SF892 - The Dawning of the Light (Matthew 4 12-25)

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Matthew 4:12-25

Introduction

One of the most beautiful metaphors used to describe Jesus’ nature and character is that of light.  In conveys the idea of the illuminating, truth-revealing, and sin-exposing ministry of the Son of God.  (MacArthur “Matthew 1-7,” 101-103)

John 1:4-5 (NASB) 4In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. 5The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

John 3:19-21 (NASB) 19“This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil.  20“For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.  21“But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.”

John 8:12 (NASB) 12Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”

John in his gospel (1:19-4:42) tells use that about a year elapsed between Jesus’ wilderness temptations and the events recorded in Matthew 4:12-25.  During that year Jesus performed His first miracle at the wedding in Cana (John 2:1-11), cleansed the Temple (John 2:12-25), met with Nicodemus (3:1-21), received a final public testimony from John the Baptist (John 3:22-36), and ministered to the woman at the well in Samaria (4:1-42).

Matthew picks up the narrative with the “Dawning to the Light” we are told of the Coming of the Light, the Companions of the Light, and the Conformation of the Light.

1A.      The Coming of the Light  (4:12-17)

1B.      The Light came at the right time  (4:12a)

The time was right for the Light to appear.

Romans 5:6 (NASB) 6For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.

2B.      The Light came to the right place  (4:12b-16)

It was the right place geographically - Galilee

“It (Galilee) was more of a crossroads than Jerusalem.  One ancient writer said Judea (Jerusalem) was on the way to nowhere, whereas Galilee was on the way to everywhere.”  (MacArthur, 106-107)

It was the right place ethnically - Gentiles

“The Lord’s move to Capernaum placed Him right in the middle of all the bustle of a world where Hebrew and heathen met and mingled as nowhere else in the promised Land.”  (John Phillips, “Exploring the Gospels, Matthew,” 80.)

It was the right place spiritually – Dark and dead

Galilee had long been the home of spiritual compromise and darkness.  The Light always shines brightest where it is darkest.

3B.      The Light came with the right proclamation  (4:17)

Notice the essence of His proclamation – repent!

Notice the urgency of His proclamation – the Kingdom of heaven is at hand  (2 Corinthians 6:2)


2A.      The Companions of the Light  (4:18-22)

1B.      The kind of men they were.

They were common men.

1 Corinthians 1:26-29 (NASB) 26For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; 27but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, 28and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, 29so that no man may boast before God.

They were converted men.  (John 1:35-51; 2:11)

2B.      The kind of ministry they performed. - “fishers of men”

Fishermen must be patient.

Fishermen must have perseverance.

Fishermen must know when and where to fish.

Fishermen must be courageous.

Fishermen must keep himself out of sight.

3B.      The kind of model they followed. - “follow Me”

Jesus was available and never hurried.

Jesus showed no favoritism.

Jesus was sensitive to the needs of others.

Jesus was tender and compassionate with those He sought to win.

Jesus encouraged public confessions of faith.

3A.      The Confirmation of the Light  (4:23-25)

1B.      The Light’s deity was confirmed by His words 

The Lord’s teaching ministry

Ø      Teaching (didasko) the passing on of information, focused on content, with the purpose of discovering truth.

Ø      He taught in the synagogues because that is where people came to learn about God.

The Lord’s preaching ministry

Ø      Proclaiming (kerusso) to preach, focuses on announcing the message.

Ø      He proclaimed the gospel, good news!

Ø      The good news is that the darkness has been defeated by the Light of God!

Colossians 1:13-14 (NASB) 13For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

2B.      The Light’s deity was confirmed by His works

His mastery over man’s spiritual maladies  – demoniacs

Ø      Often in the NT we are told that demonic activity in unbelievers manifested itself in physical and mental illnesses.

His mastery over man’s mental/emotional maladies – epileptics

Ø      Epileptics (seleniazo) is sometimes translated “lunatic” literally “moonstruck”

His mastery over man’s physical maladies – paralytics


Application

Are you in the Light?

John 8:12 (NASB) 12Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”

Are you showing forth the Light?

Matthew 5:14-16 (NASB) 14“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; 15“nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16“Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.


THE DAWNING TO THE LIGHT
Matthew 4:12-25

1A.      The Coming of the Light  (4:12-17)

1B.      The Light came at the right _______________  (4:12a)

Romans 5:6 (NASB) 6For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.

2B.      The Light came to the right _______________  (4:12b-16)

It was the right place geographically - Galilee

It was the right place ethnically - Gentiles

It was the right place spiritually – Dark and dead

3B.      The Light came with the right _________________  (4:17)

Notice the essence of His proclamation – _______________!

Notice the urgency of His proclamation – the Kingdom of heaven is at hand  (2 Corinthians 6:2)

2A.      The Companions of the Light  (4:18-22)

1B.      The kind of ____________________ they were.

They were _________________ men.  (1 Corinthians 1:26-29)

They were converted men.  (John 1:35-51; 2:11)


2B.      The kind of _______________ they performed. - “fishers of men”

Fishermen must be patient.

Fishermen must have perseverance.

Fishermen must know when and where to fish.

Fishermen must be courageous.

Fishermen must keep himself out of sight.

3B.      The kind of _________________ they followed. - “follow Me”

Jesus was available and never hurried.

Jesus showed no favoritism.

Jesus was sensitive to the needs of others.

Jesus was tender and compassionate with those He sought to win.

Jesus encouraged public confessions of faith.

3A.      The Confirmation of the Light  (4:23-25)

1B.      The Light’s deity was confirmed by His _______________

The Lord’s teaching ministry

The Lord’s preaching ministry (Colossians 1:13-14)

2B.      The Light’s deity was confirmed by His ________________

His mastery over man’s spiritual maladies  – demoniacs

His mastery over man’s mental/emotional maladies – epileptics

His mastery over man’s physical maladies – paralytics

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