Romans 3:21-28
Summer Reading 8:
Paul’s Letters
Letters = 78% of the New Testament
• 13 letters by Paul
• 3 letters by John
• 2 letters by Peter
• 1 by James
• 1 by Jude
• 1 by the unknown author of Hebrews
Major Themes in the Letters
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Jesus the Christ is the fulfillment of God’s promises.
The new life of believers is a gift of God.
Salvation is by grace through faith.
The Church is the restored Israel.
Christians will experience persecution now, glory later.
False teachers subvert the true Gospel of Christ.
Paul’s Letters in order of writing:
• Galatians
• 1 Thessalonians
• 2 Thessalonians
• 1 Corinthians
• 2 Corinthians
• Romans
• Philippians
• Colossians
• Philemon
• Ephesians
• 1 Timothy
• Titus
• 2 Timothy
GALATIANS
• As a Pharisee, Paul was a fiery opponent of Christians, and
once he became a Christian, he became a fiery opponent of
those Jewish Christians who wanted to require Gentile
believers to observe the very same Jewish laws he himself
had once revered.
• Although Paul learned to modulate and moderate his
message over time, Galatians, his first letter of concern for
churches he had established, is still pretty fiery.
In the tables that follow for each book,
the first table is from
The Life Application Bible (Tyndale, 1996)
and the second table is from
Bruce Wilkinson, Your Daily Walk
(Zondervan, 1991).
GALATIANS
AUTHOR
Paul
WHAT
The Magna Carta of Christian Freedom
WHERE
Galatia, Jerusalem
WHEN
c. A.D. 48-49, from Syrian Antioch, prior to the Jerusalem Council of A.D. 50
WHY
To refute the Judaizers (who taught that Gentile believers
must obey the Jewish law in order to be save), and to call Christians
to faith and freedom in Christ
KEY
PEOPLE
Paul, Peter, Barnabas, Titus, Abraham, false teachers
FOCUS
DIVISIONS
Defending the
Gospel’s Minister
Defending the
Gospel’s Message
Demonstrating the
Gospel’s Might
1:1-1:10 Perverters’
Renunciation
1:11-2:21 Paul’s Apostleship
3:1-4:20 Law Cannot Set Free
4:21-4:31 Grace Sets Free
5:1-5:12 Peril to Freedom
5:13-6:18 Practice in
Freedom
Autobiography
Argument
Application
Authority, not Opinion
Freedom, not Bondage
Spirit, not Flesh
TOPICS
PLACE
South Galatian Theory: Syrian Antioch
North Galatian Theory: Ephesus or Macedonia
TIME
South Galatian Theory: A.D. 49
North Galatian Theory: A.D. 53-56
Paul’s Gospel as Divinely Revealed
• Galatians 1:11-12
11 I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I
preached is not of human origin. 12 I did not receive it from
any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by
revelation from Jesus Christ.
Justification by Grace, not by Works
• Galatians 2:15-16
15 “We who are Jews by birth and not sinful Gentiles 16 know
that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by
faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ
Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by
the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one
will be justified.
Crucified with Christ
• Galatians 2:20
20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but
Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith
in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
The Magna Carta of Christian Freedom
• Galatians 3:28
28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor
is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
The Fulfillment of the Law
• Galatians 5:14
14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command:
“Love your neighbor as yourself.”
The Fruit of the Spirit
• Galatians 5:22-23
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and selfcontrol. Against such things there is no law.
Salvation by God’s Spirit, not by Ritual
• Galatians 6:15
15 Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything;
what counts is the new creation.
