SERMON: New Testament Overview, Part 2: The Messiah & the Gospels





New Testament Overview
Part 2: The Messiah and the Gospels

  • I. Introduction
    • Last time, we began considering the world of the New Testament and what was happening in between the two testaments.
    • This week, we begin to consider the beginning of the NT: the four Gospels.
    • This Session:
      • The Anticipation of the Messiah
      • The Presentation of the Messiah
  • II. The Anticipation of the Messiah
    • Several OT texts anticipate the Messiah:
      • Micah 5:2 — Where He would be born (“Bethlehem Ephrathah”)
      • Zechariah 9:9 — How He would be presented
      • Zechariah 11:12–13 — The price of His betrayal and who receives the money
      • Psalm 22:16 — Pierced hands, feet.
      • Isaiah 53:7, 9 — Won’t defend Himself of capital crime, buried with rich
    • Over 300 prophecies
      • Some He could choose to fulfill (Triumphal Entry).  
      • Others, if He were ordinary man, He could not choose (lineage, birthplace, means of death)
    • His anticipation:
      • The “Seed of the Woman” Genesis 3:15
      • Son of Abraham Genesis 22:18
      • Through Jacob/Judah Genesis 49:10
      • Son of David 2 Samuel 7:11-16
  • III. The Presentation of the Messiah
    • What is “gospel”?
      • Derived from the Old English word “godspel,” 
        • “god” (good) & “spel” (news or message). 
        • Original meaning = “good news” or “glad tidings.”
      • The Greek has the same meaning
      • This word speaks of the good news of Jesus Christ and His finished work.
    • Four Gospels
      • Four witness
      • Four presentations
    • Matthew
      • Traditionally and most likely first, A.D. 40–50
      • Primary Audience: Jews
        • Jewish Vocabulary (like untranslated Aramaic terms) 
        • Also, Jewish Genealogy and Information
      • Purpose: Didactic 
      • Presents Jesus as Messiah
      • He kept records, and so recorded major discourses 
        • Sermon on the Mount Matt 5 – 8
        • The 7 Kingdom Parables Matt 13
        • Olivet Discourse Matt 24, 25
    • Mark
      • Not an apostle (John Mark, a certain young man — 14:51-52) — writes under the authority of Peter
      • Modern times present this as earliest (based on evolutionary theory); possibly written shortly after Luke, A.D. 64-68
      • Primary Audience: Gentiles (Romans)
        • Explains Jewish customs and translates
        • Uses Latin and Roman means of time-keeping
      • Purpose: Evangelistic
      • Presents Jesus as Servant
      • No nativity narrative or genealogy
      • Longer than Matthew (excluding discourses)
      • Graphic perspective of an eyewitness — Names, times, numbers, locations
    • Luke
      • A physician and not an apostle; writes under the authority of Paul
      • Possibly written second, A.D. 58-60
      • Primary Audience: Gentiles
      • Purpose: Didactic
      • Presents Jesus as Son of Man
      • Most complete narrative and history
        • Over 20 miracles (6 unique)
        • Mentions more healing!
        • 23 parables (18 unique)
      • Authenticated historian, writer (utilized classical Greek)
      • Also wrote Acts, which continues immediately.
    • John
      • Written last, A.D. 80-90
      • Primary Audience: Jews (and Gentiles)
      • Purpose: Evangelistic
      • Presents Jesus as Son of God
      • Contains major signs followed by major discourses
    • Review:
      • Matthew
        The Promised One is here; His Credentials
      • Mark
        This is how He worked; His Power
      • Luke
        This is what He was like; His Nature
      • John
        This is who He really was; His Godship
  • IV. Conclusion
    • Next Time:
      • Harmony of the Life of Christ
      • The Passion Week and the Work of Christ

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