Arrow 3

Introduction

A lot of times when we read through the Bible and we misinterpret or read into something the wrong way it is usually because we have the wrong key. It’s like trying to unlock a door with the wrong key…it just doesn’t work. We use the key of me when trying to understand the Bible when we really need God to be the key. When we use the key of “me” to try to unlock the door to understanding the Bible it just isn’t going to work. We use the key of me because 1. we are sinful and self-centered people that believe that everything in the story of the Bible revolves around us and 2. we don’t understand the goal of the gospel story and that is that “the gospel declares the kingship of Jesus and the kingdom that he established in his death and resurrection. IT IS NOT ABOUT US. I love this quote from the book “The forgiveness that comes through believing in Jesus is not the goal of salvation but the means to the greater prize of being reconciled with and knowing God. So, Christian life becomes an epic quest to know our great king not a tweet about being forgiven and avoiding hell.” Salvation changes our story from one of alienation and separation from God in sin to adoption as sons and daughters IN CHRIST. “Being known by God () and being brought into the story of his work to restore the brokenness of all creation frees us to live out his mission in local churches and causes us to understand that he is at the center of every Bible story.”

The King’s Reign (Genesis 1-2)

and the creation story of the whole world and God’s kingship and title of Creator over all things including Adam and Eve who were to live in communion with Him. IN HIS PRESENCE.

Adam and Eve rebel against God in the garden by attempting to overthrow God’s rule, so He judges both of them and the whole of creation that they ruled over.

God is the sovereign, faithful, and holy king that cannot be thwarted by any created thing including humans and Satan.

God responds to this rebellion with judgment and a plan as He promises to provide one from the seed of the woman who will crush the serpent’s head, recreate his people, and restore their communion with God.

The King’s Judgment (Genesis 3-Malachi)

Because of Adam and Eve’s desire to be like God they now fear the presence and faced the punishment of God.

**God will accomplish his purposes in and through his people even as he judges them.**

God’s commands are still intact, but these commands will now be a drudgery instead of a delight. God ejects them from the Garden, and His plan for reconciliation begins. 1. He still reigns over his creation even after humanity’s rebellion and graciously judges his people to magnify his perfect holiness and 2. He extends his unfailing love as he prepares a way for their fellowship with God to be restored through Jesus. When you read through Scripture you will find these two characteristics of God on display and the repetition of these two things serve to convict us of our sin and remind us of our need for God’s grace.

God chooses Abraham and his family to bless the nations (with lineage to Jesus)

God saves his people through the Moses’ leadership and the Exodus,

** “consider how your heart should be prompted to worship God, who unlike us, does exactly what he says he will do and exactly what is right in every circumstance. This truth should give you hope no matter how awful the circumstance---a broken marriage, a wayward child, or an uncertain future. God is not only faithful but is also in control.”

God conquers the land of Israel for his people

God remains faithful to His people. ( “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”) His people continue to rebel and He continues to have grace even through punishment like the exile to Babylon.

Old Testament ends with Malachi telling the people that they must repent and prepare for the great day when God will return to his people. Telling the people that one like Elijah (John the Baptist) will come to prepare the way for the coming of the Lord by calling them to repent so that his arrival would be a joyous day in which God would dwell with his people rather than judge them. ()

First God is the main focus of the Scriptures. You are not the point of the Bible, God is. Before we can understand arrow 4 (what does the passage say about man?) we have to understand what it tells us about God. When we do this consistently throughout our reading of the Bible we will notice that God’s attributes are consistent all the way through.

Reading the Bible is like turning a gem in the light. Each turn reveals another reflection of that gems beauty. Same as with reading the Bible and seeing another beautiful aspect of God’s character and reflections of His glory.

***When practicing Arrow 3 circle words that are used to describe God’s character, or write them in the margin of your Bible or journal.***

The King’s Return (The Gospels)

The Old Testament repeatedly points forward to a king who is different from all the rest and will redeem his people and that king is Jesus.

God dwells with His people in the coming of His Son Jesus.

God Re-Establishes His people in the Life of His Son Jesus.

God Redeems His people in the death and resurrection of His Son Jesus.

The King’s Reign (Acts-Revelation)

The King conquers the world (Acts-Jude): 1. God the Father is sovereignly carrying the message about his reign to the ends of the earth through the church. 2. God the Father expands the mission through the power of the Holy Spirit who leads the church to carry the gospel to new places, does the work of transforming sinners, and gives boldness to proclaimers of the good news.

The King completes His Reign (Revelation): God has removed evil from his creation, his perfect reign has come, his people have been redeemed, and healing has come to the nations. God’s people will worship him and they will SEE HIS FACE and dwell in his presence with no fear!

Conclusion and Challenge

God is the main character in the Bible (TV Show: Sherlock…without Sherlock in the show it would not be a show)

1. God is one and he reveals himself in three persons (), 2. He is the Sovereign King of the universe because he is the creator and deserves and demands undivided loyalty from the humans that he has made in his own image, 3. God is both just and holy. In his holiness, he is untouched by the effects of sin, and his justice, in keeping with his holiness, must be executed against the rebellion of humanity, 4. God is faithful to his promises as he sends his own Son to fulfill this promise of bringing the blessing of His presence to the nations and forgiveness of sins to his own people and the world, 5. He alone deserves worship of his creatures

Homework: Whatever you are reading this week ask the three questions: 1. What does this passage say? 2. What does this passage mean to the original audience? 3. What does this passage say about God?