WHY?

What is the Bible about? the establishment of God’s kingdom, the establishment of God’s kingdom, through God’s Savior, through God’s Savior, for God’s glory, for God’s glory, via all peoples via all peoples according to the obedience of faith, according to the obedience of faith, through the power of the Holy Spirit! through the power of the Holy Spirit!

The Biblical Narrative Three Levels Three Levels The BIG picture (WHAT) The BIG picture (WHAT) The STRATEGIC picture (HOW) The STRATEGIC picture (HOW) The DETAILED picture The DETAILED picture

Lost in the Details? Yearbook Yearbook Refrigerator Refrigerator First Aid Kit First Aid Kit 66 separate books 66 separate books Correct…but incomplete! Correct…but incomplete!

The Biblical Narrative Three Levels Three Levels The BIG picture (WHAT) The BIG picture (WHAT) The STRATEGIC picture (HOW) The STRATEGIC picture (HOW) The DETAILED picture The DETAILED picture

A multi-act play Act 1: Creation (Gen. 1-11) Act 1: Creation (Gen. 1-11) Act 2: Israel (Gen. 12 – Mal.) Act 2: Israel (Gen. 12 – Mal.) Act 3: The Messiah (The Gospels) Act 3: The Messiah (The Gospels) Act 4: The Church (Acts – Rev.) Act 4: The Church (Acts – Rev.) Act 5: Our Turn Act 5: Our Turn (N.T. Wright’s “The Last Word”)

1 God - 1 Plan - 1 Story Introduction: Gen Introduction: Gen The Narrative:Gen. 12 – Jude The Narrative:Gen. 12 – Jude Conclusion: Revelation Conclusion: Revelation

Isaiah 46:10 I will make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times what is still to come. I say my purposes will stand and I will do all that I please. I will make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times what is still to come. I say my purposes will stand and I will do all that I please.

The Story Begins Genesis 12:1-3 Genesis 12:1-3 The Lord said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people, and your father's household and go to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you, I will make your name great, and I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.

Abrahamic Covenant This promise to Abraham comes in two parts: This promise to Abraham comes in two parts: "The Top Line Blessing & Bottom Line Responsibility“

Another Perspective Psalm 46:10 Psalm 46:10 "Be still......? "I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” “panta ta ethne” “panta ta ethne”

Psalm 67 May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us, May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us, …that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations. May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you. May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples justly and guide the nations of the earth. May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you... …that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations. May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you. May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples justly and guide the nations of the earth. May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you...

Psalm 96 …declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples. For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the LORD made the heavens… …Ascribe to the LORD, O families of nations, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength… …Say among the nations, "The LORD reigns. "The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity… …declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples. For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the LORD made the heavens… …Ascribe to the LORD, O families of nations, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength… …Say among the nations, "The LORD reigns. "The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity…

What's the Gospel? Galatians 3:8 Galatians 3:8 "The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the GOSPEL in advance to Abraham: "The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the GOSPEL in advance to Abraham: "All nations (peoples) will be blessed through you"

God splits the Red Sea…Why? "The Lord your God did to the Jordan just what he had done to the red sea when he dried it up before us until we had crossed over. He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God.“ -Joshua 4:23-24 "The Lord your God did to the Jordan just what he had done to the red sea when he dried it up before us until we had crossed over. He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God.“ -Joshua 4:23-24

David and Goliath "This day the Lord will hand you over to me, and I'll strike you down and cut off your head. Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beast ofthe earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel." I Samuel 17:46 "This day the Lord will hand you over to me, and I'll strike you down and cut off your head. Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beast ofthe earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel." I Samuel 17:46 Philistine army retreats and proclaims the glory of God.... Philistine army retreats and proclaims the glory of God....

Shadrach, Meshach & Abendnego "Then Nebuchadnezzar said, Praise be to the God of S,M, and A, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king's command and were willing to give up thier lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. "Then Nebuchadnezzar said, Praise be to the God of S,M, and A, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king's command and were willing to give up thier lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of SM&A be cut into pieces and their house be turned into piles of rubble, for no other God can save in this way." Daniel 3:28-29

Daniel and the Lions "Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations, and men of every language throughout the land. I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. For He is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end. He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions. So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian. Daniel 6:25-28 "Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations, and men of every language throughout the land. I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. For He is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end. He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions. So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian. Daniel 6:25-28

Just a little more… Jeremiah 3:17 - “…all nations...will honor the Lord…” Jeremiah 3:17 - “…all nations...will honor the Lord…” Daniel 7:13,14 - “…men of every language worshipped Him…” Daniel 7:13,14 - “…men of every language worshipped Him…” Haggai 2:7 - “…the desire of all nations will come and fill this house with glory... ” Haggai 2:7 - “…the desire of all nations will come and fill this house with glory... ” Zechariah 8: "...ten men from all languages...." Zechariah 8: "...ten men from all languages...." Malachi 1:11 - "...My name will be great among the nations...." Malachi 1:11 - "...My name will be great among the nations...."

A sample from the NT "But you will receive power when the HS comes upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.“-Acts 1:8 "But you will receive power when the HS comes upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.“-Acts 1:8 "And this GOSPEL of the kingdom will be preached to the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.“ -Matthew 24:14 "And this GOSPEL of the kingdom will be preached to the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.“ -Matthew 24:14 Great Commission – Matthew 28:19-20 Great Commission – Matthew 28:19-20

Great Commission Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Conclusion Revelation 5:9 Revelation 5:9 And they sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. And they sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.

Conclusion …and again in 7:9 …and again in 7:9 After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.

God’s Database! God’s Database! God is keeping a written record of our progress. You have probably heard of the Lamb's Book of Life, but there is another book in heaven called the Register of the Peoples! God is keeping a written record of our progress. You have probably heard of the Lamb's Book of Life, but there is another book in heaven called the Register of the Peoples! Psalm 87: 4-6

vision And they sang a new song:

vision “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals …

vision Because you were slain …

and with your blood …

vision men for God … you purchased

vision From every tribe

and language

and people

vision … and nation.”

Revelation 5:9

vision “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.”

A Prayer of Repentance For thinking life was about us and not You, For thinking life was about us and not You, For advancing our kingdom and not Yours, For advancing our kingdom and not Yours, For seeking Your blessings more than You, For seeking Your blessings more than You, For an incomplete Christianity, For an incomplete Christianity, For mixed-up priorities, For mixed-up priorities, For living for ourselves in a Christian context, For living for ourselves in a Christian context, For not seeing Your glory all around us. For not seeing Your glory all around us. We repent. Fill us again with your Holy Spirit that we might live to make You famous. We repent. Fill us again with your Holy Spirit that we might live to make You famous.

A Prayer To The Lord: Lord, we do not live for ourselves, we live for Your greatest glory. Lord, we do not live for ourselves, we live for Your greatest glory. Bless us with all things or give us nothing. Bless us with all things or give us nothing. Honor us before others or bring us low. Honor us before others or bring us low. Put us to doing or appoint us to suffer. Put us to doing or appoint us to suffer. Give us work or keep us unemployed. Give us work or keep us unemployed. Send us overseas or keep us home. Send us overseas or keep us home. Shatter any dream that is not yours. Shatter any dream that is not yours. We freely and wholeheartedly yield all things to Your pleasure and disposal. We freely and wholeheartedly yield all things to Your pleasure and disposal. All we ask is that we delight in Your glory of people that call "us-us and them-them." All we ask is that we delight in Your glory of people that call "us-us and them-them."