Unveiling Jesus: The Old Testament's Rich Significance
Summary
In our time together, I sought to illuminate the profound significance of the Old Testament in our Christian journey. Many Christians today tend to overlook the Old Testament, often relegating it to a mere 10% of their Bible reading. However, this ancient text is not just a precursor to the New Testament; it is a rich tapestry woven with the presence of Jesus Christ Himself. The Old Testament is replete with prophecies, stories, and symbols that reveal Jesus and His salvation. It is a treasure trove of divine wisdom that prepares us for the New Testament and enriches our understanding of it.
The Old Testament is indispensable for understanding the New Testament. It provides the foundational context for the teachings and events of the New Testament, making it virtually impossible to fully grasp the latter without the former. Moreover, the Old Testament is a powerful tool for evangelism and apologetics, with its fulfilled prophecies serving as compelling evidence of Jesus' lordship.
Beyond its theological significance, the Old Testament offers practical guidance for Christian living. It presents moral principles and doctrines in story form, making them accessible and relatable. These stories of faith, perseverance, and divine intervention comfort and encourage us, reminding us of God's unwavering faithfulness.
The Old Testament was also Jesus' Bible. It shaped His teachings, character, and mission. By engaging with the Old Testament, we connect with the same scriptures that influenced our Savior. Furthermore, the Old Testament provides a broader perspective on God's redemptive plan, showcasing His meticulous orchestration of history to bring about salvation.
In conclusion, the Old Testament is not just a historical document; it is a living testament to God's grace and power. It is Jesus on every page, inviting us to delve deeper into its riches and discover the fullness of God's revelation.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Old Testament Reveals Jesus:
The Old Testament is not merely a collection of ancient texts but a revelation of Jesus Christ. It contains prophecies, stories, and symbols that point to Him, offering a deeper understanding of His mission and salvation. Engaging with the Old Testament allows us to see Jesus in a new light, enriching our faith and relationship with Him. [02:13]
2. Understanding the New Testament:
The New Testament is deeply rooted in the Old Testament. To fully grasp the teachings and events of the New Testament, we must first understand the Old Testament. It provides the context and background necessary for interpreting the New Testament, making it an essential part of our biblical study. [03:21]
3. A Manual for Christian Living:
The Old Testament offers practical guidance for living a life that honors God. It presents moral principles and doctrines in story form, making them relatable and applicable to our lives. By studying these stories, we gain insights into how to maintain a holy, happy, and healthy relationship with God. [04:55]
4. Comfort and Encouragement:
The Old Testament is a source of comfort and encouragement, showcasing God's faithfulness and commitment to His people. It reminds us of His sovereign mercy and loving grace, providing models of faith and perseverance that inspire us in our own spiritual journey. [07:32]
5. Hope for Our Culture:
In a world filled with darkness and degradation, the Old Testament offers hope. It recounts times of great sin and despair, yet God continually raised up deliverers to renew and reform His people. This historical perspective gives us hope that God can and will intervene in our present circumstances. [14:24]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:45] - Introduction to the Old Testament
- [01:13] - Importance of the Old Testament
- [01:41] - Teacher's Hat: Reasons to Read the Old Testament
- [02:13] - Revealing Jesus in the Old Testament
- [03:21] - Understanding the New Testament
- [04:23] - Salvation Through the Old Testament
- [04:55] - Manual for Christian Living
- [05:52] - Doctrine in Story Form
- [06:28] - Comfort and Encouragement
- [08:32] - Jesus' Bible
- [09:56] - Trophies of Grace
- [11:11] - Bigger Picture of Redemption
- [12:47] - Explaining Our Culture
- [14:24] - Hope for Our Culture
- [15:56] - Making Sense of Our Story
- [17:36] - Warming Our Hearts
- [18:11] - Appreciation for the New Testament
- [19:11] - Poet's Hat: Jesus on Every Page
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Romans 15:4 - "For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope."
2. Hebrews 11 - The Hall of Faith, highlighting Old Testament figures.
3. 2 Timothy 3:15 - "And how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus."