1 & 2 Thessalonians
• Essays on the Return of Christ
• Christian response to persecution
• Ethical concerns
• Misunderstandings about the Second Coming
1 THESSALONIANS
AUTHOR
Paul
WHAT
A letter about Jesus’ return
WHERE
Thessalonica
WHEN
c. A.D. 49-51 from Corinth; one of Paul’s earliest letters
WHY
To strengthen the Thessalonian Christians in their faith
and give them the assurance of Christ’s return
KEY
PEOPLE
Paul, Timothy, Silas
FOCUS
DIVISIONS
Personal Relations to the Thessalonians
1:1-10
Paul’s Memories
2:1-3:13
Paul’s Methods
Personal
Parental
Practical Instructions to the Thessalonians
4:1-12 Paul’s Directions
4:13-5:11 Christ’s Return
5:12-28 Paul’s Reminders
Prophetic
Practical
TOPICS
A Saving Hope
A Purifying Hope
PLACE
Corinth
TIME
c. A.D. 51
A Comforting Hope
2 THESSALONIANS
AUTHOR
Paul
WHAT
More words about Christ’s return, and the antichrist
WHERE
Thessalonica
WHEN
A.D. 49-51, a few months after 1 Thessalonians, from Corinth
WHY
To clear up the confusion about the second coming of Christ
KEY
PEOPLE
Paul, Silas, Timothy
FOCUS
Commendation
Instruction
Correction
DIVISIONS
1:1-12 Return of Christ
2:1-17 Revelation of
Antichrist
3:1-18 Return to Work
Strengthening the Stressful
Confirming the Confused
Disciplining the Disorderly
Encouragement
Explanation
Exhortation
TOPICS
PLACE
Corinth
TIME
c. A.D. 51
The Return of Jesus
• 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed
about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like
the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14 For we believe
that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God
will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.
15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are
still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will
certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.
The Return of Jesus
• 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a
loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the
trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.
17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught
up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the
air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore
encourage one another with these words.
Attitudes for Christian Living
• 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all
circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Don’t be “so heavenly-minded”
that you’re no earthly good.
• 2 Thessalonians 3:10
10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule:
“The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”
1 & 2 Corinthians
• “Well, at least our
church is not that
messed up!”
Four Letters to Corinth
• Paul’s first visit to Corinth
1. Paul’s first letter from Ephesus to Corinth
2. “1 Corinthians”
• Paul’s second visit to Corinth
3. “The Tearful Letter”
4. “2 Corinthians”
• A Planned 3rd visit to Corinth
1 CORINTHIANS
AUTHOR
Paul
WHAT
A passionate appeal for unity in the Church
WHERE
Worship meetings in Corinth
WHEN
c. A.D. 53-55, near the end of Paul’s three-year ministry in Ephesus,
during his third missionary journey
WHY
KEY
PEOPLE
To identify problems in the Corinthian church, to offer solutions,
and to teach believers how to live for Christ in a corrupt society
Paul, Timothy, members of Chloe’s household
FOCUS
Four Problems
Four Perspectives
1-6 Problems of Factions and Lawsuits
7-10 Perspectives on Marriage & Liberty
11-14 Perspectives on Worship
15-16 Perspectives on the Resurrection
DIVISIONS
Division
Discussion
Corporate
Private
Disorder
Disbelief
TOPICS
Public
PLACE
Written in Ephesus
TIME
A.D. 56
Wisdom & Foolishness
• 1 Corinthians 1:18
18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are
perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
• 1 Corinthians 1:21-24
21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did
not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what
was preached to save those who believe. 22 Jews demand signs
and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a
stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those
whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of
God and the wisdom of God.
The Source of Spiritual Understanding
• 1 Corinthians 2:14
14 The person without the Spirit does not accept the things
that come from the Spirit of God but considers them
foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are
discerned only through the Spirit.
On Consideration for Others
• 1 Corinthians 8:9
9 Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does
not become a stumbling block to the weak.
• 1 Corinthians 8:13
13 Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall
into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause
them to fall.
On Resisting Temptation
• 1 Corinthians 10:13
13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common
to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be
tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are
tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can
endure it.
The Institution of the Lord’s Supper
• 1 Corinthians 11:23-29
23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you:
The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread,
24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This
is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.”
25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying,
“This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever
you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
The Institution of the Lord’s Supper
• 1 Corinthians 11:23-29
26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you
proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. 27 So then, whoever
eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy
manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood
of the Lord. 28 Everyone ought to examine themselves before
they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. 29 For those
who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat
and drink judgment on themselves.
On Spiritual Gifts
• 1 Corinthians 12:4-6
4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit
distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but
the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in
all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
The Love Chapter
• 1 Corinthians 13:1-8a
1 If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have
love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have
the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all
knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do
not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and
give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have
love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy,
it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is
not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of
wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always
perseveres. 8 Love never fails.
Died – Buried – Raised – Seen!
• 1 Corinthians 15:3-8
3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that
Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was
buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the
Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the
Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the
brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still
living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to
James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all he appeared to me
also, as to one abnormally born.
