Structure of the New Testament

1. The Four Gospels tell of the life of Christ
   o Gospel - good news
   o historical books
2. The Book of the Acts which begins with Christ’s ascension carries through the coming of the Holy Spirit, the beginnings of the first century church, with a primary focus on the ministries of Peter and Paul. (Book of transition)
3. 21 epistles which are letters to specific congregations, or to Christians generally explaining Christ and His teachings relating these principles to every day life.
4. The book of Revelation shares the vision John was given concerning the thinks to come.

The Four Gospels

1. They present the birth, ministry, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ.
2. To obtain the most complete picture of Jesus one must read all four Gospels as each has content not found in the others.
3. Matthew, Mark and Luke are referred to as the Synoptic Gospels because of their many similar (parallel) passages.
4. 90% of the contents of Mark are found in Matthew
5. 53% of the contents of Luke are found in Matthew
6. The overlap of material at times includes identical wording.
7. Matthew does not always place his recollections in the exact order of occurrence instead grouping certain parables and other teachings to help clarify his specific point.
8. He was more a theologian than a just a mere biographer

Authorship

1. The Gospel does not identify its author within the text.
2. The earliest Manuscripts that have a title page attribute the Gospel to Matthew
3. The early church supported Matthew as the writer
4. We are confident that Matthew the Apostle wrote the book of Matthew
5. Also called Levi, son of Alphaes (Mark 2:14)

Why was Matthew placed first in the New Testament?

1. The early church believed it was written first.
2. The early church valued it more highly than the other gospels
3. It’s content, because of the Jewish flavor, served as a useful transition from the Old Testament to the New Testament

To who was it written & when?

1. Although it cannot be known exactly to whom it was written scholars are confident that it was written to a primarily Jewish community.
2. Although an exact date cannot be set conservatives generally date the book to the mid 60s. The writing would have been prior to the fall of Jerusalem in 70 A.D.

The purpose of the book

1. To establish that Jesus was the promised Messiah
2. To establish that Jesus was the successor of King David
   
3. To establish that Jesus has come to introduce his kingdom

Outline of the Book

1. There are nine distinct discourses
2. Five that we would consider major discourses of Jesus
   o Prologue – Origin and birth of Jesus
   o 1st Discourse – The Sermon on the Mount
   o 2nd Discourse – His Mission and Martyrdom
   o 3rd Discourse – The Parables of the Kingdom
   o 4th Discourse – Life Under Kingdom Authority
   o 5th Discourse – The Olivet Discourse
   o Epilogue – The Passion and Resurrection of Christ

Important Message: The Crossroads of Life

Introduction

1. Comparison of two different choices.
   
2. Most have stood at this crossroad and made this choice already

I. The First Choice is the Wide Gate and Broad Road

a. Depicted as the easy choice
b. Many will go this direction

1. Many in Vs. 22
2. Many in Matt. 20:28

II The Strait (Narrow) Gate, with a narrow way

a. Jesus said in John 14 that He was the only way.
b. Sadly few will find it, not because it is hidden but because

1. Satan attempts to keep you off that road
2. Its easier to go with the crowd
3. It is seems restrictive

III. Another Crossroads of life found in Jer. 6:16

a. This was a visualization depicted by God for the Israelites
b. The Principle is true for us also.
c. Described for us in three ways

1. Old path
2. Good path
3. Path of rest

Conclusion

Have you stood at the crossroad of eternity & made your choice?
Have you decided what path you will choose for you life?
Be careful and choose according to God’s precious Word.