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This year we have been in a series called, “Storyline: God’s Story for the Good of the World.” The word “story” doesn’t mean “fairytale,” but is a way to understand the big picture of what the Bible reveals to us about God’s interaction within history. From the creation of the universe to the new creation when Christ returns, we will be exploring the sweeping narrative of what God has been doing and will do in our world. Perhaps as we do so, you will discover your role to play in God’s mission for the good of our world.
So, how does the story of Scripture unfold? We have looked at the bible in several “Acts” similar to a theater drama.
Act 1: Creation – God creates the universe and declares it to be “very good.” His creation project is not static, but designed to flourish with humanity as God’s gardener/image bearers. (Genesis 1-2)
Act 2: Crisis – The powers of evil and human rebellion have damaged God’s good world. God doesn’t give up on the creation project at this point, which demonstrates his grace toward what he has created. (Genesis 3-11)
Act 3: Community (Israel) – God calls Abraham to be the beginning of the solution to the problem of sin, by forming a new human family that has been “blessed to be a blessing.” (Genesis 12)
Act 4: Christ – Israel has not lived up to her calling to bless the world, so God sends his Son into the world to be everything that Israel failed to be. He is gathering a “new Israel” community that is called to be a blessing in the world, driven by their salvation they receive because of the resurrection of the Messiah! (the Gospels)
Act 5: Church – The community that gathers around the risen King Jesus was formed in the first century and has been forming ever sense, to be the “new humanity” that God has always had in mind. This community is an ambassador of grace, justice, and hope for a broken world! (New Testament Writings)
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