On the Resurrection
• 1 Corinthians 15:14
14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so
is your faith.
• 1 Corinthians 15:17-22
17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still
in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are
lost. 19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all
people most to be pitied. 20 But Christ has indeed been raised from
the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For
since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead
comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all
will be made alive.
2 CORINTHIANS
AUTHOR
Paul
WHAT
An intensely personal letter of pastoral concern
WHERE
Corinth, Jerusalem
WHEN
c. A.D. 55-56, from Macedonia
WHY
To affirm Paul’s ministry, defend his authority as an apostle,
and refute the false teachers in Corinth
KEY
PEOPLE
Paul, Timothy, Luke, false teachers
FOCUS
Consolation
Exhortation
Vindication
DIVISIONS
1-5 Paul’s Ministry
of the Gospel
6-9 Paul’s Motivation
in the Gospel
10-13 Paul’s Authority
as a Gospel Minister
Character
Collection
Credentials
TOPICS
The Repentant Majority
PLACE
Written in Macedonia
TIME
c. A.D. 56
The Rebellious Minority
Paying Grace Forward
• 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the
Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who
comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those
in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from
God.
We Live by Faith
• 2 Corinthians 1:20
20 For no matter how many promises God has made, they are
“Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by
us to the glory of God.
• 2 Corinthians 5:7
7 For we live by faith, not by sight.
The “Weight of Glory”
• 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are
wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by
day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving
for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we
fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since
what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
The Judgment Seat of Christ
• 2 Corinthians 5:10
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ,
so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things
done while in the body, whether good or bad.
The “Clear Kernel of the Gospel”
• 2 Corinthians 5:17-21
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The
old has gone, the new is here! 18 All this is from God, who
reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of
reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in
Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has
committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore
Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal
through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to
God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in
him we might become the righteousness of God.
On Generosity
• 2 Corinthians 9:11
11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be
generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity
will result in thanksgiving to God.
Paul’s “Thorn in the Flesh”
• 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
7 because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in
order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in
my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I
pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to
me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in
weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my
weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why,
for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in
persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
ROMANS
1.
2.
3.
4.
Can one be right with God through obeying the Law?
Is Abraham the father of both Jewish & Gentile Christians?
What role does the Law play with reference to sin?
What does the salvation of the Gentiles indicate about the
future of Israel?
5. Should Christians observe Old Testament food laws?
ROMANS
AUTHOR
Paul
WHAT
An organized and carefully-presented statement of Paul’s faith
WHERE
Rome
WHEN
c. A.D. 57, from Corinth
WHY
To introduce Paul to the Romans and to give a sample of his message
before he arrives in Rome
KEY
PEOPLE
Paul, Phoebe
FOCUS
Doctrinal
Practical
1-3 Problem of Unrighteousness
4-5 Provision of Righteousness
6-8 Pursuit of Righteousness
9-11 Program of Righteousness
DIVISIONS
SIN
SALVATION
SANCTIFICATION
12-16 Practice of Righteousness
SELECTION
SERVICE
TOPICS
Understanding the Gospel
Living the Gospel
PLACE
Probably in Corinth
TIME
c. A.D. 57
On the Gospel
• Romans 1:16
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of
God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the
Jew, then to the Gentile.
• Romans 2:14-15
14 (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature
things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even
though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the
requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their
consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes
accusing them and at other times even defending them.)
Who is really a Jew?
• Romans 2:28-29
28 A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is
circumcision merely outward and physical. 29 No, a person is
a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision
of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a
person’s praise is not from other people, but from God.
Sola Fide! Grace Alone!
• Romans 3:28
28 For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart
from the works of the law.
Romans 5:1-2
1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we
have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through
whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which
we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.
The “Roman Road” to Salvation
• Romans 3:23-24
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the
redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
• Romans 6:23
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal
life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
• Romans 5:8
8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we
were still sinners, Christ died for us.
The “Roman Road” to Salvation
• Romans 10:9
9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe
in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be
saved.
• Romans 10:13
13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be
saved.”
No Condemnation!!!
• Romans 8:1
1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are
in Christ Jesus.
• Romans 8:9
9 You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in
the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you.
And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not
belong to Christ.
No Fear!
