January 1-January 5, 2008

SOMETHING NEW
David Bearden
St. Louis, Missouri

Matthew begins something new, the first book of the New Testament introducing a new age. It tells of a new hero in the line of Abraham and David (Mat. 1:1, 17). The Gospel according to Matthew tells of a new approach to God’s working among mankind through a child born of a virgin by the Holy Spirit who would be called, “Immanuel, God with us” (Mat. 1:18-25). It tells of a new King who would be the object of both worship and hatred at the same time (Mat. 2). It tells of a new interpretation of old prophecies about a Messiah that would come, and of a new prophet that prepared the way for the Messiah (Mat. 3:1-12). The account of Matthew tells of new temptations by the Old Master Tempter and the only one who has been able to completely resist (Mat. 4:1-11). Matthew’s Good News tells of the preacher of Good News who testifies to his followers with signs of miraculous power and messages of new rules that contrast with the old failing applications from sinful hearts (Mat. 5). Matthew tells of a new rule of love from a man who demonstrated love because his father out of love sent him in love (Mat. 3:13-17). Matthew begins something new, the opportunity for his readers to be renewed by the receiving of the Savior, the Messianic King and Lord of the Universe, Jesus the Son of God!


[David Bearden is the preaching minister for the McKnight Road Church of Christ in St. Louis, Missouri. This is David’s second time to minister in St. Louis. He preached for the Maryland Heights Church of Christ in the St. Louis area during the 80’s and returned after several years of ministry in the Los Angeles Area. David writes for Power for Today and co-authored the book, Living the Worthy Life, with Dr. Jerry Jones.]