The Story of the Scriptures


The Story                   April 7, 2013                                                              WC McCarter
 
Introduction
 
I love the Bible. Like many of you, I have learned from this book since the time I was a toddler, and I still am barely scratching the surface of its wealth and knowledge. This book tells the story of God’s love for me and the whole world. His value, His worth is found in its pages. From beginning to end there is one story to be told. It is the story of God creating a people, calling a people, seeking a people, and redeeming a people. All of the stories come together to tell the one continuous story of God’s grace and glory. The Bible is God’s story, but it is ours as well.
 
From the Foundation of the World (Rev 13:8)
 
The Lamb was slain before the foundation of the world. This was the plan from before time. You see, God knows the past perfectly, the present perfectly, and the future perfectly. Before God said, “Let there be light,” He had seen our sinful, rebellious state. He saw the end before the beginning. He knew what we would be and what He would have to do if we did not have Him. He is righteous, holy, perfect, and just. He cannot allow people to go on sinning forever and turn a blind eye to it. To do so would negate His essential attributes.
 
Follow me as I take you from the beginning of a promise to the fulfillment of it.
 
1) God Created Man in His Own Image (Gen 1:26-28)
 
2) He Shall Bruise Your Head (Gen 3:8-10, 15, 21)
 
3) All the Families of the Earth Shall be Blessed (Gen 12:1-3)
 
4) The Word Became Flesh (John 1:1-4, 14)
 
Finding Your Story in God’s Story
 
This is a story of love. It is a story of grace. It is the greatest story ever known to man. History is His Story. It is God’s story of redemption which only shows His glory brighter and brighter.
 
1. God has a story and you have a story. Most of you claim to be Christians. Let me ask you this, does your story line up with God’s? This is crucial for your life and witness. We will also focus on this during every sermon of this series. We will want to find our story in God’s story.
 
2. How often do you read the story? I know that the Bible can be overwhelming. It is a big, long book. I have never been the type to read books cover to cover. But this book is unlike any other. This book speaks the words of life, abundant and eternal life. I am challenging you with this campaign to read The Story from cover to cover, only one chapter per week. What you will be reading is mostly Scripture with a few helps along the way. I want you (and myself) to experience the story of the Bible in a new, exciting, and motivating way.
 
3. Lastly, how often fo you tell the story? We sang a hymn earlier that says, "I love to tell the story." Did you mean it? Now is a great time to get excited about the story of what God has done in Christ Jesus. Tell someone about that story of Good News and invite them to Fort Trial so that they can experience it with us.