9:00 AM Sunday School
NEW TESTAMENT
Book By Book
By Jerry Schmoyer Copyright Ó 1998
252 W. State Street , Doylestown , PA 18901
215-348-8086 – jerry@schmoyer.net
MATTHEW: Jesus the King
MT., MK., LK., JN. : Compared and Contrasted
II CORINTHIANS: A Godly Ministry
COLOSSIANS: Christ is SupremeI THESSALONIANS: Jesus is Coming Again
II THESSALONIANS: Jesus is Coming Soon
Contact me if you would like a hard copy of this complete with charts, outlines and diagrams contact Jerry Schmoyer, 252 W State St, Doylestown, PA 18901 215-348-8086 jerry@schmoyer.net |
Alfred Hitchcock (1899-1980), the movie director, told a parable in Guideposts (1959) about the unknown. There once was a king who was granted two wishes. His first was to see the future. But when he saw all that lay ahead -- the beauty and the pain -- he immediately asked for his second wish; that the future be hidden. "I thank Heaven," the master of suspense proclaimed, "that tomorrow does not belong to any man. It belongs to God."
HISTORY = HIS STORY In fact, ALL history belongs to God: past, present and future. Every single event is under His control, even to a bird coming to land on the ground (Matthew 10:29). The rising and falling of the most powerful nations of the world are also under God’s control (Daniel 2:32-47; Acts 4:25). This is very comforting in a world that seems out of control.
One of the best examples of this is the coming of Jesus to earth. God says that this was in the very time He chose: Gal 4:4 But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law. God didn’t sit around waiting for the right time, He actively controlled history so that all the conditions necessary were present when He came to earth. Just what made this particular time so special?
There were three main groups of people God used to prepare the world for Jesus’ first coming. These affected all areas of life at that time. Everything was perfectly prepared in the area of politics (Rome), philosophy (Greece) and the people (Israel).
GREECE (PHILOSOPHY) Greece took over control of Palestine from Persia in 334 BC when Alexander was conquering the whole area. When he died in 323 the Ptolmey’s ruled there until the Seleucids took over in 219 BC. During this time the area was totally saturated with Greek culture, thought and philosophy (a kind of humanism not much different from New Age thought today). Many Jews bought into this, lead by a group of very liberal-thinking Jews called the Sadducees. God used this Greek thought to prepare people for the coming Messiah and the spread of the early church because Greek thought was looking for answers but, despite all the attempts to find them, didn’t really produce anything to fill people’s hearts. There were Epicureans, Stoics, Academics, Orphism, Pythagoreans, Cynics, Skeptics and many more. Socrates, Plate and Aristotle were influencing the people. God was just an intellectual abstraction. There were no strong gods or goddesses demanding the loyalty and attention of the common people. Questions were asked but not answered.
Of great impact on the world, and the Bible, was the spread of Greek as the universal language. Now people could speak to each other in a common language -- very essential to the quick spread of the early church. Not only was Greek a universal language, but it was a very precise language. It was just what was needed to convey all the theological nuances and flavors of the New Testament. God obviously prepared Greek for His Word.
ISRAEL (PEOPLE) While the Greeks greatly influenced the land of Palestine, they never conquered the hearts of the people. Antiochus Epiphanes desecrated the temple in the most awful ways and killed any Jews who practiced their religion in any way. Even quoting a Bible verse was punishable by death. The Maccabeans revolt, led by the Hasmonean family, won back Jewish independence and culminated with the rededication of the temple on December 25, 164 BC. Unfortunately the Hasmonean rulership soon became almost as oppressive as the Seleucids had been before them. I movement of conservative Jews who wanted to have the nation turn back to God and His Word arose. Called the Pharisees, they led the people in civil war which just made everything worse. This so weakened the nation that the Romans, having defeated the Greeks, were easily able to annex Palestine in 63 BC.
During all this, though, Jews were moving into virtually every nation of the world. This dispersion was very foundational to the spread of the early church. The Jews brought their message of one God reveled in the Bible Who wanted His people to life a holy life to every nation, setting the groundwork for the spread of the early church. Their synagogues became perfect places to first preach the Good News of Jesus the Messiah. The church became patterned after the synagogue.
Also during this time period the Septuagint (LXX) was translated. For the first time the Jews, and also anyone who could read Greek, could read the Bible for themselves. This opened the way for the spread of the Gospel, too. God was working to bring all this about.
ROME (POLITICS) While the Greeks influenced the minds of men, Rome controlled their bodies. Rome’s take-over of that whole part of the world also was important in setting the groundwork for what was to come. For the first time there was world peace, and it lasted for several hundred years. That meant it was safe to travel anywhere. Rome built marvelous roads for travel. Travel by ship was safe, too. Pirates and robbers were kept under control. Because of peace as well as advances in technology, it was no longer for everyone to spend the vast majority of their time growing their own food. Many people moved into cities and pursued other crafts. This made it possible for Paul and the other early missionaries to go into the cities where people were already gathered and preach. This was MUCH more efficient than going from farm to farm!
Then, too, Rome allowed religious freedom. They did not dictate who or what was to be worshipped. People could decide for themselves. The old gods and idols their ancestors worshipped no longer held much interest and often didn’t apply to their new lives in the cities. City life brought its share of new problems, too. Sin was rampant. Alcoholism, immorality, homosexuality, prostitution, crime, murder, extortion and political corruption were rampant. Something was needed to give meaning, peace and satisfaction in life. The stage was set for the message of Jesus
Gal 4:4 But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law. God IS in control of history, of ALL history. He has everything set up just the way He wanted it to be for Jesus’ first coming. He’s doing the same right now, getting ready for Jesus’ return. It’s His world. He is sovereign Lord over all that happens. Praise His name!
TITLE: Named after the author
AUTHOR: Matthew, tax collector, disciple
DATE of WRITING: About 60 AD
PLACE of WRITING: Antioch of Syria
TIME COVERED: Life of Jesus
RECIPIENTS: Jews everywhere
KEY VERSE: A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham: 1:1
KEY WORD: “Fulfill” (17 times); “kingdom of heaven” (32 times)
PURPOSE: Connect the Old and New Testaments
THEME:. Jesus is the King of Israel, the promised Jewish Messiah.
Suppose you had 10 pennies in your hand shook them up, then opened your hand. What are the chances that they would all be heads? How many tries do you think it would take? On an average it would take you a little over a thousand tries! Now think of these coins as prophecies of Jesus. Pennies only have two sides – a 50-50 chance. Prophecies have many more ways of not being fulfilled than fulfilled. What if the very first time all 10 came up heads! Suppose you did it again and they were all heads, and again and again – 30 times in all and every time every penny was heads. You would think something special was going on, wouldn’t you? That’s just how it is with prophecies of the Messiah. He fulfilled every one of the over 300 prophecies about the Messiah. This is tremendous proof that Jesus is the Messiah.
MATTHEW WROTE TO SHOW JESUS FULFILLED PROPHECY to show that Jesus was the Messiah. “That it might be fulfilled” occurs about 20 times in his gospel. Matthew was the best-educated of all the Jews and an excellent writer. He wrote to fellow Jews, who knew the Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah, to show that Jesus fulfilled the prophecies. He includes 50 direct quotes from the Old Testament and 75 allusions to the Old Testament – double what any other Gospel has.
In Malachi the Messiah is anticipated. The Old Testament closes looking for Him. "See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes. 6 He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse." (Malachi 4:5) In Matthew we see the Messiah has arrived, fulfilling these prophecies.
MESSIAH The term ‘Messiah’ is a Hebrew word that means ‘Anointed One.’ The word ‘Christ’ is the Greek equivalent of it. Prophets, priests and kings were all anointed. The Messiah was all in one. In Matthew, and to the Jews as a whole, the main emphasis was on Messiah as King. That’s what Matthew shows his readers – Jesus is the promised Messiah-King.
I. THE KING IS REVEALED (1:1 - 9:30) The first question a Jew would ask of someone claiming to be the Messiah would be, “Are you a direct descendant of David?” Here is where Matthew starts. He gives Jesus legal status through His earthly father Joseph (1:1-7). One problem arises, and that is that there is a curse on all the physical descendants of Jehoiachin, so how could a king come from that line? The solution is that Jesus wasn’t a physical descendent of his but a legal one only. Matthew explains how this could be by explaining about the virgin birth ( 1:18 - 2:23 ). About a dozen time Matthew quotes the Old Testament to show how each step fulfilled a prophecy about the Messiah.
He then tells how ambassadors came to crown the king (3:1-17), and how He proved His sinlessness when Satan tempted Him (4:1-11). The King then sets forth His moral laws for His kingdom (5:1 - 7:25). Thus Matthew shows Jesus is the Messiah by His birth and by what He said. Next He will show His qualifications by what He did.
