Sermon Outline

New Testament Books

Characteristics of the Gospels

  1. "God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to His own will?" Hebrews 2:4
    Matthew :Behold your King of Jews
  2. Mark:Behold the Man of Sorrow
  3. Luke:Behold the Servant of Jehovah
  4. John:Behold the Lamb of God
  1. Wonders - Matthew's Gospel (marvel)
  2. Miracles - Mark's Gospel (might)
  3. Gifts - Luke's Gospel (manifestation)
  4. Signs - John's Gospel (message)

Characteristics of the Gospels

  1. Matthew – prophetical
  2. Mark – practical
  3. Luke – parabolical
  4. John – perfective

Question asked in the beginning of each Gospel

  1. Matt 2:2 - "Where is He that is born King of the Jews?" Asked by the Diligent
  2. Mark 1:24 - "What have we to do with Thee?" Asked by Demons
  3. Luke 1:34 - "How shall this be?" Asked by a Damsel
  4. John 1:28 - "Where dwellest Thou?" Asked by a Disciple

Outline of Matthew's Gospel

  1. The Credentials of the King - Chapters 1-4
  2. The Constitution of the Kingdom - Chapters 5-7
  3. The Capabilities of the King - Chapter 8-10
  4. The Crisis of the Kingdom - Chapter 11-14
  5. The Contradictions to the King - Chapters 15-20
  6. The Condemnation by the King - Chapters 21-25
  7. The Conquest of the King - Chapters 26-28
    5 Main Discourses in Matthew, each ends with "And it came to pass"
  1. Ethnical - Matt 7:28
  2. Evangelical - Matt 11:1
  3. Dispensational - Matt 13:53
  4. Ecclesiastical - Matt 19:1
  5. Prophetical - Matt 26:1

The Women in Matthew's Genealogy of Christ

"God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: that no flesh should glory in his presence."1 Corinthians 1:27-29

  1. Matthew 1:3 Thamar - base things
  2. Matthew 1:5 Rachab - things which are despised
  3. Matthew 1:5 Ruth - weak things
    Matthew 1:6 of her (Bathsheba) - foolish things
  4. Matthew 1:16 of Mary - things which are not

Mountain Scenes in Matthew's Gospel

The mountain depicts a position of power and authority. It is also used sometimes symbolically for problems and difficulties. The Lord Jesus is portrayed as the sovereign king in Matthew's account. He is the Man of the mountain who can remove mountains.

  1. Matt 4:1-11 : The Mount of Temptation - His credential
  2. Matt 5:1-16 : The Mount of Teaching - His character
  3. Matt 14:15-33 : The Mount over Tempest - His comfort
  4. Matt 15:29-39 : The Mount over Thousands - His compassion
  5. Matt 17:1-9 : The Mount of Transfiguration - His countenance
  6. Matt 24:1-31 : The Mount over Tribulations - His coming
  7. Matt 28:16-20 : The Mount of Triumph - His commission

The Temptation of Christ

Only recorded in Matthew and Luke.

Not recorded in Mark because the perfect Servant is immune to temptation.

Not recorded in John because the pre-existent Son of God cannot be tempted.

Matthew's Perspective

(A) Turn stones to bread in the wilderness
(B) Cast Thyself down at the pinnacle of the temple

(C) Worship Satan at an exceeding high mountain

Luke's Perspective
(A) Turn stones to bread in the wilderness

(C) Worship Satan at an exceeding high mountain

(B) Cast Thyself down at the pinnacle of the temple
Matthew's account of the temptation is based on the historical order. Each temptation by Satan is recorded chronologically. This is evidenced by the words "then" and "again" in Matt 4:1,5,8,10,11.
Notice that in Luke's account, the order of the second and third temptations has been reversed. This is because Luke took a moral perspective of the temptation that is parallel to what is described in Genesis 3:6 and 1 John 2:16.
(A) The lust of the flesh - the tree was good for food
(C) The lust of the eyes - it was pleasant to the eyes
(B) The pride of life - a tree to be desired to make one wise
Reader, you do well to note that all temptations you face come in the above form.
Here are some outlines
(A) Satisfy yourself (Appetite) - Body, misuse of sustenance
(B) Show yourself (Adventure) - Soul, misuse of scripture
(C) Spare yourself (Ambition) - Spirit, misuse of service
1Thess. 5:23
And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Mark Outline

