North Charlottesville church of Christ

Meeting Purpose

To study Matthew chapter 4 and prepare for the Sermon on the Mount

Key Takeaways

• Jesus' move to Galilee fulfills Isaiah's prophecy and marks a strategic shift in his ministry

• Jesus begins preaching John the Baptist's message of repentance, building on that foundation

• The calling of the first disciples demonstrates the priority of worship over work

• Jesus' miracles and teaching quickly draw large crowds, setting the stage for the Sermon on the Mount

Topics

Significance of Galilee in Jesus' Ministry

• Fulfills Isaiah's prophecy (Isaiah 9:1-7) about light coming to a dark land

• Galilee was historically oppressed, making it receptive to Jesus' message

• Capernaum was a populous city (~120,000 people) and strategic location

• Removed from religious establishment in Jerusalem, allowing for more objective reception

Jesus' Foundational Message

• Begins preaching "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (v.17)

• Builds on John the Baptist's message, showing continuity

• Marks transition from introducing Jesus to explaining his mission

Calling of the First Disciples

• Peter, Andrew, James, John immediately leave their work to follow Jesus

• Demonstrates prioritizing worship over work

• Jesus uses familiar leadership model of having inner circle (like Moses, David)

Jesus' Early Ministry Activities

• Teaching, proclaiming, healing various diseases and conditions

• Performing miracles to validate his identity and message

• Quickly draws large crowds from all over Israel

Next Steps

• Study the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) as Jesus' first major teaching to the crowds

• Consider how to prioritize worship over work in our own lives

• Reflect on how Jesus is changing us personally through his teachings