SERMON: New Testament Overview, Part 9: The Remaining Epistles

SERMON: New Testament Overview, Part 9: The Remaining Epistles

New Testament Overview
Part 9: The Remaining Epistles

I. Introduction

We went through Hebrews.
This session: James – Jude

II. James
“But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves” (James 1:22).

AUDIENCE: Jewish Christians (diaspora)
DATE: ad 44–62
AUTHOR: James

Jesus’s half-brother (Matt 13:55; Mark 6:3; Gal 1:19)
Became a believer after the resurrection (1 Cor 15:7)
Elder in Jerusalem Church (Acts 15:13-21; 21:17–26)

THEME: True faith works blessed righteousness
OUTLINE

I. The Prologue (1:1–18)
II. The Body: The Exhortation concerning the Word Implanted Which is Able to Deliver (1:19–5:20)

A. The Principles Summarized (1:19–21)
B. The Principles Applied (1:22–5:12)

1. Be Quick to Hear [and Do] (1:22–2:26)
2. Be Slow to Speak (3:1–18)
3. Be Slow to Anger (4:1–5:12)

C. The Practices Needed at the Time (5:13–20)

1. Turn to Prayer (5:13–18)
2. Turn Others to the Truth (5:19–20)

Debate over the meaning of faith and works, 2:14–26

Does this contradict Paul?

“For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? “ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS” (Rom. 4:2–3).
“Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS,” and he was called the friend of God” (James 2:21–23).

Cf. 1:26; 2:26

III. 1 Peter
“for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God” (1 Peter 1:22–23).

AUDIENCE: Christians of Northern Asia Minor
DATE: ad 60
AUTHOR: Peter
THEME: Standing Firm Amidst Suffering
OUTLINE

I. Salvation of the Believer (1:1 - 2:12)
II. Submission of the Believer (2:13 - 3:12)
III. Suffering of the Believer (3:13 - 5:14)

IV. 2 Peter
“And we have as more sure the prophetic word, to which you do well to pay attention” (2 Peter 1:17–21, LSB).

AUDIENCE: Christians of Northern Asia Minor
DATE: ad 67–68
AUTHOR: Peter
THEME: Character and Counterfeit Christianity
OUTLINE

I. Cultivation of Christian Character (1)
II. Condemnation of False Teachers (2)
III. Confidence of Christ's Return (3)

V. 1 John
“By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments” (1 John 2:3).

AUDIENCE: Believers in general
DATE: ad 90–95
AUTHOR: John
THEME: Tests of Eternal Life
OUTLINE

I. Introduction of Eternal Life (1:1-4)
II. Conditions for Eternal Life (1:5 - 2:2)
III. Characteristics of Eternal Life (2:3 - 4:21)
IV. Consequences of Eternal Life (5)

VI. 2 John
“If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him…” (2 John 10–11).

AUDIENCE: A house church of believers
DATE: ad 90–95
AUTHOR: John
THEME: Tough Truth
OUTLINE

I. Abide in God's Commandments (1 – 6)
II. Abide not with False Teachers (7 – 13)

VII. 3 John
“Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God” (3 John 11).

AUDIENCE: Gaius
DATE: ad 90–95
AUTHOR: John
THEME: Loyalty to the Truth
OUTLINE

I. Servanthood (1 - 8)
II. Selfishness (9 - 14)

VIII. Jude
“…contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints” (Jude 3).

AUDIENCE: Christians of Northern Asia Minor
DATE: ad 68–70
AUTHOR: Jude (Judas, brother of Jesus)
THEME: Beware of the Pretenders
OUTLINE

I. Purpose of Epistle (1 – 3)
II. Path of Apostates (4 – 16)
III. Practice of Believers (17 – 25)

IX. Conclusion

We can stand firm despite whatever we face through Jesus Christ!
Next Time: The End Times (Eschatology)