Finding Your Place in
God’s Story
Matthew Levant
May 31st, 2020
Luke 24:25-27, 44-49
Jesus told us that the whole Old Testament points to Him and is fulfilled in
Him. God’s Story can be summarized with Four Words: Creation (Genesis 1-2), Fall (Genesis 3),
Redemption (Genesis 3 - Revelation 20), Consummation (Revelation 21-22). Introduce the series
by showing how the Bible fits together and points to Redemption in Jesus through multiple
Biblical Threads. The prayer: that God’s Spirit awakens awe for Jesus, a deeper love for God’s
Word, and recognizing our place in God’s Story.
God’s Story: Designed with Purpose
Matthew Levant
June 7th, 2020
Genesis 1-2
Biblical Thread:
Creation
God created us for a purpose: to reflect His glory as image-bearers while
enjoying His presence. The rest of the Old Testament continues the theme and it culminates with
Jesus who has ushered in New Creation. Revelation ends with a New Earth.
God’s Story: Mercy Toward Rebels
Matthew Levant
June 21st, 2020
Genesis 3
Biblical Thread:
Mercy
It did not take long for humanity to rebel against God and ruin everything
that God originally made good. Immediately after cursing the world, God shows mercy by
covering Adam and Eve’s shame and promising to send the Messiah. The theme of mercy
continues throughout the Old Testament and culminates with Jesus. Mercy is the stunning
pinnacle of God’s glory.
God’s Story: God Pledges Himself
Colton White
June 28th, 2020
Genesis 4-50
Biblical Thread:
Covenant
Genesis shows God making several covenants as He unfold His plan to
redeem fallen humanity. The covenant relationship is centered upon one family that will
eventually bring us the Messiah who will keep God’s Covenant on our behalf. Jesus ushers in the
New Covenant that once and for all brings us near to God.
God’s Story: Bringing a
People Together
Matthew Levant
July 5th, 2020
Exodus
Biblical Thread:
People of God
God’s purpose from the Garden of Eden has been to create a people that will
belong to Him and treasure Him. In God’s unfolding story, we see God creating the descendants
of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob into a nation. This theme is carried throughout the Old Testament,
is accomplished through Jesus, and culminates in Revelation with one people gathered for God
comprised of all nations.
God’s Story: Set Apart for God
Colton White
July 12th, 2020
Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy
Biblical Thread:
Law
God’s plan has always been for His people to know His character and reflect it
to the world. Israel receives the law after having received God’s redemption—not before. God’s
law is a theme that is carried throughout the Old Testament and is fulfilled by Jesus. The themes
of God’s Justice and God’s Holiness are closely related to God’s Law. The redeemed of God are a
people that are set apart for God, love the law, and do justice.
God’s Story: Promise of Rest
Matthew Levant
July 19th, 2020
Joshua, Judges, Ruth
Biblical Thread:
Rest
Joshua led Israel to defeat the enemy and have rest in the Land of Promise.
This is a theme that looks back to Genesis, forward throughout the Old Testament, and is given
to us ultimately only through Jesus. The era of the Judges (including Ruth) was marked by unrest
in the land because God’s people refused to trust and obey Him. We come to Jesus to rest our
weary souls. The New Earth is the ultimate Promised Land where God’s people will experience
rest and Shalom forever.
God’s Story: It's All About the Kingdom
Matthew Levant
July 26th, 2020
1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles
Biblical Thread:
Kingdom of God
God’s story progresses with the inauguration of King David. The theme of the
Messiah as the King points back to Genesis, the whole Old Testament, and is fulfilled with King
Jesus. God’s purpose is to establish His Kingdom. Where the Old Testament kings failed, Jesus
was successful and victorious.
God’s Story: God Comes Near
Matthew Levant
August 9th, 2020
1 Kings 6; 2 Chronicles 3-4, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther
Biblical Thread:
Presence of God
God’s Story is centered on His desire to live with His people. Adam and Eve
enjoyed God’s presence in the Garden of Eden. The whole Old Testament shows God’s purpose
unfolding as He seeks to dwell with His people. Jesus is the Tabernacle and the Temple. Jesus is
God with Us. God has been at work restoring His exiled people since the beginning. Revelation
ends with God making His dwelling place with His people.
God’s Story: Infinite Wisdom
Matthew Levant
August 16th, 2020
Wisdom Literature: Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs
Biblical Thread:
Wisdom
Genesis displays the infinite wisdom of God in creation and in His promise to
send the Messiah to defeat the Enemy. The Wisdom Literature is focused on God being the
fountain of all wisdom. Jesus is the Wisdom of God. Through the power of the Spirit we can live
wisely in this world.
God’s Story: Reliable Promises
Matthew Levant
August 23rd, 2020
The Prophets, Part 1
Pre-Exilic Prophets; the writing prophets that prophesied before the Babylonian Exile: Obadiah,
Joel, Amos, Hosea, Jonah, Micah, Isaiah, Nahum, Zephaniah, Habakkuk, Jeremiah (Lamentations)
Biblical Thread:
Promise
The Prophets contain many themes, but the primary theme that knits them
all together is the Thread of Promise. This theme began in Genesis, is prominent through the Pre-
Exilic Prophets, and is fulfilled by Jesus. We can rest in God because He is a promise-keeping God.
God’s Story: Renewal of All Things
Matthew Levant
August 30th, 2020
The Prophets, Part 2
Exilic Prophets; prophesied during the Babylonian Exile: Daniel & Ezekiel
Post-Exilic Prophets; prophesied after the Babylonian Exile: Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi
Biblical Thread:
Renewal
The five Exilic and Post-Exilic Prophets each have unique messages, but the
overarching theme that binds them is the Thread of Renewal. God promised renewal in Genesis,
repeated it throughout the OT, made it the main theme in the exiled and post-exile community,
and ultimately accomplished renewal through Jesus. Human history will end with the renewal of
all things. We have the joy of getting a taste of God’s renewal now, bringing it to those around
us, and waiting for that day when God will finally make all things new.
God’s Story: The First Missionary
Matthew Levant
September 6th, 2020
The Gospel has reached the ends of the earth. But, there are still many people who do not know. God is on mission and is extending His mercy so that all people, of all nations will hear His name. The Bible is all about the mission of God. The mission began with a covenant between the Father, the Son, and the Spirit.
