The Gospel of Matthew — King & Kingdom

Pivot
January 16, 2022
Chris Seidman, Lead Minister, The Branch Church

Matthew 4:12-17 (NIV)
When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee. Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali – to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah:

“Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles – the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.”

From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

16 Passages in Isaiah which speak of the kingdom of God, and all speak in terms of “deliverance” or “salvation”

1. Isaiah 9:1-7,11
2. Isaiah 24:14-25:12
3. Isaiah 26
4. Isaiah 31:1-32:20
5. Isaiah 33
6. Isaiah 35
7. Isaiah 40:1-11
8. Isaiah 42-44:8
9. Isaiah 49
10. Isaiah 51:1-52:12
11. Isaiah 52:13-53:12
12. Isaiah 54
13. Isaiah 56
14. Isaiah 60
15. Isaiah 61
16. Isaiah 62

In these passages you will find these words …

• Peace (14 passages)
• Healing (7 passages)
• Joy (12 passages)
• Return from estrangement with God (9 passages)
• Righteousness/Justice/Fairness in how we treat one another (16 passages)

Matthew 4:18-22 (NIV)
As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.

Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

Matthew 4:23-25 (NIV)
Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.

News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed; and he healed them.

Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.

Proverbs 18:14 (NIV)
The human spirit can endure in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?

Psalm 34:18 (NIV)
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

So What?

• His kingdom is not of this world, but it is for this world.

• The kingdom flows through the king – follow Him.

• Following Jesus often involves being led into the darkness and the needs of others.

Matthew 4:16 (NIV)
“… the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.”

Communion

Is there a particular area or issue in your life where you are being called to pivot and go the way of Jesus?