Northeast Christian Church

PART FOUR: NEW TESTAMENT GOSPELS
Matthew, Mark, Luke, John

What is a Gospel?
"Gospel" is the simple Good News that Jesus died for our sins and was raised back to life (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).
Gospels: divinely inspired, historically accurate, pastorally interpretative narratives of the life of Jesus Christ.

THREE PRINCIPLES FOR READING THE GOSPELS:
1. Read behind the lines.
-NIV Study Bible
-Zondervan's Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible
-The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament
2. Read before the lines.
-How does this passage fit into the larger story of the book?
3. Read beside the lines.
-Mark emphasizes Jesus’s humanity as powerful servant.
-Matthew emphasizes Jesus as Messiah the promised King.
-Luke emphasizes Jesus compassionate, concerned for outcasts.
-John emphasizes Jesus as God in the flesh, personal and loving.

PART FIVE: NEW TESTAMENT LETTERS
21 of 27 New Testament books are letters.

What is a New Testament epistle/letter?
Epistle: a letter in the ancient world designed for wide circulation that addresses current issues and revives personal relationship.

Ancient epistle format: prescript, greetings, body, exhortations, closing
New Testament writer tools: hymns, household codes, vice & virtue lists, chiasm, metaphor

FIVE QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN READING A NEW TESTAMENT LETTER?
1. Have I read the entire letter?
-Think paragraphs
2. Have I dug deeply into the historical background?
-Study Bible & commentaries
3. Have I paid close attention to the words?
-Word translation such as ESV or NASB
-Colin Brown’s New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology
-studylight.org & blueletterbible.org
4. Have I considered the rest of the Bible's teaching?
5. Have I traced the connection between doctrine and duty?

PART SIX: REVELATION
Why should I read Revelation?
How do I read Revelation?

FOUR KEYS FOR UNLOCKING THE MEANING OF REVELATION:
1. The setting of Revelation
-Seven churches in Asia Minor facing persecution & cultural seduction.
2. The structure of Revelation
"Things are bad; things are going to get worse; we win."
-Chapters 1-3, Jesus counsels the church.
-Chapters 4-5, Jesus controls the universe.
-Chapters 6-11, Jesus condemns the earth.
-Chapters 12-20, Jesus conquers Satan.
-Chapters 21-22, Jesus consummates his long-awaited marriage.
3. The symbols of Revelation
+500 Old Testament allusions in 404 verses.
4. The style of Revelation
-Apocalyptic literature

SEVEN WAYS REVELATION DEEPENS MY FAITH:
1. I approach Jesus more humbly. Chapter 1
2. I love the church more honestly. Chapters 2-3
3. I enter worship more selflessly. Chapters 4-5
4. I endure suffering more confidently. Chapters 6-9
5. I speak God's truth more courageously. Chapters 10-11
6. I see evil more clearly. Chapters 12-18
7. I long for Christ's return more deeply. Chapters 19-22
"Come Lord Jesus, quickly."

TAKEAWAY: Study the Playbook and be encouraged, endure, and live adventurously.