The gospel is the good news that God, who is more holy than we can imagine, looked upon with compassion, people, who are more sinful than we would possibly admit, and sent Jesus into history to establish His Kingdom and reconcile people and the world to himself. Jesus, whose love is more extravagant than we can measure, came to sacrificially die for us so that, by His death and resurrection, we might gain through His grace what the Bible defines as new and eternal life.
Creation
One Hebrew word sums up the picture of Genesis 1 and 2; shalom. Peace. Earth was full of God's shalom, the kind of peace in which everything works according to God's intention. The world was made for human flourishing, there we could live in joy in the presence of our Maker, worshiping God by loving Him and one another forever. Genesis 1:1, Psalm 90:2
Fall
Adam and Eve rejected God's rule over them. We refer to their rebellious choice as "the fall," and because they represented all of humanity, their action affects us too. We have -- through our attitudes and actions -- declared ourselves to be God's enemies. This rebellion results in physical and spiritual death. Romans 3:10, Romans 3:19.
Redemption
Thankfully the loving Creator who rightly shows Himself to be wrathful toward our sin is determined to turn evil and suffering we have caused into good that will be to His ultimate glory. So the next movement shows God implementing a master plan for redeeming His world and rescuing fallen sinners. In the Person of Jesus Christ, God Himself comes to renew the world and restore His people. The grand narrative of Scripture climaxes with the death and resurrection of Jesus. Luke 19:10, 1 Peter 3:18, Galatians 1:4
Restoration
The story doesn't end with redemption. God has promised to renew the whole world, and the Bible gives us a peek into this glorious future. The restoration of all things will take place in two ways. Christ will return to judge sin and evil, and He will usher in righteousness and peace. God will purge this world of evil once and for all. Revelation 21:1-4
Our Response
God is writing an amazing story from creation to restoration. He created you to be a part of the story to worship him, serve him, and enjoy relationship with him. By joining God in his story, you will find forgiveness, purpose, and satisfaction as you come to know the Author of life.
Faith is simple trust in Jesus Christ alone to save you. It means instead of believing you can rescue yourself from the consequences of sin, you transfer your trust to the rescue he purchased for you by his death. Your allegiance is now to Jesus, the King. Those who place their trust in anything other than Jesus will find themselves forever separated from the loving God who gave his one and only Son to set us free from the bondage of sin. This painful separation is called Hell. Ephesians 2:8-9
You can embrace the invitation of God's rescue by simply:
- Admitting your need to God.
- Asking Him to forgive you and help you turn from sin.
- Trusting in Jesus Christ alone to rescue you.
- Following Jesus Christ, the King of your life, in faith from this day forward.