STORY #3 - Knowing our Roles in the Story
Altogether, the Old Testament and New Testament are in total agreement on one main theme woven throughout its pages, and that is the STORY. The STORY deals with God's love, man's sin, the need for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, and the hope of ne
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Grace Church holds a Meet & Greet for those who are newer to Grace Church on the 4th Sunday of each month following the service in CJ's coffee shop. It is a great opportunity to meet the staff and leadership of Grace Church and learn a little more about the church. It also gives us an opportunity to learn a little about you! Contact Leslie Booher if you have any questions ([email protected]).
Sunday, June 21st - Liam Thomas, David & Shannah Shaver, Josh & Amie Sensiba, Tony & Kari Troutman
Monday, June 22nd - Denny Shaver, Ryan Hickey, Oakley Reigler
Thursday, June 25th - Hadlyn Pfund
Saturday, June 27th - Kevin & Kim Stewart
Monday, June 22nd - Denny Shaver, Ryan Hickey, Oakley Reigler
Thursday, June 25th - Hadlyn Pfund
Saturday, June 27th - Kevin & Kim Stewart
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Our June series is simply entitled, STORY.
We are looking at the Gospel which literally means "Good News."
The Gospel is the STORY of how sinful man can be reconciled to God.
So far we've covered God's Story of Jesus and Our Story with Jesus. We used a four-point outline to aid us in explaining the Gospel to others: Relationships, Ruin, Rescue, and Response
We are looking at the Gospel which literally means "Good News."
The Gospel is the STORY of how sinful man can be reconciled to God.
So far we've covered God's Story of Jesus and Our Story with Jesus. We used a four-point outline to aid us in explaining the Gospel to others: Relationships, Ruin, Rescue, and Response
Imagine a team of any sort where one or two of the participants try to play the role and do the responsibilities of the other team members, and do so -uninvited. Words or phrases like usurp, overstep, supersede, supplant, override, and butting in come to mind.
What are some of the possible ramifications or "far-reaching effects" of those decisions and actions?
What are some of the possible ramifications or "far-reaching effects" of those decisions and actions?
The Gospel has to do with the salvation God offers to mankind and in that there are three distinct characters.
1. God
2. Christians
3. Those who are Lost
Each character has a specific role to play.
1. God
2. Christians
3. Those who are Lost
Each character has a specific role to play.
Before we get into the various characters and their specific roles, we need to understand what is meant by salvation.
The Bible paints a very clear picture of mankind and our relationship with a Loving, Holy, and Just God.
Romans 1:18-32 [NLT] - Humanity's rejection of God and the resulting downward spiral of sin. This rejection led God to give them over to destructive desires and a corrupted mind, resulting in widespread immorality and wickedness.
Ephesians 2:1-10 [NLT] - Foundational passage describing God's plan to rescue and transition mankind from spiritual death to life. The Apostle Paul describes how a Holy, Just, and Loving God provides that salvation as The Way to restore mankind into a right relationship with Himself.
The Bible paints a very clear picture of mankind and our relationship with a Loving, Holy, and Just God.
Romans 1:18-32 [NLT] - Humanity's rejection of God and the resulting downward spiral of sin. This rejection led God to give them over to destructive desires and a corrupted mind, resulting in widespread immorality and wickedness.
Ephesians 2:1-10 [NLT] - Foundational passage describing God's plan to rescue and transition mankind from spiritual death to life. The Apostle Paul describes how a Holy, Just, and Loving God provides that salvation as The Way to restore mankind into a right relationship with Himself.
Romans 1:18-32
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18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness.
19 For what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.
20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse.
21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts.
22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools,
23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.
24 Therefore God gave them over in the desires of their hearts to impurity for the dishonoring of their bodies with one another.
25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is forever worthy of praise! Amen.
26 For this reason God gave them over to dishonorable passions. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones.
27 Likewise, the men abandoned natural relations with women and burned with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.
28 Furthermore, since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, He gave them up to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.
29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice. They are gossips,
30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, and boastful. They invent new forms of evil; they disobey their parents.
31 They are senseless, faithless, heartless, merciless.
32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things are worthy of death, they not only continue to do these things, but also approve of those who practice them.
19 For what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.
20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse.
21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts.
22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools,
23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.
24 Therefore God gave them over in the desires of their hearts to impurity for the dishonoring of their bodies with one another.
25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is forever worthy of praise! Amen.
26 For this reason God gave them over to dishonorable passions. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones.
27 Likewise, the men abandoned natural relations with women and burned with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.
28 Furthermore, since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, He gave them up to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.
29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice. They are gossips,
30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, and boastful. They invent new forms of evil; they disobey their parents.
31 They are senseless, faithless, heartless, merciless.
32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things are worthy of death, they not only continue to do these things, but also approve of those who practice them.
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Ephesians 2:1-10
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1 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins,
2 in which you used to walk when you conformed to the ways of this world and of the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit who is now at work in the sons of disobedience.
