January 2008 not only brings a new year, it also brings our studies of the role of God in the books of the Bible, into the New Testament, starting at Matthew.

Here we see the word God appear 55 times throughout the book. My attention is drawn to a number of verses in this book, first of all being chapter 4 verses 3 & 4, which reads “Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” “But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’” I remember learning this verse as a young lad in Sunday School, here we see the tempter, which is Satan, trying to ask God to prove who He is. His reply is seen in verse 4. God answered in a way that proved to Satan that God is life, and we cannot live on material things and still very apt for today. When 2008 brings you difficulties and you’re not sure where to turn, look to God and not the material things of this world.

There are several verses that I could refer to in this study which shows what God’s role is in the book of Matthew. In Chapter 14 verse 33 we read “Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.” This was said after the disciples had not only seen 5000 fed which loaves of bread and some fish, they had then seen Him walking on water. By this, they could turn and say “Truly You are the Son of God.” I’m sure there are occasions when we can say this to Him because of the things he does in our lives.

Matthew chapter 19 verse 26 reads “But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” I’m not going to comment on this too much as it is self explanatory. Again, there are many times in the year to come where we will be in this situation, we think something is difficult, not possible, but we, as Christians must take a step back and let God work.

We also see in this book, the crucifixion, as we will see in some of the other Gospels. From what I have seen in this book, the first one of the New Testament, God is: The King Of The Jews.

Next month we move onto the Book of Mark.

Please send any questions or comments you have on this article to s.latham@assemblyyouth.net

	Next month: Mark.	Index
	The role of God in the Bible
	Last month: Malachi.

All quotes are from the New King James version of the Bible unless otherwise specified.