Westhill & Kingswells Episcopal Church

What on Earth is God Doing?

Session 1 – The Big Picture

In this session we will attempt to

¨ explore what the Bible teaches about God’s overall purpose;

¨ understand better the nature of the conflict between good and evil;

¨ identify the most important principles of life;

¨ consider how this applies to us.

I. GOD

“In the beginning, God created …” (Genesis 1:1) 1. God exists ¨ not constrained by space, time or matter (Psalm 90:2) ¨ continually active, creating and sustaining (Colossians 1:17)
2. Case against atheism ¨ evidence in creation (Rom 1:19,20) ¨ the moral argument (Psalm 14:1) ¨ evidence in human experience (Acts 2:32)
3. God is ¨ Life (1 John 1:2) creating, reproducing, renewing, growing ¨ Light (1 John 1:5) revealing, informing, warming, communicating ¨ Love (1 John 4:16) protecting, caring, sharing, giving

God has a heart for family relationship, togetherness, community, fellowship.

II. GOD’S PURPOSE

“God’s intention was that the many aspects of His wisdom might be revealed through the Church to the heavenly rulers and authorities” Ephesians 3:10

A community of life, light and love ¨ like God (Genesis 1:26,27) ¨ in fellowship together and with God (1 John 1:3; Revelation 21:3,4) ¨ revealing God’s glory (2 Corinthians 3:18)

III SIN

“Sin entered into the world through one man, and death through sin: in this way death came to all, because all sinned” (Romans 5:12)

1. Sin is ¨ choosing contrary to God’s purpose (Genesis 3:6) ¨ breaking fellowship with God (Genesis 3:8) ¨ trying to take God’s place (Genesis 3:5)

2. Sin is the absence of

¨ Life – (1 John 3:14) death, decay

¨ Light – (1 John 3:6) darkness, blindness

¨ Love – (1 John 4:20) lovelessness, hatred

3. Sin came into the world

¨ through the evil one (Gen 3:13; 1 John 3:8; Rev 12:9)

¨ in opposition God’s purpose (Genesis 3:1,4,5; Matthew 13:24,25)

¨ bringing destruction and bondage (John 10:10; Romans 8:20-22)

IV GOD’S STRATEGY

“He shared in their humanity, so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death (i.e. the devil) and free those who were held in slavery all their lives” Hebrews 2:14,15)

1. The rescue plan ¨ God, sharing our humanity (Matthew 1:23) ¨ promised from the very beginning (Genesis 3:15; Genesis 22:8,18) ¨ spoken of throughout Scripture (Luke 24:27; John 5:39) ¨ destined to die for the sins of many (Isaiah 53; Hebrews 2:9) ¨ creating a family of God’s children (Hebrews 2:13b; 1 John 3:1,2)

2. The enemy’s response, to attempt to

¨ totally ruin the human race (Genesis 6:3; 18:20)

¨ interfere with God’s activities (Genesis 16:2; Daniel 10:13)

¨ destroy all possible ways for the Christ to come (Genesis 4:8; Exodus 1:16,22; Esther 3:13; Matthew 2:16)

¨ ruin or destroy Christ (Matthew 4:3; John 13:2; 19:6; Revelation 20:7-9)

¨ prevent people from knowing Christ (2 Corinthians 4:4)

3. The final act

¨ The evil one destroyed (Revelation 20:10)

¨ God’s purpose fulfilled (Revelation 21:3,4)

Questions

1. How do you respond to the idea that God has an overall purpose?

2. What personal experience do you have of the conflict between good and evil?

3. What do you believe are the most important principles in life?

4. What kind of personal involvement could/should we have in God’s strategy?