A. INTRODUCTION
Old Testament – New Testament – The foundation
New Testament – Old Testament – The fulfillment
1. The word “Gospel” means “Good News”
2. The 4 Canonical Gospels record the good news about the coming of Christ.
3. Because they spread the “Good News” of the gospel, the authors are also called evangelists.
4. They span from Jesus’ birth to the resurrection.
5. Jesus did not write them.
6. Persuasive Histories – attempting to convince the reader that the events of Christ’s life fulfill the Old Testament and that the reader should put their faith in Christ for salvation.
7. Everything points to Jesus. “Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms concerning me” (Luke 24:44).
8. Due to a diversity of perspectives, each gospel contributes to give us a fuller picture.
9. Who wrote:
Matthew – a tax collector, Jew, Apostle of Christ from his notes
Mark – Missionary, Jew/Roman, Disciple of Peter from interviews
Luke – Doctor, Greek, through the eyes of Paul
John – Fisherman, Jew, most intimate disciple, from keen memory
10. To whom written:
Matthew – To Jews, Jews were waiting for a king; Theme: “Christ as King”
Mark – To Romans, were activists; Theme: “Christ as Servant”
Luke – To Greeks, were obsessed with the human perfection; Theme: “Christ as perfect man”
John – To the whole world, Theme: “Christ is God” but your personal Savior
B. COMPARISON OF THE FOUR GOSPELS
Matthew:
Key Word – Kingdom (28)
Key Verse – “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him” (2:2).
Symbol – Lion
Written to – Jews
Emphasizes – Sermons
Miracles – 18
Sermons – 3
Parables – 18
Mark:
Key Word – Immediately (34)
Key Verse – “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (10:45).
Symbol – Ox
Written to – Romans
Emphasizes – Miracles
Miracles – 27
Sermons – Olivet Discourse
Parables – 4
Luke:
Key Word – Son of Man (80)
Key Verse – “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (19:10).
Symbol – Man
Written to – Greeks
Emphasizes – Parables
Miracles – 18
Sermons – 3
Parables – 19
John:
Key Words – Believe (98) and life (36)
Key Verse – “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name” (20:31).
Symbol – Eagle
Written to – World
Emphasizes – Discourses
Miracles – 8
Sermons – Upper room Discourse
Parables – None
C. WHAT IS UNUSUAL ABOUT JOHN’S GOSPEL?
His reliance on seven. Seven is God’s favorite number, i.e., the number of completion.
1. What is the seven-fold witness of Christ’s deity in the Gospel of John?
a. 5:17-18 – The testimony of Jesus Christ.
b. 5:37 – The testimony of the Father.
c. 10:37-38 – The testimony of Miracles.
d. 5:46 – The testimony of Moses.
e. 1:32-34 – The testimony of John the Baptist.
f. 15:27 – The testimony of the Disciples.
g. 15:26 – The testimony of the Holy Spirit.
2. What are the seven “I Ams” given by Christ?
a. “I Am the Bread of Life” (John 6:35). Spiritual life.
b. “I Am the Light of the World” (John 8:12). Guidance.
c. “I Am the Door” (John 10:7). Salvation.
d. “I Am the Good Shepherd” (John 10:11). Jesus takes care of us.
e. “I Am the Resurrection and the Life” (John 11:25). We get transforming life.
f. “I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life” (John 14:6). Exclusiveness of Jesus.
g. “I Am the Vine” (John 15:5). Spiritual growth.
3. What are the 7 miracles in John?
a. Changing water to wine – John 2
b. Healing nobleman’s son – John 4
c. Lame man at Bethesda – John 5
d. Feeding the 5000 – John 6
e. Walking on water – John 6
f. Healing man born blind – John 9
g. Raising Lazarus – John 11
Miracles Plus 1 = 8 Miracles
h. The miracle of 154 fish – John 21
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
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