the king and his kingdom
The first four books of the New Testament recount acts and teachings and claims of Jesus. The first was written by Matthew, a Jewish tax collector who became one of Jesus' followers; chosen by Jesus as one of His twelve apostles. Matthew often identifies Old Testament prophecies fulfilled by Jesus. This is one reason Bible scholars believe Jews were Matthew's target audience.
Matthew's purpose was to identify Jesus as the heir of Israel's ancient, great king David, and the Messiah—the prophesied king of Israel. Matthew claims that Jesus entered into the human reality to launch on earth the upside-down kingdom of heaven. And while Matthew focused his writing for Jews, he makes clear that God's Messiah has come for all the people of the world.
The Gospel of Matthew is built around five teaching sections: chapters 5-7 (sermon on the mount), chapter 10 (instructions for witnesses), chapter 13 (kingdom parables), chapter 18 (kingdom of heaven), and chapters 24-25 (end times). His book begins with Jesus' genealogy and birth. It concludes with Jesus' victory over death and commissioning the apostles to, "Go and make disciples of all peoples, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."
Matthew closes with Jesus' promise, "Be assured, I am with you always—to the very end of the age."
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Traditionally called a sermon; usually signifying a one-way discourse. However, sermon can be a conversation. As was practiced in the earliest centuries of the church, Sunday sermons conclude with Q&A.