• Romans 8:28
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who
love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
• Romans 8:31-32
31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us,
who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave
him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give
us all things?
• Romans 8:38-39
38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor
demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither
height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to
separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
A Living Sacrifice
• Romans 12:1-2
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s
mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and
pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do
not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed
by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test
and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and
perfect will.
PHILIPPIANS
• The first church in Europe
• Paul’s favorite church
• A “missionary support” letter
PHILIPPIANS
AUTHOR
Paul
WHAT
Paul’s joyful letter to his favorite church
WHERE
Philippi
WHEN
c. A.D. 61-62, from Rome during Paul’s imprisonment there
WHY
To thank the Philippians for the gift they had sent Paul
and to strengthen these beleivers by showing them that true joy
comes from Jesus Christ alone
KEY
PEOPLE
Paul, Timothy, Epaphroditus, Euodia, Syntyche
FOCUS
DIVISIONS
Rejoice in God’s Will
Relax in God’s Peace
1:1-11 Paul and Philippians
1:12-26 Paul and Prison
1:27-2:18 Christ and Living
2:19-30 Timothy and Epaphroditus
3:1-4:1 Philippians and Errors
4:2-9 Philippians and Holiness
4:10-21 Paul and a Gift
Information
Appeal
Plans
Warning
Exhortation
Thanks
TOPICS
Rejoicing in
Affliction
Rejoicing in Ministry
Rejoicing in
Jesus
PLACE
Rome
TIME
c. A.D. 62
Rejoicing in Blessings
Paul’s Love for the Philippians
• Philippians 1:3-6
3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers
for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership
in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this,
that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to
completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
• Philippians 1:9-11
9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more
in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to
discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of
Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through
Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
In prison, Paul contemplates his execution . . .
• Philippians 1:21
21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
• Philippians 1:27
27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner
worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see
you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that
you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for
the faith of the gospel .
Paul’s Hymn of Christ
• Philippians 2:5-11
5 In your relationships with one another, have the same
mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did
not consider equality with God something to be used to his
own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking
the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled
himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a
cross!
Paul’s Hymn of Christ
• Philippians 2:5-11
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave
him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name
of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and
under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus
Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
My “Life Verses”
• Philippians 3:10-14
10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his
resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him
in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection
from the dead. 12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have
already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for
which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not
consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do:
Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I
press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called
me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Rejoice!
• Philippians 4:4-7
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let
your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not
be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer
and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to
God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all
understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in
Christ Jesus.
God’s Provision
• Philippians 4:11-13
11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to
be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be
in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the
secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed
or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this
through him who gives me strength.
• Philippians 4:19
19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of
his glory in Christ Jesus.
COLOSSIANS
• Paul never visited Colossae.
• Epaphras took the Gospel to Colossae.
• The Colossians had been deceived by “spirituality.”
• Colossians is highly Christological.
COLOSSIANS
AUTHOR
Paul
WHAT
Paul’s great Christological letter
WHERE
Colosse, Laodicea (4:15-16)
WHEN
c. A.D. 60-62 during Paul’s imprisonment in Rome
WHY
To combat errors in the church and to show that believers have everything
they need in Christ
KEY
PEOPLE
Paul, Timothy, Tychicus, Onesimus, Aristarchus, Mark, Epaphras
FOCUS
Christ, the Lord of the Universe
Christ, the Lord of Life
DIVISIONS
1:1-12 Prayer to the Father of Christ
1:13-2:3 Supremacy of Christ
2:4-23 Sufficiency of Christ
3:1-17 New Life
3:18-4:1 Home Life
4:2-6 Christian Life
4:7-18 Conclusion
Transforming Relationship
Transformed Relationships
Consistent Doctrine
Consistent Life
TOPICS
PLACE
Rome
TIME
A.D. 60-61
The Preeminent Christ, part 1
• Colossians 1:15-20
15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all
creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven
and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or
rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and
for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold
together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the
beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in
everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased
to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to
reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in
heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
The Preeminent Christ, part 2
• Colossians 2:9-15
9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form,
10 and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the
head over every power and authority. 11 In him you were also
circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human
hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when
you were circumcised by Christ, 12 having been buried with
him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him
through your faith in the working of God, who raised him
from the dead.