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Observation Questions:
1. According to the sermon, what percentage of Bible reading does the Old Testament typically constitute for most Christians? Why is this significant? [01:13]
2. How does the Old Testament reveal Jesus, according to the sermon? What are some of the methods mentioned? [02:13]
3. What role does the Old Testament play in understanding the New Testament, as discussed in the sermon? [03:21]
4. What are some examples of how the Old Testament provides comfort and encouragement, as mentioned in the sermon? [07:32]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the Old Testament serve as a manual for Christian living, and what challenges might arise in applying its teachings today? [04:55]
2. In what ways does the Old Testament provide a broader perspective on God's redemptive plan, and how does this affect our understanding of the New Testament? [11:11]
3. How can the fulfilled prophecies in the Old Testament strengthen our apologetic efforts in today's culture? [12:12]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the importance of understanding the Old Testament to make sense of our current cultural context? [12:47]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own Bible reading habits. How much time do you spend in the Old Testament compared to the New Testament? What changes might you consider making to your reading plan? [01:13]
2. The sermon highlights the Old Testament as a source of comfort and encouragement. Can you recall a time when a story or passage from the Old Testament provided you with comfort? How did it impact you? [07:32]
3. Consider the moral principles presented in the Old Testament. How can you apply one of these principles to a current situation in your life? [04:55]
4. The Old Testament is described as Jesus' Bible. How does this perspective change the way you view and engage with the Old Testament? [08:32]
5. The sermon mentions the Old Testament's role in explaining our culture. How can understanding the Old Testament help you navigate cultural challenges you face today? [12:47]
6. Think about a prophecy from the Old Testament that has been fulfilled. How does this fulfillment strengthen your faith and your ability to share the gospel with others? [12:12]
7. The sermon suggests that the Old Testament offers hope for our culture. In what ways can you draw hope from the Old Testament in the face of current societal issues? [14:24]
Devotional
Day 1: Jesus Revealed in the Old Testament
The Old Testament is not just a collection of ancient texts; it is a revelation of Jesus Christ. Through its prophecies, stories, and symbols, the Old Testament offers a deeper understanding of Jesus' mission and salvation. Engaging with these texts allows believers to see Jesus in a new light, enriching their faith and relationship with Him. By delving into the Old Testament, Christians can uncover the presence of Jesus on every page, inviting them to explore the fullness of God's revelation. [02:13]
"And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself." (Luke 24:27, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a story or prophecy from the Old Testament that you are familiar with. How does it point to Jesus, and how can this understanding deepen your relationship with Him today?
Day 2: The Old Testament as Context for the New Testament
The New Testament is deeply rooted in the Old Testament, and to fully grasp its teachings and events, one must first understand the Old Testament. It provides the foundational context necessary for interpreting the New Testament, making it an essential part of biblical study. Without the Old Testament, the richness and depth of the New Testament can be lost, as it builds upon the stories, prophecies, and teachings that came before. [03:21]
"For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." (Romans 15:4, ESV)
Reflection: Consider a teaching or event from the New Testament that you find significant. How does the Old Testament provide context or background for this, and how can this understanding enhance your study of the Bible?
Day 3: Practical Guidance for Christian Living
The Old Testament offers practical guidance for living a life that honors God. It presents moral principles and doctrines in story form, making them relatable and applicable to our lives. By studying these stories, believers gain insights into maintaining a holy, happy, and healthy relationship with God. The Old Testament serves as a manual for Christian living, offering timeless wisdom and guidance. [04:55]
"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." (Psalm 119:105, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a story or principle from the Old Testament that speaks to your current life situation. How can you apply its lessons to your daily walk with God today?
Day 4: Comfort and Encouragement from the Old Testament
The Old Testament is a source of comfort and encouragement, showcasing God's faithfulness and commitment to His people. It reminds believers of His sovereign mercy and loving grace, providing models of faith and perseverance that inspire them in their spiritual journey. These stories of divine intervention and unwavering faithfulness offer hope and reassurance in times of trial. [07:32]
"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:22-23, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt God's faithfulness in your life. How can the stories of faith and perseverance in the Old Testament encourage you in your current circumstances?
