At Story Church, we believe that the Bible – the inspired and infallible Word of God – tells one big story which is the story of everything. We find it helpful to approach this big story in four parts, like acts in a play. Those four parts are Creation, Fall, Redemption, and Restoration. Within these categories, we learn about God, His People, His Son and Holy Spirit, and His mission to redeem His Beloved and restore His creation.
Creation
In the beginning, God created the Heavens and the Earth, and it was good. Everything was exactly as it was designed to be. There was no pain, suffering, decay, or disease. In this paradise, God created humanity to reflect His goodness in their relationships with one another as they were commissioned to fill the earth. All was perfect in paradise, as God and Man enjoyed deep relationship with the other.
Fall
Just as quickly, paradise was lost as sin entered the world, corrupting Man’s relationship with God, with one another, and with creation. As a result, our first parents Adam and Eve were banished from the presence of God, and all humanity after them have been born into this world separated from our Creator God and experiencing the pain and suffering that sin produces. You don’t need to be a Christian to recognize that this world is not the way it’s supposed to be.
Redemption
Nevertheless, our gracious Heavenly Father did not leave us without hope in this world. Even as He banished Adam and Eve from paradise, He promised that one day, there would be a rescuer, a redeemer, who would bring about the restoration of all of creation. The rest of the Story sets forth this great rescue mission. Through the life, death, and resurrection of God’s own Son, Jesus Christ, sin and death have been defeated. God’s people have been reconciled back to the Father through the redemption we have in Jesus; He gave up His life for us!
Restoration
Now through His Holy Spirit working in and through His Church – the living body of Christ on earth – He is bringing about the restoration of the world until Jesus returns, bringing about a renew Heavens and Earth, where He will dwell with His people again in paradise.
The good news is that this story can be your story. God offers this redemption and restoration as a free gift of grace, purchased by the broken body and shed blood of His Son, Jesus. All He requires of us is to let go of whatever story we’ve been living in. Let go of that life, turn away from your sin, and take hold of Jesus, and through faith, enter into His Story.