Miracle after miracle is listed, showing Jesus’ words (8:1 - 9:30). He is not only man (genealogy and birth), He is also God (miracles)
II. THE KING IS RESISTED (10:1 - 16:12) While some accepted the message of the King, many rejected it (10:1 - 12:50). Jesus’ parables of the coming Kingdom show the pattern of rejection before eventual acceptance (13:1-52). Meanwhile, the Messiah was rejected by Herod, His own family, and the religious rulers ( 13:53-16:12 ).
III. THE KING IS REJECTED ( 19:13 - 27:66) Because the masses rejected Him, Jesus turned his ministry to training those who believed, preparing them for when He would be gone ( 16:13 - 20:28 ). He taught them about His coming rejection and death and what would happen after.
On ‘Palm Sunday’ Jesus clearly showed the whole nation, by actions and words, that He was the Messiah King (21:1-11). Some accepted, but most rejected. He went on to cleanse His throne room, the temple ( 21:12 -22) and defend His kingship against those who rejected Him ( 21:23 - 23:39 ). In the Olivet Discourse (24:1 - 25:46) Jesus foretold when His kingdom would come. In the meantime, the King was turned down and crucified (26:1 - 27:66).
IV. THE KING IS RAISED (27:66 - 28:20) The power of the King over death and sin is seen in His resurrection from the dead.
Thus Matthew shows Jesus as the Messiah King, even though the religious rulers and the nation as a whole rejected Him. What about you – is He your King?
TITLE: Named after the author
AUTHOR: Mark, young friend of Paul
DATE of WRITING: About 50 AD
PLACE of WRITING: Rome
TIME COVERED: Ministry of Jesus
RECIPIENTS: Gentiles
KEY VERSE: For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his
life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10:45)
KEY WORD: “Straightway” (40 times in KJV; “right away” “at once” in NIV); “Multitude” (17 x)
PURPOSE: Short account of Peter’s preaching (gospel tract) to distribute
THEME:. Show Christ as the perfect and absolutely faithful servant
In many churches today someone who is a ‘deacon’ is looked up to as being in a position many aspire to for they are often seen as occupying a level a little above others. In the New Testament, though, a ‘deacon’ was one who waited on tables – a servant/slave. Church leaders are to be servants of others, following the example of Jesus, the ultimate Servant. “I did not come to be served, but to serve” (Mark 10:45 ).
MARK WROTE TO SHOW JESUS WAS A SERVANT Mark, in his short gospel, paints a picture of Jesus the servant/slave. While Matthew wrote to Jews to show Jesus as the Messiah/King, Mark wrote to Gentiles to show Jesus as a servant. Mark wasn’t with Jesus, although it seems the Last Supper was held in the upper room in his house. Mark wrote down what Peter taught and preached, so really the Gospel of Mark is Peter’s words.
“Straightway” and “immediately” are used over 40 times in Mark. The focus is on Jesus’ actions and miracles. There aren’t many quotes of his teaching or recounting of parables. After all, a servant is known by his actions, not how good a servant he claims to be!
A servant is someone who will deliberately, voluntarily, sacrificially and joyfully give up their own goals in order to help someone else meet their goals. Mark shows Jesus doing just this. In life He served God by obeying Him in all He wanted, and in death He served Him by giving up His own life to redeem us.
I. SEPARATION OF THE SERVANT (1:1-13) Mark starts with John the Baptizer (1:1-8). There is no mention of Jesus’ birth, parents, etc. After all, the background of a slave isn’t important. Also, Mark’s Gentile readers weren’t as interested in that sort of thing as Matthew’s Jewish readers. Jesus’ baptism shows Jesus committing Himself to serve God (1:9-11) and His resisting Satan’s temptations ( 1:12 -13) show Him as being 100% obedient to His own Master only. When John was arrested the focus of attention switched to Jesus.
II. SERVICE OF THE SERVANT ( 1:14 - 10:52 ) Usually a servant/slave doesn’t have servants/slaves, but Jesus did ( 1:14 -20). He called disciples to follow Him to become servants like Him. Mark then lists a series of miracles to show that, while being a servant, Jesus was also God and could therefore call servants ( 1:21 - 3:12 ). The majority rejected this, but some believed. Those that did were with Him 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to learn how to be servants from Him (3:13-35). Jesus taught them using stories (parables), showing them the importance of serving God (4:1-34).
Next Mark shows how this Servant was sovereign over nature, demons, sickness, death, rejection and physical ailments ( 4:35 -9:1). There are a few words of His quoted at this point, His teachings about His glory, death, hell, divorce, children and eternal life (9:2 - 10:52).
III. SACRIFICE OF THE SERVANT (11:1 - 15:47) The true test of a servant is His submission. Jesus doesn’t ask His followers to do anything He wasn’t willing to do – and He did the worst of all. After showing Himself to be King (11:1-11) and being rejected, He went on to teach His followers how to live like a servant after He was gone ( 11:12 - 13:37 ). A few did recognize Who He really was, and commit themselves to a lifetime of service to Him (14:1-9). However one of His closest followers betrayed Him for 30 pieces of silver – the price of a slave ( 14:10 -11). Still, Jesus was submissive to His Master’s will. He instituted the Last Supper, showing that it was His free will choice to go through with the crucifixion (14:2-52). He also submitted to His arrest and unfair trials, which culminated in His crucifixion ( 14:53 - 15:47 ).
IV. SOVEREIGNTY OF THE SERVANT (16:1-20) That seemed to be the end of the suffering Servant – but it wasn’t so! The suffering was done, but not His service. He came back to life (16:1-8). Mark has very little to say about the resurrection and time after, just enough to let his readers know that it happened. He is no longer a servant, His followers are to now take over His servant chores on earth.
Do you see Jesus as a servant? Do you see Him as YOUR servant, Who died for you? Since He did that for us, He has the right to ask us to lay down OUR lives for Him, to die for Him by living for Him each moment of each day. He continues to serve us by interceding for us, helping and protecting us, providing for our needs and keeping us safe from Satan’s destruction. He needs us to serve Him by serving each other in this life. Since He is no longer here to do it, He wants it done through us. Remember, everyone serves someone. If it isn’t God, it is self, sin or Satan. Honestly, which do YOU serve? Which do your actions say you serve? How good a servant are you? What can you do to improve your service now?
TITLE: Named after the author
AUTHOR: Luke, a Gentile doctor
DATE of WRITING: About 60 AD
PLACE of WRITING: Rome
TIME COVERED: Life of Christ
RECIPIENTS: Theophilus, then everyone
KEY VERSE: For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost." (Luke 19:10)
KEY WORD: “Son of Man” (26 times)
PURPOSE: To confirm Theophilus’ faith by basing it on historical facts about Jesus (1:3-4).
Then to present Jesus as the Son of Man (humanity of Jesus is emphasized) Whom
Israel rejected (which opened the door for Gentiles to enter).
THEME: Give an accurate record of Jesus as the perfect God-man.
Hundreds of names are used for Jesus in the Bible, but the one He chose for Himself was “Son of Man.” It’s used 27 times in Luke. If Jesus would have called Himself “Messiah” then people would have thought He was claiming to be a military leader who had come to lead a revolt against Rome , for that is what the people thought the Messiah would do.
LUKE WROTE TO SHOW ON JESUS THE MAN The title “Son of Man” comes from Daniel’s vision of God the Son coming to reveal future events to him (Daniel 7:13; 8:17). Using it is an obvious claim to deity, but also a term of identification with man. “Son of,” in Jewish idiom, doesn’t mean inferior or lesser. Rather it means ‘related to, part of, extension of.’ Thus when Jesus used this, and Luke focused his gospel around it, the focus was not on the connection with God in Daniel but with Jesus’ identification with man: “Son of Man.” The Messiah was to be God and man. While John focuses on Jesus as God, Luke focuses on Him as a man.
Luke was certainly the person to write about the human side of Jesus. As a doctor he was very attuned to the physical aspect of people. As a scientist, Luke approaches his subject in a very scholarly, objective way. The miracles he includes are those of healing, and he is quite specific in his descriptions.
The fullest account of Jesus’ birth, childhood and home life is in Luke’s gospel. He shows Jesus’ human side and feelings. Social contacts and human relationships are emphasized. His prayer life is emphasized. His interest in downtrodden and needy individuals is clearly shown as well. This is the longest book in the New Testament.
I. COMING OF THE SON OF MAN (1:1-4:13) Luke gives the most complete and detailed account of Jesus’ human beginnings: birth and childhood (1:1 - 2:59). By being baptized He was identifying with humanity, calling man to repent from sin (3:1-22). While Matthew includes Jesus’ royal/kingly genealogy, Luke records His human descent through Mary, all the way from Adam ( 3:23 -38). His temptation by Satan showed He was subject to temptation as a man: hunger, pain, loneliness, pride, etc. He withstood the temptations as a man (4:1-13).
II. CAREER OF THE SON OF MAN (4:14 - 9:50) Jesus’ first claims to being the Messiah were made in Nazareth, but the people there, who watched Him grow up, could only see Him as a man, not as God and man (4:14-30). To prove He was no ordinary man Jesus performed miracles to show His authority. He had power over demons, disease, disciples, defilement and deformity ( 4:31 - 6:11 ).
