The end of The Epic Series is finally here and therefore it is entitled The End. We have journeyed through the entire Narrative of the Bible and now that story beckons us to join in it and allow that story to mold our own individual life story. What does the life of a Christian look like as a reflection of Christ to the world? Listen in to find out.
One of the greatest aspects of our worship and poetic opportunities to participate in Christ is Communion. For the Jew, the passover was a teaching opportunity, revisiting of history, a reminder of God at work and a meal. For the Christian, Jesus draws on the beauty of the passover and gives new meaning to continue the Epic story of God and invite all of humanity to join in this feast. It is the Christian's opportunity to teach, revisit, feast and be reminded of God's ultimate fulfillment in Jesus.
The Epic Story tells the true story of the world. In that story, we play many roles, so we have to live in the world but abstain from being consumed by the world. Be in it and not of it has been a commonly used phrase for that. However, what if we focus too much on our uniqueness apart from the world? How will we make a difference if we stay locked away from the world the Epic Story calls us to participate in? And furthermore, what does an Albino Squirrel have anything to do with today's message?
Symbols, Icons and Landmarks all stand for something. Some of those items are inspirational to some and inflammatory to others. Such has been the case throughout history with the Cross. Many Christians struggle whether or not to accept this symbol as art, jewelry or as architecture within a church building. However, what does the Bible say about the Cross. The Apostle Paul seemed to imply that it carried power. What if the Cross is the lens through which we see the world? What if it is an echo of the Epic Story told in scripture? God can take anything that is broken or that represents pain and redeem it! He does that in us.
Jesus enters into the Epic story in the flesh. What does that mean for us? Many times we wonder what in fact is really is, that Jesus does for us. Does he provide his physical presence, is it psychological support, what is it? What motivates us to live for Jesus?
The Epic story continues in the lives of the prophets. Not only were they called to be the voice of God in their midst, but they were to give messages of conviction and also visions of looking forward to and Epic shift in God fulfilling His promises.
Desideratum? I didn't know what it meant either. It is defined as something wanted or needed. The Epic Story picks up this week with Israel having moved into the promised land and what they want is a new type of King. God hears their cries, warns them, but continues to give them what they want knowing full well that all that they need is Himself. Can't we relate? All we need is God, yet we turn to other things to fill our lives and heal our wounds. God is all we need! Join us as we seek to continue to see how God works in the midst of this to bring us Jesus.
The Epic Story continues into the Exodus. In a bold move God decides to dwell in the midst of His people. But first, He rescues them. If you have ever felt like God takes forever to deliver on His promises then this sermon is for you! God takes a nation and works in the midst of those people to redeem them, make covenant with them and live with them. This is a continuation of the never failing grace of God!
As we continue through the Epic Story of scripture this week's journey takes us into the life of a nomad named Abram. God chooses Abram from among everyone else to make an extravagant promise. But why Abram? Why another attempted rescue? What does it say about God that He continues to start over to find ways to redeem us? More importantly, how does He still do this today? We find in the scriptures, that the God who is all about grace and rescue still seeks to do the same with us!
Now that we have a firm grasp of the stories in which we live, how do we apply them to our lives? Today we take a look at a replica of our life. While most of us cannot relate exactly to the story of Joseph, we will take a look at a First Order Story that is filled with brokenness and see how Joseph molds his story to the Epic Story so that his Second Order Stories can be lived into fully and become explosive to the Glory of God.