Beginning the Ministry… vs. 12-17

• 1^st – New Preacher… vs. 12
  • Herod Antipas…
    • Now when Jesus heard that John had been put in prison – He departed to Galilee!
    • John the Baptist was thrown into prison by Herod Antipas [son of Herod the Great]
    • The reason was because John confronted Herod about his adulterous marriage to Herodias…
    • Herodias was the granddaughter of Herod the Great [niece of Herod Antipas]
    • She had married her uncle Herod Philip [also a son of Herod the Great]
    • But she divorced Herod Philip to marry Herod Antipas [his brother]
    • Put more simply – she divorced ONE uncle in order to marry ANOTHER…
    • Herodias HATED John for condemning her DIVORCE – and would eventually have him killed!
    • Matthew 14:3/10 – “Herod had laid hold of John and bound him – and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias… and had John beheaded in prison.”
  • I must decrease…
    • The ministry of John the Baptist was never meant to last…
    • John was not out there to start the CHURCH of John the Baptist…
    • His purpose was the PREPARE the heart of the people for Jesus…
    • And now that Jesus was there – it was time for him to step out of the spotlight!
    • John 3:30 – “[Jesus] must increase – but I must decrease.”
    • There is a lot of focus in churches today on DENOMINATIONS – and LEADERS…
    • People talk about WHAT church they go to – or WHO their pastor is…
    • But we are not save by our DENOMINATION – or a charismatic SPEAKER…
    • We need to hear about Jesus – He is the one who can transform us…
    • Everything else needs to DECREASE – so He can INCREASE in our lives!
• 2^nd – New location… vs. 13-16
  • From Nazareth… vs. 13
    • Leaving Nazareth!
    • Matthew does not give us any details on WHY Jesus left His hometown…
    • Jesus did go there and gave a message in the Synagogue [church] – Luke 4:16-30
    • He read from the prophet Isaiah – and declared He was the Messiah…
    • The people were furious with Him [blasphemy] – because He was just the son of Joseph…
    • And they took Jesus out to the cliff outside Nazareth – to try and throw Him off!
    • Luke 4:24 – “I tell you the truth – no prophet is accepted in his own hometown.” [NLT]
      
    • Often the hardest people to reach – are our family and friends…
    • The problem is they know us to well – our mistakes – our flaws – our sins…
    • When we share Jesus with them – they are quick to remind us of them all…
    • What they miss is that we are no longer that person – Psalms 103:12
    • We are no longer defined by our past – instead by Jesus who is in us!
    • II Corinthians 5:17 – “If anyone is in Christ he is a new creation.”
  • To Capernaum… vs. 13
    • He came and dwelt in Capernaum – which is by the sea in the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali!
    • Capernaum [כָּפָר נַחוּם] is a small fishing village on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee…
    • Jesus did NOT begin His Ministry in one the great cities of the world – Rome or Athens…
    • Instead He came to the little province of Judea – hard to find on a map…
    • He did NOT even begin in the capitol – Jerusalem – He began in a small village!
    • God is not impressed by the things that are important to the world…
    • He does not choose many WEALTHY – or POWERFUL – or FAMOUS…
    • Jesus chooses the FOOLISH things – to confuse the wise – I Corinthians 1:26
    • Which means God uses ordinary people like you and me – from nowhere special…
    • That way when God does a work through us – everyone knows it was God!
  • Zebulun and Naphtali… vs. 14-16
    • That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet – saying:
    • The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali – by the way of the sea – beyond the Jordan.
    • Galilee of the Gentiles: The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light.
    • And upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned!
    • Jesus choosing Capernaum was not an accident – it fulfilled Scripture…
    • Matthew quotes from the prophet Isaiah – Isaiah 9:1-2
    • Zebulun and Naphtali are NOT tribes we read much about…
    • They were not the tribe of KINGS or PRIESTS – no leader came from them…
    • Most of their people ended up being scattered in the DIASPORA – 722 B.C.
    • By the time of the New Testament – their territory was mostly inhabited by Gentiles!
  • Great Light…
    • Yet it was here where the LIGHT of the TRUTH was dying…
    • In a part of Israel covered in a shadow of paganism – the false gods of Greece and Rome…
    • That a GREAT [μέγα] light – Jesus Christ – was first revealed [dawned]!
    • We see the darkness of the world around us – where truth has been forgotten…
    • A world that has lost the light – covered in a shadow of materialism…
    • But it is in the darkest places – where the light of Christ is needed most!
• 3^rd – Old message… vs. 17
  • From that time Jesus began to preach and to say – Repent – for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!