I. The Preparation of the Servant - 1:1-13
II. The Ministry of the Servant in Galilee - 1:14 - 7:23
III. The Ministry of the Servant in Gentile Regions - 7:24 - 9:50
IV. The Ministry of the Servant on the Way to Jerusalem - chapter 10
V. The Ministry of the Servant in Jerusalem - chapters 11 - 13
VI. The Submission of the Servant to Death - chapters 14 - 15
VII. The Triumph of the Servant - chapter 16

The Gospel of John

I. Introduction to the Gospel of John (1:1-18)

A. The Background

B. God is revealed through the Word (1:1-2)

C. God is revealed through creation (1:3-5)

D. God is revealed through John the Baptist (1:6-8)

E. God is revealed through the Word Incarnate (1:9-14)

1. His rejection (1:9-11)

2. His reception (1:12-13)

3. His glory (1:14)

F. God is revealed through the Superior Word (1:15-18)

1. Superior to John the Baptist (1:15-16)

2. Superior to Moses (1:17-18)

II. The Period of Consideration (1:19-4:42)

A. The witness of people (1:19-51)

1. The witness of John the Baptist (1:19-34)

2. The witness of Andrew (1:35-42)

3. The witness of Nathanael (1:43-51)

B. The witness of events (2:1-22)

1. The miracle at Cana (2:1-11)

2. The cleansing of the temple (2:12-25)

a. Jesus' concern for the Passover (2:12-13)

b. Jesus' concern for the temple (2:14-17)

c. Jesus' concern for the heart of man (2:18-25)

C. The witness of the new birth (3:1-15)

1. The necessity of the new birth (3:1-3)

2. The components of the new birth (3:4-8)

a. Born of water (3:4-5)

b. Born of the Spirit (3:6-8)

3. The focus of the new birth (3:9-15)

D. The witness of Christ's mission (3:16-21)

1. The cost of Christ's mission (3:16a)

2. The benefits of Christ's mission (3:16b)

a. Deliverance from judgment

b. Granted eternal life

1) We will be better people

2) We will have a better future

3. The response to Christ's mission (3:17-21)

E. The witness of John the Baptist (3:22-30)

F. The witness of Christ (3:31-36)

G. The witness to the Samaritan woman (4:1-30)

1. Christ's request of the woman (4:1-9)

2. Christ's offer to the woman (4:10-14)

3. Christ's insight into the woman (4:15-19)

4. Christ's instruction for the woman (4:20-26)

a. Worshiping God in spirit (4:20-23)

b. Worshiping God in truth (4:24-26)

5. The Samaritan woman's response to Christ (4:27-30)

H. The witness of Christ's work (4:31-42)

1. The motive (4:31-34)

2. The urgency (4:35-38)

3. The fruitfulness (4:39-42)

4. The response (4:43-54)

III. The Period of Controversy (5:1-6:71)

A. The controversy at Bethesda (5:1-47)

1. The so-called crime (5:1-9)

2. The initial investigation (5:10-15)

3. The decision to prosecute (5:16-18)

4. Christ's defense (5:19-47)

a. The nature of Christ (5:19-24)

b. The voice of Christ (5:25-29)

c. The witnesses of Christ (5:30-47)

B. The controversy of the bread (6:1-71)

1. The feeding of the 5,000 (6:1-15)

a. The problem (6:1-9)

b. The solution (6:10-15)

2. Jesus Walks on Water (6:16-21)

3. The bread of life (6:22-71)

a. The challenge (6:22-27)

b. The promise (6:28-40)

c. The responses (6:41-71)

1) The origin of Christ (6:41-51)

2) The offense of Christ (6:52-59)

3) The objection to Christ (6:60-65)

4) The obligation to Christ (6:66-71)

IV. The Period of Conflict (7:1-11:57)

A. The Feast of Booths (7:1-8:59)

1. The beginning of the feast (7:1-13)

2. The middle of the feast (7:14-36)

a. The question of Jesus' schooling (7:14-24)

