The Gospel: Session 7 -- Your Place in God's Story

Knowing the Plays

I remember a moment in high school football where I learned something that completely changed the way I approached the game.

It happened after a game during my senior year, while in film study.

I was a tight end, meaning I played on the offensive side of the ball, running designed plays where each person on the field had a distinct responsibility. Now, each person’s role was essential for making each play work, so that if one or two people didn’t do their jobs, it could ruin the whole play.

On one particular play, the running back broke free to the second level of the defense and only had one defender between him and the end zone. Well, one defender, and one tight end that didn’t know where the ball was going.

On film, you could clearly see me lightly jogging towards the defender at the top of the screen, cutting in front of the running back and tripping him up. I can still hear the coaches yelling on the film from the top of the press box: What is Gray Gardner doing???

You see, to that point, I had only ever focused on my assignment for each play. I never learned what each of the other ten players were doing. I didn’t even know where the ball was going on half the plays! And on this particular play, my inability to see the big picture and how my role fit into the big picture, cost our team a touchdown.

It is vitally important to know the playbook if you want your individual contribution to be meaningful.

Living in the Right Story

My first goal in this teaching series was to help you KNOW the story of the Gospel, because I believe the more you understand what God’s done for you, the more you’ll be inspired to worship and obey Him.

Now that we’ve walked through the Gospel story from Genesis to Revelation, my hope is to help you see yourself not simply as an observer of this good news story, but as an active participant in it.

You see, the truth is that God’s story of redemption is being actively lived out right now through God’s people, the church. Each of us are actively living in the fourth act of the drama of God’s redemptive work in the world, and as such we have work to do.

Your life, your story is a part of a much larger story — a beautiful, risky, joy-filled, and meaningful story which God himself is writing — a story which requires you to see your life in a new light.

This is the session where we finally answer the direct question some of you have been asking: How does this practically affect my life?

I’m glad you asked.

The Chief End of Man

One of the most famous teaching tools from church history is called the Westminster Shorter Catechism. The catechism features questions and answers so that young believers can learn important truths from God’s word. The first line says this:

What is the chief end of man? (The main purpose for which man was created?)

Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and enjoy Him forever.

In other words: the primary reason for which you were created is to glorify God — to worship Him, to exalt Him with your life — and to enjoy Him forever. To be satisfied in Him.

It bears repeating what we said in an earlier session: you are not the star of the biblical story.

More than that: you are not the star of your own story.

I know that hurts to hear. You may even think it sounds harsh. But I promise you, recognizing the truth of that statement is the key to living the free, purposeful, meaningful life for which you were created.

We begin to find ourselves the moment we stop trying to fit God in our stories and instead discover how our stories must fit with God’s.

So where are we in God’s story?

We find ourselves in the falling action of the narrative, living out of the finished work of Jesus in His death and resurrection, awaiting the day when He returns to make all things new.

Until then, we join in with the mission of God. Remember — it’s His story we’re invited into, not the other way around!

And in this mission, we have two primary objectives.

First, we share the Good News

Jesus left his followers with very clear orders after He was resurrected from the grave and before he ascended back to heaven. These are the “famous last words” that mark the purpose of the church, and — consequentially — the purpose for every single individual Christian.

We refer to these passages as “Great Commission” texts. Here’s a sampling:

John 20:21 ESV

21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”

Acts 1:8 (ESV)

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Matthew 28:18–20 (ESV)

18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Do you get the picture?

This story of God in Jesus, the message of God’s saving love in Christ which overcomes the sin in our hearts and in our world, is to be proclaimed throughout the whole world.

And we’re the ones called to do the proclaiming!

This is important, because without sharing the story of Jesus, people cannot be freed from sin to worship God.

Consider what Paul says:

Romans 10:14–15 (ESV)

14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”

To make it clear: Your role in sharing the story of Jesus with nonbelievers is an irreducible part of God’s mission in the world.

Remember: God has been on a mission ever since the creation of the world — to fill the earth with worshipers.

Not even human sin and rebellion could keep God from his original goal. In love, He set His mind on rescuing us. The mission included stepping into the story Himself in the Person of Jesus, sacrificing Himself to save us.

Now, the mission of God continues as the message of Jesus’s death and resurrection goes forward into the far recesses of the world, transforming people’s hearts in the power of the Holy Spirit and freeing them from sin and death.

The mission of God continues through you and through me, in other words.

In Creation, God intended to fill the earth with worshipers simply by procreation. Now, God intends to fill the earth with worshipers through the global disciple-making efforts of His people.

God’s Spirit blesses the words of everyday Christians as they share the Gospel with nonbelievers, and He uses it to transform rebellious sinners into passionate worshipers of Christ.

Some might object: Isn’t that just for the original disciples, or for pastors, or for missionaries?

The short answer is, NO!

The calling is for every believer. We each are called to be a part of this ministry. In fact, it is the job of pastors and missionaries to equip everyday believers for this work of ministry (Eph. 4:12).

There’s a famous quote, often attributed to St Francis of Assisi, which says: “Preach the gospel at all times, using words when necessary.”

This sounds great.

The problem: the New Testament says we must use words.

But the emphasis of this quote is still helpful, even if it needs correcting.

You see, we join in God’s mission not only in sharing the good news of Jesus — although that is certainly an irreducible part of our role in the story.

We share the good news of Jesus also through our lives.

Second, we live the Good News

Not only are we called to proclaim the good news, but we are called to imitate Jesus in the character and quality of our lives.

Consider Jesus’ own teaching:

Matthew 5:16 (ESV)

16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

What light? It’s the light of Christ shining in our hearts, revealing a character and goodness that is attractive to the world.

What good works? The good works he’s prepared beforehand for us (Eph 2:10). Good works which demonstrate our life in the spirit, that flow from a heart of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

This also includes using your gifts in a way that honors God.

Are you an artist? Make beautiful art that helps people’s heart connect to God.

Are you an engineer? Design and build excellent work that imitates God’s work in creation.

Are you a stay at home mom? Lovingly shepherd and lead your children with patience and godliness.

Are you in corporate America? Be above reproach in your business ethics, in your treatment of coworkers, in your relationships with superiors and inferiors. Demonstrate grace and generosity rather than an orientation towards performance.

The result? When you live in that way, others see you and glorify God.

Your life can be used in the mission of God to bring more worshipers to Him.

Where to start

You may be watching this thinking, Where do I start?

It’s simple, really.

Start with Jesus. Make sure you’ve really given your full trust to Him.

Have you ever repented of your sins? Have you ever confessed your sins to God in prayer, and denounced that former way of life?

Have you ever personally believed in Jesus for salvation? Have you ever said the words “Jesus, I believe you died for my sins and rose again” to God and really believed them?

Are you trusting in Jesus with every part of your life currently? Your singleness, or your family? Your job, or your job search? Your school? Your relationships?

Get those questions straightened out first.

Then surrender yourself daily to the adventure of a lifetime.

Ask God every day:

Where are you moving?

What are you doing?

What are you making new — WHO are you making new?

How can I join where God is already at work?

Surrender yourself to Him so that as opportunities come your way — which they will! — you can respond in obedience.

Wrap

You were made for so much more than a life of study, hard work, relational ups and downs, and retirement.

You were made to be a part of God’s mission to remake the world and fill it with His goodness and glory.

But that requires rethinking your place in the story.

That requires seeing His story as the story, and adjusting your life accordingly.

It’s risky. It’s going to take sacrifice. But it’s worth it.

Are you willing to jump in?

In our next and final session, we’ll focus on one practical way you can learn to join in God’s mission in the world by sharing your story.

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