  • The MESSAGE of Jesus – was the same one John had given – Matthew 3:2
  • REPENT [μετανοέω] – to think about our sins [νοέω] – and CHANGE our ways…
  • And to do so while there was still time – because the Kingdom of heaven is CLOSE!
  • There are a lot of things in life that change – a NEW preacher – a NEW place…
  • But the message of the Gospel NEVER changes – it is ALWAYS the same…
  • People need to REPENT of their SINS – so they see their NEED for Jesus!
  • Isaiah 40:8 – “The grass withers – the flower fades. But the word of our God stands forever.”

• 2^nd – Called to Ministry… vs. 18-22
  • 1^st – Peter and Andrew… vs. 18-20
    • Bringing others to Jesus…
      • Jesus – walking by the Sea of Galilee saw two brothers. Simon Peter and Andrew his brother!
      • Capernaum is located right next to the Sea of Galilee…
      • Jesus would have quickly become familiar with the fishermen in the small village…
      • Andrew was a DISCIPLE of John the Baptist before following Jesus – John 1:40
      • The NT does not say much about Andrew – but he did introduced his brother to Jesus!
      • John 1:41 – [Andrew] found his brother [Peter] and said – We have found the Messiah.”
      • We never know the impact we might have by sharing Jesus with others…
      • Even if we are not called to be a powerful evangelist or teacher…
      • We might share the message of the Gospel with someone who is!
    • Hard Headed… vs. 18
      • In contrast the brother of Andrew is the most famous of the Apostles…
      • Simon [Σίμων] – meaning to listen and obey [שָׁמַע]
      • A name that did not quite seem to fit his character – so Jesus called him a by different name…
      • Peter [Πέτρος] – meaning a little stone [we might say hardheaded]
    • Fishermen… vs. 18-20
      • [They were] casting a net into the sea for they were fishermen.
      • Then [Jesus] said to them – Follow Me – and I will make you fishers of men.
      • They immediately left their nets and followed Him!
      • The full story of how Peter came to be a disciple is found in – Luke 5:1-11
      • Jesus was preaching to a large crowd – and He borrowed the boat of Peter…
      • After the message He commanded [imperative] Peter to go back out and FISH…
      • Peter complained – they had FISHED all night and caught NOTHING…
      • But Jesus told him to throw his NET on the other side [small boat]
      • When Peter obeyed – they caught so many fish – their partners James and John had to help!
      • Luke 5:8 – “When Simon Peter saw it – he fell down at Jesus knees saying – Depart from me for I am a sinful man – O Lord!”
    • Fishers of Men…
      • SIMON had HEARD the teaching of Jesus – perhaps was even stirred to follow him…
      • But he was PETER [hardheaded] – and was AFRAID to leave his job…
      • It took the Lord showing PETER – fish all night catch nothing – obey and get and abundance…
      • For him to see he had nothing to FEAR – he just needed to follow the Lord – Luke 5:10
      • That is when Jesus told them they would become FISHERS of men…
      • And they walked away from their NETS – and became disciples of Jesus!
      • We all have priorities in life – WORK – FAMILY – God…
      • Most people do NOT put those in the right order – God is rarely FIRST…
      • Because it is scarry to TRUST that God will provide for our needs…
      • But the TRUTH is without God we have NOTHING – when He is first we lack NOTHING!
  • 2^nd – James and John… vs. 21-22
    • Disciple of John… vs. 21
      • Going on from there – [Jesus] saw two other brothers!
      • James and John were fishing partners with Andrew and Peter – Luke 5:10
      • Like Andrew – John had become a Disciple of John the Baptist – John 1:35
      • But when he heard Jesus called the LAMB of God – he followed Jesus!
    • Sons of Thunder… vs. 21
      • James the son of Zebedee – and John his brother!
      • These two brothers earned the nickname – the Sons of THUNDER – Mark 3:17
      • When a Samaritan village refused to let Jesus in – they wanted to call down FIRE – Luke 9:54
    • Leaving all.. vs. 21-22
      • [They were] in the boat with Zebedee their father – mending their nets. He called them.
      • Immediately they left the boat and their father – and followed [Jesus]!
      • The calling of James and John was at the same time as Andrew and Peter…
      • But James and John did not just leave their boat – they left the FAMILY business!
      • Looking at the men Jesus chose to be His disciples – hardheaded – sons of thunder…
      • We get the idea that the Lord was NOT picky – He would take just about ANYONE…
      • Because being a DISCIPLE of Jesus Christ has only ONE qualification…
      • When He calls we are willing to LEAVE it all – and FOLLOW Him!

• 3^rd – Threefold ministry… vs. 23-25
  • 1^st – Around the Galilee… vs. 23-24
    • Teaching… vs. 23
      • Jesus went about all Galilee – teaching in their synagogues!
