Matthew-1

The Gospel of Matthew presents Jesus Christ as the King and reveals the Kingdom of Heaven as the government of Heaven brought into everyday life. Salvation is more than forgiveness or the hope of going to Heaven after death; it means coming under God’s rule and being saved from the earthly way of thinking and living. Through Christ’s genealogy, His baptism and teaching, the Sermon on the Mount, warnings concerning false prophets, lessons on faith, and instructions to His disciples, Matthew reveals the character of those who belong to this Kingdom: poor in spirit, pure in heart, righteous inwardly, free from the dominion of sin, discerning by spiritual fruit rather than outward gifts, willing to suffer for Christ, and ready to serve others—even with something as simple as a cup of water. The Church, therefore, is called to be the Kingdom of Heaven on earth, a people whose lives visibly demonstrate the government of God.