Jesus, by living His message, was attracting a strong group of followers, men and women who wanted to live their lives like Him. This is one reason He became a man: to show us how to live life on earth ( 6:12 -49). As a man He cared about other people and showed His compassion by healing and feeding them (7:1 - 9:50). Then He was Transfigured to show He was more than a mere man.
III. CONFLICT OF THE SON OF MAN ( 9:51 - 19:27 While people were quick to take the healing and free food Jesus provided, they didn’t want to follow His life style ( 9:51 - 11:54 ). To the ones who did, He taught them how to live as God wanted them to (12:1 - 19:27). He warned against hypocrisy, taught about love and salvation, even warned about His coming death.
IV. CRUCIFIXION OF THE SON OF MAN ( 19:28 - 23:56 ) His death is just what happened next. When He presented Himself as the God-man Messiah most rejected. Weeping loudly because His heart was breaking over what rejection would mean to Jerusalem , He showed He knows what we feel and go through ( 19:28 -44). He showed other emotions, too – like anger when He cleaned out the temple ( 19:45 -48). He showed need of human companionship when lonely at the Lord’s Supper (22:7-38). In Gethsemane He emotional pain ( 22:39 -46), as He did when mocked during His unfair trials ( 22:47 -53). Peter’s denial hurt, too ( 22:54 -62). He experienced extreme physical pain when they beat and crucified Him (22:63 - 23:49 ). He died as a man and was buried ( 23:50 -56).
V. CLIMAX OF THE SON OF MAN (24:1-53) But that wasn’t the end of it. He came alive physically again, showing that will happen to all who follow Him (24:1-49). It was a new, resurrection body He had that replaced His earthly, human body.
How does it make you feel to think about Jesus as a man: humbling Himself to be one of us because He loved us, setting an example for us to follow, showing us God’s perfect standard for us to follow, and paying for our sins on the cross? He knows what we go through when we are tempted, lonely, angry, in pain or stressed out. He understands. He’s been there. God to Him and He’ll understand.
TITLE: Named after the author
AUTHOR: John, beloved disciple of Jesus
DATE of WRITING: About 80 - 90 AD
PLACE of WRITING: Ephesus
TIME COVERED: Life of Jesus
RECIPIENTS: Believers
KEY VERSE: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever
believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life”. (John 3:16)
KEY WORD: “Father” (121); “World” (78); “Believe” (98), “Love” (57); “Life” (52); “Son” (42)
PURPOSE: Add a written account of Jesus’ life including information Matthew, Mark and Luke
didn’t include.
THEME: To show Jesus is God, Savior of the world.
Years after Matthew wrote to Jews to show Jesus as the Messiah, Mark to Gentiles to show Jesus as man and Luke wrote to show Jesus as a man, John wrote and added information that wasn’t covered by the others. If he hadn’t done this our knowledge about Jesus’ earthly life would be much weaker, both in quantity and quality.
JOHN WROTE TO SHOW JESUS AS GOD John was the perfect one to write a Gospel, for he was one of the inner three, and perhaps the closest on to Jesus on earth, for he was called “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” Knowing everyone would recognize John in that description means they must have been VERY close. Thus John could provide a unique perspective on Jesus’ life. Matthew, Mark and Luke are called synoptic gospels because they contain roughly the same material. John, however, contains 92% new material. John’s focus is on showing that Jesus is God. Six times He is called the “Son of Man.”
I. DEITY OF THE SON OF GOD (1:1-18) John starts with the divine genealogy of Jesus, showing He was always God and was with God before the world was created. In fact, John says He created the world, then became man to reach us with God’s message and die for our sin. Luke shows Jesus’ humanity (“Son of Man”) and John shows His deity (“Son of God”). These opening verses give a summary of the whole book. He then expands and fills in details showing that Jesus was indeed God.
II. DEBATE WITH THE SON OF GOD (1:19 - 12:50) Jesus was shown to be God by John the Baptizer (1:19-51) and His own miracles, such as turning water to wine (2:1-11) and cleansing the temple (2:12-25). He revealed Himself to Nicodemus (3:1-21), a Samaritan Woman (4:1-42), and a Nobleman in Capernaum (4:43-45).
Not everyone believed His claims to deity, though. Despite miracles the religious rulers disbelieved (5:1-47). When the masses found He wasn’t there to wait on their needs they, too, turned (6:1-71). John then shows a series of debates between Jesus and the religious rulers (7:1 - 12:11), all showing in various ways that Jesus was God. This section culminates in Jesus’ triumphal entry (12:12-50) with His claim to be the God-man Messiah.
III. DECREES OF THE SON OF GOD (13:1 - 17:26) John uses about half of his gospel to detail information about Jesus’ death and resurrection. He starts with a detailed account of Jesus’ teachings during His final meal on earth (13:1 - 16:33). He foretold the future and just what would happen, then He prayed for His followers (17:1-20) as He still prays for us.
IV. DENIAL OF THE SON OF GOD (18:1 - 19:42) Although He had power to resist, Jesus allowed the authorities to arrest Him (18:1-11) and put Him through a series of degrading trials (18:12 - 19:16), culminating with His death on the cross (19:17-42). Even that showed His deity in that He paid for our sins and conquered sin and death.
V. DESTINY OF THE SON OF GOD (20:1 - 21:25) The ultimate proof that Jesus is God, of course, is His resurrection (20:1 - 21:25). That shows completely and finally who He is.
It’s been said that Jesus is either Lord, Lunatic of Liar. Having claimed so often to be God there is no way He could be just a good teacher and fine example. If someone over and over claims to be God, always have existed and be able to forgive sin, He is either crazy (lunatic), lying (liar) or Who He claims to be (Lord). What is your choice?
Compared & Contrasted
Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Their names are very familiar to us. They fit together in our minds, in that precise order. We are so familiar with them that we take them for granted. But why wasn’t it Philip, Peter and Paul? Or just Andrew? Why four gospels? Why these four? Why a New Testament at all? It’s important to know the answer to these questions to be able to correctly interpret the Gospels. The answers are quite interesting.
WHY A NEW TESTAMENT? From God’s viewpoint the New Testament was to complete the incomplete revelation of the Old (Heb 1:1-2; Jer 31:31-34; Mal 3:1), to show the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies (Lk 4:21: Jn 13:18; 17:12; Acts 1:16), to fully present the way of salvation (Jn 20:31) and to give all needed information for God’s people to live for Him (Jn 4:25; 17:8; 16:12-13; Mt 16:18; Eph 5:23-32). From man’s viewpoint it was written to have a clear and accurate record of Jesus’ life on earth. The eye-witnesses were dying off and heresies were growing and spreading false teachings. Plus, Christianity was spreading and expanding, and the best way to carry the truth to faraway places was in written form.
WHY THE GOSPELS FIRST? The Old Testament shows the promises and prophecies of a coming Redeemer and why He is needed. The Gospels show that Jesus fulfilled those prophecies and met man’s need. Acts shows the results of the Messiah’s coming. The Epistles add further teaching about the Messiah’s work and its results as well as how that applies to our daily lives. The book of Revelation shows the final culmination of all things, when all prophecies are totally and completely fulfilled with God Himself on David’s throne.
WHY MORE THAN ONE GOSPEL? Various men viewed Jesus from different perspectives. They wrote to vastly differing audiences. Several writers help to confirm what the others say, and shed light on each other’s accounts.
WHY FOUR GOSPELS? The Law required the testimony of 2 witnesses (Dt 19:15; Mt 18:16). For something this important twice the number of witnesses is given. Also, the number four in the Bible and to the Jews stands for earthly completeness: four season’s directions on a compass, walls in a building, phases of the moon, etc. Together Matthew, Mark, Luke and John show the completeness of Jesus’ life on earth.
WHY THESE FOUR GOSPELS? Actually several other gospels were written to help spread the message of Jesus, but aren’t included in the New Testament. The four that are included were the ones God Himself chose. He inspired them and kept them perfect for us.
WHICH GOSPEL WAS WRITTEN FIRST? Most scholars agree that Mark wrote first, recording Peter’s message in tract form. About 10 years later, in the 60’s, Matthew and Luke wrote. They had Mark’s gospel and elaborated on much of what he wrote. Then, 20 years later, John supplemented what they wrote by adding much new material focusing on the deity of Jesus.
WHO DO MATTHEW, MARK, LUKE AND JOHN COMPARE? Matthew, Mark and Luke are called ‘synoptic’ gospels because so much in them is ‘synonymous’ (similar) material. They all cover virtually the same events. John, however, includes almost all (92%) new material which they didn’t cover. The synoptic focus on Jesus’ outer life, giving facts about Him as a person. John goes deeper inside and focuses on showing Jesus as God. Matthew’s focus in Jesus as the prophesied, mighty King. Mark shows Him as the obedient, lowly Servant. Luke pictures Him as the perfect, ideal Man. Matthew wrote to convince the Jews that Jesus is the Messiah (1:1; 23:37-39), Mark to spread the gospel among Gentiles (10:45), Luke to give an accurate history of His earthly life (10:10) and John to help believers to grow by trusting in Jesus’ power as God (3:16).