Day 5: Hope for Our Culture
In a world filled with darkness and degradation, the Old Testament offers hope. It recounts times of great sin and despair, yet God continually raised up deliverers to renew and reform His people. This historical perspective gives believers hope that God can and will intervene in their present circumstances, bringing renewal and transformation. [14:24]
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11, ESV)
Reflection: Think about a challenging situation in your community or culture. How can the hope and deliverance found in the Old Testament inspire you to pray and act for change today?
Quotes
First reason you should read the Old Testament is because it reveals Jesus. If I told you that I found thirty-nine bonus gospels, thirty-nine hidden gospels that not only prepared the church and the world for Jesus coming but was actually full of Jesus Christ, you would leap wouldn't you, at the opportunities to read them, and that's what we have in the Old Testament. It's not just full of preparation and predictions, it's full of Jesus Himself. [00:02:13]
The Old Testament helps us understand the New Testament. It is virtually impossible—I would argue as an Old Testament professor—it is virtually impossible to understand the New Testament without the Old Testament. When we're reading the New Testament and we come across a word or an idea that we don't understand, the first place we should turn is not the dictionary, or even a Greek lexicon. It's the Old Testament. [00:03:21]
The Old Testament is a manual for Christian living. And don't we need that today? All of us, when we're saved, we want to know how do we live in a way that keeps my relationship with God holy, happy and healthy. The Bible makes clear that God's given us moral principles to live by, that will help us keep that relationship with Him in a good state. [00:04:55]
The Old Testament comforts and encourages us. When we read it, we experience what the Apostle Paul spoke of in Romans 15:4, the comfort and encouragement of the Scriptures. Don't we need that today? Who doesn't feel the need for just a boost, for an encouragement, for a model to follow? And when we look at the Old Testament, that's what we have. [00:07:32]
The Old Testament was Jesus' Bible. When a president is interviewed, say President Obama is interviewed, he's sometimes asked what books have really impacted you. And people ask that because, well, they want to know what went into making this person what he is. And maybe they also want to have a wee bit of that for themselves. [00:08:32]
The Old Testament shows us the bigger picture of redemption. When we see that God's plan of redemption began long before Calvary, long before Bethlehem, when we see every event being meticulously planned, forecast, planned and played out. When we see that nothing happened by accident and everything is happening according to that perfect plan. [00:11:11]
The Old Testament explains our culture. Imagine if you walked into a play halfway through, maybe at the halftime interval, and you sat down and you started watching the remaining couple of acts. You'd be scratching your head wondering what's going on here. Maybe sometimes you'd think oh, I've got it. And then something else happens, you realize no, no I don't have it. [00:12:47]
The Old Testament, twelfthly, also gives us hope for our culture. Don't we desperately need hope for our culture? When we look around us, we just see so much degradation. We think, is there any hope? Oh, yes there is! You look back in the Old Testament, you see some really dark and delinquent times, don't you? [00:14:24]
The Old Testament makes sense of our story. We all have a story. We're all continually telling ourselves a story. We have a narrative about ourselves and our place in the world and our relationship to God and others in it. But we cannot make sense of our story, we cannot understand our story, apart from God's story. [00:15:56]
The Old Testament warms our hearts. Remember the two men, the road to Emmaus? Did not our hearts burn within us as He talked with us on the way, and as He opened the Scriptures to us? That need not be a [AD] 33 experience; it can be a 2014 experience. And many of you have experienced that, haven't you, as you've read the Old Testament and Christ has come out of the pages, into your life. [00:17:36]
The Old Testament makes us appreciate the New Testament even more. Yes, the Old Testament reveals Jesus, but there's also concealment, there's also shadow, there's also limitation. There's a sense when we're reading it that there's a frustration in it, there's a longing and a desire kindled that's not met. But when we open the pages of the New Testament and we find the incarnate Christ there, don't we appreciate Him all the more? [00:18:11]
Wherever we turn, wherever we read, a familiar name is what we meet. It's Jesus on every page. He wasn't idle and quiet for thousands of years just watching and waiting' till His turn drew near. He was busy and active in grace and in power. His mercy was growing in seed, bud, and flower. He is the Word by whom all things were made. [00:19:11]
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