The Preeminent Christ, part 2
• Colossians 2:9-15
13 When you were dead in your sins and in the
uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ.
He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the charge of
our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and
condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.
15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made
a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the
cross.
“in the Name of the Lord Jesus”
• Colossians 3:17
17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in
the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father
through him.
PHILEMON
• A very short, personal letter
• Philemon was a wealthy believer in Colossae.
• Onesimus was a runaway slave.
• Onesimus became a committed Christian.
• Faith changes relationships.
PHILEMON
AUTHOR
Paul
WHAT
One of three personal letters in the Bible, Paul’s personal plea for a slave
WHERE
Colosse, Rome
WHEN
c. A.D. 60-62, during Paul’s first imprisonment in Rome,
at about the same time as Ephesians and Colossians
WHY
To convince Philemon to forgive his runaway slave, Onesimus,
and to accept him as a brother in the faith
KEY
PEOPLE
Paul, Philemon, Onesimus
FOCUS
Praise for Philemon
Plea for Onesimus
Preparation for Paul
DIVISIONS
1:1-3 Paul’s Preface
1:4-7 Paul’s Commendation
1:8-16 Paul’s Intercession
1:17-21 Paul’s Promise
1:22-25 Paul’s Message
Greetings & Gratitude
Grace
Good Words
Courtesy & Compliment
Counsel
Conclusion
TOPICS
PLACE
Rome
TIME
c. A.D. 60-61
The Seed of the Destruction of Slavery
• Philemon 1:10-12
10 that I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son
while I was in chains. 11 Formerly he was useless to you, but now
he has become useful both to you and to me. 12 I am sending
him—who is my very heart—back to you.
Philemon 1:15-16
15 Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while
was that you might have him back forever— 16 no longer as a
slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to
me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother
in the Lord.
Living our Faith increases our Understanding
• Philemon 1:6
6 I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be
effective in deepening your understanding of every good
thing we share for the sake of Christ.
EPHESIANS
• “The Queen of the Epistles”
• A “circular letter”
• Clear contrast between being “lost” and being “saved”
• Clear statement about the nature of the Church
• The central clue to “what God is up to”
• Two beautiful prayers of blessing
• Extended metaphor about spiritual warfare
EPHESIANS
AUTHOR
Paul
WHAT
The Queen of the Epistles
WHERE
The churches of Asia Minor
WHEN
c. A.D. 60-62, from Rome during Paul’s imprisonment there
WHY
To strengthen the believers in Ephesus in their Christian faith by explaining
the nature and purpose of the church, the Body of Christ
KEY
PEOPLE
Paul, Tychicus
FOCUS
DIVISIONS
The Christian’s Wealth
The Christian’s Walk
1:1-1:23 Thanksgiving for Wealth
2:1-2:22 Wealth of Salvation
2:23-3:21 Wealth of the Church
4:1-4:16 Walk at Church
4:17-5:21 Walk in Holiness
5:22-6:9 Walk at Home and Work
6:10-6:24 Walk in Warfare
Calling
Conduct
Privileges
Practicalities
TOPICS
PLACE
Rome
TIME
A.D. 60-61
The “seal” of God’s Spirit
• Ephesians 1:13-14
13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the
message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you
believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised
Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance
until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to
the praise of his glory.
Paul’s first Prayer of Blessing
• Ephesians 1:17-19
17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the
glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and
revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that
the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you
may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of
his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his
incomparably great power for us who believe.
Paul’s second Prayer of Blessing
• Ephesians 3:14-19
14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every
family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out
of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through
his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your
hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and
established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s
holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the
love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—
that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
By Grace, through Faith!
• Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and
this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by
works, so that no one can boast.
One Body, both Jew & Gentile
• Ephesians 3:6
6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are
heirs together with Israel, members together of one body,
and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.
The Key to Understanding the Bible
• Ephesians 3:10-11
10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold
wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and
authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal
purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Spiritual Warfare
• Ephesians 6:10-18
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your
stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not
against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the
authorities, against the powers of this dark world and
against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the
day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and
after you have done everything, to stand.
Spiritual Warfare
• 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your
waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and
with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the
gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of
faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of
the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of
the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit
on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With
this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the
Lord’s people.
THE PASTORAL EPISTLES: 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus
• Paul is acquitted by Nero after first imprisonment, c. A.D. 62.
