This week, as we continue in our “Sword Sharpening” series, we will do a little review to tie the first thirteen parts together and prepare to move further on in the series from here. As we began this series, we looked at a couple of verses. The first was the writer of Hebrews comparing the Word of God to a sword, where we got the idea for the title.
Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)
12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
The second verse was from the gospel of Mark Chapter 12:
Mark 12:24 (NIV)
24 Jesus replied, “Are you not in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God?
The thrust of this series is the importance of learning how to and how not to read the Bible. We looked at four ideas to help us accomplish this.
a) The Bible is pointing to Jesus.
b) The Bible is a library, not just a book.
c) The Bible is written for us but not to us.
d) Context, context, context.
With those four ideas established, we started breaking the storyline of the Bible into eight sections in the hopes that this would help hold His Story together in a memorable way.
The storyline of the Bible (His Story) is presented in eight sections with the main points:
1) Kingdom Revealed – Genesis 1 – 2
Cosmic Temple, Divine Realm/Elohim, Earth Realm/human
2) Kingdom Rebellion – Genesis 3 – 11
The Fall, the Flood, the Tower of Babel
3) Kingdom Covenant – Genesis 12 – 50
Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph
4) Kingdom Foreshadowed – Exodus – 2 Kings
Ten Plagues, Ten Words, Tabernacle, Temple
5) Kingdom Coming 1 Chronicles – Malachi
The Glory departs, the Exile, the Prophets.
6) Kingdom Incarnate – Matthew, Mark, Luke, John
Tabernacles, Temple, Cross, Resurrection
7) Kingdom Tension – Acts – Revelation < 21
Now and Not Yet, Temple, One More
8) Kingdom Consummated – Revelation 21 – 22
All Things New, Life After Life After Death
We hope to take what we have learned and see where and how His Story fits into history. Make plans to attend in person or watch line for all this and more at Keys Vineyard Church.
Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.
