David Jackman

Speaker and Author

Preaching the New Testament Gospels

Old Testament narrative provides us with much of the Biblical teaching about the character of God, revealed in his activity in history.  But often it seems remote from the lives of contemporary Christians, and when it is preached, it is often moralised or spiritualised.

• How can we begin to hear its authentic voice for today's church and use it responsibly as Christian Scripture?
• What are the valid lines of application to us?
• How can we preach or teach this part of God's revelation with confidence and relevance?

1. The Nature of the Gospels

1. Origin
2. Process
3. Purpose

2. The Distinctiveness of each Gospel - "melodic line"

1. Matthew
   • kingship and teaching
2. Mark
   • who is this Jesus?  What does it mean to follow Him?
3. Luke
   • the mission and the rescued
4. John
   • the Word revealed and the Word lifted up

3. The Variety of Material

1. Teaching (law)
2. Parables
3. Miracles
4. Pronouncement

4. Fulfilment Motifs

1. Kingship
2. Israel
3. Covenant promise

5. Preaching the Gospels

1. False trails
2. The good news

Example

"On Line With God" - Luke 18:18-30

1. Analysis

1. Think Luke context
   • chronology / contents
2. The ruler's self-contradictory question
3. Synonymous terminology
4. The twists in the story / the punch-line  v27

2. Outline

Introduction

• We all imagine we can write the script for God and we get it very
• wrong - hence parables

Main Points

1. The Issue is not what you do but who Jesus is.
   • good?  The nature of goodness - following Christ; submitting to his authority (v23)
   • wealth?  The nature of idolatry
2. The Issue is not what you have, but what God gives
   • who can be saved?  (wrong presupposition)
   • only God can save & He can save anyone

Conclusion

• The assurance for those who do follow (v28-30)
• Who rules?

© David Jackman 2005