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INTRODUCTION TO THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW

Matthews gospel is focused on the 10 Commandments of God (Exodus 20:1-17) and the 40 or more Commandments of Jesus. It's important to realize that the words or sayings (commandments) of Jesus come from God (John 12:49-50). When Jesus spoke, His words were from the Father (God) and not made up by Jesus. This is the basic thesis of my book. The words of Jesus (His commandments) have the same authority as the 10 Commandments in Exodus chapter 20, because God is speaking to us through His son Jesus.

As God spoke to us through the prophets in the Old Testament, He (God) now speaks to us through Jesus Christ in the New Testament.

Matthew 4:4 "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." This verse originated in Deuteronomy 8:3 and was repeated by Jesus because of its importance. Jesus considers all the words in the Bible to come from the mouth of God. How can Jesus say the writings of men are from the mouth of God? People say the prophets were "inspired". Meaning the Holy Spirit inspired them to write down certain words. Unfortunately there is a prevailing train of thought among many religious people, that the prophets may have interjected their own personal thoughts or feelings into their writings. As such, you can never really be sure if the words in the Bible are from God or from man. This leads many people to have different interpretations of the verses in the Bible and has caused much confusion.

Jesus believed that every word in the Bible was from the mouth of God. If anyone should know the truth about the Scriptures, Jesus would know. It has been said that Jesus was God in human form. He should know if the words in the Bible were accurate or just somewhat accurate. The Holy Scriptures will mean nothing to you unless you believe as Jesus did, that every word is from the mouth of God.

I will briefly explain how the writings of men equal the word of God. The prophets in the Old Testament heard a voice, which was the Holy Spirit speaking to them. The prophets simply wrote down what the Holy Spirit told them to write. If you go to Acts 13:2, the Holy Spirit spoke to the disciples, they heard an actual voice. I'm sure it was the same voice the prophets heard in the Old Testament. The voice told them what to do and they did it. It is very important that you understand this and are able to accept it.

[Personal note] Most Christian churches teach that Jesus is God (John 1:1). All power (authority) has been given to Him (Jesus) in Heaven and on Earth (Matthew 28:18).. THEREFORE, YOU ARE TO LIVE YOUR LIFE BY EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS FROM THE MOUTH OF JESUS CHRIST(God)! (pages 6,7)

Matthew 6:19-21 "But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven..." Jesus says to lay up "treasure" in heaven and not on earth. Everyone knows how to lay up treasure on earth (money, houses) but how do you lay up treasure in heaven? First, go to Matthew 19:21 to define what "treasure" means. Matthew 19:21 says treasure is giving money to the poor. Ironic as it seems, when you give money (your treasure) to the poor you are building treasure in heaven where no one can steal it. On earth your treasure (money) can be stolen or go away at any time because of a lost job or economic downturn in the economy. When you build treasure in heaven it will never be stolen and will never disappear.

It is not how much you give but rather a percentage of your income or resources. Remember the "widow's mite" in Mark 12:42-44, Jesus gave her honor and praise because she gave everything she had even though it was only 2 mites (2 small coins).

Verse 21 is a summation of the other two versus. Jesus wants you to spend your life building treasure in heaven, helping those less fortunate than yourself. Jesus makes it clear, if you have spent your life building treasure in heaven, then your heart is in heaven. If your heart is in heaven then someday you will be in heaven with Jesus. (page 15)

Luke 23:43 "Verily, I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise." This is a controversial verse. At first glance, it appears Jesus and the criminal He was talking to, will be going to Paradise (Heaven)right after they die. Luke 23:43 is in direct conflict with John 20:17 (I am not yet ascended to my Father). Unfortunately, nonbelievers use these seemingly contradictions in the Bible to say that the Bible is not accurate. I suggest that both Luke 23:43 and John 20:17 are correct and completely accurate. The problem is our human perspective or point of view on these two verses. I will do my best to explain.

