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• Colossians 2:14 – Old Covenant no longer in effect.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