God’s Story is the story; the meta-narrative from which all human stories originate and within which all our stories are contained. All stories are explicitly linked to the larger Story that is being told by God in the Story of Redemption. We are part of that narrative, and we are beckoned to respond to the Story of Redemption by believing in Jesus as our Savior (Romans 10:8-13). Sharing the gospel then is connecting our smaller story to that Great Story that has been and is being written in all times and places with all people (Revelation 5:9; 7:9). This is the gospel story:
Dignity [Creation]-
We are created in the image of God. Our original design was good, it was declared “good” by God (Genesis 1: 26-31). God was pleased with what he had created, having made man in his own image, he declared that they rule over all creation, to subdue it, to multiply and cover the earth. God was in a close relationship with man, and had set only one rule for mankind to obey, to not eat of the tree in the middle of the garden (Genesis 2:15-17).
Depravity [Fall]-
In his desire to be like God, man chose to eat of this tree and disobey the good Word of God. This disobedience plunged man into a condition of sin, separation from God and from one another, and subject to the punishment for sin: death (Romans 6:23). In sin, the communion with God was broken. Adam’s sin would pass to all people, that all are born into a dead condition (Ephesians 2:13-14), in need of Savior (Romans 3:23). The dignity of man, the image of God still remains, but is marred and broken (Genesis 9:6). This brokenness in the world defines our struggle in work, relationships, personal purity. It explains why peoples war against one another. It explains our holy longing for redemption—for us and the world to be made right again.
Deliverance [Redemption] -
But in that moment of sin, in the moment of disobedience, God in his great love and providence provided a way of salvation (Genesis 3:15; Romans 5:8). God's only Son would pay the debt of our disobedience against God, which is death. Only Jesus the Christ, the Atonement for this debt, is able to appease the wrath of God against sin. It is only through faith—which is a gift of God (Ephesians 2:8-9)—this precious work of Christ on the cross whereby men and women are saved. Through Jesus, and the testimony of the Holy Spirit, we are able to call God, Father, Abba (Romans 8:15-17).
Delight [Consummation] -
Our holy longing will one day be brought to completion, to fulfillment, to perfection (Romans 8:18-25). Christ will return (Acts 1:11). God will make all things new. Even now he is preparing a place of rest where there is no death, no disease, and no separation from God (Revelation 21:3-5). There will be a new heaven and a new earth that God will make (Isaiah 66:22). We are a bride adorned for her husband (Revelation 21:2), and we will worship him (Psalm 95:6).