WHY DOES MATTHEW COME FIRST? Since Mark was written first, why is Matthew put first? Thematically Matthew links the Old Testament with the New Testament by showing that Jesus of Nazareth fulfilled the prophecies and is, indeed, the promised Messiah. Mark moves away from Judaism, but not completely. Luke presents Christ as the Savior of the Gentiles. John then concludes with a strong, clear declaration that Jesus is in essence God, the Savior of all mankind.
SPECIFICALLY HOW DOES THIS APPLY? The Triumphal Entry is one of the very few events in the life of Jesus that is included in all four Gospels. It was so important and so pivotal that each had to include it. We can use it as an example of their various perspectives and purposes. This shows why understanding the differences in the gospels is so important.
Matthew gives it 15 verses (21:1-11, 14-17), Mark 11 verses (11:1-11), Luke 16 verses (19:29-44) and John 8 verses (12:12-19). Mark wrote first, a short account showing Jesus as a humble servant who makes Himself available but doesn’t shove Himself on Israel. Matthew, who adds more details to Mark’s story, structures his account around three prophecies which Christ then fulfilled (Zech 9:9; Ps 118:26; 8:2), quoting them and showing his Jewish readers how this further proves Jesus is the Messiah. Luke also builds on Mark’s account. Doctor Luke focuses on Jesus as a man, a human being like us, but a man who was also God. He records that Jesus wept (41) as a man but also prophesied the future (43) as God. Only Luke records the religious rulers challenging Jesus the man to stop His disciples (39) as well as Jesus’ response that if they are silent the stones will cry out (40) because they are proclaiming Him Messiah - God and man in one. John, writing last, doesn’t repeat the details that the others have already recorded but, in accordance with his theme, shows Jesus is God. He refers to His resurrection (16) and miraculous signs He had been doing (18).
Thus it is important to understand the history of the writing of the four gospels to accurately interpret them. It is true that ALL Scripture is inspired and important for us (II Tim 3:16). God’s Word is so special, so important, so precise, so wonderful and so life-giving that we must immerse ourselves in it all we can. Spend some time in the Bible today.
TITLE: After the ACTions of the Holy Spirit
AUTHOR: Luke
DATE of WRITING: About 63 AD
PLACE of WRITING: Various places
TIME COVERED: AD 30 - 60
RECIPIENTS: Theophilus, then everyone
KEY VERSE: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8)
KEY WORD: “Holy Spirit” (54 times); “name” (33 times), “witness” (12 times)
PURPOSE: The Gospels contain the facts of Jesus’ earthly life. Acts continues the story about
the start of the early church and sets the background for understanding the epistles.
THEME: To continue the record of the works (‘acts”) of the risen Lord.
The Old Testament shows our need of a Redeemer and God’s promise to send One. The Gospels show how that was fulfilled in Jesus. The book of Acts picks up the story after Jesus’ ascension back to heaven (1:1-26). It shows how a handful of believers, filled with the Holy Spirit, started the church and spread God’s message to the world. The epistles are letters written to churches and individuals during the time of Acts. Revelation shows the final fulfillment of all the ages.
LUKE THE WRITER Luke wrote both Luke and Acts. While Paul wrote the most books in the New Testament, 13, and John was next with 5, Luke wrote the most pages. His book called Acts was a follow-up to his Gospel of Luke. It is a historical book, a transitional book. It is not a theology for us to apply in every detail, but it is an accurate historical record of the transition from Law to Grace, from Israel to Church, from Jew and Gentile to Bride of Christ. Any transition takes time and goes through various stages. This was true of the early church, too.
chapter | 1-7 | 8-12 | 13-28 | ||||||
area | JERUSALEM | JUDEA - SAMARIA | ENDS OF THE EARTH | ||||||
people | JEWS | SAMARITANS | GENTILES | ||||||
men | PETER | PHILIP (Peter/Paul) | PAUL | ||||||
church | ESTABLISHMENT | EXTENSION | EXPANSION | ||||||
time | 2 YRS (33-35) | 13 YRS (35-48) | 14 YRS (48-62) | ||||||
Missionary Jour | 1MJ | 2MJ | 3MJ | Rome1 | Trip | Rome | … | ||
Chapters | 13-14 | 16-18 | 19-20 | 21-28 | |||||
Years | 1 ½ | 2 ½ | 4 | 5 | 5 | 1 | … | ||
Books | James | Mark Gal. | IThes IIThes | I Cor II Cor Rom | Eph Col Phile Phili Acts | ITim Titu Mt Lk I Pt II Pt | II Tim Heb Jud | Jn I Jn II Jn III Jn Rev | |
The book follows the outline laid down in 1:8: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
I. “JERUSALEM” (1-7) In the first section of Acts the focus is on Jerusalem. Peter leads the early church. The account is picked up with the ascension of Jesus to heaven (1). The start of the early church in Jerusalem is recorded – Pentecost (2). Events of the young church are then listed: a cripple cured (3), Peter and John arrested and released (4), Ananias and Saphira killed for deception (5), 7 deacons chosen to help with the work load (6) and the death of Stephen (7).
II. “JUDEA & SAMARIA” (8-12) God used this first wave of persecution against the Christians in Jerusalem to cause them to scatter with the gospel. They should have done this before but didn’t, now they must. Philip’s preaching in Samaria and to the Ethiopian eunuch, (8), Paul’s conversion (9), and Peter’s evangelism of the Gentile Cornelius and his household (10-11) comprise the historical elements. The church has gone from Jews in Jerusalem to Jews and Gentiles throughout Palestine.
III. “ENDS OF THE EARTH” (13-28) In this third section the focus shifts to Paul and his missionary journeys - 3 of them (13 - 20). Paul was the one to take the gospel to Gentiles and start churches in Asia Minor and even into Europe itself. The book ends with Paul’s arrest and trip to Rome for trial (21-28). After his release he continued to travel, then was martyred in Rome.
Now it’s our turn to take the gospel and spread it. Like in a relay race, each one has his turn to do his part. Now is your turn as part of this generation. Don’t drop the baton!
TITLE: Named for the recipients
AUTHOR: Paul
DATE of WRITING: 56 AD
PLACE of WRITING: Corinth
RECIPIENTS: Church at Rome
KEY VERSE:: I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith." 1:16-17
KEY WORDS: “Christ” (39 times), “faith” (37 times), “justify” 17 times
PURPOSE: To teach the basic truths of the Christian faith to a place he has long wanted to
visit but hasn’t been able to visit.
THEME: All about salvation and living the Christian life.
Every preacher’s dream is to have one time in his life when he can say whatever he wants with no time limit and no interruptions. Perhaps that’s why so many of us dream of writing a book. Most of us will have to wait until heaven, though, for the chance to preach and teach without a time limit. Few of us get that chance on earth. Paul is one of the fortunate ones. He was known to preach all night long, but he still had time constraints. He started in Athens giving his total overall teaching of salvation and the Christian life, but he didn’t get to finish. Finally in writing to the Romans he was able to say it all!
THE GREATNESS OF ROMANS Romans is perhaps the finest book in the New Testament. Many would say that if they had to pick just one book of the Bible to keep and use it would be the book or Romans. It has led to more great revivals than any other book and, because of its breadth and scope, stands head and shoulders about other books. Paul’s other writings were to address specific problems or doctrinal issues. In Romans he is free to choose his topic, and he chose salvation and its results in our life. There is no greater topic to be had.
LIVING BY FAITH Paul starts off stating his theme in 1:16-17: “The righteous shall live by faith.” This is actually quoted from Habakkuk and led to Martin Luther’s conversion and the Reformation. It is actually a play on words in the Aramaic by Paul. First is says that those who become justified shall have eternal life by faith, accepting God’s free gift of salvation. That is expanded in Romans 1-4. Then he also says that those who have become justified by faith shall live their daily lives by that same faith. This is expanded in Romans 5-15. This not only summarizes the book but our own lives.
I. SIN – guilt of all (1:18 – 3:20) Before showing the solution, Paul shows the problem – sin. Those without God’s revelation (Gentiles) are guilty of sin. Those with God’s revelation (Jews) are also guilty of sin. In fact, ALL are guilty and condemned.
II. SALVATION – provision for all (3:21 – 5:21) God provided for our sins in the person of Jesus Christ (3:21-31). It is up to us to freely accept this gift of salvation by faith (4:1-25). When we do we have all the blessings and benefits of salvation (5:1-11). This is all freely given in Jesus (5:12-21). However the book doesn’t end here. Salvation is just the start, then comes the command to live for Jesus.
