Topical Sermons 

Scripture Reading: Luke 24:44-48

Using the Old Testament Today

Intro.

1. False charges: “The church of Christ doesn’t believe in the O.T.” “You are using the O.T. as a standard of authority.”

2. How may we use the O.T. properly? (2 Tim. 2:15)

I. KNOW WHAT THE BIBLE CONTAINS.

  A. Patriarchal Age: From Adam to Moses (Sinai), Rom. 5:14.

• Key Figure: Abraham, Gen. 12:1-3, 7.

1.  Nation promise: Fulfilled in Israel (Exod. 19:4-6).

2.  Land promise: Fulfilled in Canaan (Josh. 21:43).

3.  Seed promise: Fulfilled in Jesus Christ (Gal. 3:16).

  B.  Jewish Age: Sinai to Pentecost.

    1. Written Law of Moses separated Israel and Gentiles, Deut. 5:1-3; Eph. 2:14 (Rom. 2:14).

    2.  New covenant coming for all men, Jer. 31:31-34.

      a.  Jesus fulfilled the Law, Matt. 5:17-18 (Rom. 10:4).

      b.  His new covenant is now in force, Heb. 8:6-13 (7:12; 9:16).

    3.  Authority of OT Law abolished by Christ, Eph. 2:14-15 (Col. 2:14).

  C. Gospel Age (Pentecost to Eternity), Acts 2:16-17; Heb. 1:1-2; 1 Pet. 1:20 (Matt. 28:18-20).

II. USE OF THE OLD TESTAMENT TODAY.

  A. Evidence That Jesus is the Christ, John 5:39, 46 (Luke 24:44-45).

-Acts 17:2-3 (Ps. 2, Isa. 2, Joel 2, Dan. 2, Acts 2)

  B.  Examples For Us to Learn From:

    1. Examples of sin to avoid,1 Cor. 10:5-12.

    2.  Examples to follow, James 5:10, 11.

  C.  Learn About Salvation by Faith, 2 Tim. 3:15 (Gal. 3:24-25).

    1.  God’s promises made and kept, Gen. 12:1-7; Acts 13:32-41.

    2.  Noah: Righteousness that is according to faith, Heb. 11:7.

    3.  Abraham, Rom. 4:13-16 (22).

  D.  Learn Patience and Receive Comfort to Have Hope, Rom. 15:4.

    1.  Abraham, Rom. 4:17-18; Heb. 6:13-15.

    2.  The Christ, Gal. 4:4.

    3.  Teach us to trust, fear, and wait on God, Micah 7:7.

III. USING THE OLD TESTAMENT TO UNDERSTAND NEW TESTAMENT TRUTH. (Must rightly divide, 2 Tim. 2:15.)

  A.  Christ’s Endorsement of Using O.T.: “Have You Not Read” (7xs).

    1.  cf. Matt. 22:31 (“what was spoken to you by God”).

    2. “Conservatively, there are over 200 citations from the Old Testament in the New Testament. The number increases to nearly 1,000 or more when including allusions or references to Old Testament verses. Some estimates exceed that figure” (Christian Questions, https://tinyurl.com/22s7kaoc).

  B.  Truth about Marriage, Gen. 2:24; Matt. 19:3-9.

  C.  Truth about Modest Clothing, Gen. 2:25; 3:7, 10, 21; 1 Tim. 2:9-10.

  D.  Truth about the Silence of God (the Scriptures), Lev. 10:1-3 (Deut. 4:1-2); Heb. 7:12-14.

  E. Divine Patterns Establish God’s Approval, Exod. 25:9, 40 (26:30); Acts 7:44; 2 Tim. 1:13.

  F. Old Covenant Provided Many Shadows of the New Covenant, Heb. 9:9-10; 10:1.

    1.  Not our authority for God’s approval, Matt. 17:5.

    2.  All authority belongs to Jesus Christ, Matt. 28:18-20.

Conclusion

1.  Old Testament is a treasure trove for understanding God, His purposes, His provisions, His expectations, blessings, and punishments.

2.  Inspired, profitable, equip us to do God’s work as followers of Christ, 2 Tim. 3:16-17.

By: Joe R. Price

Posted August 27, 2025