An overview of the New Testament

 

 a)      Matthew’s gospel is unusual because it begins with a genealogy.

b)      These names introduce us to the fact that we are dealing with a King.  This is a royal lineage.

c)      This king has a kingdom and if we want to be part of it, we must be obedient subjects.

2)      The book of Mark is next is and is quite brief compared to the other Gospels.

3)      The book of Mark was written to Romans.  It emphasizes the supernatural aspect of Jesus.

4)      Jesus is presented as a man of achievements.  Jesus conquers nature, disease, and demons.

5)      After Matthew and Mark we come to Luke, the “beloved physician.”

a)      Luke provides us with a fairly comprehensive view of the Lord.

b)      Luke’s gospel reminds us that the king is not only powerful, He is compassionate.

6)      The Lord is a good king.  This indicates that He has given us a good law.  Next is John.

7)      In John’s explanation of Jesus’ life he wastes no time in declaring who Jesus is.

8)      Jesus is not only a king (Matthew), He is deity.  He was God in the flesh.  Jn. 1:1.

9)      After the four accounts of Jesus’ life we come to the book of Acts.

a)      The king has created a kingdom (church) and people are becoming subjects in this kingdom.

b)      This is why Acts 2:42 says people “continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine.”

10)  After Acts we come to the book of Romans.  Romans is a book that is all about faith.

11)  The “righteous shall live by faith” (Rom. 1:17).  This verse also refers to “faith unto faith.”     

12)  Everything about the kingdom Christ has created is related to faith—every single thing.

13)  Moving past the book of Romans we find the book of first Corinthians.

14)  This book is a very useful book because it shows what members of Christ’s kingdom should expect.

15)  The First Corinthian letter is a document that describes a congregation riddled with problems.

16)  This letter reminds us that no congregation is going to be perfect.

17)  Second Corinthians reminds us about the importance of listening to God’s law.

18)  The Second Corinthians letter reminds us that we need to listen to and heed gospel teaching.

19)  There were false teachers who were trying to turn Christians back to the Old Testament system of Judaism.

20)  King Jesus has a much better way and this new and better way is explored in the book of Ephesians.

21)  Eph. 1:3 says “all spiritual blessings” are in Christ.

22)  If we live in this manner we will have the “joy” described in the book of Philippians.

a)      The book of Colossians deals with people who had a different system of religion.

b)      Christ is the king and we need to listen to His rules and only His rules.

23)  People may do this for a time but then they become complacent.

24)  This is what we find in the next Bible book – First Thessalonians.

25)  In this book we have a lot of instructions; there are many simple truths that serve as simply reminders.

a)      The King used 2 Thess. to warn us about those who do not want to work.

26)  First Timothy, the next book, has a lot to say to and about preachers/elders/deacons/widows, etc.

27)  Then in Second Timothy we find some additional material plus this important statement in 3:16-17.

28)  Titus emphasizes good works and doing things in the way God has described.

29)  After Titus we have Philemon, a book we might call a “personal letter.”

30)  This letter reminds us that some problems in the kingdom are congregational like we see in 1 Cor.

31)  One problem that we may face is personal hardship or persecution – Hebrews.

32)  James– we must have faith, and our faith must “work” (be active).

33)  Encouragement – First Peter ,even when people mock our faith (2 Peter).

34)  Walk in the light (1 Jn.) with brother love (2 Jn.) and avoid false teachers (3 Jn).

35)  Not living in this way leads to punishment (Jude); making this choice equals victory (Revelation).

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