The King’s Arrival: A Study of Matthew 1-7

A Study of Matthew 1–7 In this first volume of his study on the Gospel of Matthew, Pastor Chuck Swindoll introduces us to the long-awaited King. This series moves from the royal genealogy and miraculous birth of Jesus to His preparation for ministry and the groundbreaking ethical teachings of the Sermon on the Mount. It provides a foundational look at what it means to live as a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Message 1: Let’s Meet the King

Overview: Pastor Chuck Swindoll begins a comprehensive journey through the first seven chapters of Matthew. This message introduces Jesus not merely as a teacher or a prophet, but as the long-awaited King of the Jews. It sets the stage for understanding the Kingdom of Heaven and the authority Jesus carries as He begins His earthly ministry.

• Key Fact: Matthew’s Gospel was written primarily to a Jewish audience to prove that Jesus is the fulfillment of Old Testament Messianic prophecies.
• Scripture Reference: Matthew 1:1

Message 2: The Genesis of Jesus

Overview: This sermon dives into the genealogy of Christ, often a neglected part of the Christmas story. Chuck highlights the “skeletons in the closet” found in Jesus’ family tree—including Rahab and Bathsheba—to demonstrate that God’s grace is available to all, regardless of their past or heritage.

• Key Fact: By including marginalized and sinful individuals in the lineage of the Messiah, God signals that His Kingdom is built on grace, not human perfection.
• Scripture Reference: Matthew 1:1–17

Message 3: Try Standing in Joseph’s Sandals

Overview: Chuck explores the often-overlooked perspective of Joseph. This message examines the integrity, obedience, and quiet strength required of Joseph when he discovered Mary’s pregnancy. It serves as a study in how to respond when God’s plan interrupts our personal expectations.

• Key Fact: Joseph’s “righteousness” was demonstrated by his desire to protect Mary’s dignity even before he understood the divine nature of her pregnancy.
• Scripture Reference: Matthew 1:18–25

Message 4: Wise Men, Wicked Men . . . and Us

Overview: This message contrasts the responses of the Magi and King Herod to the birth of Jesus. Chuck analyzes the “seeking heart” versus the “threatened heart,” challenging listeners to evaluate their own response to the authority of the King in their lives today.

• Key Fact: The Magi’s journey was a testament to “general revelation”—God using the stars to lead those far away to the Light of the World.
• Scripture Reference: Matthew 2:1–12

Message 5: Destination-Driven Dreams

Overview: Following the visit of the Wise Men, the holy family becomes refugees. Chuck discusses the divine protection of Jesus through dreams and the move to Egypt. This sermon focuses on God’s sovereignty over earthly rulers and His ability to guide His people through dark and dangerous seasons.

• Key Fact: Every move Joseph made was in direct fulfillment of specific Old Testament prophecies, proving the meticulous nature of God’s plan.
• Scripture Reference: Matthew 2:13–23

Message 6: Strange Preacher . . . Strong Proclamation

Overview: The narrative jumps forward to the ministry of John the Baptist. Chuck describes John’s “strange” appearance and his “strong” message of repentance. This sermon explains that the path to the King must always be paved with a change of mind and heart.

• Key Fact: Repentance (metanoia) is not just feeling sorry; it is a radical change of direction that results in “fruit” consistent with that change.
• Scripture Reference: Matthew 3:1–12

Message 7: Surprised by Jesus

Overview: Jesus’ baptism by John seems counterintuitive—why would the sinless Son of God need a baptism of repentance? Chuck explains that this act was about “identifying” with sinful humanity and marked the official inauguration of Christ’s public ministry.

• Key Fact: The audible voice of the Father and the descent of the Spirit provided a rare, trinitarian confirmation of Jesus’ identity.
• Scripture Reference: Matthew 3:13–17

Message 8: Acing the Devil’s Tests

Overview: Before the King can lead, He must be tested. Chuck breaks down the three temptations of Jesus in the wilderness, showing how the Devil attacks our physical needs, our desire for recognition, and our thirst for power. The sermon provides a blueprint for using Scripture as a shield.

• Key Fact: Jesus defeated every temptation not through divine power unavailable to us, but by quoting and relying on the written Word of God.
• Scripture Reference: Matthew 4:1–11

Message 9: Where and How It All Began

Overview: This message covers the beginning of Jesus’ Galilean ministry and the calling of the first disciples. Chuck highlights the simplicity and urgency of the call to “Follow Me,” and what it means to become “fishers of men” in a modern context.

• Key Fact: Jesus chose ordinary fishermen to change the world, demonstrating that availability is often more important to God than professional ability.
• Scripture Reference: Matthew 4:12–25

Message 10: The Sermon of All Sermons

Overview: Chuck introduces the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7), the greatest discourse ever delivered. This sermon provides an overview of the “Kingdom Manifesto,” explaining that Jesus isn’t giving a new set of rules, but describing the internal character of those who belong to Him.

• Key Fact: The Sermon on the Mount is not a way to earn salvation, but a description of how those who are already saved should live.
• Scripture Reference: Matthew 5:1–2

Message 11: Checklist for Lasting Joy

Overview: This message dives into the Beatitudes. Chuck reinterprets the word “Blessed” as “Deeply Happy” or “To be Congratulated.” He walks through the eight characteristics of a Kingdom citizen, showing how they run counter to the world’s definition of success.

• Key Fact: To be “poor in spirit” is the essential first step of the Christian life—acknowledging our total spiritual bankruptcy before God.
• Scripture Reference: Matthew 5:3–12

Message 12: Shake and Shine!

