INTERESTING FACT : Samuel Adams Samuel Adams (September 27 [O.S. September 16] 1722 - October 2, 1803) was an American statesman, political philosopher, and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. As a politician in colonial Massachusetts, Adams was a leader of the movement that became the American Revolution, and was one of the architects of the principles of American republicanism that shaped the political culture of the United States. He was a second cousin to President John Adams.[1]

 

"Let each citizen remember at the moment he is offering his vote that he is not making a present or a compliment to please an individual - or at least that he ought not so to do; but that he is executing one of the most solemn trusts in human society for which he is accountable to God and his country." [2]

 

Daily Reading : MATTHEW 27 - 28; MARK 1 - 2

 

TEXT : Mat 27:35  And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots. Mat 27:36  And sitting down they watched him there;

 

Mat 27:37  And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS. Mat 28:1  In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. Mat 28:2  And, behold,   there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. Mat 28:3  His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: Mat 28:4  And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. Mat 28:5  And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. Mat 28:6  He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. Mat 28:7  And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.  

 

THEME : THE GOSPEL

 

Matthew 27 

 

It is a very affecting story which is recorded in this chapter concerning the sufferings and death of our Lord Jesus. Considering the thing itself, there cannot be a more tragical story told us; common humanity would melt the heart, to find an innocent and excellent person thus misused. But considering the design and fruit of Christ's sufferings, it is gospel, it is good news, that Jesus Christ was thus delivered for our offences; and there is nothing we have more reason to glory in than the cross of Christ. In this chapter, observe,  I. How he was prosecuted.  1. The delivering of him to Pilate (Mat_27:1, Mat_27:2).  2. The despair of Judas (Mat_27:3-10).  3. The arraignment and trial of Christ before Pilate (Mat_27:11-14).  4. The clamours of the people against him (Mat_27:15-25).  5. Sentence passed, and the warrant signed for his execution (Mat_27:26).  II. How he was executed.  1. He was barbarously used (Mat_27:27-30).  2. Led to the place of execution (Mat_27:31-33).  3. There he had all possible indignities done him, and reproaches cast upon him (Mat_27:34-44).  4. Heaven frowned upon him (Mat_27:45-49).  5. Many remarkable things attended his death (Mat_27:50-56). He was buried and a watch set on his grave (Mat_27:57-66). [Matthew Henry] [3]

 

Matthew 28 

 

The resurrection of Christ declared by an angel to the two Marys at the sepulchre, Mat_28:1-6. They are commissioned to announce this to the disciples, Mat_28:7. They go, and are met by Christ himself who promises to meet the disciples in Galilee, Mat_28:8-10. The watch go into the city, and report to the chief priests what had taken place, Mat_28:11. They give them money, to say that his disciples had stolen the body by night, while they slept, Mat_28:12-15. Christ meets the eleven disciples in a mountain of Galilee, Mat_28:16, Mat_28:17. He gives them a commission to preach the Gospel throughout the earth; to baptize in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; and promises to be with them to the end of the world, Mat_28:18-20. [Adam Clarke][4]

 

The Gospel of Mark

 

Mark was a sister's son to Barnabas, Col_4:10; and Act_12:12 shows that he was the son of Mary, a pious woman of Jerusalem, at whose house the apostles and first Christians assembled. From Peter's styling him his son, 1Pe_5:13, the evangelist is supposed to have been converted by that apostle. Thus Mark was closely united with the followers of our Lord, if not himself one of the number. Mark wrote at Rome; some suppose that Peter dictated to him, though the general testimony is, that the apostle having preached at Rome, Mark, who was the apostle's companion, and had a clear understanding of what Peter delivered, was desired to commit the particulars to writing. And we may remark, that the great humility of Peter is very plain where any thing is said about himself. Scarcely an action or a work of Christ is mentioned, at which this apostle was not present, and the minuteness shows that the facts were related by an eye-witness. This Gospel records more of the miracles than of the discourses of our Lord, and though in many things it relates the same things as the Gospel according to St. Matthew, we may reap advantages from reviewing the same events, placed by each of the evangelists in that point of view which most affected his own mind. [Matthew Henry][5]

 

TRUTH FOR TODAY : "THE GOSPEL IS STILL THE SAME IT HAS NEVER CHANGED!"

 

The Gospel is still the same. It has never changed.  The New Testament word for preaching is "kerygma." It is related to the Greek word - "kerusso." Both words should refer to the preaching of the Gospel.  However, the summation of the New Testament is found in just a few basic teachings.  They are - the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Collectively these primary teachings are referred to by that Greek word kerygma.  The teachings of the New Testament, obviously, go well beyond these three events of the LORD.[6]Nevertheless, the crux of the Gospel is found in the death, burial, and resurrection of the LORD Jesus Christ.  Without these three events, the life and ministry of Jesus of Nazareth would crumble beneath the weight of its own unreliable testimony.

 

In other words, the death, burial, and resurrection of the LORD Jesus Christ, is fundamental and endemic to the 27 books of the New Testament.  Thus, in Matthew chapters 27and 28, we have the primary principles of the King of Kings, and the LORD of Lords - Jesus Christ.  The entire purpose of the coming of the Messiah is contained in these three areas of His life.  However, you could add the Second Coming of Jesus Christ to judge the living and the dead as part of the kerygma of the New Testament.  Nevertheless, without Jesus' death we could not be forgiven, without Jesus burial we would not have confidence that He truly died, and of course, if he did not raise Himself from the dead we would have no hope for the future.

