1. Journey with Jesus: The Gospels  The Texts (literary features of the gospels)  The Theatre (the cultural/historical/theological context)  The Themes (the big idea/ideas of the Gospels)  So What? (the application to 2009) Where are we heading today?

2. Mark (Synoptic) Date & Location 50 to 70 AD,Rome About the Author Probably Mark who based the gospel on the preaching of Peter. Likely Mark's mother hosted the disciples when they were in Jerusalem. Recipients Probably the church at Rome or at least Gentile readers as the Gospel explains Jewish customs and translates Aramaic words. Particular Concern The Cross, discipleship, the teachings of Jesus, The Messianic Secret, Jesus the Son of God.

3. Matthew (Synoptic) Date & Location Unclear probably after Mark's. Palestine or Syrian Antioch About the Author A tax collector who leaves to follow Jesus (Mat 9:9-13). In the Gospels of Mark and Luke is called by his other name Levi. Recipients Written in Greek therefore Greek recipients and most likely Jews. Particular Concern Jesus as the Messiah (lots of Old Testament quotes)

4. Luke (Synoptic) Date & Location 59 to 80 AD Probably Rome About the Author Wrote Acts as well. Travelled with Paul on some of his journeys. Gentile by birth well educated doctor by profession. Recipients Theolophilus (Luke 1:3 means God lover) may have been wealthy patron or generic title to all who would read this gospel, or both. Particular Concern The way of salvation, the birth of Christ, historical details, concerns of the downtrodden: children, women, the poor, Holy Spirit

5. John Date & Location As early as 50 AD or 85 AD About the Author The disciple whom Jesus loved. Lots of personal eyewitness details: the smell of the perfume Recipients Greek readers. Particular Concern Focused a Greek thinkers. Evangelistic in intention.

6. Journey with Jesus: The Gospels  The Teatures Features (literary features of the gospels)  The Theatre (the cultural/historical/theological context)  The Themes (the big idea/ideas of the Gospels)  So What? (the application to 2009) Where are we heading today?

7. Time line from David to Jesus King David 1000 BC Nebuchadnezzar Jerusalem 586 BC (Persia) Alexander the Great conquers Palestine. 332 BC (Greeks) Maccabean War of Liberation 167 - 141BC Jesus Born General Pompey conquer Jerusalem 63 BC (Romans) Babylonians capture Jerusalem 597 BC

8. In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever. Daniel 2:44

9. What do to while waiting for the Kingdom to God to appear through the Messiah Withdraw - The Essences Join the revolution - The Zealots Compromise – Herod and the Pharisees.

10. Journey with Jesus: The Gospels  The Teatures Features (literary features of the gospels)  The Theatre (the cultural/historical/theological context)  The Themes (the big idea/ideas of the Gospels)  So What? (the application to 2009) Where are we heading today?

11. “Teacher, we know you are a man of integrity. You aren't swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” (The Pharisee in Mark 12:13).

14. The arrest of Martin Luther King, Birmingham, US

23. "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men's faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.” Mat 23:13

24. Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Mark 8:34

25. Journey with Jesus: The Gospels  The Teatures Features (literary features of the gospels)  The Theatre (the cultural/historical/theological context)  The Themes (the big idea/ideas of the Gospels)  So What? (the application to 2009) Where are we heading today?