GOD’s Story

There are 4 big chapters in GOD’s Story, and Jesus is the Hero …

1. Creation

The story does not begin with a God in hiding. God initiates the story by creating all that exists, including His prized creation – human beings – whom He pursued in relationship. What God created in the beginning was not just good, but perfect, whole, complete, lacking in nothing. He designed the Earth as an ideal environment for His creation to flourish.

2. Fall (+ rebellion)

Unfortunately, the first human beings ultimately chose to meet their needs apart from their perfect Creator. Moment by moment, we face the disastrous consequences of our rebellion, and chaos at every level in society. Created to enjoy God in loving dependence on Him, human beings now face God’s wrath. Created to relate with God in healthy community (friendship, and like a Father to His children), we now hide from Him. Once connected intimately to the power source for life, we now face certain death in our fallen world.

3. Redemption

The longest chapter in the story of God is redemption—about how God began redeeming and restoring His prized creatures. This story includes ancient covenants, the 10 Commandments, David & Goliath, and much more. But it culminates in the character of Jesus [the Hero!]. Jesus, God Himself, demonstrated how God would rather experience the death we deserved than let go of His people. The redemption chapter is the climax of the story—God’s relentless pursuit of his people at the expense of His own life.

4. Restoration

This chapter is still being written, though the previous chapter plays the spoiler and tells us how it all works out. The final chapter is basically this: what God has set in motion through the incarnation, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus and through the gift of the Holy Spirit, will finally, one great day, be fully realized. He will come back and wrap up history, setting everything right. (Yes!)