Church PLANT Manual

40 • Church PLANT Manual

From the book of Acts to today, the story of the church is a story of a people who gave their lives to the proclamation, preservation, and propagation of the gospel. Churches and church planters are driven by many things. Some are driven by a vision of a better tomorrow, better neighborhoods, or even better churches. All of these are good things, but ultimately what must drive us must be the gospel. Therefore, it is essential that we understand the message, the mission, and the means of the gospel. For it is the gospel that teaches us what to believe, how to see the world around us, and what the church should be. I. The Message of the Gospel A. The Bible contains one single unfolding drama, the story of God. From Genesis to Revelation, the will of God to redeem humanity is evident. B. Jesus is the ultimate champion of the story of God. C. Our Lord made it clear that the entire biblical story is about Him. D. It has been said that if the New Testament is Jesus Christ revealed , the Old Testament is Jesus Christ concealed . 1 From beginning to end, our Bible is an epic story about Jesus. E. And why is Jesus so central, so ultimate, so unequaled in the biblical story and in hearts around the world? Because only he came to earth, truly God and truly man, and lived a perfect life; died an atoning death; and rose to vanquish sin, Satan, darkness, and death. Jesus was everything Adam failed to be, everything Israel failed to be, and everything we have failed to be. He succeeded where we have not. The Author who designed us to worship and enjoy him—and

1 Augustine’s statement from“Questions on the Heptateuch,” 2.73 in The Works of St. Augustine: Writings On The Old Testament .