• Paul preaches in Crete and perhaps in Spain.
• Paul writes 1 Timothy & Titus.
• Paul is imprisoned a second time.
• Paul writes 2 Timothy.
• Paul is executed, c. A.D. 67-68.
1 TIMOTHY
AUTHOR
Paul
WHAT
A letter to the first “second-generation” Christian mentioned
in the New Testament; the first of the Pastoral Letters
WHERE
Ephesus
WHEN
c. A.D. 62-64, from Macedonia (or Rome, or Philippi),
just prior to Paul’s final imprisonment in Rome
WHY
To give encouragement and instruction to Timothy, a young leader
KEY
PEOPLE
Paul, Timothy
FOCUS
Organization in the Church
Operation of the Church
DIVISIONS
1:1-20 Law and Grace
2:1-15 Worship and Women
3:1-16 Bishops and Deacons
4:1-16 Apostasy in the Church
5:1-25 Age Groups in the Church
6:1-21 Areas of Conflict in the Church
Life of the Church
Leaders of the
Church
Apostasy of the Church
Groups in the Church
Example to the Church
TOPICS
Plans
Problems
PLACE
Macedonia
TIME
c. A.D. 62-63
Qualifications for Church Leadership
• 1 Timothy 3:1-13
1 Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer
desires a noble task. 2 Now the overseer is to be above reproach,
faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable,
hospitable, able to teach, 3 not given to drunkenness, not violent
but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must
manage his own family well and see that his children obey him,
and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. 5 (If anyone
does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take
care of God’s church?) 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he
may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the
devil. 7 He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so
that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.
Qualifications for Church Leadership
• 8 In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere,
not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain.
9 They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear
conscience. 10 They must first be tested; and then if there is
nothing against them, let them serve as deacons. 11 In the same
way, the women are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers
but temperate and trustworthy in everything. 12 A deacon must be
faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his
household well. 13 Those who have served well gain an excellent
standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.
An interesting comment about salvation . . .
• 1 Timothy 4:10
10 That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our
hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and
especially of those who believe.
On youthful leaders . . .
• 1 Timothy 4:12
12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young,
but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in
love, in faith and in purity.
On responsibility for one’s family . . .
• 1 Timothy 5:8
8 Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and
especially for their own household, has denied the faith and
is worse than an unbeliever.
On the love of money . . .
• 1 Timothy 6:6-10
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we
brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out
of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content
with that. 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation
and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that
plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of
money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for
money, have wandered from the faith and pierced
themselves with many griefs.
Words to the Wealthy
• 1 Timothy 6:17-19
17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to
be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so
uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides
us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to
do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and
willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for
themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that
they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
TITUS
AUTHOR
Paul
WHAT
A letter about church leadership; Paul’s third Pastoral Letter
WHERE
Crete, Nicopolis
WHEN
c. A.D. 62-64, at about the same time 1 Timothy was written;
probably from Nicopolis between Paul’s imprisonments
WHY
To advise Titus in his responsibility of supervising the churches
on the island of Crete
KEY
PEOPLE
Paul, Titus
FOCUS
DIVISIONS
Duties of Church Leaders
1:1-9 Elders
Designated
Duties of Church Members
1:10-16 Heresy
Described
2:1-15 Good Works
Demanded
3:1-15 Heretics
Denounced
Service
Salvation
Servants
TOPICS
Preservation of Truth
Use of Truth
PLACE
Probably written in Corinth
TIME
c. A.D. 63
Qualifications for Church Leadership
• Titus 1:5-9
5 The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order
what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I
directed you. 6 An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a
man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of
being wild and disobedient. 7 Since an overseer manages God’s
household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quicktempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing
dishonest gain. 8 Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves
what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined.
9 He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been
taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and
refute those who oppose it.
Instructions for Church Members
• Titus 2:1-11
1 You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine.
2 Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, selfcontrolled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. 3 Likewise,
teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to
be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good.
4 Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands
and children, 5 to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home,
to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will
malign the word of God.
Instructions for Church Members
• Titus 2:1-11
6 Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. 7 In
everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your
teaching show integrity, seriousness 8 and soundness of speech
that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be
ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us. 9 Teach
slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please
them, not to talk back to them, 10 and not to steal from them, but
to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they
will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive. 11 For the
grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.
