A few years ago, the late brother Guy N. Woods told a story about a minister who called for the removal of the Bible from his congregation for a period of six months. Recently, I received an e-mail in which the writer expressed the view that the public reading of the scripture was boring and that he did not get anything out of it. Those who once simply ignored the reading of scripture evidently feel that they can now challenge whether or not it is read at all; apathy has become disdain. Moreover, it is a mark of apostasy that some in positions of leadership in the church desire to limit another’s reading of the scripture. At the high point of Roman Catholicism, Bibles were chained to pulpits and access was limited to few. Too many have forgotten the importance of reading the Bible.
From time to time a short refresher course is needed to refresh our memory (2 Peter 1:12) regarding key words, key verses, key phrases and key messages contained within the books of the Old Testament. With this in mind, the following are “keynotes” of the books of the New Testament:
Book – 2 Thessalonians Key Words – “The Day of the Lord” Key Verses – 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8 Message – The righteous judgment of Christ ___________________________________________________________
Book – 1 Timothy Key Words – “Minister”, “Ministration” Key Verses – 1 Timothy 3:15-16 Message – Be an example to the believers ___________________________________________________________
Book – 2 Timothy Key Words – “Unfeigned Faith” Key Verses – 2 Timothy 3:14-17 Message – Preach the word, keep the faith ___________________________________________________________
Book – Titus Key Words – “Savior”, “Salvation” Key Verses – Titus 2:11-15 Message – God’s Grace brings salvation to all men ___________________________________________________________ Book – Philemon Key Words – “Receive” Key Verses – Philemon 1:9; Philemon 1:15-17 Message – The transforming power of the Gospel ___________________________________________________________
Book – Hebrews Key Words – “Better” Key Verses – Hebrews 8:6 Message – Christ’s superiority over Moses, prophets, and angels
Book – James Key Words – “Faith”, “Works” Key Verses – James 2:21-26 Message – Faith shown by works ___________________________________________________________
Book – 1 Peter Key Words – “Suffering”, “Hope” Key Verses – 1 Peter 3:15; 1 Peter 3:21 Message – Suffering patiently and joyously to God’s glory ___________________________________________________________
Book – 2 Peter Key Words – “Knowledge” Key Verses – 2 Peter 1:3-4 Message – The word of Christ is the source of life and godliness ___________________________________________________________
Book – 1 John Key Words – “Fellowship” Key Verses – 1 John 1:7 Message – The life of fellowship with God ___________________________________________________________
Book – 2 John Key Words – “The Doctrine of Christ” Key Verses – 2 John 1:9-11 Message – Christ’s teaching must be received, obeyed and all error rejected ___________________________________________________________
Book – 3 John Key Words – “Truth” Key Verses – 3 John 1:4 Message – Walking in the Truth ___________________________________________________________
Book – Jude Key Words – “Keep”, “Kept” Key Verses – Jude 1:3 Message – Keep the faith so that God may keep you from stumbling ___________________________________________________________
Book – Revelation Key Words – “Overcome” Key Verses – Revelation 2:10
Message – The glorious triumph of Christ, ultimate victory of the righteous (Revelation 15:2)
From time to time a short refresher course is needed to refresh our memory (2 Peter 1:12) regarding key words, key verses, key phrases and key messages contained within the books of the Old Testament. With this in mind, the following are “keynotes” of the books of the New Testament:
From time to time a short refresher course is needed to refresh our memory (2 Peter 1:12) regarding key words, key verses, key phrases and key messages contained within the books of the Old Testament. With this in mind, the following are “keynotes” of the books of the Old Testament:
