The Drama of God’s Glory “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End” (Rev 22:13)

The Bible presents The Drama of God’s glory It is the account of what the Triune God has freely and mercifully done, is doing and will do to accomplish the will of the Father in Christ by the Spirit to bring all of creation to its fullest potential and so to the “praise of his glory”.

God’s Story Explains our Story It tells us who’s in charge It tells us who we are It tells us what’s wrong and how to fix it It tells us what really matters It tells us where we and everything are headed

God’s Drama: Part 1 Structure of the Biblical narrative: Fall Creation Fall Redemption  Initiation  Climax (Center Point)  Consummation

God’s Story: Part 1 Creation:  God ** Uncreated Creator ** Sustainer/Ruler ** Transcendent and Immanent

God’s Drama: Part 1 Creation: Humanity ** Image of God 3 relationships: God, Man, Creation ** Physical ** Nakedness ** Purpose: Capability and Accountability

God’s Drama: Part 1 Creation: Why is the Garden state important?

Why is the Garden state important? God’s Drama: Part 1 Creation: Why is the Garden state important? This gives us the essentials for understanding: ** Humanity ** God ** Salvation ** Relationships ** The earth

** Doubting God’s goodness God’s Drama: Part 1 Fall: Satan Temptation ** Doubting God’s goodness ** Questioning God’s Word ** Assuming own authority

Rupture/Destruction of 3 relationships God’s Drama: Part 1 Fall: Sin Rupture/Destruction of 3 relationships ** Humanity and God ** Adam and Eve ** Humanity and the earth

God’s Drama: Part 1 Results of the Fall: * Banishment

God’s Drama: Part 1 Results of the Fall: * Entrance of sin and death into the world * A real-life Land of Oz * Isolation * Alienation * Cosmic enslavement * Conflict/Violence * Sickness * Discontentment * Helpless

Why is the Fall important? God’s Drama: Part 1 The Fall: Why is the Fall important?  This informs how we think about... ** Sin ** Temptation ** Our loneliness ** Our discontent ** Our brokenness ** What we need to be saved from

Redemption Initiated: God’s Drama: Part 1 Redemption Initiated:  Promises ** To Adam and Eve (“crushing” seed) ** To Abraham (seed that “blesses all”)  Sends ** Repeats creation mandate to Noah ** Emphatically confirms this at Babel

Redemption Initiated: God’s Drama: Part 1 Redemption Initiated:  Israel ** Called to be a light to the nations (holiness) ** Wanted to be like the nations (idolatry) ** Rebelled against God’s Law How did God respond?  Sends ** Prophets to call Israel back to God

Redemption Initiated: God’s Drama: Part 1 Redemption Initiated: Utter Rejection ** Israel rejects God ** Embraces the lifestyles of the nations ** Refuses to be a light to the nations Exile ** God finally sends them out among the nations

Redemption Initiated: God’s Drama: Part 1 Redemption Initiated:  Promises ** Restoration of Kingdom ** Sending of a King ** Renewal by the Spirit ** Reconstitution of a just/holy nation ** Restart mission (priests to the nations)

God’s Drama: Part 1 Salvation (multi-faceted) Why is understanding Redemption important? ** This gives us the essentials for understanding: Salvation (multi-faceted) ** Freedom from oppression ** Restoration of image of God ** Forgiveness of sins ** Creating a holy people (the church!) ** Return of the presence of God ** Redemption of Creation Before After

God’s Drama: Part 1 The setting for the NT story. Why is understanding Redemption important? ** This gives us the essentials for understanding: The setting for the NT story. ** Waiting for fulfillment of promises ** Waiting for the King ** Waiting for restoration of the people (Spirit)

God’s Story Explains our Story It tells us who’s in charge: It tells us who we are: It tells us what’s wrong and how to fix it It tells us what really matters It tells us where we and everything are headed The Triune God Image-bearers (rebellion vs God) (Surrender to Love) (God and his Purposes) (Vindication or Judgment)

God’s Drama: Part 1 Conclusion: As the NT begins, there is growing anticipation and eager expectation that the story of the Scriptures is coming to a climax.