Redeemer Equips: The Grand Story of Scripture Concluded

Introduction: Recapping the Big Picture

I hope by now we are seeing how the entire Bible works together as one whole story about redemption. We go from everything being created and very good, to the fall of man, a promised Savior, into historical narratives of judges, kings, and divided kingdoms, into the New Testament, where we see a new King born and live a perfect yet suffering life. People are chosen, the new King dies on a cross, rises from the grave, and ascends, leaving his people with instructions and a hope for a second return and a new kingdom where sin and suffering cannot exist. One big interconnected story throughout 66 books of the Bible. Let’s pray, and then we will see why it all matters.

Pray

Watch Video (16 minutes): https://youtu.be/B5wCziuqnwk?si=D8tefw8SAFXxwjvS1.

This video was a little bit longer and in a bit of a different style than the others, but it tied both Testaments together all in one unified story of redemption. This is how we should view Scripture anytime we read it: as a unified story. In today's culture, we have a habit of picking up the Bible and reading parts of the New Testament because it's more practical, it gives us instruction, and it tends to be more relevant. I am not saying this is bad; all Bible reading is good Bible reading, but in doing this, we miss the bigger picture of Scripture and the story it is telling us. Get into a habit of reading both the Old and the New Testaments all the way through. It isn't as hard as you think. Two chapters in the morning and two chapters in the evening, and you read the entire Bible in 10 months. Just a little tip for everyone. Once you get past all of the laws and genealogies, it tends to go quickly. Now that we have looked at the whole story, I want to walk us through a few of the main themes to help us when we read on our own, and then tie it all up in the end and see why it all still matters. Any questions so far? (give time for response)

The Primary Themes: Covenant and Kingdom

The entire Bible—from Genesis to Revelation—unfolds around two beautiful, interconnected themes: Covenant and Kingdom. These aren't just ideas; they're the heartbeat of God's redemptive plan, showing His unchanging commitment to rescue and restore His people for His glory. Today, let's focus first on the theme of covenant and why it matters so much for us as believers. In Reformed theology, we see Scripture structured by God's gracious covenants, all pointing to Christ. To get us started: Who can recall some of the major covenants God makes in the Bible? (Pause here and give folks time to share—maybe jot them down as they come up. It's okay if we build the list together!)From a Reformed viewpoint, we often recognize these key covenants that carry the storyline forward:

The Covenant of Works (or Creation Covenant) with Adam in the garden (Genesis 1–3). God promised life and blessing for perfect obedience, but Adam's fall brought curse and death to all humanity (Romans 5:12–19). This sets the stage for everything that follows.

Right after the fall, God graciously promises the seed of the woman who will crush the serpent (Genesis 3:15)—this is the first glimpse of the Covenant of Grace, God's overarching promise to save sinners through Christ.

The Noahic Covenant (Genesis 9), where God preserves creation and promises never again to destroy the earth with a flood—showing His common grace to all humanity.

The Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 12, 15, 17), where God unconditionally promises land, descendants, and blessing to all nations through Abraham's Seed (ultimately Christ—Galatians 3:16).

The Mosaic (or Sinaitic) Covenant at Sinai (Exodus 19–24), given to Israel as God's treasured people.

The Davidic Covenant (2 Samuel 7), promising an eternal king from David's line.

Finally, the New Covenant in Christ's blood (Jeremiah 31:31–34; Luke 22:20), which fulfills and perfects all the others.

The whole Bible moves along these covenant lines. Each one (after the fall) is an administration of God's single Covenant of Grace, where He sovereignly restores what Adam lost through disobedience: dwelling with God, ruling under Him, obeying perfectly, cultivating creation, and multiplying in blessing. As one Reformed summary puts it: God's original purposes for Adam—to dwell with Him, rule faithfully, obey from the heart, cultivate the earth, and be fruitful—are exactly what God intends to restore through His covenants. And He fully restores them in the New Covenant, inaugurated by our Lord Jesus, the true Israel, the greater Adam, and the perfect Son of David. That's why covenants form the backbone of Scripture—they draw a straight line through the Old Testament and point directly to their fulfillment in Jesus. A special note on the Mosaic Covenant, since it often raises good questions for us: This covenant was gracious in revealing God's holiness and giving Israel the law, but it was also temporary and ethnically limited to the nation of Israel (unlike the more universal Noahic and Abrahamic covenants). It served as a guardian or tutor until Christ came (Galatians 3:24), pointing forward to Him. The law itself divides helpfully in Reformed teaching:

Moral law (summarized in the Ten Commandments)—reflecting God's eternal character, still binding on believers today as a rule of life and gratitude.

