Though created in holiness, man chooses to sin and rebel against God.  Adam and Eve rule and represent creation. Through their sin, all of creation is broken, cursed, and fallen.  Humanity’s relationship with God and with one another is broken beyond human repair.  Sin and suffering taint and consume all of creation.

God’s Plan. God, knowing man would fall, points to a coming Savior who will save man from his sin.  God now displays His glory through the progressive revelation of His character and redemptive plan to save His people and His world from the devastation of sin.  All of the Old Testament (narrative, poetry, and prophecy) point to a coming Messiah!  Through a chosen people, God works out His plan as Jesus, the Son of God, is born. Christ’s Work. The centerpiece of the Gospel’s good news is Jesus and the work of the cross!  Jesus comes as our prophet, priest, and king, to live the life we should have lived and to die the death we should have died.  In our place, through His death on the cross, Jesus bears the full wrath of God against our sin. On the third day, He raises from the dead, conquering sin and death. Our Benefit. Forgiveness, pardon, and grace are offered to all who repent and believe in Jesus as Savior and Lord.  Everyone who believes, begins an unbreakable eternal relationship with God, receiving full acceptance and access to the Lord as beloved children identified with Christ Himself – holy and blameless.  We are motivated by grace and compelled by His love to live a life of worship and obedience.

God’s Family. Christians are adopted into God’s family to live life together in and through the church.  Growth takes place in community centered around the Word.  The Holy Spirit works in and through the church to provide direction, discipleship, and community for God’s people.  Maturity and growth take place as each member of the family lives a life of love and service, on mission, sharing this Gospel message with others. Gospel Growth. The message of the Gospel saves us and grows us.  An ever-increasing understanding of God’s holiness and our sin (through God’s Word, God’s people and God’s Spirit), draws us to the cross in repentance and faith.  A deepening understanding of Jesus’ work on our behalf increases our love, joy, gratitude, and fellowship with God.  Jesus and the work of the cross becomes ever-more beautiful and amazing as we fall more in love with Him.  The Gospel grows us by leading us to a Christ-centered life of increased dependence, worship, love, and service. On Mission. The Gospel is always growing deeper and wider as it penetrates into the hearts of believers and extends out to those who have yet to know the love of Christ. In thankfulness and joy, we are quick to give love and grace to others.  The Gospel puts the church on mission and grows God’s kingdom on earth as more hearts live under the rule and reign of Christ.

All things are made new!  In the final chapter, God faithfully completes His redemptive plan.  Through the work of Christ, all of creation will be restored, renewed, and reconciled to Him.  God is presently at work in our hearts and in His universe, pointing to the day when all things will be made new.  God’s redemptive plan will culminate in a redeemed people living with Him in a new heaven and a new earth – a holy and restored creation that will worship and enjoy its Creator forever!