In Luke 23:46, Jesus says, "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit." I suggest that when a person dies, there "spirit" goes into the hands (care) of God. Their body goes into the grave (and waits/sleeps) until the 2nd coming of Jesus and the resurrection of the dead. If you can accept this teaching, then Luke 23:43 is accurate because the "spirit" of Jesus and the criminal went to Paradise(Heaven), where God (the Father) dwells (into His hands). John 20:17 is also accurate because the bodies of Jesus and the criminal stayed here on earth, in the tomb (grave). On the third day (after Jesus was crucified), His "spirit" returned to Him and He came back to life (was resurrected), just like the little girl in Luke 8:52-55. On the last day (end of the world/return of Jesus) our "spirit" will return to us (from the hands of God) and we will come back to life (be resurrected). (page 66)

John 3:17-18 "He that believeth on him is not condemned,but he that believeth not is condemned already..." Jesus came into this world to save as many people as possible, but if you do not believe in Him, you are already under condemnation.

[Personal note] I think it's important to define the word "believe". There are three aspects or parts to "believing" in Jesus. First, you must "believe" that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and can take away your sins. Jesus told the Jews (Pharisees) in John 8:24, that if you do not believe that I am He (the Messiah) you will die in your sins. Only Jesus can take away your sins!

Second, you must obey the words of Jesus Christ. You cannot say you are a follower of Jesus and then do just the opposite of what Jesus commands you to do. If you do not obey Jesus, then you do not "believe" in Him. In Luke 6:46, Jesus says "why call ye me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not the things which I say?" If Jesus is your Lord and Savior, obey Him!

The third aspect of believing in Jesus, is a spiritual one. In John 15:7 Jesus says we are to "abide" in Him. This means we are to dwell or live in Him. Many religious leaders talk about Jesus or the Holy Spirit living in us, but Jesus asks us to live (abide) in Him! In Revelation 1:10, John says he was "in" the Spirit. John does not write that the Spirit was in him but rather he was "in" the Spirit. I will discuss this spiritual concept in more detail as we work our way through the Gospel of John. (Page 72)

John 13:34 "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another..." From the perspective of Jesus, the ability to love is essential to being a Christian. God's definition of love is different than most people. If you truly love someone, you are willing to lay down your life for that person. Jesus sacrificed His life for us therefore we should sacrifice our life for Him (Matthew 10:38-39).

Jesus commands us to love one another. Most people think of "love" as an intense affection for someone else. I would argue that "love" is a decision to deeply care about another person. All of the Commandments of Jesus are based on love. When you feed the poor, visit the sick and those in prison, preach the gospel, and forgive those who sinned against you; these are all acts of love towards other people (your neighbors). When you obey the Commandments of Jesus you are "loving" one another.

When you sin against God or your neighbor, that is the opposite of love. There will be no sin in Heaven, only love. Your life on this planet is a test (Exodus 20:20). Every day of your life, you will be tested. This life is the only chance you have to develop the same beliefs as Jesus. If you live in Him and His words live in you, you will love one another just as He loves you. (page 99)

Revelation 3:5 "He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment (garments)..." Again, Jesus emphasizes the importance of the Christian overcoming (conquering sin). If you succeed, Jesus will not blot out your name from the Book of Life (eternal life).

[Personal note] There are religious leaders who say you cannot lose your salvation once you believe in Jesus. Unfortunately, the words of Jesus contradict that theological belief.

If you do not "overcome", you will not be "clothed in white raiment" (garments),and your name will be blotted out of the "Book of Life" (Revelation 20:15). Jesus constantly repeats this theme of conquering sin in your life throughout the Gospels. This is not an option. You must "abide" in Jesus and His "words" must "abide" in you for this to happen (John 15:6-7). HIS BELIEFS MUST BECOME YOUR BELIEFS! (PAGE 130).

TAKE ACTION!!

Understand the words of Jesus and memorize His Commandments (listed in the Appendix) and begin doing them. Choose a commandment each week and do it; feed the poor, visit the sick or someone in prison, and so on.

As you follow His Commandments, you will become His disciple. As you "overcome" (sin), you will become a son/daughter of God (John 8:34-35).

Jesus wants you to "bear much fruit" (win souls); so you will be my "disciples" (John 15:8). You are to baptize and to teach others "to observe" (keep) His commands (Matthew 28:19-20). Seek to do this within your church; if they reject you and your words, go to another church, or start your own church.

As you turn others to righteousness (Matthew 25:35-37), you will fulfill the prophecy of Daniel and shine like "the stars for ever and ever" (Daniel 12:3). (Page 138)