Sound The Trumpet : Matthew 4:12-17 Pt.3

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“Matthew 4:12-17 Pt.3”
by Art Sadlier
October 24th, 2010

IV The Proclamation

Verse 17, "From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

A - The light was introduced by preaching.

"From that time Jesus began to preach." Preach = Greek = "Kerux" = A Herald = A man who brought a message direct from the king.

B - The herald has in his voice a note of certainty.

He has been in the presence of the king and has received his message from the king himself. The preacher of God's Word is one who speaks with certainty, he has been in the presence of God and speaks with certainty. He has received his message from God Himself.

C -The herald has in his voice a note of authority.

He has been living in God's Word, he knows what God has said, and he is speaking for the king. He doesn't hope, he doesn't guess, he doesn't expect, he knows what God is saying!

D -The herald's message comes from a source beyond himself.

The herald knows the king intimately. God's preacher knows God intimately, his source is God Himself.

He is called to be a preacher, he speaks with authority, he speaks for God. All of those things divest him of any personal authority.

Lenski said, " To preach is not to argue, reason, dispute, or convince by intellectual proof, but to declare God's Word." The scribes and pharisees could not speak with authority because they mixed God's Word with the traditions of men.

J.C. Ryle said, "The brightest days of the church have been when preaching has been honored and the darkest days have been when the preaching has been lightly esteemed."

E - The key to proclamation is repentance.

"Jesus began to preach and to say repent." The first doctrine Jesus introduced to the world was the doctrine of repentance. Repentance is a thorough change of mind about our sin. It is Godly sorrow for sin. It involves a heartfelt confession before God. It involves a complete breaking off from sin. Such repentance is an inseperable companion of saving faith. You cannot have faith to ask God to forgive you for that which you are not willing to turn away from.

Illustration

Some years ago a murderer was sentenced to death. The murderer's brother, to whom the state was deeply indebted to for years of outstanding service, asked the Governor for a pardon for his brother.

The pardon was granted and the man visited his brother with the pardon in his pocket. He asked his brother, "What would you do if you received a pardon?" His brother replied, "The first thing I would do would be to track down the judge who sentenced me, and murder him. Then I would track down the man who witnessed against me and murder him."

The brother rose and left the prison with the pardon still in his pocket. Likewise, God will not pardon where there is no repentance for sin.

Repentance and faith are of the same basic essence! J.C.Ryle said, "No christian teaching can be called sound, which does not constantly bring forward repentence toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ."

Jesus said. "Except you repent, ye shall all likewise perish." Luke 13:3,5

Illustration

Governor Neff of Texas visited the State Prison. He spoke to the assembled prisoners. He said that he would remain behind and if any man wanted to speak to him he would gladly listen. He stated that every conversation would be confidential and nothing would be used against them.

One by one the men spoke to the governor. Each man claimed to be not guilty. Some said they were framed and some said they did not get a fair trial. Finally the last man stood before the governor. He said I am guilty as charged and convicted. I deserve to be in prison. I don't deserve a pardon. But if you give me a pardon, I'll do everything in my power to be a good citizen. The governor granted him a pardon.

Weary of earth and laden with my sin,

I look to heaven and long to enter in,

But there no evil thing may find a home;

And yet I hear a voice that bids me come.

The while I tread the heavenly way,

Evil is ever with me day by day;

Yet on my ears the gracious tidings fall,

"Repent, confess, Thou shalt be loosed from all.

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Looking for His glorious appearing! Titus 2:13