Matthew 4:12-17 A Great Light Shining in Great
Darkness
Introduction: The darkness is a spiritual darkness: the
light is a spiritual light.
I. The occasion.
A. Jesus had gone
down to
B. There He was
introduced to the disciples of John and gained a following for himself.
(He was actually baptizing more than John).
C. He had returned
to
D. Now He hears of
the imprisonment of John and He leaves
regions of
E. He goes right
up into Herod’s neighborhood.
1. He
does not go to Tiberius, but He does go to
2. He,
too, was in danger of being arrested by Herod.
II. The fulfillment of prophecy.
A. Capernaum was a
city on the northwest of the
1. It
was a prosperous fishing and trade center.
2.
Jesus made
B. Capernaum was
in the borders of Zebulun and Naphtali. (Tribes of
C. Isaiah had
prophesied of this place and this people.
1.
Isaiah saw them as being in great darkness and in the shadow of
death.
(In the
darkness of sin and in the shadows of the punishment of sin).
2.
Isaiah foresaw a great light shining to this people.
3.
Matthew said that Jesus’ ministry was that light.
4.
Jesus offered forgiveness, cleansing, salvation, life.
III. The preaching of Jesus.
A. Jesus began to
preach “Repent for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
1.
This is the same message that John preached.
2. It
is important that men repent. (John
preached it: Jesus preached it).
3. Herod
had silenced the voice of John, but a greater voice arose.
(The truth of God cannot be
silenced).
B. There was one
difference in the preaching of John and Jesus.
1.
John preached a coming King.
2.
Jesus preached Himself as that King.
3. His
miracles proved Him to be the King.
IV. The great light still
shining.
A. Zebulun and
Naphtali are not the only people in darkness and sin.
1. I
was in the darkness. (As guilty as sin).
2. In the shadow of the second death.
3. But
the light of the gospel did shine to me.
B. The whole world
lies in darkness, but the light shines out to every man.
Conclusion: I call upon you to repent and to trust Jesus
to save you.
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