On Sunday, my pastor preached an overview of Matthew 1-20.  This sermon simply and clearly walked through the major sections, explained the purposes of each and gave an excellent summary of that portion of the book.

The sermon is available here; my notes are posted below.

Chs. 1-4: Evidence for Jesus’ Messiahship

• Origin: based on ancestral, physical and geographical details
• Forerunner
• Supernatural events: baptism & temptation

Chs. 5-10: Authority of Jesus

• Authority of his words: Sermon on the Mount (5-7)
• Authority of his works: selected miracles (8-9)
• Authority given to his disciples (10)

Chs. 11-17: Responses to Jesus

• Confusion: question from John the Baptist
• Slander / Unrepentance: the nation at large
• Opposition: the Pharisees & Sadducees
• Explanation of responses: kingdom parables
• Polarization: increased antagonism from religious leaders / disciples’ faith strengthened

Chs. 18-20: Selected teachings of Jesus

• Relationships in the kingdom
• Entering the kingdom
• Rewards in the kingdom