III. SANCTIFICATION – provision for all believers (6:1 – 8:39) After salvation we must life a holy life unto God. Our sin has been paid for an removed, so in actual practice we are to not live in sin (6:1-23). We are freed from the power of sin to control us. Grace is not an excuse to sin. We’ll never have victory over sin by trying to keep the law, for that isn’t its purpose (7:1-25). We have freedom only in Jesus (8:1-39). If Romans is the crown jewel of the Bible, then Romans 8 is the focal point of most beauty in this whole jewel. It is certainly a chapter well worth memorizing. It shows the victory we have in Jesus.
IV. SOVEREIGNTY – provision for Jews & Gentiles (9:1 – 11:36) With Gentiles now accepted by faith, what about Jews? God sovereignly chose them through Abraham. Even though they disobeyed and failed Him, He won’t reject them. He may temporarily set them aside so Gentiles can come to salvation, but they will one day turn to Jesus for salvation and be restored as God’s chosen people.
V. SERVICE – provision for daily life (12:1 – 15:13) Paul concludes, as he always does, by applying the doctrine he has just taught to daily life. He changes from teacher to preacher. He talks about our daily life (12:1-21), daily conduct (13:1-14), and daily relationships (14:1 – 15:13).
Spend time in this most special book. It’s a treasure mine of special promises and blessings.
I CORINTHIANS : WORLDLY WISDOM
TITLE: Named for recipients
AUTHOR: Paul
DATE of WRITING: 55 AD
PLACE of WRITING: Ephesus
RECIPIENTS: Church at Corinth
KEY VERSE:: For God is not a God of disorder but of peace. … But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way. … But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 14:33; 14:40; 15:57
KEY WORDS: “Wisdom, love, resurrection, cross, Spirit, body, gifts, corruption”
PURPOSE: Address certain situations of worldliness that were defeating the Corinthian church.
THEME: To correct errors in Christian conduct by going by God’s wisdom instead of man’s
worldly wisdom.
We generally think that the greatest danger to the church today comes from without: persecution, oppression, etc. The real danger, however, comes not from without but from within. We are often our own greatest enemy! That is especially true of the church in Corinth. They were believers, but they lived like unbelievers. The church wasn’t influencing society. Society was influencing the church.
CORINTH The city of Corinth was in present-day Greece. It was Greek, but very ‘Roman’ since it was the capital of the whole area. It was large (1/4 million people) and full of pride and pleasure. It had a reputation for being very immoral. To call someone a ‘Corinthian’ was a great insult. Paul was there on his Second Missionary Journey, 50-52 AD. When he was kicked out of the synagogue he started a church and stayed 1 ½ years. He actually wrote 4 letters to the church there. We have the second (called I Corinthians) and fourth (called II Corinthians) in our Bible. Paul then visited them again for 3 months. It was a very worldly, carnal church. The people were believers, but their world view, their motives, their priorities and their thought processes were the same as they were before salvation. They were living by the world’s ways and wisdom, not God’s. That is why Paul writes to them.
I. DIVISIONS (1 – 4) Because of their ungodly viewpoints and values, they were having the same problems after salvation that they hade before. They were comparing themselves with each other and putting down those who were different. They had groups based on who they followed: Paul, Apollos, Peter or Christ (the ‘super-spiritual’ ones claimed this). They also divided over social status and material means. They even made some spiritual gifts superior to others and had divisions over that. This undermined their unity and brought other problems.
II. DISORDERS (5 – 6) In taking the world’s outlook on things they opened themselves to sins. Incest, lawsuits against fellow believers, and immorality in general were tolerated and accepted. Paul has to warn them and show them how they are wrong in these things.
III. DIFFICULTIES (7 – 14) While only some were involved in the immorality and lawsuits, it seems everyone was affected in other ways. By still following their beliefs and views from before salvation, they were experiencing troubles in other areas. What about marrying someone who wasn’t a believer? If one became a Christian and their mate didn’t, could they leave that mate? Why not divorce when things got tough like the rest of the culture? What was wrong with sex before marriage or sex outside marriage? Was it OK to eat cheaper meat which had been offered to idols? Why should a woman have to submit to her husband? Why did a man have to take the lead in his family? What was wrong with observing the pagan love feasts and adding the Lord’s Supper to them? Why wasn’t one who had an impressive spiritual gift like tongues superior spiritually to one who didn’t have that gift? What was wrong with showing off one’s gift during the church service? On and on the list went.
IV. DISBELIEF (15) The culmination of these worldly thoughts and attitudes was that the resurrection was questioned. It didn’t make sense to think of one coming back from death. But without the resurrection, what was left of their faith? If Jesus never raised from the dead there is no power, no hope, no forgiveness – nothing but another belief system which is no better nor any worse than the others. That’s where their thinking was going, and that’s why Paul was so concerted to writ to them as quickly and directly as possible.
What about you? What about your world view, your value and belief system? Does it line up more with the world or the Bible? I don’t mean just what you profess to believe, I mean what you practice in daily life. How different are you from the unbelievers around you in values and goals, in priorities and motives? There are many modern Corinthian believers today – make sure you aren’t one of them!
II CORINTHIANS : A GODLY MINISTRY
TITLE: Named for recipients
AUTHOR: Paul
DATE of WRITING: Late 55 AD
PLACE of WRITING: Ephesus
RECIPIENTS: Church at Corinth
KEY VERSE: For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. … We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 4:5; 5:20-21
KEY WORDS: “Ministry” (18 times), “glory, boast” (20 times)
PURPOSE:
| I CORINTHIANS | II CORINTHIANS |
Objective & Practical | Subjective & Personal |
Insight into the character of an early church | Insight into the character of Paul |
Deliberate Instruction | Impassioned Testimony |
Warning against pagan influences | Warning against Judaistic influences |
THEME: Paul defends himself as a true minister of the Gospel and reestablishes a good
relationship with the Corinthians.
BACKGROUND Paul spent 1 ½ years at Corinth on his Second Missionary Journey. He left for Ephesus and Apollos stayed at Corinth awhile. Then Paul wrote a letter to the Corinthians condemning immorality and asking them to start a collection for the poor. We don’t have a copy of this letter. As reports came to Paul in Ephesus about the problems arising in Corinth, he wrote to them the letter we call I Corinthians. Timothy went to Corinth to help get things settled, but more difficulties arose. To counter Paul’s recent letter, his apostolic authority was being questioned. Timothy personally went to Paul with this matter and Paul stopped by Corinth for a short visit during which grossly insulted by someone e in the church. After he left Paul sent a letter about the money they were collecting for Jerusalem, a letter we don’t have. Titus delivered this letter and then was to bring a report back to Paul. Paul was so anxious to find out the news that he started out to meet Titus. They ran into each other half way, and Paul rejoiced in Titus’ good report of their godly response to Paul’s words. This made Paul so glad he immediately wrote another letter to them, which we call II Corinthians. Later Paul went there and stayed for 3 months, during which time he wrote the letter to the Romans.
II Corinthians is the most autobiographical of Paul’s Epistles. It provide insight into his personal life and ministry not seen elsewhere. Because of the false charges against him, Paul reveals things about himself and his ministry he would never had written down. If it sounds like bragging, its really just self defense. Paul knows they won’t believe God’s truth unless they see him as God’s true messenger. Thus we get rare insight into the warm, human side of Paul. This letter comes from his heart, unlike Romans which comes from his head.
I. COMMISSION OF PAUL (1:12 – 7:16) False teachers caused Paul a lot of trouble. They often carried fake letters of commendation so they could minister in churches and be paid by those churches. While doing so they viciously criticized Paul’s appearance and poor speaking ability. They said he didn’t have apostolic authority since he wasn’t one of Jesus’ 12 disciples. Paul answers heir charges and talks about what he had been doing and why. He shows that his worlds are from God, and that therefore they are correct in believing and accepting them. H shares from his heart about what he has been through and why.
II. CONTRIBUTION FOR THE SAINTS (8:1 – 9:15) Wherever he went Paul encouraged the Gentile churches to collect money to send to Jerusalem to help their poor brothers there. The gospel came through the Jews to the Gentiles, and now they can help them back. Jews in Jerusalem who became believers lost their families, jobs, everything. Paul talked to the Corinthians about this, too, showing it is all of our responsibility to help believers in need.
III. CREDENTIALS OF PAUL (10:1 – 13:10) Paul answered charges about his being too easy on some in the church. He refers to Jesus’ example of forgiveness and mercy. He is accused of not accepting support for his ministry, and he explains why he chose to not exercise that right. He even told them of a time he died and went to heaven before coming back to life. What a wonderful experience that was!
In conclusion Paul tells them to repent and turn 100% from false teachings and teachers to God so things would be fine when Paul got there. He said he wanted to come in love and joy, not with scoldings or disciplining. He promised he would come soon and prove beyond doubt that God supported him and his teachings.
TITLE: Named for the recipients
AUTHOR: Paul
DATE of WRITING: 49 AD
PLACE of WRITING: Antioch
RECIPIENTS: Churches in Galatia ( Asia Minor )
KEY VERSE: “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be
burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” 5:1
KEY WORDS: “Christ” (43 times); “law” (32); “Flesh” (18); “Faith” (22); “spirit” (15)
PURPOSE: To show the readers that the purpose of the law is to lead us to Christ ( 3:24 ) and
the purpose of Christ is to free us (5:1), bring Christian liberty.
