The apostles were continually concerned for how the early followers of Jesus were conducting themselves in their daily lives. Many letters were written to congregations and individual Christians giving them instruction and guidance. When reading these epistles, it is interesting to see how the writers motivated their audiences to grow in their faith and piety. We might ask the question like this: why should Christians live the most righteous, devout, and dedicated lives to the Lord they possibly can?

The gospel is the good news that God has victoriously fulfilled His rescue plan through Christ. That good news is presented in different ways to various audiences throughout the New Testament (consider 1 Corinthians 15:3-5, Romans 1:1-4, or sermons from Peter in Acts 2 or Paul in Acts 13). However, there are some themes which are present and emphasized in every single gospel presentation preserved in Scripture. This sermon is Shahe's effort of identifying those gospel pillars so that we can insure that our preaching matches the kind of gospel preaching done by the apostles.

The Old Testament concludes on a cliffhanger. The people of God have returned to their land and rebuilt the Temple, but Israel was still dominated by heathens and no Davidic king reigned in Jerusalem. It was at just the right time, however, that God sent forth His Son. The New Testament relays the story of Jesus. We learn about why He came to the earth, what His death, resurrection, and ascension into glory have accomplished, and what it means to be a Christian.

Two-thirds of the Bible is subdivided into a section we the Old Testament. This title is exists to highlight the contrast between the New Covenant Jeremiah predicted which was ushered in by Christ against the old system originally delivered through Moses. Tragically, many Christians wrongly believe that the Old Testament has little, to nothing, to offer them since we are in Christ and not under Moses. This could not be further from the truth. Everything Jesus did and said was through the lens of the centuries which preceded Him when God was bringing about His great rescue plan through Abraham's children. Christians cannot rightly understand the New Testament without a comprehensive knowledge of what came before it. This lesson is just a primer to help give you a big picture view of God's ancient and glorious work.