Ceremonial laws (sacrifices, feasts, etc.)—shadows fulfilled in Christ's perfect sacrifice.

Civil/judicial laws—given specifically for ancient Israel's theocratic nation, not binding in the same way today.

Not every Old Testament law was meant to be permanent for every person or nation. Many were tied to Israel's unique role as a holy nation pointing to Christ. Even today, ethnic Jews who don't recognize Jesus continue to observe aspects of the law, but for us as Christians—Jew or Gentile—our righteousness isn't found in law-keeping. Jesus has already perfectly fulfilled the law in our place (Matthew 5:17; Romans 10:4). He bore its curse for us (Galatians 3:13), so we are justified by faith alone in Him. The law still teaches us our sin, drives us to Christ, and guides us in thankful obedience as those redeemed by grace. But our standing before God is secure in Christ's obedience, not ours. In short: Every Old Testament covenant—Noahic, Abrahamic, Sinaitic, Davidic—looks forward to God restoring what Adam lost. They all converge in the New Covenant, inaugurated by Jesus' life, death, resurrection, and the sending of the Spirit. The Sinaitic covenant, though temporary and national, contained promises that pointed ahead: God would restore blessing in Israel as a preview of worldwide blessing through the Messiah. Jesus fulfills it all—for geopolitical Israel in His first coming, and for the whole world in the New Covenant. Through Him, the curses of the fall are reversed, and God's kingdom purposes are secured forever. Which brings us to the next major theme: Kingdom. Any thoughts or questions as we reflect on this? (give time for a response)

Now turning to the theme of Kingdom—a theme that pulses through every page of the Bible, from the garden to the new creation. Just as covenant reveals God's faithful commitments to His people, kingdom shows us the reign and rule of our sovereign God over His creation and His redeemed people. These two themes—Covenant and Kingdom—interweave like threads in a tapestry, all pointing to God's ultimate purpose: to restore and consummate His glorious kingdom through Jesus Christ. From the very beginning, God created humanity to live under His loving rule in a perfect kingdom. Adam and Eve were placed in the garden as image-bearers, called to reflect God's dominion by ruling faithfully, cultivating the earth, and enjoying communion with Him. But sin shattered that kingdom—rebellion brought curse, exile from God's presence, and brokenness across the cosmos. Yet God, in His sovereign grace, never abandoned His plan. Through His covenants, He progressively reveals how He will restore His kingdom. Let's walk through some key promises together and see how each one builds on the original design in Eden, always looking forward to the Messiah. In the promise to Noah (Genesis 9), after judging sin with the flood, God commits to preserve the creation order—no more worldwide destruction by water, with the rainbow as His sign. Here we glimpse that God's kingdom will involve a restoration of the entire cosmos, cleansed from sin's corruption, so that His rule extends over a renewed world. With Abraham (Genesis 12, 15, 17), God promises a people, a land, and blessing for all nations. This points to a kingdom where God's chosen people dwell with Him, cultivate and expand holy borders, obey His voice, and multiply in blessing—echoing Adam's original mandate but now graciously secured through faith in the promised Seed (Galatians 3:16), who is Christ. In the Davidic promise (2 Samuel 7), God declares that a Son of David will rule forever on an everlasting throne and build God's house (temple). This reveals the kingdom as a realm where the perfect King—Jesus, the greater David—reigns eternally, uniting God's people under His wise and righteous rule, with the temple symbolizing God's dwelling presence among them.

Even the Mosaic (Sinaitic) covenant, though conditional and temporary for national Israel, gives us a preview—a shadow—of what the full kingdom will look like. In the law, the tabernacle, and Israel's life in the Promised Land, we see glimpses of God's people living under His holy rule, in His place, obeying His commands. It foreshadows the global kingdom that God will establish on the day of the Lord, when He comes in power to set all things right. Throughout these promises, we keep hearing echoes of God's fundamental word right after the fall: the Seed of the woman who will crush the serpent (Genesis 3:15). This is the Messiah—God's anointed Servant and King—who will reestablish the kingdom by defeating sin, death, and Satan once and for all. And then comes Jesus! In the Gospels, we hear Him proclaiming, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15). Over and over, Jesus speaks of the “gospel of the kingdom” (Matthew 4:23; 9:35). These aren't empty phrases—they describe exactly what He came to do. As the true Image of God, the last Adam (1 Corinthians 15:45), the Seed of Abraham, the Son of David, and the fulfillment of the law, Jesus inaugurates the kingdom. In His perfect obedience, miracles, teaching, death, resurrection, and ascension, Jesus begins restoring what was lost in the garden:

He reverses the curse by bearing sin's penalty.

