Who is this man?

What did he do? Why does it matter?

Part of a bigger story of all history

Jesus is more than Duck tape!

Jesus is much more interesting… He’s up to something!

The Bible – a revelation of our human history. Three major events – like stepping stones. Jesus is central to it all.

It’s not an individualistic picture. But we still fall into the individualism trap. …the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Mark 10:45 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. Gal 5: 13

Genesis 1 In the beginning… God saw that it was good. God saw all that he made and it was very good.

Adam & Eve & God. Good relationships. Life with purpose. Co-operation to shape the world

Genesis 3: Paradise is broken The temptation …you will be like God v5 Evil arrives and we and the world are corrupted. Blame game begins Work Relationships Creation itself Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7

With Jesus’ arrival the two Kingdoms clash. Jesus uses Genesis language. He tells parables about making things new again. He demonstrates new life in his miracles.

This poses two questions Why is the world such a mess? What are we supposed to do about it? Secular world’s response No God. Or a God who doesn’t care. So make the best for yourself.

Some religious thinkers The world is broken. We need to find an escape. Don’t get contaminated.

What does Jesus say? For God so loved the world… John 3:16 Jesus has come to redeem what was lost reclaim what was stolen restore what was corrupted For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. Luke 19:10

Jesus teaches us to pray Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:10 Dallas Willard: Jesus is not just getting people into heaven but getting heaven into people.

Jesus shouted I am making everything new! Rev 21:5

The world was made good not evil. Jesus’ plan is for its redemption. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Romans 8:

Jesus brings this creation power into our lives. It shapes and transforms us. His resurrection demonstrated the power to overcome everything that would take life from us.

We all suffer from some degree of hopelessness. We all have to manage our life, our sin, our temptations in some way. We groan inwardly. As we engage with Jesus he is engaging us in the process of renewal.

Kintsugi: The Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold. Breakage and repair are celebrated as part of the history of an object, rather than something to disguise.

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 2 Cor 4:

As we are transformed we are showing God’s redemption in our lives. As we love others we are sharing God’s redemptive love in their lives.

This is why we do what we do! Small groups CAP money, divorce recovery Job club; storehouse Heaven breaking out on earth. I am making everything new.

We’re part of God’s solution for redeeming the world. In our small corner. To serve To care To not judge To love To accept

Audacious claim of Jesus Nothing and no one is outside his love and redeeming power. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Rom 5:8 It’s worth giving everything to be part of.

Next week: Who is this man? Jesus: Making all things new