 

This is why you must pay close attention to what is described in Matthew chapters 27th and 28.  Pontus Pilate is amazed that Jesus of Nazareth is already dead.  The body of Jesus is begged so that He would have a proper burial.  Further, great signs and wonders of company the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his subsequent burial in that tomb.   It is a woman who is the first to go to the tomb early Sunday morning to dress the body of Jesus Christ.  Once she arrives, she is shocked that the body of Jesus is not there.  Soon after, the LORD Jesus Christ appears to her and after she is encouraged by His resurrection, she is told to go and tell His disciples that He is alive, and raised from the dead.  Once again, this is the crux of the Gospel.

 

With Jesus' death He becomes the atonement for the sins of humanity.  However, with His burial and subsequent resurrection He becomes the hope of all who believe on Him.  At this point you must be made aware that everything a Christian believes is predicated on the reliable testimony of the Apostles who wrote the New Testament.  That said, the hope of mankind rests on the kerygma of the Gospel.  That is to say, the fact that there is an afterlife, there is a place called Heaven, there is the One True God ruling and reigning in the universe who will take all who believe in His Son Jesus Christ to be with Him forever in His kingdom.  This is the reason we live.  It is found in the truth of the kerygma of the Gospel has talked of the Apostles of the LORD Jesus Christ.

 

Jesus taught that His followers should go into all nations teaching them to observe all things whatsoever He had commanded.  Otherwise known as the Great Commission, the instructions of Jesus Christ to go to all peoples of all nations with the kerygma are specifically designed to make men disciples.  The word disciple or disciples is the primary word and the New Testament to describe a true Christian.  In other words, whatever denomination, fellowship, or particular Church a professing Christian belongs to; in order to be a true follower of the LORD Jesus Christ you must accept the kerygma in your heart.  This means, obedience to His commands, instructions, thoughts, teachings, and whatever else is written in the New Testament is to be acted on, not merely heard with the ears.

 

Like the woman, then afterward the disciples, then eventually all the known world - particularly those who believed, the joy of truly knowing Christ is founded upon a belief that translates into actions, deeds, and behavior.  In other words, the Gospel of Jesus Christ is not just a story.  It is designed by God to form a new creature, one who, in spirit, is a son or daughter of the living God.

 

This now lends to a critical point.  You can be confident that at least five things have never changed since the beginning of time.  The first is God the Father.  The second is God the Son.  The third is God the Holy Spirit.  The fourth is the Devil.  The fifth is Man.  With this truth clearly established, especially knowing the evil that is in Satan and the subsequent evil and sin that is in Man, the Gospel of the LORD Jesus Christ is still as relevant today as it was 2000 years ago.  It is somewhat astonishing that preachers in America devise "new ways" to reach people for Jesus.  The truth is there is nothing new under the sun.  All have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God.  Christ Jesus came into the world to save the sinners.  The preaching (kerygma) of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is God's ordained method to win souls and convert them.  The Bible will always be a relevant Book until there are no more sinners, and no more need for a Savior.

 

When the last sinner is saved, and the LORD Jesus Christ has set up His kingdom, then there will be no more need for preaching.  Until then, the pastor or preacher must preach the Word God - in the season and out of season - reproving, rebuking, and exhorting.  Once Christ comes back, then the kerygma of the Gospel will end.  However, for now, the preaching of the Gospel must go to the ends of the earth.  When it does, and the trumpet sounds, you will go home to be with Jesus Christ forever.  This is relevance, and nothing else will do.  The Gospel is still the same, it has never changed.

1.The promises of God made in the OT have now been fulfilled with the coming of Jesus the Messiah (Book of Acts 2:30; 3:19, 24, 10:43; 26:6-7, 22; Epistle to the Romans 1:2-4; 1 Timothy 3:16; Epistle to the Hebrews 1:1-2; 1 Peter 1:10-12; 2 Peter 1:18-19).

2.Jesus was anointed by God at his baptism as Messiah (Acts 10:38).

3.Jesus began his ministry in Galilee after his baptism (Acts 10:37).

4.He conducted a beneficent ministry, doing good and performing mighty works by the power of God (Mk 10:45; Acts 2:22; 10:38).

5.The Messiah was crucified according to the purpose of God (Mk 10:45; Jn 3:16; Acts 2:23; 3:13-15, 18; 4:11; 10:39; 26:23; Ro 8:34; 1 Corinthians 1:17-18; 15:3; Galatians 1:4; Heb 1:3; 1Peter 1:2, 19; 3:18; 1 Jn 4:10).

6.He was raised from the dead and appeared to his disciples (Acts 2:24, 31-32; 3:15, 26; 10:40-41; 17:31; 26:23; Ro 8:34; 10:9; 1Co 15:4-7, 12ff.; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 1Tim 3:16; 1Peter 1:2, 21; 3:18, 21).

7.Jesus was exalted by God and given the name "Lord" (Acts 2:25-29, 33-36; 3:13; 10:36; Rom 8:34; 10:9; 1Tim 3:16; Heb 1:3; 1Peter 3:22).

8.He gave the Holy Spirit to form the new community of God (Ac 1:8; 2:14-18, 33, 38-39; 10:44-47; 1Peter 1:12).

9.He will come again for judgment and the restoration of all things (Ac 3:20-21; 10:42; 17:31; 1Co 15:20-28; 1Th 1:10).

10.All who hear the message should repent and be baptized (Ac 2:21, 38; 3:19; 10:43, 47-48; 17:30; 26:20; Ro 1:17; 10:9; 1Pe 3:21). Taken from Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kerygma; accessed October 13th 2012