Book – Jonah Key Words – “Repentance” (Jonah 3:1-10). Key Verses – Jonah 2:7; Jonah 2:8-9; Jonah 4:2 Key Phrase – “Let them turn everyone from his evil way” (Jonah 3:8). Messages – (1) God’s universal, forgiving love for all men; (2) God’s concern for the salvation of all mankind, both Jews and Gentiles. God wants all men to repent and be saved (1 Timothy 2:3-4). ___________________________________________________________
From time to time a short refresher course is needed to refresh our memory (2 Peter 1:12) regarding key words, key verses, key phrases and key messages contained within the books of the Old Testament. With this in mind, the following are “keynotes” of the books of the Old Testament:
Book – Lamentations Key Words – “Sorrow” (Lamentations 1:12) and “how” (Lamentations 1:1; Lamentations 2:1; Lamentations 4:1). Key Verses – Lamentations 1:12; Lamentations 2:5-6; Lamentations 2:17; Lamentations 3:25; Lamentations 3:33; Lamentations 3:40 Key Phrase – “Renew our days as of old” (Lamentations 5:21). Messages – (1) Sin brings misery and judgment; (2) God still loves sinners, even when He must punish them, and He will show compassion upon all who repent. ___________________________________________________________
Book – Ezekiel Key Words – “Glory” Key Verses – Ezekiel 18:4; Ezekiel 18:20; Ezekiel 33:11; Ezekiel 36:24-26; Ezekiel 36:33-35 Key Phrase – (1) “They shall know that I am the Lord” (Ezekiel 6:10; Ezekiel 6:14; Ezekiel 7:27; Ezekiel 12:15; Ezekiel 12:16); (2) “The glory of the Lord” (Ezekiel 1:28; Ezekiel 3:12; Ezekiel 3:23; Ezekiel 10:4; Ezekiel 10:18; Ezekiel 11:23; Ezekiel 43:4). Messages – (1) The terrible nature of sin. It destroys both men and nations; (2) Individual responsibility (Ezekiel 18:20). Men suffer for their own sins (Ezekiel 18:1-4; Ezekiel 33:10-16); (3) The necessity of repentance in obtaining forgiveness of sins (Ezekiel 14:1-20; Ezekiel 18:20-32; Ezekiel 33:1-22). ___________________________________________________________
Book – Daniel Key Words – “Dominion”, “sovereignty”, and “triumph” Key Verses – Daniel 2:20-22; Daniel 2:44; Daniel 2:47; Daniel 4:24-25; Daniel 4:37; Daniel 6:26 Key Phrase – “The Most High ruleth” (Daniel 4:17; Daniel 4:25; Daniel 4:32). Messages – The universal sovereignty of God over the affairs of men and nations. ___________________________________________________________
Book – Hosea Key Words – “Return” (Hosea 2:7; Hosea 2:9; Hosea 3:5; Hosea 5:15; Hosea 6:1). Key Verses – Hosea 4:1; Hosea 4:6; Hosea 11:7-9 Key Phrase – “I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love” (Hosea 11:4). Messages – (1) To realize the nature and enormity of sin; (2) the necessity of divine judgment; (3) the triumph of loyalty and love. ___________________________________________________________
Book – Joel Key Words – “Desolate” or “desolation” Key Verses – Joel 2:11-13; Joel 2:28-29; Joel 2:32 Key Phrase – “The day of the Lord” (Joel 1:15; Joel 2:1; Joel 2:11; Joel 2:31; Joel 3:14). Messages – A call to repentance and restoration. ___________________________________________________________
Book – Amos Key Words – “Judgment”, “punishment”, “captivity”, and “restoration” Key Verses – Amos 3:1-2; Amos 3:3; Amos 4:12; Amos 5:14-15; Amos 6:1; Amos 8:11-12 Key Phrase – (1)“Thus saith the Lord”; (2) “Seek ye the Lord.” Messages – (1) There is no possible way to escape the consequences of persistent sin; (2) Worship without truth and religion without morality are an insult to God. ___________________________________________________________
Book – Obadiah Key Words – “Calamity” Key Verses – Obadiah 1:10; Obadiah 1:15; Obadiah 1:21 Key Phrase – “Thou shouldest not have” (Obadiah 1:12-14). Messages – (1) The folly of pride, self-trust, and of the certainty of divine judgment; (2) God’s judgments are right and His providence is over all nations and men. ___________________________________________________________