THEME:. To show that the believer is free from the law and legalism.
When I was a new Christian I was invited to join the Mormon church as well as Herbert W. Armstrong’s Radio Church of God. As I checked into these groups I found they each had at their core a set of practices that one must adhere to. The big things, even the little things in life, were regulated and specific responses were set for most any event. That didn’t seem too unusual, though, because the Baptist church I was a member of was pretty much the same way. New members took their cue from the older ones about how to dress, act, talk and think in most any situation. If one didn’t know they had only to ask and the answer was given. Everything was black and white. At first that nice because I didn’t have to make decisions on my own. They were all made. As a new Christian I could act and look just like those who had been Christians their whole lives. Instant spirituality was available to any who would just follow the ‘rules.’ However before long I realized that my Christian life was being lived by and for other Christians, not Christ. Fear of what others would think motivated all I did. It was empty. Oh, it appealed to my pride, but where was the ‘personal relationship’ I so longed for?
Then in Bible College the first book of the Bible I studied in depth was the book of Galatians – just what I needed! Paul was writing to people who were facing the same dilemma I was. He had just completed his First Missionary Journey, going through Asia Minor into the area of Galatia in the middle of it. Several churches were started there, but after Paul left Jewish Christians who said one had to keep all the Jewish law in order to have salvation came in and misled the people. So when Paul got back to Antioch he wrote them to straighten them, and me, out about the relationship of law and grace. What he did was give three proofs why we are free from any form of law. These are as follows:
I. BIOGRAPHICAL PROOF (1:10-2:21) - An Independent Revelation First Paul talks in detail about himself, something he does in no other book. However in no other book is he writing to people who distrust him and his motives. He must prove that God is speaking through him or no one will listen to anything he has to say. Thus he gives his credentials first.
Paul points out that he got his message directly from Jesus, not Jewish rabbis, for they were opposed to him (1:10-14), nor from the apostles for they kept away from him (1:15-17). Neither did he get his message from the churches in Judea for he didn’t learn from them (1:18-24) nor from anyone else (2:1-18). He himself had kept the law better than any of them ever could, yet he knew from experience that that was empty (2:19021).
II. THEOLOGICAL PROOF (3:1 - 4:31) - Failure of Legalism Having shown that his readers could trust the source of the message (Paul) he now focuses on the message itself. He reminds them that if grace is how they were saved, that should be how they live the Christian life (3:1-5). Any system that focus on impressing or pleasing man or God fails because the focus is on outer actions, not inter attitude. Paul even uses Abraham as an example of salvation and Christian living by faith, before God gave him any laws (3:6-22). Actually the law makes us slaves, not free (4:8-31).
III. PRACTICAL PROOF (5:1 - 6:10) - THE Effect of Liberty After showing that trying to keep the law is an inferior way to live, Paul shows the superior way of following Jesus. Legalism is under God’s judgment for it seeks to add to the finished work of Jesus. It elevates our work of the flesh and feeds our pride. God wants us to obey and serve Him out of love. When we obey and serve out of love the results will be evident in our lives: the fruit of the Holy Spirit, humility and meekness, faithfulness, perseverance, to name a few (5:25-6:10).
A woman worked for a man whose wife had died. Every day he gave her a list of chores and jobs to do and she did them because he paid her at the end of the week. Eventually they got to love each other and married. She found she was doing the very things he had paid her to do and more, but there was no list and no pay. She now did them out of love. Her motive had changed. What is your motive in serving God? If it isn’t love, it isn’t right/
TITLE: Named for recipients
AUTHOR: Paul
DATE of WRITING: 60 AD
PLACE of WRITING: Rome (prison)
RECIPIENTS: Church at Ephesus
KEY VERSE: Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. … As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 1:3; 4:1
KEY WORDS: “In” (93 times); “grace” (12 times); “walk” (8 times); “body” (8 times)
PURPOSE: “In Christ” key phrase
Romans: We are justified “in Christ” (3:24)
I Corinthians: We are sanctified “in Christ” (1:2)
II Corinthians: We are vindicated “in Christ” (11:19)
Galatians: We are liberated “in Christ” (2:4)
Ephesians: We are exalted “in Christ” (1:3)
Philippians: We are exultant “in Christ” (1:26)
Colossians: We are complete “in Christ” (2:9)
Philemon: We are graced out “in Christ” (15)
I Thessalonians: We are hopeful “in Christ” (1:3)
II Thessalonians: We are glorified “in Christ” (1:12)
I Timothy: We are faithful “in Christ” (1:18)
II Timothy: We are triumphant “in Christ” (14:6)
Titus: We are made examples “in Christ” (2:7)
THEME: The heavenly position of the believer and the daily life which corresponds to this position.
Suppose you had a long lost relative who died leaving their whole estate to only you. The lawyers had tracked you down and re at this moment trying to contact you to tell you all these riches are now yours. It’s already yours, you just don’t realize it yet! It might seem impossible, but this is true. God is trying to contact you. Ephesians is the letter He is sending about all your inherited riches and blessings. Its not about material possessions with will decay and be left behind, its about something yours eternally.
EPHESUS The city of Ephesus was one of the top 3 cities of its day, similar to New York City. Paul spent 3 years there. It was a very strategic location for a church.
US IN CHRIST (1 – 3) Paul starts talking about salvation, how God the Father planned it (election past, present & future – 1:4-6) He was the Architect who drew the blueprint. Then Paul writes about God the Son who provided it (redemption past, present and future – 1:7-12). He is the builder Who followed God’s blueprint. Finally he writes of God the Holy Spirit Who vapplied it regeneration past, present and future – 1:13-14). He is the One Who delivers the title deed to that which Jesus built according to God’s blueprint.
Of course, this is all by grace (2:8-9). God loves us. He knows everything about us and loves us anyway. There is nothing we have done or can do to earn His love. It is given freely and unconditionally. This is grace. There is nothing we can do to earn His love or lose His love. If we wish, we may reject His love, or even reject God Himself. But He will never stop loving us. When we decide to recognize and accept His love, we will feel a joy like we’ve never known before.
CHRIST IN US (4 – 6)
(1-3) LIVE what | you ARE (4-6) |
POSITION of the believer | PRACTICE of the believer |
Heavenly Standing | Earthly State |
Our heritage in Christ | Our life in Christ |
DOCTRINE | PRACTICE |
As is his pattern, Paul applies in the second half of his writings what he teaches in the first half. Because of our position in Christ we should live like Him. We must live a holy life. WWJD. He applies this specifically to husbands, wives, parents, children, slaves and masters. He concludes with a most important section on spiritual warfare and our armor. Those who seek to live like Jesus and for Jesus better be prepared to fight for their spiritual growth for the enemy will oppose any attempts to grow spiritually.
TITLE: Named for recipients
AUTHOR: Paul
DATE of WRITING: 60-61 AD
PLACE of WRITING: Rome (in prison)
RECIPIENTS: Church in Philippi
KEY VERSE: Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 4:4
KEY WORD: “Joy (rejoice)” 18 times; “Mind/think” 10 times
PURPOSE:
GALATIANS | EPHESIANS | PHILIPPIANS | |
Style | Logical Arguments | Teaching & Application | Inform & Console |
Main subject | Salvation (free from law) | Christ (possessions of believer ‘in Christ’) | Life of joy |
Purpose | Correct | Instruct | Inspire |
Tone | Sharp Rebuke | Calm, Victorious | Tender, Joyful |
THEME: Rejoice in the Lord!
The famous German philosopher Neitzsche once said about Christians: “I would believe in their salvation if they looked a little more like people who have been saved!” The early church made a profound impression on their world because of their joy. Paul wrote to one of his favorite churches, the church at Philippi, to encourage them in their joy. There is no problem to correct, just joy to share – and Paul wrote it from prison!
PHILIPPI The city of Philippi was a near Thessalonica. It was a Greek city which Paul had visited on his third missionary journey, about 6 or 7 years before writing to them. When the believers in Philippi heard that Paul was in prison they sent Epaphroditus to Rome to see how Paul was doing and to deliver a gift of money. He needed money to pay for his quarters and food, for he was in house arrest and had to provide for these things himself. Epaphroditus realized Paul was needier than they thought so he stayed and worked for money to give to Paul. During this time he got sick and almost died. When he recovered Paul sent him back to Philippi with this letter. He wanted his friends there to rejoice that Epaphroditus was OK and that Paul was OK, too. Our book of Philippians is the letter Paul sent with him.
I. JOY IN SUPPORT (1:3-11) Paul begins by thanking them for their concern and support for him. He prays for them. Then he gets right to the heart of something he wanted to say.
II. JOY IN SUFFERING (1:12-30) They felt that prison had ended Paul’s ministry, but Paul says NO! He pointed out clearly that his afflictions actually promoted the gospel for he had more time to pray, could witness to he guards and Caesar’s household (many of whom became believers), and had lots more time to pray. Plus his being in prison had stimulated believers and churches everywhere to take up his work as well as to pray for him. Also, he used this time to write an important part of our New Testament: Philippians, Ephesians, Colossians and Philemon. Truly “all things work together for the good of those who love the Lord” (Rom 8:28).
