Gospel of Matthew: The Torah for the Church

by Lawrence R Farley

Overview

The New Testament is a Jewish book and no part of it is more Jewish than the Gospel of Matthew-the story of how God fulfilled His word to Israel and sent them His Messiah, who in turn carried out the work of redemption. The Gospel of Matthew was written to prove to the Jews that Jesus of Nazareth is indeed the Christ, the fulfillment of their Scriptures. It contains the most thorough and organized presentation of Christ's teaching anywhere in Scripture. Thus the Gospel of Matthew is like the Christian Torah, the record of God's words and deeds through Christ. Matthew's Gospel also stresses the Church, since it is the true Israel, the holy remnant, whose message is to be taken to Jews (and Gentiles) everywhere. Other books in the Orthodox Bible Study Companion Series include: Shepherding the Flock: The Pastoral Epistles of St. Paul the Apostle to Timothy and to Titus: 978-1888212563 Universal Truth: The Catholic Epistles of James, Peter, Jude, and John: 978-1888212600 The Gospel of Mark: The Suffering Servant: 978-1888212549; and more.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780982277072
Publisher:	Ancient Faith Publishing
Publication date:	08/01/2009
Series:	Orthodox Bible Study Companion
Pages:	402
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.40(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Archpriest Lawrence Farley currently pastors St. Herman of Alaska Orthodox Mission in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. He received his B.A. from Trinity College, Toronto and his M.Div. from Wycliffe College, Toronto. A former Anglican priest, he converted to Orthodoxy in 1985 and studied for two years at St. Tikhon's Orthodox Seminary in Pennsylvania.

Table of Contents

I. The Infancy and Childhood of Christ
1. Genealogy
2. The Birth of Christ
3. Flight into Egypt and Return

II. Preparation for Christ's Ministry
1. Ministry of John the Forerunner
2. Baptism of Christ
3. Temptation of Christ
4. Christ Settles in Galilee
5. Christ Begins to Preach and to Call Disciples

III. First Discourse-the Sermon on the Mount
1. The Beatitudes
2. Christ and the Law
3. Piety: Alms, Prayer, Fasting
4. Trust in God, Not Wealth
5. Mercy for One's Neighbor
6. God's Generosity-and Ours
7. Warning against False Teaching
8. Warning to Heed Christ's Teaching
9. Conclusion of the Discourse

IV. Ministry in Galilee
1. Cleansing the Leper
2. Healing the Centurion's Slave
3. Healing All in Capernaum
4. Christ's Claims on His Disciples
5. Christ's Authority over the Violence of Nature
6. Christ's Authority over Demons
7. Opposition from the Pharisees
8. Christ's Authority over Sickness and Death
9. Christ Heals the Blind and Mute (9:27-34)

V. Second Discourse-Mission

VI. Opposition to Christ's Ministry
1. The Doubts of John the Forerunner
2. The Proud Who Reject Jesus
3. Conflict with Pharisees over the Sabbath
4. Conflict with the Pharisees-Satan Casts Out Satan?
5. Conflict with the Pharisees-Seeking Signs
6. Opposition and Jesus' True Family

VII. Third Discourse-Parables
1. Introduction
2. First Parable: The Sower
3. Speaking in Parables
4. Explanation of the Parable of the Sower
5. Second Parable: The Tares in the Wheatfield
6. Third Parable: The Mustard Seed
7. Fourth Parable: The Leaven
8. Parables as Fulfillment of Prophecy
9. Explanation of the Parable of the Tares
10. Fifth Parable: The Treasure in the Field
11. Sixth Parable: The Pearl of Great Price
12. Seventh Parable: The Dragnet
13. The Disciples as Providers of Things New and Old
14. Conclusion of the Discourse

VIII. Ministry in Galilee and Beyond
1. Rejected at Nazareth
2. Herod's Reaction and the Death of John
3. Bread in the Wilderness
4. Walking on the Sea
5. Conflict with the Pharisees over Ritual Uncleanness
6. Healing for a Gentile
7. Healing in Decapolis
8. Bread in Decapolis
9. The Pharisees' Blindness and the Disciples' Blindness
10. Peter and the Apostles See that Jesus Is the Messiah

IX. Preparation of Disciples for Jerusalem
1. First Passion Prediction: Peter's Rebuke and the Cost of Discipleship
2. The Transfiguration
3. Descent from the Mountain and Healing of Demoniac Child
4. Second Passion Prediction
5. Christ and the Poll-tax

X. Fourth Discourse-Discipleship
1. First Place and Humility
2. Sin among the Disciples
3. Parable of the Unforgiving Servant
4. Conclusion

XI. Ministry in Judea
1. Conflict with the Pharisees over Divorce
2. The Rebuke of the Disciples over the Blessing of Children
3. The Rich Young Man and the Kingdom of God
4. Parable of the Workers in the Field
5. Third Passion Prediction
6. James and John Rebuked for Seeking First Place
7. Healing of the Blind Men

XII. Ministry in Jerusalem
1. Entry into Jerusalem
2. Jesus' Foes Challenge His Authority
3. Denunciation of the Scribes and Pharisees

XIII. Fifth Discourse-Jerusalem and the Last Judgment
1. Judgment on Jerusalem
2. The Second Coming
3. Parable of the Faithful Slave
4. Parable of the Wise Virgins
5. Parable of the Talents
6. The Last Judgment: The Sheep and the Goats
7. Conclusion

XIV. The Passion
1. The Anointing at Bethany and the Plan to Betray Jesus
2. The Last Supper
3. Gethsemane and Jesus' Arrest
4. Jesus' Trial
5. Jesus' Crucifixion
6. Jesus' Burial

XV. The Resurrection
1. The Empty Tomb and the Appearance to the Women
2. The Story Spread among the Jews
3. The Final Commission