Matthew 4 Study Guide PT. Four

We did not finish Matthew 4 last Wednesday. We finished somewhere around Matthew 4:20ff. Continue to study and think about Jesus call of discipleship. Consider the example of Simon, Andrew, James, and John with their "immediate" following of Christ. Take some time also to consider Matthew's summary statement of Jesus threefold ministry of teaching, preaching, and healing in Matthew 4:23-25. I look forward to seeing you on Wednesday.

Andrew

Matthew 4 Study Guide PT. Three

This Wednesday, April 18th, we will discuss the remaining few verses of Matthew 4, specifically, Matthew 4:17-25. Notice Matthew 4:17 begins with "from that time," we will see this phrase again in Matthew 16:21, suggesting a significant break or shift in thought. Matthew has established that Jesus is qualified to be the Messiah by his "fulfilling all righteousness" through his baptism and temptation, not this section of Matthew introduces the beginning of Jesus ministry. It begins with the calling of his disciples and is characterized by his threefold ministry of teaching, preaching, and healing (cf 9:35). Matthew expounds on this threefold ministry of Jesus in Matthew 5-9. In Matthew 5-7 we are given an example of his teaching and preaching ministry and in Matthew 8-9 we have recorded 10 miracles that include healing.

I trust to see you this Wednesday

Andrew

Preaching the Word

This Sunday I have been asked to preach at Wayside Gospel Chapel in Greentown, Pa. The title for my message is "The Tempter and the Tempted." The text for this message is Matthew 4:1-11. I ask that you will right now as you read this blog post pray for me and for those who will hear the message.

A Servant of Christ,
Andrew Manwarren

Matthew 4 Study Guide PT. One

This Wednesday we will wrap up any thoughts concerning the baptism of Christ in Matthew 3 and we will consider the temptation of Jesus Christ in Matthew 4:1-11. To try and do any more than that this Wednesday would be to much. Jesus Christ's baptism and temptation go together. They are unique yet crucially connected and this bible study we will explore some of those connections. Here are some suggestions/thoughts/comments...

1) Read Deuteronomy 6-8. If you do nothing else, please read this portion of Scripture.

2) Did you notice who led him up into the wilderness? Does this strike you as odd? Is God leading his son Jesus into temptation? Who does the tempting here in this passage?

3) Why is he tempted in the wilderness? Why not in the city, or in a garden, etc? What is the significance of "wilderness" in biblical theology? See Numbers 20:5; Hosea 2:14-23

4) Jesus Christ fasted "forty days and forty nights." Is there any significance to this? Can you think of any other examples in Scripture of 40 days and nights?

5) Twice Satan says to Jesus Christ, "If you are the Son of God..." This is an important connection with God saying to his Son, "This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased." (Matthew 3:17; cf Matthew 4:3, 6).

6) Consider 1 John 2:16, "...lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, pride of life..." in relation to the three temptations offered by Satan to Jesus, indeed, even to Adam and Eve.

7) In relation to the previous point, consider Hebrews 2:17-18 and Hebrews 4:18. Do these verses in connection with the temptation of Jesus comfort you?

Hopefully this will jump start you for this Wednesday.