1) The divine education of Christ (7:14-17)

2) The righteous judgment by man (7:18-24)

b. The question of Jesus' source (7:25-36)

3. The last day of the feast (7:37-8:59)

a. The impact of Christ on the multitude (7:37-44)

b. The impact of Christ on the officers (7:45-52)

c. The impact of Christ on the woman caught in adultery (7:53-8:11)

d. The impact of Christ on the religious leaders (8:12-59)

1) The claim of Christ as the light (8:12)

2) The response of the Pharisees against the light (8:13-19)

3) The response of Christ to the Pharisees (8:20-59)

a) His declaration against the Pharisees (8:20-30)

b) His description of true disciples (8:31-36)

c) His damnation of false disciples (8:37-47)

d) His declaration of His divinity (8:48-59)

B. The healing of the blind man (9:1-41)

1. The power of God (9:1-7)

2. The perplexity of man (9:8-12)

3. The probe of the Pharisees (9:13-34)

a. The characteristics of willful unbelief (9:13-18)

b. More characteristics of willful unbelief (9:19-34)

4. The principles for receiving spiritual sight (9:35-41)

a. Spiritual sight is the product of divine initiative (9:35)

b. Spiritual sight is the product of human reception (9:36-38)

5. The punishment for rejecting spiritual sight (9:39-41)

C. Following the true shepherd (10:1-21)

1. Christ as the true shepherd (10:1-6)

a. The way they come to the sheep (10:1-2)

b. The way the sheep come to them (10:3-6)

2. Christ as the door (10:7-10)

3. Christ as the good shepherd (10:11-16)

a. The good shepherd dies for the sheep (10:11-13)

b. The good shepherd knows the sheep (10:14-16)

c. The good shepherd is raised for the sheep (10:17-21)

D. The identity of Christ (10:22-42)

E. The raising of Lazarus (11:1-57)

V. The Period of Crisis (12:1-50)

A. Mary anoints Christ (12:1-11)

B. The triumphal entry (12:12-19)

C. But if it dies... (12:20-26)

D. The effects of the cross (12:27-36)

1. The effects of the cross on Christ (12:27-30)

2. The effects of the cross on others (12:31-36)

E. The rejection of Christ (12:37-43)

1. The rejection fulfilled prophecy (12:37-38)

2. The rejection was caused by God (12:39-43)

F. The importance of saving faith (12:44-50)

VI. The Period of Conference (John 13:1-17:26)

A. Christ's love (13:1-17)

1. Christ's love exemplified (13:1-5)

2. Christ's love explained (13:6-11)

3. Christ's love exhorted (13:12-17)

4. Christ's love examined (13:17)

B. Christ's betrayer (13:18-30)

C. Christ's farewell discourse (13:31-17:26)

a. Christ's comfort (14:1-6)

b. Christ’s promises (14:7-31)

1) The promise of knowing God (14:7-11)

2) The promise of better days (John 14:12-15)

3) The promise of the Holy Spirit (14:16-20)

4) The promise of keeping the commandments (14:21-24)

5) The promise of blessing (14:25-31)

c. Christ's analogy of the vine (15:1-6)

1) Abiding in Christ bears fruit (15:1-3)

2)) Abiding in Christ bears much fruit (15:4-6)

3) Abiding in Christ brings answered prayer (15:7-8)

d. Christ's love (15:9-11)

e. Christ's friendship (15:12-16)

1) The friends of Christ love one another (15:12-14)

2) The friends of Christ know divine truth (15:15)

3) The friends of Christ are chosen (15:16)

4) The friends of Christ bear fruit (15:16)

5) The friends of Christ pray for fruitfulness (15:16)

f. Christ's opposition (15:17-27)

1) The world hates us because we are not of this world (15:17-19)

2) The world hates us because they hate Christ (15:20)

3) The world hates us because they do not know God (15:21-25)

g. Christ's witnesses (15:26-27)

h. Christ's departure (16:1-15)

1) Christ's departure will bring mistreatment from the world (16:1-4)