He brings God's reign near, casting out demons as signs of victory over evil (Matthew 12:28).

He gathers a people from every nation to live under His rule.

He promises the Spirit to empower His church as citizens of this advancing kingdom.

The kingdom is already here in Christ—present in power through the gospel, the church, and the transformed lives of believers. Yet it is not yet fully consummated. We still await the day when Jesus returns to make all things new: no more sin, death, or tears; the full restoration of creation; and the eternal reign of Christ over a perfected kingdom (Revelation 21–22). In Reformed theology, this kingdom theme reminds us that salvation isn't just about individual souls being saved—it's cosmic in scope. God is redeeming a people for Himself to display His glory in a renewed creation, all under the perfect rule of King Jesus. The covenants drive the story forward, but the kingdom is the goal: God's sovereign reign fully realized through Christ, the obedient King who succeeds where Adam failed. What an amazing Savior we have! He doesn't just forgive us—He enthrones us with Him in His kingdom (Ephesians 2:6; Revelation 5:10). Let's pause and praise God for this hope. How does seeing Jesus as the King who restores the kingdom encourage you today? Any questions or reflections as we tie this together with the covenant theme? May the Lord open our eyes to behold more of His glorious kingdom in His Word!

Additional Themes

Let's now turn to some supporting themes that enrich the whole biblical story. These aren't the main engines moving redemptive history forward like covenant and kingdom do, but they are deeply practical, shaping how we live as God's people today. They flow out of God's gracious plan and point us to faithful, joyful living in light of what Christ has accomplished. In Reformed theology, we love how Scripture gives us a unified, God-centered worldview. These additional themes help us apply that truth to everyday life, always rooted in grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.

First, Creation and Wisdom: God's Created Order. From the opening words of Genesis, God creates an ordered, good world—everything in harmony under His wise rule. There are natural laws, rhythms in creation, and designed relationships between God, people, and the rest of the cosmos. Humanity was made to flourish in this order as image-bearers. But sin disrupted it all—bringing chaos, disorder, and brokenness. Yet Scripture doesn't leave us groping in the dark. God reveals wisdom to guide us back toward living in harmony with His creation and with one another. The wisdom books (Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Job) and passages throughout the Bible show us how to fear the Lord—the beginning of true wisdom (Proverbs 9:10)—and navigate life skillfully in a fallen world. In Christ, this order is being restored. He is our ultimate Wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:30), the one who perfectly fulfilled God's design where Adam failed. Through Him, we learn to see the world rightly and live wisely—not by our own cleverness, but by trusting His Word and Spirit. Scripture equips us to understand God's world and how to thrive in it, all for His glory and our good.

Second, the Theme of Servanthood. God advances His plan through humble servants. In the Old Testament, we see prophets speaking His word, priests offering sacrifices and interceding, and kings (flawed as they were) ruling under God's authority. Each points forward imperfectly to the one who would come. Then arrives Jesus—the ultimate Suffering Servant of Isaiah 53. He doesn't come to be served but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). In His perfect obedience, suffering, death, and resurrection, Jesus fulfills what every prophet, priest, and king foreshadowed but could never fully achieve. As His people, we too are called to servanthood. Saved by grace, we follow our Servant-King in humble service—to God and to others. This isn't about earning favor; it's the grateful response of those redeemed by His servant-hearted love.

Third, Mission. God's mission is to restore all that was lost in Adam—reconciling the world to Himself through Christ (2 Corinthians 5:19). From Genesis 3:15 onward, He's been on the move to redeem a people for His name. In the New Covenant, the Holy Spirit is poured out on the church to empower us for this mission. We're not passive spectators; we're sent as ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20). Our calling is to proclaim the gospel, make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:18–20), and live as witnesses to Christ's transforming power. This mission flows from God's initiative—He saves, He equips, He advances His kingdom. We participate by faith, trusting the Spirit to work through the ordinary means of preaching, teaching, and loving service. Finally, Salvation Through Faith. This brings everything together. Over and over, Scripture shows that salvation comes not by our works but by faith in God's promises and work alone.

