Being Fulfilled with the Messiah

Last week I began a preaching series on the book of Matthew which I am calling, "Fulfilled."

The Gospel of Matthew was written for Jews to show that Jesus is the long-promised Messiah in Whom they should put their trust. A recurrent phrase used throughout the Gospel is, "Now all this took place to fulfill..." an Old Testament text or promise.

The sermon series plays on this truth laid out by Matthew that Jesus fulfills the promise of the Old Covenant, and ushers in a New Covenant. But because He does this, He not only fulfills the Hebrew Scriptures, He fulfills the need of our hearts. Thus, I have called this series, "Fulfilled."

Preaching any text is riddled with difficulties, but perhaps these texts present more than the average difficulties. But I am determined not to back down.

Among the difficulties is the fact that the New Testament authors, and Matthew in particular, assume a background knowledge of the audience which 21st century Americans simply do not have—particularly the audience which the Lord has given to me.

Furthermore, Matthew's quotations of Old Testament passages often require significant study in themselves, with the quotations generally representing a tiny bit of context from the passage which Jesus fulfills.

Most Americans are not concerned with whether Jesus is the Jewish Messiah or not. So it is my task to show that they must be concerned, as the Jewish Messiah is the One to bring the light to the nations, salvation to sinners and life to the dead.

I hope you will listen to my message on Matthew chapter 1—the birth of the Messiah, called "Fulfilling the Void of Our Hearts." Let me know if I succeed or flop.