the space in between: The bigger story...

A couple of weeks ago Pastor Ronald Frias introduced me to this evangelism tool from James Choung of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, and I must admit that I, as Choung said have seen the Gospel message in a very small level, meaning that I tend to go, look and present it in a very individualistic perspective which in a way negates from the the bigger story of redemption one: "that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. (2 Corinthians 5:19)"

What exactly is our ministry of reconciliation?

Is it merely about proclaiming that Christ died for individual people? Yes its true he died for every single individual.

But at the same time he also proclaimed the Kingdom of God?

What is the Kingdom of God anyway?

Is this a mere paschal mystery that's better of discussed in the realms of metaphysical theology?

No.

The presence and coming of the Kingdom of God was the central message of Jesus. For example, "his teaching was designed to show men how they might enter the Kingdom of God (Matt. 5:20; 7: 21). His mighty works were intended to prove that the Kingdom of God had come upon them (Matt. 12: 28). His parables illustrated to His disciples the truth about the Kingdom of God (Matt. 1 3: 11). And when He taught His followers to pray, at the heart of their petition were the words, "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven" (Matt. 6: 10). On the eve of His death, He assured His disciples that He would yet share with them the happiness and the fellowship of the Kingdom (Luke 22: 22-30). And He promised that He would appear again. on the earth in glory to bring the blessedness of the Kingdom to those for whom it was prepared (Matt. 25:31, 34)." ¹

Anthony Hoekema has described God's Kingdom as "the reign of God dynamically active in human history through Jesus Christ, the purpose of which is the redemption of his people from sin and from demonic powers, and the final establishment of the new heavens and the new earth."²

There is a bigger story in the Gospel message.

It is a big story because it sums up the plot points of the larger story in which we live and breathe. The most essential parts are the phrases: designed for good, damaged by evil, restored for better, and sent together to heal. They follow the biblical narrative: creation, fall, redemption, and mission.

All that is encapsulated in the message of the Kingdom of God.

The proclamation of that is part of our ministry of reconciliation.

It is my hope that as you watch this video that you'll be stirred to see the Bigger Story

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