gods story - an introduction to christianity

8/6/2019 Gods Story - An Introduction to Christianity

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The Bible is far more than a compilation of truestories about people and nations existing long ago.The Bible itself is one amazing story. Its the storyGod is telling about himself and the people and

world he created. Its not only a story of history, itsa story about what hes doing today and what heexpects of every person on earth, in general, and allthose who call themselves Christians, in particular.Without understanding this larger story of hisincredible love for the world and his plans to bringpeace on earth once again, the small stories dontalways make much sense.

The Bible, made up of 66 books written by men butinspired by God, can be overwhelming to peopleinvestigating Christianity. To get a better feel for thisgrand story, or the meta-narrative of the Bible, Ivesummarized the Bible in less than 2,000 words akind of Cliffs Notes of the Bible. Even though I hadto leave out massive portions of this incredible book,I hope youll get a feel for the heart of God and thelove of God for humans who he uniquely created inhis image.

Finally, I hope youll see yourself in this story.Whether youre searching for God or trying to findyour way back to him, God desperately wants you tobe part of his story and his life forever.

Please just sit back and enjoy the story of God.

The Meta-Narrative(The Grand Story) of the Bible

1 The very first sentence of the Bible is the bold

declaration, In the beginning God created theheavens and the earth. The Bible and the storyof the Christian worldview begins with God andcreation. God created the universe, our world,plants, animals, and mankind from nothing. Healso created the physical laws of nature andmoral laws of society/relationships to makeeverything work in harmony. He gave humansthe capacity for meaningful work and the abilityfor rational and moral thought, like himself.Because he created all humans, we belong tohim and he has the moral authority to expectus to fulfill certain responsibilities on earth andto determine how we ought to relate to him andeach other. God has a purpose and plan for allthings.

2 Of course, God pre-existed creation. He is theperfect, eternal, loving, and sovereign rulerover everything. The opening scenes of theBible show Adam and Eve enjoying intimacy with

God and each other, and God giving humansresponsibility for caring for his creation. Godwas in his glory and he declared all creationgood. The kingdom of God was alive and well onplanet earth.

GODS STORY


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12 The other reason Jesus came to earth wasto call all who would follow Him, to join aconspiracy of the faithfula new communityof world changers the kingdom of God onearth! May your kingdom come, may yourwill be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Thegospel or good news declared by Jesus wasas much about a radical call to social andeconomic justice, mercy, and love as it wasabout salvation and heaven. Jesus made itclear that every true believer has been givena sub-kingdom, or responsibilities while onearth to be part of the redemptive purposes ofGod. In effect, Jesus invites us to join the familybusiness! We werent saved just so we could goto heaven someday. Salvations purpose wasand still is to create an army of people sold outto God, doing the will of God, for the glory andpleasure of God in this life and the next!

13 The early church took this seriously. We read inthe opening chapters of the Book of Acts thatimmediately upon responding to the gospel,people began to love God with wholehearteddevotion. They took to heart Jesus command tolove others as much as they loved themselves.The early church was so radical in their love andlifestyle, that within a few centuries millions ofpeople became followers of Jesus. The Kingdomof God spread like wild fire! They didnt set outto change the culture around them; they simplyfollowed Jesus commands and the peoplearound them found this radical love irresistible.Christ, through his church (followers), was againredeeming or taking back that which had beenlost in the fall of man.

14 Unfortunately, within a few more centuriesthis devotion to living out the teachings ofJesus degenerated into religious ritual andinexcusable behavior by the church. Still, inevery generation, God preserved a remnant ofmen and women who loved Jesus more than

9 God sent prophets to Israel to remind them ofthe dream and promise of the Kingdom of Godon earth where Gods will would be done as it isin heaven, and the earth would again experiencethe peace and prosperity of God. Isaiah and theother prophets looked forward to the coming ofthe Messiah and the ushering of a new era witha New Testament or promise.

10 Jesus, the Son of God, was (and is) thepromised Messiah The Christ. He came toearth as our rescuer and messenger from Godto explain the new covenant from God andto personally fulfill it. Peace with God was nolonger based on our obedience to the sacrificialor ceremonial laws given to Moses, but on

Christs sacrifice alone. The Father God made itpossible that by Christs death and resurrection,any person who truly has faith that Jesus is theSon of God, believes his teachings, and repentsor turns away from his or her old sinful habits,will be forgiven of all their sins. This is spiritualredemption a free gift of God through JesusChrist the Bible calls grace. Like the waitingfather in the parable of the prodigal son, Godwelcomes us back with open arms from ourrebellious journey. The Bible tells us that heavenhas a party whenever that happens.

11 But, thats not all! We dont wake up the morningafter the party essentially the same person,except forgiven. Heavens no! We are born againby the Holy Spirit of God, given brand newspiritual DNA, and actually become the spiritualchildren of God. The Holy Spirits primaryministries are to remind us of the things Jesustaught and empower us and the church (all

believers, everywhere) with spiritual gifts whichenable us to serve more effectively. The HolySpirit also causes believers to exhibit what theBible calls the Fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace,patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,gentleness, and self-control).


