First Steps in the Journey

  • Reid Monaghan
  • Aug 30, 2007
  • Series: Signposts: A Journey in The Gospel of Mark

The Old school and new school are interconnected

All that God did in the Old Testament, or Old Covenant does not dangle disconnected from the New.  In fact, the Scriptures are a unified whole which progressively unfolded over time.  The Old records the promises of God to bring a coming King, a person anointed by God (Messiah) to save God's people from our bondage to sin and death.  History can be seen as many acts of God past, present and future and we live now in a time of a coming fulfillment. 

The Fullness of Time-The New Retro

All of history may be divided by three major events.  First-the creation of the world and fall of humanity.  These crucial events-God's decision to create and our subsequent rebellion-shaped the coming realities of history.  Second, God's purposes arrived at a time of fullness with the coming of Jesus Christ to the earth.  This time saw the promises of God realized in the person and work of the man from Nazareth.  The third moment which will wrap up the three part story of God will come at the consummation of all things at the return of Jesus.  This will usher in the fullness of the Kingdom of God-which in the English speaking world is known as heaven.  In light of this, we live in the most significant time in history.  For these are the days of our lives. Sorry...these are the days that God has given to us to live for his purpose in our generation (Acts 13:36). 

We see Life through Some Narrative (Story) Lense

As we journey through our own days, as we travel from cradle to grave, our lives are guided by some narrative framework.  We "see" through a certain set of beliefs and assumptions.  Many times these beliefs/assumptions are just given to us by our culture, our family or through things we read and interact with.  Many times they are formed by a direct experience with God.  It is a good practice to examine our assumptions because they influence how we respond to life's circumstances and what life we will pursue in the days marked out for us.  We also can be deceived or unconsciously sucked in to believing some jacked up stuff.  So our hope is to see life through the truest of all stories-the gospel of Jesus.  In light his life, teaching, death and resurrection our lives and circumstances must be understood.  Jesus himself told his followers:  "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."