Fellowship in God

FELLOWSHIP IN GOD
Matthew 4: 12-17
Rev. Juliman Harefa, M. Div., Th.M

Background
Gospel of Matthew was written to Jewish believers. Jewish Background of the Gospel can be understood in many ways, which is dependent on revelation, promises, and prophecies of the Old Testament to prove that Jesus was the Messiah who had long awaited.
Even so, the Gospel is not solely for Jews. As the mandate of Jesus himself, the Gospel of Matthew in fact addressed to the gentile, and the universal scope of the Gospels (eg Matthew 2:1-12, Matthew 8:11-12, Matthew 13:38, Matthew 21:43, Matthew 28 :18-20).

Author: Matthew
Theme: Jesus, King of the Messianic
Date of Writing: In the 60's

The use of terms such as the typical Jewish "Kingdom of Heaven" (which is synonymous with "kingdom of God") as an expression of respect for the Jewish people so reluctant to mention God's name directly.
Matthew 4: 12-17, are among the story after he won on temptation of Satan (verses 1-11) and the story of when Jesus called His disciples (verses 18-22) and Jesus taught and healed people (verse 23 - 25). On the passage of this sermon, Lord Jesus who appeared in Galilee, preaching the kingdom of God is at hand and ask repentance unto mankind, have the sense that God has been present in the midst of His people. The point is that when people receive Jesus in his life then, the man has accepted God and become citizens of God's kingdom and fellowship with Him.

Early Jesus’ Ministry (v.12)
The arrest of John the end of John's ministry because he was finally killed, but the ministry of God's work does not end with the murder of John the baptist, even the work of the Lord to preach His kingdom is not stopped, it will be more wonderful in the ministry initiated by Jesus himself. Work will reap continues, workers will also continue to relay the news service the kingdom of God in this world.
Jesus began to move with the withdrawal to Galilee after hearing that John the Baptist, who baptized himself-have been arrested and then killed (verse 12), an action taken by Jesus to avoid conflict in order to start his ministry. He knows what to do, he know the kingdom of God is near, and calls for human repentance is more important than the conflict with the government at that time which could have interfere with his ministry.
Today there are many problems experienced by the servants of the Lord in ministry, they are in suffered from preaching the Word of God, the church is very difficult to obtain permits and other intimidation. But learn from Jesus so that more mainstream news is a call to repentance and the kingdom of God is near. He prefers to preach about eternal life rather than somethings that are temporal.

Fulfillment of Promises of God (verses 13-16)
Jesus left Nazareth (verse 13) where he grew up areas that actually needs news of salvation, a place that was still in darkness but he must leave his hometown, the His “tribe” rejected Him (Luke 4:16-29 ), he was rejected by who belongs to him, He left that area to move to another area called Galilee, where news of God's Word can be delivered with the power of the Spirit and praise Him (Luke 4:14).
The presence of Jesus at Capernaum on the shores of the lake, in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali to fulfill the Word of God (verses 15-16). From this passage, God's people can learn that the presence of Jesus in our lives to the fulfillment of God's promise of salvation to his people. The presence of the servants of God in the church, visiting families, met in person by the servants of God is to fulfill the promise of God because there is good news ( good news) delivered. Therefore do not reject the Lord's servants, over again do not reject the Word of God, because you will receive God's blessings.

Good News (Paragraph 17)
Jesus Christ is God's preacher, as well as news itself, he preached repentance to the people who heard Him, who met with him and even the places he visited with a call to repentance. He is calling His people to receive Him, He is calling His sheep to listen to Him and He seeks the lost, to fellowship with Him.
We should have people of God, when he heard God's call, responded to the call immediately and come to light that is Jesus Christ while there is still time, because it will be time men no longer have the opportunity to come to God. Today God is opening doors for human heart, and no man can closed it. When he had closed the door no man can open it again, even he no longer knew them who came to him when his time was up. This is the time to come to Jesus
Kingdom of God is at hand is the good news brought by Jesus, the Lord Jesus did not carry building materials and building the kingdom is but He came to bring the kingdom of God Himself, he was the kingdom of God is, if people receive Him, the human have received the kingdom of God and become part of the kingdom of God, the purpose of building the kingdom of God in this world is, so that the human fellowship with God, where humans become God's people and God to be God for the human being, because it is entered in communion with God, and enjoy happiness everlasting, Amen.