      • The ministry of Jesus was based on THREE things…
      • FIRST – He continually [imperfect] went to different SYNAGOGUES around the Galilee…
      • SYNAGOGUE [συναγωγή] – first mentioned here in the Bible – Jewish CHURCH…
      • TEACHING [διδάσκω] – meaning to help people to UNDERSTAND [learn] the Bible!
      • I can remember reading Psalm 23 as a child and being VERY confused…
      • The Lord is my Shepherd – I do not want [I did not pause for the comma]
      • I could not understand the verse – because I WANTED the LORD
      • The reason why we come to CHURCH – is to LEARN about the Bible…
      • Because the Word of God can be difficult to UNERSTAND…
      • And we are going to inevitably have QUESTIONS about what it means…
      • Therefore we come together to LEARN – through teaching of the WORD!
    • Preaching… vs. 23
      • Preaching the gospel of the kingdom!
      • SECOND – Jesus went around [imperfect] PREACHING to people NOT in CHURCH…
      • PREACHING [κηρύσσω] – to declare the Gospel of the Kingdom…
      • GOSPEL [εὐαγγέλιον] – meaning the GOOD [εὖ] news [ἄγγελος]!
      • The reason why people do NOT come to CHURCH…
      • Is they do NOT see their need for Jesus – they think they are GOOD…
      • But the BAD news is NONE of us are GOOD – we are all SINNERS – Psalms 14:1
      • The GOOD news is that if we REPENT – and come to Jesus – we can be FORGIVEN…
      • That is a message [ἄγγελος] EVERYONE needs to hear!
      • Mark 16:15 – “Go into all the world and PREACH the Good News to everyone.” [NLT]
    • Healing… vs. 24
      • Healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people…
      • They brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments.
      • Those who were demon-possessed – epileptics and paralytics. And He healed them!
      • THIRD – Jesus HEALED [θεραπεύω] everyone who came to Him for HELP…
      • We are given a list of WHAT kind of things Jesus could HEAL…
      • All [πᾶς] SICKNESS – likely referring to general colds or flu [COVID]
      • All [πᾶς] DISEASE – anything that makes the body weak – like cancer…
      • TORMENTS – speaking of those suffering from chronic pain…
      • Demon POSSESSED – people who literally had demons living in them [legion] – Mark 5:9
      • EPILEPTIC – better interpreted Lunatic [moon struck] – we would say CRAZY…
      • PARALYTIC – those who are not able to WALK!
    • Drawing people in…
      • Then His fame went throughout all Syria!
      • Jesus can heal any SICKNESS – He can heal SPIRITUALLY [demonic]
      • He can heal MENTALLY [lunatic] – and He can heal PHYSICALLY [paralytic]
      • Which should come as no surprise – Jesus MADE man – no doubt He can HEAL…
      • But Jesus choose to make HEALING a part of the MINISTRY…
      • So the Gospel would NOT go only go to the Galilee – but it would spread…
      • SYRIA heard about Jesus – a gentile land to the NORTH of the Galilee! 
      • God is NOT as concerned about us being HEALTHY as us being FORGIVEN…
      • If God HEALS us – we will still end up dying one day…
      • Jesus brought Lazarus back form the DEAD – but he still DIED again – John 11:44
      • But God will use HEALING [θεραπεύω] to draw people to Him…
      • So that they can then hear the GOSPEL – which will let them live FOREVER!
      • We are called to go out and share the GOSPEL – so people can be SAVED…
      • But part of sharing the GOSPEL – is helping [θεραπεύω] people practically…
      • That is why we have Bulig sa Bukid – that does medical outreaches…
      • Our focus is not that people are FED – CLOTHED – or HEALED…
      • We desire to use BSB as a tool to be able to draw people in – and give them the GOOD news! 
  • 2^nd – Great multitudes… vs. 25
    • Great multitudes followed Him:
    • From Galilee – and from Decapolis – Jerusalem – Judea – and beyond the Jordan!
    • The RESULT of the THREEFOLD ministry of Jesus…
    • People from ALL over the region [not just the Galilee] came to FOLLOW Jesus…
    • From the DECAPOLIS – the eastern side of the Sea of Galilee…
    • From Jerusalem – the capitol of Judea – where the Temple stood…
    • From Judea – referring to the entire nation of Israel [under Rome]
    • And even from beyond the Jordan – nations to the EAST of Israel!
    • Because when we reach out to HELP [θεραπεύω] people…
    • Then give them the GOSPEL – the good news of Jesus…
    • And teach those who come to CHURCH – the Word of God…
    • The end RESULT – will be multitudes of people who FOLLOW Jesus!