Country Road Faith

 N.T.#1

Feb. 7, 2023

Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am come not to destroy, but to fulfill. (Matthew 5:17)

Matthew 1

Welcome to the study on the New Testament ya'll. So I was digging through my old notebooks and discovered that the first post on this site was May 17, 2010. Can you believe it it took almost 13 years to study through the Bible together? So I am starting over the N.T. because when I updated my computer, some of the earlier studies were erased.

LET IT GLOW

Besides, the Old Testament is not complete without the New Testament, right? Jesus came to fulfill it, not change it. 

Fulfill in the Greek language, means finish; satisfy; accomplish; preach.

Read our key verse above. Jesus said why He came to earth-to satisfy and accomplish His Word, purpose; to finish what the Law started.

Keep in mind that it had been 400 years of God's silence to the Jews, His chosen people. Heaven seemed to be closed to the Jews. They scattered because of the various empires. But under the Roman rule, the Jews were allowed to practice their own religion and oversee their own affairs. The Jews worshiped under the high priest's guidance, the Sanhedrin rules. Paul enlightens us in his letter to the Galatians (4:4-6):

But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons, And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into the hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

Matthew quotes more than 66 times from the O.T. prophets, showing how Christ fulfills all those promises.

Do we keep our promises?

LET IT GROW

Why does Matthew begin with the genealogy of Jesus Christ?

• The people of Israel were waiting for the Messiah to come and be their king. Matthew begins by showing how Jesus is the descendant of David, to establish who He is and His background. (legal heir to the throne) verse 1-2
• It encourages believers scattered abroad. (verse 2)
• It symbolizes God's glorious mercy. (verses 3-6)
• It shows that God's grace is not inherited; it is given as He will. (verses 7-10)
• It emphasizes the power of God to keep His promises. (verses 11-16)
• It symbolizes generations of spiritual history. (verse 17)

[Resources: The Preacher's Outline & Sermon Bible; Life Application Study Bible]

LET IT GO

Thank You, God, for keeping Your Word for us to study.

How precious it is to be able to read about Your plans and how they were carried out/

Thank You for having plans for Your children, believers in Jesus.

You've got this. If anyone can see us through our trials, You can.

You are bigger than our sorrows and troubles.

Glory to God in the highest!