Restored for Better

 

This month we’re learning to share the Bible’s central message about Jesus Christ (the “Gospel”) using a simple diagram developed by James Choung. Last week we saw how evil and human selfishness damaged God’s good creation. But God loved us, and the world, too much to leave it that way! So, 2,000 years ago the eternal God crashed into the brokenness of our time-space world in the person of Jesus. Through his life, death, and resurrection, Jesus began a revolution of love and forgiveness to heal the world. Jesus’ work on the cross is the antidote to humanity’s spiritual contagion that the Bible calls “sin.” As we submit to the healing power of Jesus’ grace, our hearts, relationships, social systems and institutions are Restored for Better.

If you missed this message, you can watch it on our YouTube channel or listen our podcast. Yours for Christ, Pastor Steve

steve@clpc.org

 

Designed for Good

 

When you have the opportunity to share the Good News about Jesus with a friend, I want you to be able to explain what we believe. James Choung’s little booklet, “Based on a True Story,” unpacks the big story of the Bible using a simple diagram. This week we learned that the human ache for a better world points to a perfect world that once existed. There’s no need to get caught up in the evolution vs. creation debate to recognize that God created everything flawlessly. The portrait of God’s creation in Genesis 1 -2 is one of perfection and purpose. There is harmony with the natural world as humans care for the planet and the planet cares for us. There’s relational harmony between human beings, not strife, deceit, or abuse. And, there’s loving intimacy between God and people. In short, we and our world were Designed for Good. If you missed this message, you watch it on our YouTube channel or listen on our podcast.

Yours for Christ,
Pastor Steve