In addition, Paul saw his sufferings as making him more Christ-like. He exhorted them to remain steadfast and fearless when they, too, faced suffering.
III. JOY IN SUBMISSION (2:1-30) Paul then alls on them to make his joy complete by putting Jesus first in everything. He calls them to unity, humility and self-sacrifice. He uses Christ, Timothy, Epaphroditus and himself as examples. No matter what life brings them, they are to submit to it as God’s will for them. This will bring them great joy and peace.
IV. JOY IN SALVATION (3:1 – 4:3) Paul warns them against the false teachers that are so prevalent everywhere. They aren’t submitting to anyone and they don’t have God’s joy. Paul challenges them to follow his example, not the false teachers.
V. JOY IN SUFFICIENCY (4:4-19) Paul prays they will continue to have peace and joy in all they do. He rejoices at God’s power to provide for him in prison and rejoices over their concern and sacrifice. He knows they can’t afford to send him money but did. Their concern means more to him than the amount of money. He assures them that God will bless and reward them for their sacrificial giving and assures them he is well provided for.
Paul then concludes in typical letter-writing style for his day. He sends greetings and short messages to some of those in Philippi and passes on greetings to them from some of the men with him. His love for them is evident, as is their for him. Thus they rejoice in each other. What about you? Do others notice your joy and give Jesus the credit? Are you full of a joy that draws others to the Savior? If not, ask God for this fruit of His Spirit now!
TITLE: Named for the recipients
AUTHOR: Paul
DATE of WRITING: 60 AD
PLACE of WRITING: Rome (in prison)
RECIPIENTS: Church in Colossae
KEY VERSE: and who also told us of your love in the Spirit. … and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority. 1:8; 2:10
KEY WORD: “head” (3 times)
PURPOSE:
TO GIVE TRUE TEACHING | TO CORRECT FALSE TEACHING | |
ABOUT SALVATION | Romans | Galatians |
ABOUT CHRIST | Ephesians | Colossians |
THEME: Show the preeminence of Christ – the head not only of the church but of the whole universe.
In my hometown is a gray concrete building just off the main street. It’s not the largest, nor the smallest building in town. I first remember seeing it when a child and often went past it but never paid much attention to it. Oh, I’d been inside a time or two, but didn’t have any special memory of it. Then one Sunday I went inside to worship with a church that met there and I found good fellowship, times of praise and worship, and a source of learning and growth. Now the building has an entirely different meaning to me when I pass it.
There’s a book in the New Testament that is quite similar. It’s not the biggest nor the smallest. We all know it’s there and go by it often, even stopping in from time to time. However we often don’t take the time to really to see what’s inside. It’s the book we call Colossians.
BACKGROUND Colossae was a small town near larger Laodicea . Although he was in the nearby region we have no record of Paul’s ever having gone to Colossae . The church there was started by some of the nearby churches which Paul had started. Paul wrote this letter to them while in prison in Rome . Because it is so similar in content to the book of Ephesians, it is often ignored and Ephesians chosen to be studied.Paul wrote to encourage them to stay true to God and watch for the false teaching called “Gnosticism.” Jude and I John also refute this heresy. Gnostics believed that an intellectually enlightened few were far above the masses of humanity. To them ‘god’ was an impersonal force and they rejected salvation for sin. Many of their lies Satan is recycling today under the label of ‘New Age.’ Paul refutes this heresy, not by showing its inconsistencies and inaccuracies but by showing the truth of Jesus. That’s a good lesson for us, too. Instead of attacking another’s false teaching, lift Jesus up as the Truth. Paul shows that Christ is Supreme over everyone and everything.
I. THE EXALTED CHRIST (1:15-29) Christ is exalted as the head of all creation and the church. He is also extolled as the reconciler of all things, the only One who reunites God and man. He points out that He did it by His work on the cross as our substitute. Paul says that true wisdom only comes by knowing Jesus, not through any counterfeit system which claims to have all the answers themselves.
II. THE EXALTED CHRISTIAN (2:1-23) Paul says that Christ is exalted over philosophy and appeals to them to totally turn from all false teachings and teachers. He points out that any system of legalism fails, that we are free from all that through Christ’s death, burial and resurrection. Paul also shows Christ is greater than any mystical teaching or any system of asceticism.
III. THE EXALTED CALLING (3:1 – 4:6) Soon Jesus will return for us, so Paul says even now we are to be like Him for then we will be totally like Him. He then applies this to various areas of our lives: everyday life, family relationships, work responsibilities, and our own individual spiritual lives as well.
It’s been said that if Christ is not Lord OF all, He’s not Lord AT all. Make sure He is first in your life, the Supreme One who is exalted above all else. If He is not all in your life, He’s not in His proper, deserving place!
I THESSALONIANS: JESUS IS COMING AGAIN
TITLE: Named for the recipients
AUTHOR: Paul
DATE of WRITING: 51 AD
PLACE of WRITING: Corinth
RECIPIENTS: Church at Thessalonica
KEY VERSE: for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell
how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son
from heaven, whom he raised from the dead-Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath. (1:9-10)
KEY WORDS: “comfort” (6 times); “coming (of the Lord)” (4)
PURPOSE: To commend the Thessalonian believers for their faith and to defend himself
against criticism. He also instructs them in areas of difficulty: sexual purity, love & especially the Second Coming of Christ.
THEME: The Second Coming of Christ
When Gideon’s 10,000 potential soldiers went to drink, only 300 of them were chosen. These were the ones who drank looking up. For us to defeat our enemies today we must be found ‘looking up’ as well. That’s Paul’s message to the Thessalonians.
Paul started a church in Thessalonica on his Second Missionary Journey. It was only the second church established on European soil. It had much opportunity but faced a lot of persecution. Paul wrote to them from Corinth to encourage them in their times of suffering.
LOOK AWAY FROM: Troubles (chapter 1) Paul starts of praying for them, encouraging them in faithfulness. He commends them for their fruit: receiving the gospel and passing it on. They godly reputation had been spreading quickly. Paul wants them to look to God and what He has done for them, not to focus on their suffering and persecution.
LOOK AWAY FROM: Temporal (chapter 2) Then Paul defends himself against attacks and criticism some in Thessalonica have been spreading about him. He assures them that both his motives and methods were pure. His focus was on serving God, not on gaining money or a reputation for himself. He encouraged them, too, to not focus on this temporary world during the hard times they were facing.
LOOK AWAY FROM: Temptation (chapter 3) Paul tells them he sent Timothy to help then faithfully endure their trails, and Timothy’s good report about them really encouraged Paul as well. He concludes this section praying that he will be able to visit them in person very soon. After telling them what to look away from, he then tells them what to took towards:
LOOK UP TO: Trumpet (chapter 4) Paul challenges them to be pure in their lives, for some of them continued in their old pagan immorality. He emphasized that they are to love each other. He corrected those who said they didn’t have to work because Jesus was coming back soon. Then he gave the most complete description on the Rapture in the Bible (4:13-18). The trumpet will one day sound and those who have accepted Jesus as Savior will have their bodies instantly changed and taken to heaven. Those who have already died have temporary bodies in heaven and their earthly bodies will be raised at that time and taken to heaven, too. Thus we don’t have to fear death nor grieve the loss of believers who die before us. Those killed in persecution just get to heaven first! Jesus could return any day, ending their earthly suffering. Thus they are to live looking up, awaiting the trumpet.
LOOK UP TO: Triumph (chapter 5) Immediately following the rapture will be the Tribulation. The persecution they were enduring was not the Tribulation. Believers are not under God’s judgment (‘wrath’ v. 9; cf Rom 8:1). Until this time they must live victorious Christian lives, growing and ministering to others.
Paul concluded by praying for their total being. He prayed they would live a holy Christian live until Jesus returned for them. By knowing and remembering that Jesus was coming back for them, they could keep the sufferings of this life in proper perspective. He assured them that God would preserve them. Then he ended with his typical request for prayer on his behalf, a greeting, a charge and a benediction.
One day a business came to a school and promised the children that one day he would return and bring a special present for all who had their desks clean when he arrived. A certain girl in the class room really wanted to receive this prize so she committed herself to clean her desk every Monday morning. Knowing that it wouldn’t stay clean long, for the girl wasn’t normally a very neat person, the teacher asked her what happened if the man came on Friday. She decided to clean her desk Monday and Friday. Then when asked about if he would come on Wednesday, she decided she needed to clean her desk every morning. But what if he came at the end of the day? Finally she realized that what she needed to do was keep her desk clean at ALL times. Paul wants us, like the Thessalonians, to always be aware of and ready for Jesus’ soon return. Don’t focus on your problems or difficulties, but on His return!