2) Christ's departure will bring the conviction of the Holy Spirit (16:5-11)

3) Christ's departure will being the guidance of the Holy Spirit (16:12-15)

i. Christ's joy (16:16-24)

1) The promise of joy (16:16-22)

2) The power of joy (16:23-24)

j. Christ's summary (16:25-33)

1) The love of the Father (16:25-27)

2) The faith and hope of the disciples (16:28-33)

3. The prayer (17:1-26)

a. Christ's prayer for himself (17:1-5)

1) Christ's glory of the Father (17:1-2)

2) The Father's glory of Christ (17:3-5)

b. Christ's prayer for his disciples (17:6-19)

1) Christ's motivation (17:6-10)

2) Christ's request (17:11-12)

3) Christ's promises (17:13-16)

4) Christ's truth (17:17-19)

c. Christ's prayer for his future disciples (17:20-26)

1) Christ's prayer for unity (17:20-23)

2) Christ's prayer for union (17:24-26)

VII. The Period of Crucifixion (John 18:1-19:30)

A. Christ's arrest (18:1-11)

1. Christ's courage (18:1-5)

2. Christ's power (18:6-11)

B. Christ's trials (18:12-19:15)

1. Christ before the high priest (18:12-27)

a) Christ before Annas (18:12-14)

b) Christ denied by Peter (18:15-18)

c) Christ questioned by Annas (18:19-27)

2. Christ before Pilate (18:28-19:15)

a) Pilate with Christ's accusers (18:28-32)

b) Pilate's examination of Christ (18:33-38)

c) Pilate's attempted release of Christ (18:38-19:15)

1) The attempted release via selection (18:38-40)

2) The attempted release via scourging (19:1-7)

3) The attempted release via suggestion (19:8-15)

C. Christ's crucifixion (19:16-30)

1. Christ's Deity seen in Bible prophecy (19:16-18, 22-24)

2. Christ's Deity seen in Pilate's inscription (19:19-21)

3. Christ's Deity seen in Christ's love (19:25-27)

4. Christ's Deity seen in Christ's knowledge (19:28-30)

Brief Outline of John's Gospel

Chapter 1-12 : Public ministry - Christ as Soul Winner
Chapter 13-16 : Private ministry - Christ as School Teacher
Chapter 17 : Priestly ministry - Christ as Supplicator
Chapter 18-19 : Passion ministry - Christ as Sufferer
Chapter 20-12 : Post-resurrection ministry - Christ as Shepherd
Life - Chapter 1-7
Light - Chapter 8-12
Love - Chapter 13-17

The Tabernacle in John's Gospel

John 10 : The Door of the Tabernacle - The Claim of Christ
John 11 : The High Priest - The Comfort of Christ
John 12 : The Brazen Altar - The Cross of Christ
John 13 : The Laver - The Cleaning of Christ
John 14 : The Table of Shewbread - The Communion of Christ
John 15 : The Lampstand - The Capacity of Christ
John 16 : The Golden Altar - The Certainty of Christ
John 17 : The Holiest - The Completeness of Christ

Fruit Bearing - Outline of John 15

fruit (v2) ..... more fruit (v2) ..... much fruit (v5) ..... much fruit (v8) ..... fruit should remain (v16)
Verse 2 : The satisfaction of living is fruit-bearing
Verse 4 : The secret of fruit-bearing is abiding
Verse 7 : The strength of abiding is obeying
Verse 15 : The seed of obeying is knowing
Verse 9-10 : The sign of knowing is loving

The Disciple whom Jesus Loved

John 13:23 - Love has its special place
John 19:26-27 - Love has its special privilege
John 20:2-4 - Love has its special power
John 21:7 - Love has its special perception
John 21:20 - Love has it special path

The Radiant Son in John's Gospel

In John Chapter 1, the Lord is the Radiant Son.
He is better than Jewish

- Ritual in Chapter 2 (six waterpots of stone)
- Rabbi in Chapter 3 (Nicodemus)
- Roots in Chapter 4 (Jacob, Joseph, well)
- Religion in Chapter 5 (pool, angel)
- Resources in Chapter 6 (Manna)
- Rest in Chapter 7 (Sabbath)
- Rank in Chapter 8 (Abraham)
- Rulers in Chapter 9 (Pharisees)

He is like the Residence of God in Chapter 10 - 17,

The believers in John 15 are described as

  1. Branches (John 15:5)
  2. Disciples (John 15:8)
  3. Friends( John 15:14

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." John 14:6

  1. As disciples, they are following the Way.
  2. As friends, they are communing the Truth.
  3. As branches, they are receiving the Life.