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Now what?If you want to get to the heart of what it means tobe loved by God, I encourage you to get a goodstudy Bible in modern English, such as the NIV orLife Application Study Bible, and begin by reading

the Book of Luke. Before you read, begin with thisprayer, God, if youre really there, teach me about

yourself and please make yourself known to me.Thank you. Then read and begin obeying Jesus doexactly as he says and see if the reality of the loveof God invades your life.

How you can become a childof God and follower of Jesus

When Christ died on the cross, he paid the priceGod required for sin which we call the atonementor the transaction. This gift of salvation is availableto anyone, regardless of how terrible their sins. Thisisnt a matter of you needing to clean up your actbefore you come to Jesus. Jesus desperately longsto forgive anyone who is sick about their sin anddesires to love and live for God.

If we claim to be without sin, we deceiveourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confessour sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive usour sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (IJohn 1:89)

However, even though the Bible says that Jesus diedfor the sins of the world, unless a person personallyand individually accepts Gods gift, Christs sacrificedoes them little good. So then, what does it mean toaccept the gift, or to accept Christ?

Generally, acceptance begins with a small, butgrowing confidence that Jesus Christ is exactlywho he says he is in the Bible, the Son of God, andthat he loves you. His teachings begin to feel toocompelling and true to be denied any longer. Theresalso often a growing realization that without Jesus,

anything on earth. Today, regardless of thehypocrisy and outright sin in many who callthemselves Christians (including this author),Jesus teachings are still true, and when livedout, are a testimony to their truth.

15 Our mission in life is to love God by loving andunselfishly serving the people he has placed inour lives. In fact, love is the litmus test of ourfaith. Jesus is our teacher and example for ourmessage, motives, and methods. He expectshis followers to do just that follow his example.Those who do are his true followers. Those whodont, arent, regardless of what they say theybelieve about Jesus or the Bible.

16 Followers of Jesus look forward with great hopeand expectation to the day when Jesus willcome again for his people and usher in the finalstage of the Kingdom. All that is wrong with thispresent earth will be destroyed. When he doesreturn, all who did not follow Jesus in this lifewill be separated from God and Gods peopleforever. Those who truly believed and followedJesus will be rewarded based on how well theyserved Jesus by loving the people and usingthe resources entrusted to them. They will then

live with Jesus in a new heaven and new earthforever. The redemption of the world will then becomplete and Shalom, Gods peace, will rest oneverything, forever.

All this and more is written in the Bible, whichis Gods message to mankind. It is the ultimateauthority for faith and life for all true followers ofJesus.

Please note: The information in paragraph 14 does

not appear in the Bible. Its my commentary on thechurch centuries after the biblical account.


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So, Id encourage you to find a Christian you admireand tell them whats going on in your life and askthem to help you. Id also suggest the followingbooks to help you better understand what the life ofa follower of Jesus looks like in real life.

The Epic, by John EldridgeEngaging Gods World , Cornelius Plantinga

Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren

In addition, some wonderfully gifted people haveput together a powerful 10-week course on basicChristianity called the Alpha Course. Its offered freein thousands of churches every year. You can findone near you and get more information by going towww.alphausa.org .

Finally, you may also want to check out a greatwebsite www.monvee.com . They have an amazingstate-of-the-art, interactive program to introduce youto the basics of the Christian faith right at home.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure,whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable if anything is excellent or praiseworthy think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with

you. (Philippians 4:89)

Clare De Graaf

youre incomplete, unforgiven, and somehow missingout on the adventure of living a more purposeful life.

Ultimately, youll have to speak to Jesus directly andtell him yourself how sorry you are for the sin in yourlife and ask him to forgive you. No pastor or priest

can do that for you. This is between Christ and you.Just talk out loud and tell him how you feel. Dontworry about getting all the words just right. Justspeak to him from your heart. Tell him youre willingto pledge your life and allegiance to him forever andthank him for forgiving you.

That if you confess with your mouth, Jesus isLord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with

your heart that you believe and are justified, and

it is with your mouth that you confess and aresaved. (Romans 10:910)

When you confess and believe with absolutesincerity, the Bible says you are born again. Beingborn again means our old sinful spirit, which wasdead to sin (Rom. 6:11), is transformed by thepower of the Holy Spirit the transformation.Spiritually, we are brand new people we are Godsspiritual children possessing his spiritual DNA.

Yet to all who received him, to those whobelieved in his name, he gave the right to becomechildren of God children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husbandswill, but born of God. (John 1:1213)

Our new righteousness is an alien righteousnessbecause it comes from outside of ourselves itis Christs gift to all who truly believe. The firstevidence of this new life is often an overwhelmingdisgust with sin in our life, a desire to do bet ter, tobe more Christ-like, accompanied by the surpriseof an incredible peace, because all is now rightbetween the Father and ourselves. You now belongto God and to a community of lovers of God thechurch.

gods story - an introduction to christianity

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