II THESSALONIANS: JESUS IS COMING SOON
TITLE: Named for the recipients
AUTHOR: Paul
DATE of WRITING: 51 AD, shortly after I Thessalonians
PLACE of WRITING: Corinth
RECIPIENTS: Church at Thessalonica
KEY VERSE: This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you. (1:7b-10)
KEY WORDS: “Day of the Lord”
PURPOSE:
I THESSALONIANS | II THESSALONIANS |
Teaches the WHAT of the Rapture | Teaches the WHEN of the Rapture |
Teach something NEW - Rapture | correct WRONG - time of Rapture |
Mainly about the church | Mainly about Satan, Antichrist, world |
THEME: to tell the Thessalonian believers Christ would return BEFORE the Tribulation, and to explain to them how they were to live until Christ came.
The truth of the Rapture is one of the most glorious of all Christian doctrines. It is wonderfully encouraging and uplifting. Knowing Jesus will return soon to take those who believe in Him to heaven to be with Him forever is comforting and motivating. Yet, despite its simple truth, much confusion and misunderstanding has arisen around this simple doctrine. It’s easy to understand that Satan would do what he can to confuse and cloud this beautiful truth. He did the same thing in Paul’s day, too.
Not long after Paul wrote to the church at Thessalonica, telling them about Jesus’ coming back for them, wrong ideas started to develop which took away from the comfort of this truth. For instance, some false teachers in Thessalonica said the persecution they were then facing was the Tribulation which had already started. Yet Paul said the Rapture came before the tribulation. What was true? Who was right?
I. THE ANXIETY ABOUT THE RETURN OF CHRIST (chapter 1) Again Paul starts with thanksgiving for their faithfulness in times of suffering. He assured them that God was not unfair in permitting them to experiences the trials they were going through. He reminded them about what the future held if they didn’t die before Christ returned. If they had accepted Jesus as Savior they would be taken to heaven immediately when Jesus returned. If they hadn’t accepted Him they would live on into the Tribulation and fin themselves under god’s judgment.
Paul then prayed God would continue to work out His will in their submissive lives, and they would glorify Him. He assured them they were doing right and weren’t under God’s judgment, for the Tribulation had not started yet. Then he goes on to prove that they couldn’t already be in the Tribulation.
II. THE ANSWER ABOUT THE REVELATION OF ANTICHRIST (chapter 2) No, Paul says, you haven’t missed the Rapture and entered into God’s judgment. His proof is that the Antichrist has not yet been revealed and when the Tribulation really begins the Antichrist will be right there. In fact, he can’t be revealed until after the Rapture, when the Church and the Holy Spirit are gone. The Antichrist couldn’t possibly be revealed yet, for the Rapture must come first. The fact that they were still here proved the Rapture hadn’t come.
Paul then builds on the many details given by Daniel and Ezekiel about the Antichrist and his actions on earth. Paul then gives thanks for their spiritual standing as seen in contrast to the deceived world around them. He encouraged them to stand fast in what he had taught them while there and in his first letter.
III. THE APPLICATION ABOUT THEIR RETURN TO WORK (chapter 3) Paul then tackled the final problem that had arisen about the Rapture. Some refused to work because the Rapture could come at any time, so why bother? Paul got very strong with them, telling them that if someone wouldn’t do his share to support himself, no one should do anything to help him! That’s how important it is for God’s people to live a holy Christian life.
We can’t and won’t know exactly when it is time for the Rapture, but we can tell when the season gets closer (Matthew 24:36-39). Contractions can be felt earlier, but labor doesn’t begin until the pains (‘signs’) come close and hard.
Paul then closed with prayer. He asked that they would be conscious of God’s presence, peace and grace. After a final benediction and greeting, the book closes.
TITLE: Named for recipient
AUTHOR: Paul
DATE of WRITING: 62 AD
PLACE of WRITING: Macedonia
RECIPIENT: Timothy, a young pastor friend
KEY VERSE: if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. … But godliness with contentment is great gain. … But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. … Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, 3:15; 6:6, 11-13, 20
KEY WORDS: “Good” (22 times); “godliness” (8); “doctrine” (8); “teach/teacher” (7)
PURPOSE: Paul is providing guidance for his young trainee as a pastor. He warns him about
false teachers and explains how he should operate a church.
THEME: Correct church order.
Before we even knew if our firstborn would be a boy or girl, God laid it on both of our hearts to name him ‘Timothy’ because he would be a young pastor. Timothy in the Bible is a fine example for anyone to follow. Born to a Greek father and Jewish mother, he was led to salvation in Jesus by Paul on his first missionary journey. Both his mother, Eunice, and grandmother, Lois, had had a fine godly influence on him. Because of his spiritual gifts and rapid maturity, and also because he naturally got along very well with him, Paul asked Timothy to come with him and help on his second missionary journey. He helped Paul establish churches at Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea and Corinth. Paul sent him anywhere and everywhere as his official ‘trouble-shooter,’ to straighten out tough situations in churches which Paul himself was unable to visit. His went on for years. Timothy and Paul were very close to the very end. He was probably with Paul in Rome the second time Paul was imprisoned there. This arrest ended in Paul’s execution. Timothy himself died as a martyr, killed by the Roman government.
BACKGROUND I Timothy was written about 3 years before Paul died. Timothy had been sent to Ephesus to iron out problems there while Paul ministered elsewhere. Paul expected to join him in Ephesus but was delayed, so he wrote this letter to Timothy instructing him how to carry on until he got there. Thus we have Paul’s insight into how a church should run. Not being able to get to Ephesus was frustrating to Paul and Timothy, but certainly to our benefit.
I. ORDINATION OF TIMOTHY (1:3-20) Evidently things weren’t going smoothly for easy-going Timothy. False teachers, domineering women, and church conflicts had him asking Paul if he could please leave Ephesus. It was so bad it was causing him stomach problems! Paul told him in no uncertain terms to stay and face up to the opposition. While that would not have been hard for Paul, Timothy was obviously natured quite differently. Thus Paul encourages and supports Timothy in this difficult assignment. He gives him advice and guidance as well as reminding him of his obligation to stay and do the job. The church needed order and he was the one to bring it.
II. ORGANIZATION OF THE CHURCH (2:1 – 3:16) Paul then talks about the importance of prayer in the church and that it should be led by men. He exhorts that Christian women should be marked by the inner adornment of the soul, not by the outward dress of the body. Their lives should express modesty and good works. Men are to be the leaders, women the supporters. Evidently that wasn’t happening in Ephesus.
Paul then told Timothy what the qualifications should be for elders and deacons. The male leadership needed straightening up there, too. Who to chose for church leadership is always a very important subject. Since Paul wasn’t able to visit there as soon as he had hoped, he instructs Timothy about how to choose and use leaders.
III. OPERATION OF TIMOTHY (4:1 – 6:19) This last section of I Timothy relates to Timothy’s own walk and work within the church. Paul warns him about false teachers and reminds him of his duty to be a godly teacher. Paul talks about the church as a family and encourages Timothy to treat the church people as he would treat family members: with respect and honor.
How does your church stack up against Paul’s standards as listed in I Timothy? If it isn’t meeting those principles something is wrong. If Paul were alive he’d come straighten things out. He isn’t and he won’t, but God is and He will. Be a Timothy and bring order to your church.
TITLE: Named for recipient
AUTHOR: Paul
DATE of WRITING: 64 AD
PLACE of WRITING: Rome (prison #2)
RECIPIENT: Timothy, a young pastor
KEY VERSE: In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2 Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage-with great patience and careful instruction. 3 For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. 4:1-5
KEY WORD: “Good” (5 times)
PURPOSE: Paul is providing more guidance for the young man he is training in the pastorate.
He tells him how to live as a true servant in a time of apostasy. He also asks timothy to come to him quickly, as he was about to be executed.
THEME: Paul’s final words are to faithfully serve God.
Paul has been serving God faithfully for over 30 years. It’s been 20 years since his first missionary journey. He has suffered much, sacrificed much, and been near death often. His brilliant, gifted mind and strong personality has led the early church through its tough growing years when false teachers and jealous political leaders tired all they could to destroy it. Now he is in prison again. In the 5 years since his first imprisonment Paul has been able to travel to see churches he has started as well as go start new ones in places he had never been. Now the end is near and Paul knows it. God has raised up a new generation of local leaders to take over the guidance of the church. Paul is worn out physically. He writes one final letter, to the one person (other than faithful Luke who was with him to the end) he loves more than anyone, his son in the faith Timothy. II Timothy contains Paul’s dying words, his final communication as he faces death. If a news reporter had interviewed Paul at this time they would have asked him if he had any doubts about how he spent his life. “Paul, was it worth it?” “Yes!” Paul would affirm, “and much more.” “What final parting words do you have for your followers out there?” the reporter would ask. Paul answered “Be faithful.” That, in effect, is the message of II Timothy. “Be faithful!”
BACKGROUND Persecution is getting worse for believers. Thousands are being martyred. They are considered enemies of Rome with no rights to a fair trial. Then when Nero burned Rome and blamed it on the Christ