Overview: Jesus calls His followers the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world.” Chuck discusses the preservative power of salt and the revealing power of light, challenging the church to be an active, visible influence in a decaying and dark culture.

• Key Fact: Salt is only useful if it leaves the shaker; Christians must engage with the world to have a preserving effect on society.
• Scripture Reference: Matthew 5:13–16

Message 13: Crucial Truths, Rarely Understood

Overview: Jesus addresses His relationship to the Law. Chuck clarifies that Jesus did not come to abolish the Old Testament, but to “fulfill” it. This message helps believers understand the continuity between the Old and New Testaments through the person of Christ.

• Key Fact: Jesus raised the bar of righteousness, moving from external compliance to the internal “intent” of the heart.
• Scripture Reference: Matthew 5:17–20

Message 14: Steering Clear of Murder

Overview: Examining the “You have heard it said… but I say” statements, Chuck looks at Jesus’ teaching on anger. This sermon shows that in God’s eyes, nursing a grudge or harboring contempt is a violation of the spirit of the commandment against murder.

• Key Fact: Reconciliation with a brother or sister is so important that Jesus instructs us to prioritize it even over acts of worship.
• Scripture Reference: Matthew 5:21–26

Message 15: Whatever Happened to Fidelity and Honesty?

Overview: This hard-hitting message covers Jesus’ teachings on adultery, divorce, and the integrity of our speech. Chuck emphasizes that the King demands absolute honesty and sexual purity, starting with the “eye” and the “heart.”

• Key Fact: God’s standards for marriage and truth-telling are designed to protect the “glue” of society: trust.
• Scripture Reference: Matthew 5:27–37

Message 16: Shocking Advice to the Selfish and Strong-Willed

Overview: Jesus gives the famous command to “turn the other cheek” and “love your enemies.” Chuck admits this is perhaps the most difficult teaching in the Bible, explaining how we can respond to personal slights with grace while still maintaining biblical boundaries.

• Key Fact: Loving your enemies is a “supernatural” act that serves as the ultimate proof that we are children of our Heavenly Father.
• Scripture Reference: Matthew 5:38–48

Message 17: Beware! Religious Performance Now Showing

Overview: Moving into Matthew chapter 6, Chuck warns against “theatrical Christianity”—doing good deeds just to be seen by others. Whether it’s giving to the poor or helping the needy, the King values the “secret” motive over the “public” applause.

• Key Fact: If you receive your “reward” from the praise of people on earth, you forfeit the reward from your Father in heaven.
• Scripture Reference: Matthew 6:1–4

Message 18: Prayer and Fasting Minus All the Pizzazz

Overview: This sermon focuses on the “Lord’s Prayer” and the practice of fasting. Chuck teaches that prayer is a conversation, not a performance. He breaks down the structure of the model prayer to help believers align their requests with God’s will.

• Key Fact: Fasting is a private discipline intended to heighten spiritual sensitivity, not a “hunger strike” to coerce God into acting.
• Scripture Reference: Matthew 6:5–18

Message 19: The Lure of a Lesser Loyalty

Overview: Where is your treasure? Chuck addresses the heart’s tendency to trust in material wealth. This message explores the “eye” as the lamp of the body and the impossibility of serving two masters: God and Money.

• Key Fact: You cannot “own” things that you aren’t willing to give away; eventually, your possessions will own you.
• Scripture Reference: Matthew 6:19–24

Message 20: Our Favorite Sin

Overview: Worry is often the “respectable” sin Christians struggle with most. Chuck unpacks Jesus’ command to “Stop worrying.” By looking at the birds of the air and the lilies of the field, he shows why anxiety is a lack of trust in God’s provision.

• Key Fact: Seeking first the Kingdom of God is the “cure” for worry; when we focus on God’s priorities, He manages our needs.
• Scripture Reference: Matthew 6:25–34

Message 21: Attention, All Speck Inspectors!

Overview: Jesus begins chapter 7 with the famous command: “Judge not.” Chuck clarifies that this isn’t a ban on discernment, but a warning against a “critical, censorious spirit.” He explains how to remove the “log” from our own eye before helping others with their “speck.”

• Key Fact: We tend to judge others by their actions while judging ourselves by our intentions.
• Scripture Reference: Matthew 7:1–5

Message 22: Pearls, Pigs, Prayers, and People

Overview: This message covers a variety of Kingdom principles: discerning who is ready for the truth, the persistence of prayer (Ask, Seek, Knock), and the “Golden Rule.” Chuck shows how these varied topics all relate to treating others with Christ-like wisdom and love.

• Key Fact: The “Golden Rule” is a summary of the entire Law and the Prophets; it is the proactive application of love.
• Scripture Reference: Matthew 7:6–12

Message 23: Three Non-Politically Correct Warnings

Overview: As the Sermon on the Mount nears its conclusion, Jesus offers three warnings: the Two Gates (Narrow and Wide), the Two Trees (Fruitful and Barren), and the Two Claims (True and False). Chuck emphasizes that sincerity is not enough; one must be on the right path.

• Key Fact: The “narrow gate” is unpopular because it requires leaving our “baggage” (pride, self-reliance) behind.
• Scripture Reference: Matthew 7:13–23

Message 24: The Secret of an Unsinkable Life

Overview: The series concludes with the parable of the two builders. Chuck shows that the difference between the house that stood and the house that fell wasn’t the storm, but the foundation. This message is a final call to not just hear the King’s words, but to do them.

• Key Fact: The “rock” foundation represents consistent obedience to the teachings of Jesus, which provides stability when the inevitable storms of life hit.
• Scripture Reference: Matthew 7:24–29