Series Details
Do you ever struggle to understand how the Old and New Testaments fit together? If we think of the Old Testament as pages of promise, then how does the New Testament complete and fulfill God’s plan for us? God’s Masterwork, Volume Five: God with Us—A Survey of Matthew–Acts traces the redemptive ministry of Jesus Christ, which fulfilled many of God’s messianic promises in the Old Testament.
This Insight for Living Ministries audio series introduces the flow of thought in the New Testament, explains the purpose of each gospel, and chronicles the expansion of Christ’s church in Acts.
God’s redemptive plan in the Bible culminated in the arrival of Jesus Christ—the promised Messiah. Join Chuck Swindoll as he teaches from the Gospels and the book of Acts in God’s Masterwork, Volume Five, and learn to place your hope in Christ’s redeeming work on your behalf.
In this fifth volume of the God’s Masterwork survey, Pastor Chuck Swindoll begins the transition into the New Testament. This volume focuses on the four Gospels and the book of Acts, tracing the arrival, ministry, and sacrificial work of Jesus Christ—the fulfillment of the Old Testament promises. It also chronicles the explosive birth and expansion of the early church as the Gospel began its journey to the ends of the earth.
1. An Important Interlude (Between the Testaments)
- Overview: Explores the 400 “Silent Years” between Malachi and Matthew. While there was no prophetic word from God, history was moving forward to prepare the world for the Messiah.
- Key Fact: During this interlude, the rise of the Greek language and Roman roads created the perfect infrastructure for the rapid spread of the Gospel.
- Scripture: Galatians 4:4 – “But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman.”
2. Matthew: Let’s Meet the King
- Overview: Written primarily to a Jewish audience, Matthew presents Jesus as the long-awaited King and the legal heir to David’s throne.
- Key Fact: Matthew contains the most references to Old Testament prophecies, frequently using the phrase, “This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet.”
- Scripture: Matthew 1:1 – “The record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.”
3. Mark: The Servant at Work
- Overview: A fast-paced, action-oriented Gospel that presents Jesus as the tireless Servant of God. Mark focuses more on what Jesus did than on what He said.
- Key Fact: Mark was written primarily for a Roman audience, emphasizing power and service over genealogy and law.
- Scripture: Mark 10:45 – “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
4. Luke: The Physician’s Opinion
- Overview: The “Gospel of Compassion” written by a Gentile doctor. Luke presents Jesus as the perfect Son of Man who came to seek and save the lost and the marginalized.
- Key Fact: Luke provides the most detailed account of Jesus’ birth and early life, as well as unique parables like the Good Samaritan and the Prodigal Son.
- Scripture: Luke 19:10 – “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
5. John: That You May Believe
- Overview: Unlike the other three (Synoptic) Gospels, John focuses on the deity of Jesus. He presents seven “I Am” statements and seven signs to prove that Jesus is the Son of God.
- Key Fact: John states his purpose clearly: he wrote so that readers would believe and have eternal life in Jesus’ name.
- Scripture: John 20:31 – “But these have been written so that you may believe… and that believing you may have life in His name.”
6. Acts: Like a Mighty Army
- Overview: The bridge between the Gospels and the Epistles. Acts records the power of the Holy Spirit descending on the apostles and the subsequent growth of the church from Jerusalem to Rome.
- Key Fact: The book could be titled “The Acts of the Holy Spirit,” as it demonstrates how God used ordinary people to turn the world upside down.
- Scripture: Acts 1:8 – “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses.”
Common Questions: God’s Masterwork, Volume Five
1. Why do we need four different Gospels to tell the same story? As Pastor Chuck explains in this series, each Gospel writer had a different target audience and a specific “portrait” of Jesus to present: Matthew shows Him as King; Mark as Servant; Luke as Man; and John as God. Together, they provide a complete, 360-degree view of Christ.
2. What happened during the 400 “Silent Years” before the New Testament? In “An Important Interlude,” it is noted that while God was not speaking through prophets, He was acting through history. He used the Persian, Greek, and Roman empires to create a unified world with a common language and stable travel, making the “fullness of time” ready for Jesus.
3. What is the difference between the “Synoptic” Gospels and the Gospel of John? Matthew, Mark, and Luke are called “Synoptic” (seeing together) because they follow a similar chronological structure and include many of the same events. John, however, is more theological and reflective, focusing on the spiritual significance of Jesus’ identity as the Word of God.
4. How does the book of Acts help us understand the rest of the New Testament? Acts provides the “narrative background” for the Epistles. By reading Acts, we learn the origins of the churches in places like Rome, Corinth, and Ephesus, which helps us understand why Paul wrote specific letters to those believers later on.
5. Is the Holy Spirit only for the leaders of the early church? No. The series emphasizes that the same “power” promised in Acts 1:8 is available to every believer. Acts shows that the Holy Spirit empowers ordinary men and women to be bold witnesses for Christ regardless of their social or religious standing.
