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The Bible tells the story of Gods steadfast love for hisstubborn people. In some ways its a sad story, becausehuman beings have made the world such a sad place. Butultimately, it is a happy story. The Christian story is aboutthe good news that God so loved the world he gave hisonly Son that whoever believes in him should not perish buthave everlasting life (John 3:16). Some people have heard of John 3:16, but fewer people know the rest of the story. It goes something like this . . .

Creation:In the beginning, God created the heavens andthe earth. The first man and woman enjoyed a perfect relationshipwith God. Everything in the universe was good.

Curse:But everything fell apart. Adam and Eve rebelled.Because of Adams sin, we are all sinners, doingand thinking what is bad for us and displeasing to God.

Christ:So God sent his Son, Jesus Christfull of graceand truth, power and perfection, humility and holinessto make a way for sinners to be reconciled to God.

Cross:Jesus died for our sins on the cross, bearing thepunishment we deserved. He rose again on the thirdday in demonstration of his power over sin and death.

re-Creation:Just as God raised Jesus to new life, so Godis making all things new. In the end, Gods people will liveforever, free from pain and full of joy in Gods presence.

Commitment:This good news is for those who turnfrom their sin and trust in Jesus. None of us deserve Godsmercy, but we can get right with God through Jesus Christ.

Creation:

A glorious God creates a good world.

Genesis 1:1, 31aIn the beginning, God created the heavensand the earth . . . And God saw everything that he had made,and behold, it was very good.

There is only one God. He is good and glorious, lovingand holy.

God made us in his image, to worship him, be in relationshipwith him, and reflect his character.

God made the world perfect, a paradise where we couldenjoy God and his gifts.

Curse:

Human beings rebel against God.

Romans 5:12Therefore, just as sin came into the worldthrough one man, and death through sin, and so death spreadto all men because all sinned . . .

Adam, the first man, disobeyed Gods command. Hewanted to choose good and evil for himself. He disregardedGods authority and rejected his love. As aresult, Adam and Eve were expelled from paradise.

The world is cursed because of Adams sin. Things arentthe way they are supposed to be. The world is now fullof suffering, pain, and evil.

We sin every day in thought, word, and deed by disobeyingGods commands. We worship our jobs, our money,and our comfort more than God. We lovepeople and things more than we lovethe God who made us.

Christ:

God comes to us in human flesh.

Mark 2:5-7And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to theparalytic, My son, your sins are forgiven. Now some of thescribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, Whydoes this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who canforgive sins but God alone?

Jesus is fully human. He had a real body, desires, andemotions.

Jesus is fully God. He was more than a prophet andmoral teacher. He demonstrated his divine status andauthority by forgiving sins and exercising power overnature, the devil, disease, and death.

Jesus is the Christ, the long-awaited Messiah. He is theSon of God and one with God the Father. Jesus is worthyof our worship, trust, and affection.

Cross:

Jesus dies for our sins and is raised to life again.

1 Corinthians 15:3-4For I delivered to you as of firstimportance what I also received: that Christ died for oursins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried,that he was raised on the third day in accordancewith the Scriptures . . .

Jesus died on the cross to take upon himself thewrath of God so that we might be reconciled to God.God forgives us, not because of our good works, butbecause of the sacrifice of his Son on the cross.

Jesus was a kind of second Adam, fulfilling whatthe first Adam did not. He obeyed God in place ofour disobedience and died the death we deservedas our substitute.

By his death and resurrection, Jesusdemonstrated his Lordship over allthings. In coming back to life, Jesusshowed that even death itself hadbeen conquered.

re-Creation:

God is making a new people and a new place.

Revelation 21:5And he who was seated on the thronesaid, Behold, I am making all things new.

God makes us new creations in Christ so that we dieto our sinful ways and can learn to love God and ourneighbor.

Through Jesus, God has already begun to exercise hisreign right here on earth. Those who follow Jesus areto be agents of change, hope, and renewal.

At the end of history, God will finish this work of recreation.Those who have not received Christ will beeternally punished for their sins. Those who belongto Christ will live forever in a newparadise where we will be freefrom suffering and enjoy Godforever.

Commitment:

Those who trust in Jesus Christ will be forgivenand made new.

Acts 2:3738Now when they heard this they were cut to theheart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, Brothers,what shall we do? And Peter said to them, Repent and be baptizedevery one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgivenessof your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Gods forgiveness is entirely an act of grace. We cannotearn it. We receive Gods mercy through faith solelybecause of Christs work on our behalf.

Being a Christian means we renounce our old ways ofthinking and living; we trust Christ alone as our Savior,obey him as Lord, and love him as our greatest treasure.

Following Jesus means living for him, obeying his commands,and believing his promises.God gives us power through theHoly Spirit and teaches us by hisWord (the Bible) so we can live in this new way.

So what do you believe about this Story?

Maybe your response is apathy: Ive heard this all beforebig deal. Maybe you like the parts about Jesus, but haventthought of yourself as a sinner in need of forgiveness.

Perhaps you are confused, wondering how anyone can besaved by grace alone. Or maybe you figure since youve beento church before you dont have to think about your relationshipwith God. Being a Christian may just seem like a culturalthing you inherit from your family or from growing up in acertain place.

These are honest responses, but they are not Christianresponses. Those who believe in the Story of Gods goodnews will respond with:

Understanding:I know I am a sinner, separated from God andcan do nothing to earn his favor.

Faith:I believe Jesus is Gods Son, that he died for my sins androse again from the dead.

Repentance:I am sorry for my sinful thoughts and actions. I turnfrom them and trust in Jesus alone for forgiveness.

Purpose:I want to live for Jesus, be a new person, and learn tolove others.

Hope:I will live forever with God in the joy of his new creation.

If you believe the Story summarized in these pages,we encourage you to do the following:

1. Talk to a Christian who can tell you more aboutJesus Christ.

2. Start praying to God. Its okay if you dont knowhow to do it. Just speak from your heart. God willlisten. Ask God to reveal himself to you.

3. Get a copy of the Bible and read it for yourself. Weencourage you to start with one of the Gospels(Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John).

4. Join a Christian church where the good news ofJesus death and resurrection is believed and theBible is taught.