The Dawning Of A New Day

	By Garry Knighton Church of Christ/North - Shreveport, La.
	THE DAWNING OF A NEW DAY

INTRODUCTION:
- Jesus lived in a time when the world had a very dim future.
  - Romans dominated - Caesars were "self-made gods."
  - The Jewish world had been steeped in rituals for 1500 years.
  - People were anxious for something different.
- Jesus' history until death.
- Matthew 28:1-10.
- There was a new day dawning much different from anything before.
- In this lesson we will see the Dawning of a New Day brought about by Jesus.

THE DAWN OF A NEW UNDERSTANDING OF FAITH.
- Righteous men have always been saved by faith - Hab. 2:4 - (Rom. 1:16-17).
  - Abraham, David - Romans 4.
- Faith explained:
  - John 1:1-18; 14:8-9.
- O.T. people had come to rely on law and law keeping, something they could see, instead of faith.
- Hebrews 11:1-39.
THE DAWN OF A NEW UNDERSTANDING OF FORGIVENESS.
- The O.T. concept of forgiveness was temporary.
  - Heb. 10:1-10.
  - The people labored under severe guilt which was brought about by the concept of legal justification.
  - Scapegoat - Lev. 16:1-10.
- Jesus brought total forgiveness.
  - John 8:31-36.
  - John 12:30-32.
  - Romans 3:21-26.
  - Romans 8:1.
  - I John 1:7.
THE DAWN OF A NEW UNDERSTANDING OF FAMILY.
- Religiously - the O.T. concept of family was national.
  - Romans 9:1-3.
- God designed a spiritual family.
  - Jesus is the Father's son - John 3:16.
  - We are adopted by God - Romans 8:12-17.
  - I John 3:1.
- We have a family responsibility.
THE DAWN OF A NEW UNDERSTANDING OF THE FUTURE.
- The O.T. concept was mixed:
  - Acts 23:6-8.
    - Sadducees - no resurrection of angel or spirit.
    - Pharisees - resurrection of both.
- Jesus taught that there would be a resurrection.
  - John 2:18-22.
  - John 5:28-29.
  - Romans 8:11, 23.
- Much false teaching often revolved around the resurrection.
  - I Tim. 1:20.
  - II Tim. 2:17-18.
- I Thess. 4:11-18 - we will be raised.

CONCLUSION:
- Jesus brought the dawning of a new understanding to the world.
- Where is your understanding?
- Have you and do you understand these concepts?
  - Faith?
  - Forgiveness?
  - Family?
  - Future?