________________________________

21. In what form did the Spirit of God descend upon Jesus?

Matthew 3:16 ______________________________________

22. What was the Father's estimate of the Lord Jesus at this time?

Matthew 3:17 _________________________

23. Is this same estimate repeated or altered near the end of Christ's ministry?

Matthew 17:5 ________________________

24. If we become sons, or children, of God, how must it come about?

John 1:12 ___________________________

Chapter 4 is the Temptation Chapter

25. Who led the Lord Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted?

Matthew 4:1 _________________________

The word "spirit" is "Spirit" in the Authorized Standard Version.

26. What is Satan's first word in the New Testament?

Matthew 4:3 _______________________

(Continues...)

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Excerpted from Matthew â" The Gospel of God's King by Keith L. Brooks. Copyright © 1963 The Moody Bible Institute of Chicago. Excerpted by permission of Moody Publishers.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

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Table of Contents

Contents

Lesson 1: The Arrival of the King,
Lesson 2: The Introduction of the King,
Lesson 3: The Principles of the King,
Lesson 4: The Credentials of the King,
Lesson 5: The Rejection of the King,
Lesson 6: The Parables of the King,
Lesson 7: The Purpose of the King,
Lesson 8: The Standards of the King,
Lesson 9: The Acclaim of the King,
Lesson 10: The Return of the King,
Lesson 11: The Condemnation of the King,
Lesson 12: The Triumph of the King,
Suggestions for class use,
Answer key to self-check tests,