Week 2 - Day 4
THE STORY
Long Story Short
WHERE ARE YOU?
According to the Bible, there are those who are in the kingdom of Satan and those who are in the Kingdom of God.
The Apostle John puts it this way.
1 John 5:19 (GNT)
We know that we belong to God even though the whole world is under the rule of the Evil One.
We would like to think that even though we haven’t committed our lives fully to God and so we don’t really belong to Him yet, at least we’re not under the rule of Satan. Or even though we’re not in the Kingdom of Light, at least we’re not in the kingdom of darkness. We see ourselves as somewhere in between. We’re just doing our own thing. But according to this passage, to do our own thing or to be our own king actually means Satan is our ruler and we are captives of his kingdom. And this is everyone’s default. Everyone is born into the kingdom of darkness. As the Apostle John says, The whole world is under the rule of the Evil One.
So, there are those who belong to God and those who belong to Satan. The question is: How does one move from the rule of Satan to the Rule of God?
In the following passage, the Apostle Paul shares with King Agrippa his conversion story. The Risen Lord Jesus Christ had confronted Paul (then the Jewish Pharisee Saul) as he was on his way to Damascus to persecute Jesus’ followers there. Through this encounter, not only did Saul become a follower of Jesus and the great Apostle Paul, but Jesus communicated what our salvation and rescue is all about.
Acts 26:12-20 (NIV)
On one of these journeys I was going to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. About noon, King Agrippa, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, blazing around me and my companions. We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads (that is, a cattle prod).”
Then I asked, “Who are you, Lord?”
“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” the Lord replied. “Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me.
“I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.”
So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven. First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds.
According to this passage, how does one move from darkness to light and the power of Satan to God? What are the results of this change in one’s life?
The Apostle Paul now talks about the spiritual battle the rages in people’s hearts and minds.
2 Corinthians 4:1-6 (NLT)
Therefore, since God in his mercy has given us this new way, we never give up. We reject all shameful deeds and underhanded methods. We don’t try to trick anyone or distort the word of God. We tell the truth before God, and all who are honest know this.
If the Good News we preach is hidden behind a veil, it is hidden only from people who are perishing. Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.
You see, we don’t go around preaching about ourselves. We preach that Jesus Christ is Lord, and we ourselves are your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.
How is there a supernatural battle going on for the hearts and minds of people?
Why does it take supernatural revelation to spiritually see the Good News that Jesus is the King of God’s Kingdom?
Mark 1:14-15 (NIV)
After John [the Baptist] was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”
How are we to respond to the Good News that the Kingdom has come near to us through the person and ministry of Jesus?
What does it mean to repent? Have you?
What does it mean to believe? Have you?
Here’s a video that graphically portrays The Story of the Bible.
What kingdom are you in?
Why is this determined by the question Who is your king?
In light of what you have discovered through the Bible readings and your personal reflections, how will you respond? Finish this sentence: I will …
That’s the Long Story Short. Starting next week, we’ll deal more in depth with the key chapters of The Story starting with Creation. If you have embraced Jesus as your Rescuer-King this will help deepen your relationship with Him. If you haven’t embraced Jesus yet and still have some questions, keep going. Our hope is that The Story will help you understand the Bible better and help you make an informed decision about who Jesus is and how you can follow Him.
Enjoy your discipleship Huddle this week. Don’t forget to bring the record of your answers and reflections.