2 TIMOTHY
AUTHOR
Paul
WHAT
Paul’s most intimate letter, and his last;
the second of the Pastoral Letters
WHERE
Rome, Ephesus
WHEN
c. A.D. 64-67, from prison in Rome. After a year or two of freedom,
Paul was arrested again and executed under Emperor Nero.
WHY
To give final instructions and encouragement to Timothy,
pastor of the church at Ephesus
KEY
PEOPLE
Paul, Timothy, Luke, Mark
FOCUS
Be Steadfast in Your Ministry
Be Steadfast in Your Doctrine
DIVISIONS
1:1-5 Thanksgiving for Timothy
1:6-18 Exhortation to Timothy
2:1-13 Duties of Timothy
2:14-3:17 Apostasy and Timothy
4:1-5 Charge to Timothy
4:6-22 Death of Timothy’s Friend
Hold Fast the Gospel
Pass on the Gospel
Protect the Gospel
Preach the Gospel
Foundation
Faithfulness
Foes
Fearlessness
TOPICS
PLACE
Roman Prison
TIME
c. A.D. 67
Multi-Generational Faith
• 2 Timothy 1:5
5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your
grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am
persuaded, now lives in you also.
Confidence under Fire
• 2 Timothy 1:7
7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives
us power, love and self-discipline.
• 2 Timothy 1:12
12 That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for
shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am
convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to
him until that day.
A Leader’s Responsibility
• 2 Timothy 2:2
2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of
many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be
qualified to teach others.
• 2 Timothy 2:15
15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a
worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly
handles the word of truth.
In Praise of Scripture
• 2 Timothy 3:16-17
16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching,
rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that
the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every
good work.
One of many demonstrations that God does not
intend that all illness be removed in this life . . .
• 2 Timothy 4:20
20 Erastus stayed in Corinth, and I left Trophimus sick in
Miletus.
Paul’s Farewell
• 2 Timothy 4:5-8
5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship,
do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your
ministry. 6 For I am already being poured out like a drink
offering, and the time for my departure is near. 7 I have
fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the
faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of
righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will
award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all
who have longed for his appearing.
Paul’s Most Important Teaching
• Romans 3:21-28
21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has
been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.
22 This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to
all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and
Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of
God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the
redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
Paul’s Most Important Teaching
• Romans 3:21-28
25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the
shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to
demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had
left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— 26 he did it to
demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just
and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. 27 Where,
then, is boasting? It is excluded. Because of what law? The law
that requires works? No, because of the law that requires faith.
28 For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from
the works of the law.
The Burning Center of Paul’s Teaching
• Ephesians 2:8-9
8
For it is by grace you have been saved,
through faith—and this is not from
yourselves, it is the gift of God—
9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
Thoughts to Take Away . . .
1. At the beginning, Paul was extremely religious
and also extremely lost.
2. There is no other way to God except through Jesus.
3. Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.
4. To be almost saved is to be completely lost.
5. God can do for you today what God did for Paul long ago.
An Invitation
•I urge you to “declare with your mouth [that]
‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God
raised him from the dead, [so that] you will be
saved” (Romans 10:9).
Lift Every Voice and Sing!
Lift every voice and sing,
till earth and heaven ring,
ring with the harmonies of liberty.
Let our rejoicing rise,
high as the listening skies,
Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.
Sing a song full of the faith
that the dark past has taught us,
Sing a song full of the hope
that the present has brought us;
Facing the rising sun of our new day begun,
Let us march on till victory is won.
Stony the road we trod,
bitter the chastening rod,
felt in the days when hope unborn had died.
Yet with a steady beat, have not our weary feet
come to the place for which our fathers died?
We have come over a way
that with tears have been watered,
We have come, treading our path
through the blood of the slaughtered.
Out from the gloomy past, till now we stand at last
where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.
God of our weary years,
God of our silent tears,
Thou who hast brought us thus far on the way;
Thou who hast by thy might, led us into the light,
Keep us forever in the path we pray.
Lest our feet stray from the places,
our God, where we met thee.
Lest our hearts, drunk with the wine
of the world, we forget Thee;
Shadowed beneath thy hand,
may we forever stand,
True to our God, true to our native land.