God calls Abram out of idolatry, and Abram believes—it's credited to him as righteousness (Genesis 15:6; Romans 4:3).

Israel is called out of Egypt to trust and obey, but many harden their hearts (e.g., Judges 2).

The prophets cry out for repentance and faith in God who alone saves (e.g., Joel 2:18–32).

Jesus Himself proclaims: “The time is fulfilled... repent and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15).

Today, through the church, we proclaim the same good news: Christ—the God-Man—has accomplished salvation by His perfect life, atoning death, victorious resurrection, ascension, and gift of the Spirit. He now reigns forever!

Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Repent—turn from sin—and trust in Him alone. No merit of ours; all of His. These themes—creation/wisdom, servanthood, mission, and faith—aren't add-ons; they show how the grand story of covenant and kingdom applies to us practically. They call us to wise living, humble service, gospel proclamation, and confident trust in Christ's finished work.

Tying it All Together: Application for Life

Now walked through the grand sweep of Scripture's story—from the covenants that carry God's promises forward, to the kingdom that reveals His restoring reign, and the supporting themes of creation/wisdom, servanthood, mission, and salvation by faith alone. What a privilege to see how the whole Bible hangs together in Christ! But let's bring this home: Why does knowing this unified story matter for us today, right here in our everyday lives as believers? In Reformed thinking, Scripture isn't just ancient history or abstract theology—it's living and active (Hebrews 4:12), shaping everything from our worship to our witness, our families to our fellowship.

First, the story of Scripture transforms our preaching, teaching, and counseling. Not everyone stands in a pulpit, but every Christian teaches and counsels in some way—parents discipling children, friends encouraging one another, small groups studying together, or simply sharing the hope we have in Christ. When we grasp the Bible's big story, our words stay anchored in God's redemptive plan rather than drifting into isolated proof-texts or moralistic advice. This is one beautiful reason many Reformed churches emphasize expository preaching—working through entire books of the Bible, chapter by chapter, verse by verse. It lets the storyline unfold naturally, book by book, so we see how Genesis points to Christ, how the Psalms cry out for the Messiah, how the prophets foretell His coming, and how the apostles proclaim His fulfillment. The more we soak in the full narrative, the more faithfully we teach, counsel, and encourage others with the gospel.

Second, the unified story fosters doctrinal unity in the church. If we all drink deeply from the same biblical storyline, we end up believing and teaching the same gospel truths. That shared foundation guards against division, builds trust, and helps us counsel one another from the same source of truth. When trials come, we point each other back to the covenants of grace, the victorious King Jesus, and salvation by faith alone—not our performance. Doctrinal unity isn't about uniformity in every opinion; it's about rallying around the core story of God's glory in redeeming sinners through Christ. And that unity drives real spiritual growth—as we grow together in the Word, we grow together in grace, love, and holiness.

Finally, living out this story changes how we live in the world. What we truly believe about the Bible's big picture shapes our priorities, our endurance in suffering, our hope in trials, and our boldness in mission. The story reminds us that we're part of something far bigger than ourselves: God's eternal plan to restore all things in Christ. So we live as citizens of His kingdom—humbly serving, wisely navigating creation, proclaiming the gospel, and trusting Him by faith—because we know the Author who guarantees the happy ending. Knowing the story isn't optional or extra; it's crucial to vibrant Christian living. So here's my gentle but earnest challenge to each of us: Take up the joyful journey of reading all of Scripture. Start in the Old Testament and keep going through the New—let the full story wash over you. As I mentioned at the beginning, a simple, sustainable rhythm works wonders: just two chapters in the morning and two in the evening. That's roughly 30 minutes a day at most—no need to overcomplicate it with heavy commentaries right away. Just read, pray, and let the Spirit illuminate the text. In about ten months, you'll have traveled the whole Bible and seen God's redemptive plan unfold from cover to cover.

If you want a great little starter book on this you can get Matthew Emmerson's book titled, The Story of Scripture: An Introduction to Biblical Theology. It is a short book, but it is a thorough book and easy to read. The rest of our time will be for Q&A: so what questions do you have?