Minister: Marcus Carlson

• New series-Who is Jesus
• Hope for this series to connect you with Jesus…some side information to get you reading, thinking, and connecting
• Story of Ghandi and Jesus
• If it was all about Jesus, there would be no issues
• Look at all four gospels and the birth story
• 4 gospels are Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John
• Called gospels as they tell the good news…the story of Jesus life, teaching and purpose
• Some of the same stories and points in many of these
• Some different stories as well
• Different things emphasized much like when we tell a story or are present for some events and not others—each gospel provides a different angle
• Today we are going to see what the book of Matthew tells us about Jesus that is different or distinct and that we might not know
• First of gospels in order, but not first written (Mark was first)
• Stars with genealogy (very exciting)---story and ends with great commission
• More of a life snapshot than any of the other gospels…gives background and credibility to audience of time and future—it is about events more than anything else
• Most significant aspect from Matthew is that it shows us Jesus’ Jewish nature and heritage---Jesus was Jewish!
• He is the continuation and change of direction of the Jewish story of faith
• Here are some of the aspects of his Jewish nature shown in Matthew:
  • Teacher/Wisdom
  • Law keeper—was very obedient
  • Knew scriptures and laws---new and quoted Old Testament
  • Worked hard and was devout
  • No separation of faith and life in general (for us it is a sidebar—RANT)
  • Meant it and lived it
• There are other ways demonstrated in Matthew that showed how Jesus was not Jewish
  • He was rebellious to the perceived purpose of the laws
  • People he hung around with---broke cultural laws and codes and cliques
  • Birth story conspiracy (will talk about on the 23^rd)
  • Messiah
  • Fights much of status quo
  • Broke rules without breaking rules and set a new standard
  • He was very faithful---not about motions or traditions
  • Held scripture in high authority but focused on principles rather than letter of law
• He was Jewish---and took heritage seriously, but came to usher in a new way as the Messiah to fulfill the promises of the scripture
• It is all about love, grace, and freedom to live a full life
• He was a real person in a real culture in history who conformed and rebelled
• He honored his culture while trying to change it
• It was not about him---no selfishness (RANT)