November 5, 2017

Our Study An Introduction to the Bible A Message and Theological Summary of the Bible’s Books How to Read, Study, and Understand the Bible Overview Inspiration Canonization Transmission Translation 09/24/17 The Message of the OT 1 The Message of the OT 2 The Message of the NT Redemptive History 1 Redemptive History 2 11/05/17 10/01/17 11/12/17 10/15/17 11/19/17 10/29/17 12/03/17 10/29/17 12/10/17

What is the message of the Bible? The Message of the OT – 1 The Message of the OT – 2 The Message of the NT Redemptive History – 1 Redemptive History – 2

The Implication of Biblical Inspiration If the Bible is God’s word, then what is God’s message?

Our Study – The Message of the Old Testament 1) The Message of the OT Simply Stated 2) Theme One: Creation 3) Theme Two: Covenant 4) Theme Three: Spiritual Life 5) The Function of the OT for the Church

The Message of the OT Without the Old Testament we don’t properly understand God. – Philip Yancey Apart from the Old Testament we always have an impoverished view of God. – Leslie Allen If the center point of the NT is the promise of the kingdom that is coming, the center point of the OT is the kingdom that it is here.

The Message of the OT 17 “Don’t think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or one stroke of a letter will pass away from the law until all things are accomplished. 19 Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commands and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever does and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. – Matthew 5:17-19

The Message of the OT 37 He said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. 38 This is the greatest and most important command. 39 The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. 40 All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands.” – Matthew 22:36-40

The Message of the OT The most persistent and impactful character in the OT is The LORD, who goes by many names. The OT, first and foremost, reveals him in relationship to the world and his people. The OT is not ultimately about principles and practices The OT sets the framework for the personal reality of God.

The Message of the OT The Father Jesus points us to is none other than The LORD of the OT. The LORD is our Father and our Father’s character is revealed powerfully through the actions and commitments of The LORD in the OT.

The LORD in Relationship The Message of the OT The LORD in Relationship To Creation In Covenant By Worship

Theme One: Creation

The Message of the OT: The Lord in Relationship to Creation Order Goodness Meaning Representative Relationship Inauguration Sovereign

The Lord in Relationship to Creation: Order Ancient Near-Eastern signs of disorder: Darkness and tumultuous water (seas) [Genesis 1:2] God overcomes the disorder Creating light and protecting it from darkness[1:3-4] Creating ordered time [1:5] Organizing and setting boundaries for the waters Expanse or sky [1:6-7] Binding water under the sky [1:9-10]

The Lord in Relationship to Creation: Goodness God saw that the light was good [Genesis 1:4] God saw that organizing the water was good [1:10] God saw that the vegetation was good [1:12] God saw that the lights in the sky was good [1:18] God saw that the fish and birds were good [1:21] God saw that the animals were good [1:25] God blessed mankind [1:28] and saw that everything created was good [1:31]

The Lord in Relationship to Creation: Meaning 14 Then God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night. They will serve as signs for seasons and for days and years. 15 They will be lights in the expanse of the sky to provide light on the earth.” And it was so. Literally, appointed times Has to do with festivals and important acknowledgements, especially in relation to thanking the Lord for blessings and favor

The Lord in Relationship to Creation: Representative Relationship 26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness. They will rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the livestock, the whole earth, and the creatures that crawl on the earth.” 27 So God created man in his own image; he created him in the image of God; he created them male and female. 28 God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. - Genesis 1:26-28

The Lord in Relationship to Creation: Representative Relationship Mankind as God’s vice-regents Mankind the pursue the cultural mankind Their mission: expand Eden into the wild of the rest of the earth

The Lord in Relationship to Creation: Inauguration So the heavens and the earth and everything in them were completed. 2 On the seventh day God had completed his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. 3 God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, for on it he rested from all his work of creation. – Genesis 2:1-3

13 For the Lord has chosen Zion;     he has desired it for his dwelling place: 14 “This is my resting place forever;     here I will dwell, for I have desired it. - Psalm 132:13-14 (ESV)

Thus says the Lord: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool; what is the house that you would build for me, and what is the place of my rest?  Isaiah 66:1 (ESV)

Rest Enthronement but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God,  Exodus 20:10a Above all you shall keep my Sabbaths, Exodus 31:13a

The Lord in Relationship to Creation: Sovereign 1 The earth and everything in it, the world and its inhabitants, belong to the Lord; 2 for he laid its foundation on the seas and established it on the rivers. - Psalm 24:1-12 Our God is in heaven and does whatever he pleases. – Psalm 115:3

Theme Two: Covenant (Intro)

What is a Covenant? Definition: Hebrew is berit (1) Parties to a covenant Suzerain or great king Vassal or lesser king (2) Prologue or covenant context Historical situation, e.g. a great rescue or a vulnerable situation or need of some kind (3) Conditions or stipulations Obligations of the vassal to the suzerain (4a) Promises: Benefits or blessings Protection Privileges (4b) Promises: Consequences or curses Punishment for violation (5) Covenant Sign Witnesses or reminders of the covenant for the parties Definition: Hebrew is berit A solemn commitment of oneself to undertake an obligation

What is a Covenantal Theology? Covenant of Works Covenant of Grace Covenant of Redemption