3 All of us also lived among them at one time, fulfilling the cravings of our flesh and indulging its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature children of wrath.
4 But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,
5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our trespasses. It is by grace you have been saved!
6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,
7 in order that in the coming ages He might display the surpassing riches of His grace, demonstrated by His kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
8 For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God,
9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life.
2 in which you used to walk when you conformed to the ways of this world and of the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit who is now at work in the sons of disobedience.
3 All of us also lived among them at one time, fulfilling the cravings of our flesh and indulging its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature children of wrath.
4 But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,
5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our trespasses. It is by grace you have been saved!
6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,
7 in order that in the coming ages He might display the surpassing riches of His grace, demonstrated by His kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
8 For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God,
9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life.
BSB
Salvation is solely the work of God to which He grants gifts of forgiveness, reconciliation, new birth, His gifts, and eternal life.
Are you a recipient? Are you thankful?
2 Corinthians 5:17-20 [NLT]
Paul writes about the tremendous privilege God has granted us to partner with Him in bringing people to faith.
Are you a recipient? Are you thankful?
2 Corinthians 5:17-20 [NLT]
Paul writes about the tremendous privilege God has granted us to partner with Him in bringing people to faith.
2 Corinthians 5:17-20
BSB
17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come!
18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:
19 that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men’s trespasses against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation.
20 Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ: Be reconciled to God.
18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:
19 that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men’s trespasses against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation.
20 Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ: Be reconciled to God.
BSB
In the process of telling the Story to those we care about, we must recognize that there are 3 characters involved and each has their own role to play.
#1 - God's Role in Salvation
John 1:12-13; 3:16; 6:44, 65; 16:8
GOD’s Spirit must CONVICT the spiritually lost of their sinful rebellion and disobedience and CONVINCE them of their need for forgiveness and a relationship with HIM.
As a result, GOD the Father will CAUSE people to seek Him and then CONVERT them with a new spiritual birth.
#1 - God's Role in Salvation
John 1:12-13; 3:16; 6:44, 65; 16:8
GOD’s Spirit must CONVICT the spiritually lost of their sinful rebellion and disobedience and CONVINCE them of their need for forgiveness and a relationship with HIM.
As a result, GOD the Father will CAUSE people to seek Him and then CONVERT them with a new spiritual birth.
John 1:12-13
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12 But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God—
13 children born not of blood, nor of the desire or will of man, but born of God.
13 children born not of blood, nor of the desire or will of man, but born of God.
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John 3:16
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16 For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
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John 6:44, John 6:65
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44 “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.
65 Then Jesus said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to Me unless the Father has granted it to him.”
65 Then Jesus said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to Me unless the Father has granted it to him.”
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John 16:8
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8 And when He comes, He will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment:
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#2 - The Believer's Role in Salvation
Colossians 4:3-4; Acts 28:23-24; 1 Corinthians 9:22
We must be CREATIVELY engaged with those who need JESUS and CLEARLY present the STORY.
As we do, we must CHALLENGE people to respond to what they’ve heard and CONSISTENTLY pray for their salvation.
Colossians 4:3-4; Acts 28:23-24; 1 Corinthians 9:22
We must be CREATIVELY engaged with those who need JESUS and CLEARLY present the STORY.
As we do, we must CHALLENGE people to respond to what they’ve heard and CONSISTENTLY pray for their salvation.
Colossians 4:3-4
BSB
3 as you pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.
4 Pray that I may declare it clearly, as I should.
4 Pray that I may declare it clearly, as I should.
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Acts 28:23-24
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23 So they set a day to meet with Paul, and many people came to the place he was staying. He expounded to them from morning to evening, testifying about the kingdom of God and persuading them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and the Prophets.
24 Some of them were convinced by what he said, but others refused to believe.
24 Some of them were convinced by what he said, but others refused to believe.
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1 Corinthians 9:22
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22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.
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#3 - Lost Person's Role in Salvation
Mark 1:15; Acts 16:16-34; 20:21; Romans 10:9-13
A person must CONSIDER the evidence provided and CHANGE their heart’s attitude about sin and GOD’s authority over their life.
As an expression of their sincerity, this then is followed by a COMMITMENT to JESUS as both Lord and Savior and a CONFESSION of belief, evidenced by a growing transformation.
Mark 1:15; Acts 16:16-34; 20:21; Romans 10:9-13
A person must CONSIDER the evidence provided and CHANGE their heart’s attitude about sin and GOD’s authority over their life.
As an expression of their sincerity, this then is followed by a COMMITMENT to JESUS as both Lord and Savior and a CONFESSION of belief, evidenced by a growing transformation.
Mark 1:15
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15 “The time is fulfilled,” He said, “and the kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe in the gospel!”
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Acts 16:16-34
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16 One day as we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl with a spirit of divination, who earned a large income for her masters by fortune-telling.
17 This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation!”
18 She continued this for many days. Eventually Paul grew so aggravated that he turned and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” And the spirit left her at that very moment.
