Salvation!

  • II Timothy 3:15

The story of the Old Testament

  • Genesis 1:1, 27
  • God never gives dogs or trees moral commands. Man is unique in his ability to make moral decisions.

Main problem = sin

  • Ecclesiastes 7:29
  • Genesis 3:6 – Man sins.
  • I John 3:4 – Sin is the transgression of the law.
  • Isaiah 59:2 – Sin separates us from God.
  • Romans 5:12 – All sinned, so death spread to all men.
  • Ezekiel 18:20 – A man is responsible for his own sin.

God’s solution = promises to Abraham

  • Genesis 12:1-3, 7 – God makes three promises to Abraham:

    • I will make you a great nation – fulfilled in the Old Testament

    • in you all the families of the earth will be blessed – fulfilled in the New Testament

    • to your descendants I will give you land – fulfilled in the Old Testament

  • Genesis 50:26 – Israel is already starting to become a great nation while in Egypt.

Books of the Old Testament

  • Genesis – Creation, nation of Israel goes to Egypt and multiplies.
  • Exodus – Israel leaves Egypt
  • Leviticus – God’s law for the Israelites
  • Numbers
  • Deuteronomy
    • Deuteronomy 4:1-8
  • Joshua – Canaan settled by the Israelites
  • Judges – Later generations of Israelites fall away from God repeatedly, to be led back to God by judges chosen by God.
    • Judges 2:8-10
  • I Samuel, II Samuel – Beginning of the kingdom of Israel. The reigns of Saul, David, and Solomon.
  • I Kings, II Kings – Divided kingdom – Israel and Judah. Both kingdoms are eventually taken into captivity.
    • II Kings 17:5-6
  • Ezra, Nehemiah – Jews return and rebuild.
    • Nehemiah 9:1-5, 30-34 – It’s important to follow God’s law!
  • Jeremiah 31:31 – A new covenant was coming!

The story of the New Testament

  • Matthew 1:1, 16-17
  • John 1:14-18
  • Matthew 4:23 – Jesus came and proclaimed the good news.
  • Jesus proclaimed a spiritual kingdom, not a physical one. This confused many people.
  • Jesus publicly called out the hypocrisy of religious leaders, especially the Pharisees.
  • Matthew 27:50-54 – Jesus was crucified.
  • Hebrews 10:4; 9:22 – Blood is required for forgiveness of sins.
  • Hebrews 9:15
  • Acts 2:22-24, 32-41 – The full gospel is presented for the first time.

Highlights from the New Testament

  • Colossians 2:14 – Old Covenant no longer in effect.
  • Ephesians 4:4; Colossians 1:18
  • Ephesians 5:23
  • II Corinthians 5:10
  • Romans 10:2-3
  • I Corinthians 15:52
  • Romans 14:12
  • Matthew 25:46

I Corinthians 15:56-57