5.1 New Series - THE CENTRAL THEME OF THE BIBLE
Today, we begin on a new series entitled – “The Central Theme of the Bible”. When we read a book or watch a movie, it helps to know the plot, or the theme, or the key message. That knowledge helps us to understand how every chapter or scene helps to build up that plot and bring it to a conclusion.
When we read the Bible, we usually see a great disjoint between the Old Testament and the New Testament. For example, God seemed so angry at the people’s sins in the Old Testament but Jesus was so forgiving in the New Testament. Even within the New Testament, we even see a gap between the Gospels and the Epistles. It is like reading three unrelated or even conflicting books.
Knowing the central theme of the Bible will help us read the whole Bible with a better understanding. We are able to interpret every verse in the context of the central theme so as to come to the right conclusion.
GOD’S REDEMPTION PLAN THROUGH JESUS is the central theme. If we read everything in the light of Jesus, we will have the key to unlock the Old Testament and to reconcile it with the New Testament. We will be able to experience the fullness of His redemptive work.
In the Old Testament, God’s justice was revealed through the law. Because of God’s justice, He has to punish their sins. They needed a Savior who could deliver them from their sins. In the New Testament, God revealed His love. He sent His dearest and best – Jesus – to take the punishment of sins on our behalf. Through His dying on the cross, Jesus bore the full judgment of sin and reconciled mankind to God. The central theme of God’s Word is summarized in one powerful verse:
(John 3:16, NKJV)
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
The whole Bible points to Jesus’ redemptive work on the cross. Jesus was revealed immediately after Adam and Eve fell into sin, when God said that Jesus would defeat Satan on the cross by bruising Satan’s head, while Satan would bruise Jesus’ heel (Gen 3:15). Even the saints and angels of heaven sing, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain.” Jesus is worthy because He has “redeemed us to God by His blood” (Rev 5:8-12).
(Reference for this series: Walking on Water by Joshua Lye, Armour Publishing - Chp 12)
When we read the Bible, we usually see a great disjoint between the Old Testament and the New Testament. For example, God seemed so angry at the people’s sins in the Old Testament but Jesus was so forgiving in the New Testament. Even within the New Testament, we even see a gap between the Gospels and the Epistles. It is like reading three unrelated or even conflicting books.
Knowing the central theme of the Bible will help us read the whole Bible with a better understanding. We are able to interpret every verse in the context of the central theme so as to come to the right conclusion.
GOD’S REDEMPTION PLAN THROUGH JESUS is the central theme. If we read everything in the light of Jesus, we will have the key to unlock the Old Testament and to reconcile it with the New Testament. We will be able to experience the fullness of His redemptive work.
In the Old Testament, God’s justice was revealed through the law. Because of God’s justice, He has to punish their sins. They needed a Savior who could deliver them from their sins. In the New Testament, God revealed His love. He sent His dearest and best – Jesus – to take the punishment of sins on our behalf. Through His dying on the cross, Jesus bore the full judgment of sin and reconciled mankind to God. The central theme of God’s Word is summarized in one powerful verse:
(John 3:16, NKJV)
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
The whole Bible points to Jesus’ redemptive work on the cross. Jesus was revealed immediately after Adam and Eve fell into sin, when God said that Jesus would defeat Satan on the cross by bruising Satan’s head, while Satan would bruise Jesus’ heel (Gen 3:15). Even the saints and angels of heaven sing, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain.” Jesus is worthy because He has “redeemed us to God by His blood” (Rev 5:8-12).
(Reference for this series: Walking on Water by Joshua Lye, Armour Publishing - Chp 12)
posted by Joshua Lye @ 2:00 AM
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