Adam, the typical man of us, lost the way, truth and life in God when he sinned.

The way to the tree of life was barred by the cherubims and the flaming sword. The truth of God was lost when he believed in the serpent's lie. He died and lost his life in God when he took the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
Christ is the only means for lost sinners to come back to God.

He is the Way so that we can have reconciliation with God.
He is the Truth so that we can have revelation of God.
He is the Life so that we can have regeneration in God.

Three Conditions of the Unsaved

- Luke 19:10 "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost."
- John 9:41 "Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, we see; therefore your sin remaineth."
- Ephesians 2:1 "And you hath He quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins."
Christ is the Way, you don't have to be lost
Christ is the Truth, you don't have to be blind
Christ is the Life, you don't have to be dead

The inviolable way for our direction - way of faith
The infallible truth for our discernment - truth of love
The infinite life for our devotion - life of hope

Christ is the Way in the practical sphere
Christ is the Truth in the intellectual sphere
Christ is the Life in the spiritual sphere
"Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire; his head with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof." Exodus 12:9
legs – way : practical
head – truth : intellectual
appurtenance– life : spiritual
"Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth: Who, when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not; but committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously." 1 Peter 2:21-23
Who did no sin - sinless life of consecration
neither was guile found - sincere truth of communication
reviled not...threatened not... - silent way of commitment

Way (sacrificial)
"Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me." Matthew 16:24
Truth (scriptural)
"If so be that ye have heard Him, and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind." Ephesians 4:21-23
Life (spiritual)
"And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know Him that is true, and we are in Him that is true, even in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life." 1 John 5:20

The Book of Acts

CHURCH : A Work of God (Acts 5:12 - 6:15)

  1. The Church: Growing 5:12-16
  2. The Church: Persecution 5:17-42
  3. The Church: Ministering 6:1-7
  4. The Church: Witnessing 6:8-15

Acts’ Example:

  1. . The Crucifixion - 5:30
  2. . The Resurrection - 5:30
  3. . The Ascension - 5:31
  4. . The Witness - 5:32

The Book of Acts

  1. The Establishment of the work (Jerusalem)Chapter 1:1 - chapter 7:60,. A period of about 5 years (AD 30 35). The Holy Spirit. is given and the church founded.
  2. The Enlargement of the work (In all Judea and in Samaria.).Chapter 8:1 - chapter 12:25,. A period of about 10 years (AD 36 46. Saul (Paul) is converted and the focus shifts from Jerusalem to Antioch.
  3. The Extension of the work (Unto the uttermost part of the earth.)Chapter 13:1 - chapter 28:31,. A period of about 14 years (AD 47 60). During which time Paul’s three missionary journeys take place.

The Apostle finally reaches Rome and the focus changes once again. The narrative covers a period of approximately 30 years.

Riches in Romans

“The clearest gospel of all” (Martin Luther)

A letter of Paul to a strange congregation; the nearest thing to a theological treatise in all of Paul’s writings. Two fold purpose:

(1) to prepare the congregation at Rome for Paul’s coming and

(2) to provide a comprehensive and logical exposition of the gospel.

Written by Paul from Corinth approximately A.D. 59.
Introduction and Theme: Ch. 1:1-17

1. Paul and his gospel, vs. 1-7

2. Paul and his readers, vs. 8-15

3. Theme of the epistle, vs. 16-17

(The Righteousness of God)

I.What We Are By Nature: Ch. 1:18 - 3:30

A.The Divine Indictment: 1:18 – 32

1. The nature of sin and the wrath of God, vs. 18

2. Revelation of God in nature, vs. 19-20

3. The glory of God changed into idolatry, vs. 21-24