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Matthew 4:12-1712When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he returned to Galilee. 13Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali— 14to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah:  15"Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,       the way to the sea, along the Jordan,

      Galilee of the Gentiles—  

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 16the people living in darkness       have seen a great light;    on those living in the land of the shadow of death       a light has dawned.”

 17From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."

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 16the people living in darkness       have seen a great light;    on those living in the land of the shadow of death       a light has dawned.”

 17From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."

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1. Why did Jesus begin his ministry in Galilee?

A. Demographics of Galilee

B. It was the part of Palestine where there were the most people to hear him.

C. The people of Galilee were fertile ground; they were open to new ideas.

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Our Response: At this point of your spiritual journey, are you open to new ways that God may be speaking to you?

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2. The central theme in Jesus’ teaching and ministry = The Kingdom of heaven (God)

A. The kingdom of heaven is not heaven.

B. The kingdom of heaven is not a geographical or social place.

C. Kingdom values challenge patterns of social life.

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D. The kingdom of heaven is dynamic.

E. The kingdom of God is a collectivity.

F. The kingdom of God is a revolution!

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3. What’s different about Jesus’s revolution?

A. God’s revolution always begins, not with bearing arms, but with repentance!

B. The meaning of repentance

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Our Response: Are we working to extend God’s kingdom in the world? Or are we standing in its way?

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