19 When the girl’s owners saw that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them before the authorities in the marketplace.
20 They brought them to the magistrates and said, “These men are Jews and are throwing our city into turmoil
21 by promoting customs that are unlawful for us Romans to adopt or practice.”
22 The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered that they be stripped and beaten with rods.
23 And after striking them with many blows, they threw them into prison and ordered the jailer to guard them securely.
24 On receiving this order, he placed them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.
25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.
26 Suddenly a strong earthquake shook the foundations of the prison. At once all the doors flew open and everyone’s chains came loose.
27 When the jailer woke up and saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, presuming that the prisoners had escaped.
28 But Paul called out in a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself! We are all here!”
29 Calling for lights, the jailer rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas.
30 Then he brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household.”
32 Then Paul and Silas spoke the word of the Lord to him and to everyone in his house.
33 At that hour of the night, the jailer took them and washed their wounds. And without delay, he and all his household were baptized.
34 Then he brought them into his home and set a meal before them. So he and all his household rejoiced that they had come to believe in God.
17 This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation!”
18 She continued this for many days. Eventually Paul grew so aggravated that he turned and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” And the spirit left her at that very moment.
19 When the girl’s owners saw that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them before the authorities in the marketplace.
20 They brought them to the magistrates and said, “These men are Jews and are throwing our city into turmoil
21 by promoting customs that are unlawful for us Romans to adopt or practice.”
22 The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered that they be stripped and beaten with rods.
23 And after striking them with many blows, they threw them into prison and ordered the jailer to guard them securely.
24 On receiving this order, he placed them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.
25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.
26 Suddenly a strong earthquake shook the foundations of the prison. At once all the doors flew open and everyone’s chains came loose.
27 When the jailer woke up and saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, presuming that the prisoners had escaped.
28 But Paul called out in a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself! We are all here!”
29 Calling for lights, the jailer rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas.
30 Then he brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household.”
32 Then Paul and Silas spoke the word of the Lord to him and to everyone in his house.
33 At that hour of the night, the jailer took them and washed their wounds. And without delay, he and all his household were baptized.
34 Then he brought them into his home and set a meal before them. So he and all his household rejoiced that they had come to believe in God.
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Acts 20:21
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21 testifying to Jews and Greeks alike about repentance to God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
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Romans 10:9-13
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9 that if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
10 For with your heart you believe and are justified, and with your mouth you confess and are saved.
11 It is just as the Scripture says: “Anyone who believes in Him will never be put to shame.”
12 For there is no difference between Jew and Greek: The same Lord is Lord of all, and gives richly to all who call on Him,
13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
10 For with your heart you believe and are justified, and with your mouth you confess and are saved.
11 It is just as the Scripture says: “Anyone who believes in Him will never be put to shame.”
12 For there is no difference between Jew and Greek: The same Lord is Lord of all, and gives richly to all who call on Him,
13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
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To close, we'll look at three different groups of people:
First – Those who know they are sinners and do not have relationship with Jesus.
If there is no guilt of sin, a satisfaction with your current state in life, and no overwhelming sense of uncertainty about the end of you life …You are spiritually dead, separated from God, and simply one breath away from judgment. It’s obvious God is not working in your life. The Lord sees you as a hard-headed and hard-hearted individual and at this point in time, you are contented to live in the arrogance of your indifference.
God loves you, but you have no love for Him. Pray that you will live long enough to change.
Second – You are aware that you are a sinner and do not have relationship with Jesus.
You differ from the first group as you understand you are a sinner, you know that you have no real control over your life or life in general, you understand that God loves you and desires a relationship … and you want to begin that relationship now.
Third – You profess to be a follower of Jesus and desire to reach
someone. You now know how to do so - the question is, WHO’S YOUR ONE?
One family member, one friend, one classmate, one co-worker, one neighbor, one skeptic. To see one chair filled in this auditorium, one broken life made whole, one family restored, one child, one teenager, one woman, one man, one life …. SAVED.
First – Those who know they are sinners and do not have relationship with Jesus.
If there is no guilt of sin, a satisfaction with your current state in life, and no overwhelming sense of uncertainty about the end of you life …You are spiritually dead, separated from God, and simply one breath away from judgment. It’s obvious God is not working in your life. The Lord sees you as a hard-headed and hard-hearted individual and at this point in time, you are contented to live in the arrogance of your indifference.
God loves you, but you have no love for Him. Pray that you will live long enough to change.
Second – You are aware that you are a sinner and do not have relationship with Jesus.
You differ from the first group as you understand you are a sinner, you know that you have no real control over your life or life in general, you understand that God loves you and desires a relationship … and you want to begin that relationship now.
Third – You profess to be a follower of Jesus and desire to reach
someone. You now know how to do so - the question is, WHO’S YOUR ONE?
One family member, one friend, one classmate, one co-worker, one neighbor, one skeptic. To see one chair filled in this auditorium, one broken life made whole, one family restored, one child, one teenager, one woman, one man, one life …. SAVED.
