Matthew 27

• Matthew 27:1-5 – Judas tries to return the betrayal money, but the Jews refuse to take it back. This fulfilled the prophecy in Zechariah 11:12-13.
• Matthew 27:7-8 – This “field of blood” was a clear geographical fact that early readers of the gospels would have been able to check.
• Matthew 27:11-14 – Jesus did speak, but He did not answer to any charges, in fulfillment of the prophecy in Isaiah 53:7.
• Matthew 27:17-23 – Pilate tried to rally support for Jesus, but when he couldn’t, he bowed to pressure from the crowd and sent Jesus to be crucified.
• Matthew 27:26 – The fact that scourging is mentioned so lightly here indicates that this writing is inspired. A human author would have made much more of this.
• Matthew 27:35 – Like scourging in Matthew 27:26, crucifixion is almost treated as an aside here. The soldiers dividing Jesus’ garments fulfills the prophecy in Psalms 22:18. See John 3:14 where Jesus compares His own death to the bronze serpent.
• Matthew 27:38 – See Isaiah 53:9. Jesus being crucified with criminals and being buried in the tomb of a wealthy man were both prophesied.
• Matthew 27:39-44 – See Psalms 22:7-8. This prophecy is fulfilled almost word for word.
• Matthew 27:46 – See Psalms 22:1.

Matthew 28

• Matthew 28:1-10 – See I Corinthians 15:3-8 – This is a summation of the gospel:
  • Christ died.
  • He was buried.
  • He was raised.
  • He appeared to more than 500 people.
• Matthew 28:11-15 – This is one of many theories propounded to try to disprove the resurrection of Jesus.
• Matthew 28:16-20 – Jesus gave the great commission to the eleven disciples. Note Acts 8 where the disciples went everywhere spreading the gospel.

God does not expect us to believe blindly

• Jesus feeds 5,000 with loaves and fishes.
• Jesus heals the man let down through the roof.
• Can you communicate your faith to others?

The importance of compassion

• Matthew 14:14; Mark 6:34 – Jesus had compassion on the crowd.
• Mark 1:40-41 – Jesus had compassion on the leper.
• Matthew 20:32-34 – Jesus heals the blind men.
• Luke 7:11-15
• John 11
• Matthew 23:37
• If I’m going to be like Jesus, I must develop compassion, even when I am tired or frustrated.

Bring your faith

• Matthew 8:23-27; Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:22-25 – We must know that Jesus hears and cares.

Let it be done for you according to your faith

• Matthew 8:5-13 – Jesus heals the centurion’s servant.
• Matthew 9:27-31 – Jesus heals the blind men.
• James 1:5-8 – Ask without doubting.
• What can God not do through me because I don’t trust Him?
• Mark 9:23-24 – “I belief! Help my unbelief!”

Don’t let others deter your faith

• Luke 18:35-43
• Mark 5:21-43

Hatred is powerfully toxic

• Luke 22:47-54 – No one was turned from their hatred, even by seeing Jesus miraculously heal a man.
• James 3:13-18 – Warning against bitterness and selfish ambition.
• Matthew 5:43-48
• Romans 12:14-21 – Overcome evil with good.

Introduction

• What does it mean to be a man of faith?
• Faith is not an abstract concept – faith is an action.

What is faith?

• What does faith mean to you?
  • Belief
  • Confidence
  • Acceptance
  • Trust
  • Obedience
  • Conviction
  • Submission
  • Certainty
  • Action
  • Loyalty
  • Hope
  • Perseverance
• Hebrews 11:1-3
  • Substance – essential nature
  • Evidence – an outward sign; indication
  • Understanding – to grasp the meaning of
    • What is spiritual understanding?
      • We are familiar with and have knowledge of the priorities of God.
      • We have deeply thought about what God wants, what He loves.
      • We acknowledge how God has been active in our own lives.
      • We have immersed ourselves in His scriptures so that we grasp the deeper and subtler truths in them.
    • Our spiritual understanding translates to practical things as well.
      • We are able to discern good from evil, even when they are not apparent.
      • We learn how to build others up, to put others first, and to treat them as we would have them treat us.
      • This is faith maturing and as time goes by, as we mature, our faith grows deeper.
      • We can develop and strengthen our Faith.

Matthew 26

• There are three groups of people that stand out in this chapter:
  • Jewish leaders – showed great hatred
  • Apostles – notice how Jesus dealt with them despite their problems
  • Women – These are the ones who Jesus elevated for their actions.
• Matthew 26:2 – See Matthew 16:21-23.
• Matthew 26:3-5 – The Jews actively conspired to kill Jesus. Compare Matthew 27:18; Acts 2:36.
• Matthew 26:7-13 – This was a wildly expensive ointment (see parallel passage John 12:3-8) – possibly equivalent to a year’s wages.

Introduction

• Mark 9:33-37
• Mark 10:13-16
• Psalms 78:1-4

Worship

… should always come from the heart.

• Psalms 95:1-11 – We should worship joyfully because of who God is and what He has done.
• Matthew 15:8

… involves participation.

• Encourage your children to pay attention and participate in whatever way they can in the worship service.

… is not time to play.

• John 4:23-24
• Sometimes with little ones, you’re just trying to survive, but don’t just give up and don’t let bad habits form.

Praying

• Kids are often great at praying!
• Matthew 6:5-13
• Acts 12:12
• I Peter 3:12

Preaching

• Deuteronomy 31:10-13 – The Israelites were to listen to God’s word, including the kids.
• Joshua 8:33-35 – The entire law was read to everyone, including the children.
• Ezekiel 33:31

Singing

• Colossians 3:16
• This is something kids can do!

Giving

• I Corinthians 16:1

Lord’s Supper

• I Corinthians 11:23-26
• Matthew 26:29
• This is a memorial that also helps us teach our children.

Conclusion

• Make sure the main focus is on God, not people.