Tune in: New Testament

1 John 5:13

Intro: Last week we did a quick overview of the Old Testament this week we will be doing an overview of the New Testament. When studying the NT we readily see how dependent it is on the foundation of the OT. For example Jesus’ genealogy in Matthew 1 assumes we know crucial characters and events of the OT. The genealogy presents Him as a fulfillment of the promises God had made to Israel. Overall the NT shows how God fulfilled the plans He set forth in the OT.

There are 27 NT books and they are broken up into 4 categories: Gospels, History, Epistles, and Prophecy. Now these divisions aren’t exact. For example there is prophecy in the Gospels, Acts and some of the Epistles.

1. The Gospels (Matthew-John)

Ask: Why did God include four Gospels and not just one Gospel

The Gospels provide four different perspectives on Jesus’ person and ministry. Each of the gospels emphasizes an aspect of the Lord’s character. What is also interesting is is John says that there are far more than four views on Jesus’ life and ministry.

Read: John 21:25 Ask: Why can we be confident the Bible teaches all we need to know about Jesus? Because the Bible came from God and there fore it is perfectly designed to reveal all we need to know about Christ.

Each of these four gospels were written to groups of people with different needs. The gospels address those needs by giving them different perspectives.

A. Matthew

Matthew wrote to Jews to convince them Jesus is the promised Messiah they had been anticipating. Matthew shows how Christ fulfilled all the qualifications to be the king of Israel.

As I mentioned Matthew starts with Jesus’ genealogy and he calls Him the Son of David. As Matthew develops his theme he purposefully works in testimonies of people who acknowledge Jesus as the Son of David. Matthew also mentions nine OT prophecies fulfilled by Christ.

B. Mark

Mark portrays Christ as a suffering servant. He wrote to Gentiles facing persecution in Rome. Mark wrote to encourage them to look to Jesus as their example of obedience in the face of suffering. He summarized his message by quoting Jesus’ mission statement.

Read: Mark 10:45

C. Luke

Luke presents the humanity of Christ. He addresses a person called Theophilus as his primary audience. While the identity of this person remains is a mystery, Luke seems to write to a general audience emphasizing Jesus as the Savior for all.

D. John

The final gospel is John. The gospel of John declares and proves Christ’s deity as the Son of God. John states this theme in his gospel.

Read: John 20:31

Of all of the gospels and all of the NT the book of John is the best for those who do not know Christ. The book of John introduces who Jesus is and what He did on earth and a clear message of how one can be saved through Christ.

All four gospels record the history of Christ’s death and resurrection on behalf of humanity. We would have no hope if Christ did not die on the cross for our sins. The gospels allow you to walk along with Jesus and build a greater relationship with Him.

2. History (Acts)

the book of Acts records the Holy Spirit's work through believers to build the church, the Body of Christ. Both Jew and Gentile found salvation in the Lord who brought them together. Within a few years the whole Roman world learned of Christ and His death and resurrection. The key ingredient in the spread of the Gospel to the world was the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit came upon the apostles and empowered them. This is seen in Acts 1:8.

3. Epistles (Romans-Jude)

The epistles are letters written to churches and individuals. The letters direct how the church functions and behaves in its internal and external relationships. The epistles also deal with the personal growth and discipleship God expects to see in a believer. Paul wrote most of the epistles.

A. Romans

Paul wrote to the Romans believers in Rome before they faced persecution under Nero that is mentioned in the book of Mark. Paul emphasis the doctrine of salvation. He systematically cover condemnation of all people, justification by grace through faith, sanctification, provision for Israel and the life of a believer.

B. 1 and 2 Corinthians

These letters were written to the believers in Corinth. In the first letter Paul addresses a long list of problems withing the Corinthian church, including divisions, dealing with immoral church members, lawsuits between members, and abuses in the practice of the Lord’s Supper.

In the second letter Paul warned the believers about false teachers and the false doctrine they were teaching. He also encourage the Corinthians to avoid sin and to forgive others. We also see in this letter on how we are ambassadors for Christ.

C. Galatians

Paul defended his apostleship and the gospel message of salvation by grace. Paul also teaches how believers have liberty through Christ and also encouraged the believers to be walking in the Spirit.

D. Ephesians

Paul wrote this to the believers in Ephesus. He presents the doctrine of the unity of all believers in Christ and God’s purpose for the church this is shown in chapter 4 verses 11-16.

Read: Eph. 4:11-16

E. Philippians

Paul wrote the book of Philippians while he was in prison. This letter to the church of Philippi focuses on rejoicing in the Lord as believers live with the mind of Christ.

F. Colossians

Paul wrote this letter to the church of Colossi to combat doctrinal errors and give practical instructions of everyday Christian living. The letter makes an important contributions on the preeminence of Christ.

G. 1 and 2 Thessalonians

The church of Thessalonica was troubled by the thought of dead loved ones missing the rapture. Paul wrote these to encourage living in the light of the sure return of Christ to resurrect and rapture His church. Paul encourages them throughout these letters to keep growing in Christ and to not be lazy.

H. 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus

Paul wrote these letters to two pastors Timothy and Titus. These letters deal with false teaching, qualifications for pastors and deacons, treatment of church members, and the need to preach the Word.

I. Philemon

Paul wrote this letter to Philemon to encourage him to receive Onesimus, a runaway slave, as a brother in Christ. The personal letter emphasizes the oneness and love believers share in Christ.

Read: Philemon 16; This verses expresses how those who are in a body of believers should see their connection in Christ is more important than any differences they might have.

J. Hebrews

The book of Hebrews talks about the superiority of Christ. The book is crucial in helping us understand the OT. The writer quotes from Psalms demonstrate the the superiority of the Son of God is also an OT truth.

K. James

James the half brother of Jesus wrote this letter to encourage believers and show them why trials happen. He also covers temptations, favoritism, our speech and attitudes.

L. 1 and 2 Peter

In 1 Peter Peter wrote to instruct believers in a “fiery trial”. He used Christ’s example of suffering on their behalf to encourage them. In 2 Peter he encouraged growth in their faith and warned of the destructive and depraved doctrines of false teachers.

M. 1, 2, and 3 John

John the writer of the gospel of John wrote these three epistles. First John contradicts those who taught that Jesus wasn’t fully God and fully man. It also teaches the assurance of salvation, love, and Christian behavior.

2 John continues John’s focus on love. cautioning believers against lovingly accepting “antichrists” who deny the doctrine Christ in some way.

3 John reminds us to appreciate faithful fellow workers and not to imitate those who are proud and spread gossip.

N. Jude

Jude another half brother of Jesus wrote this to encourage believers to contend for their faith, and stressing God’s authority. Christ is our guide for belief and practice. There were false teachers who threatened Jude’s readers denied Jesus authority.

Collectively the epistles revel how one becomes a disciple of Christ and how one can grow in Him through a relationship with the local church.

4. Prophecy (Revelation)

The last book in the Bible is Revelation. Revelation records letters to churches and the completion of God’s plan for the world. Revelation takes up the great themes of the OT prophets depicting God’s judgement on the sins of the earth, the restoration of His people, and the coming of Christ rule. Through the teaching of Revelation we can look forward to the future with confidence rather than fear. God plans to fulfill every bit of His Word.