Restoration: Making All Things New
This series is all about what it means to fulfill Jesus' Promise: You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses. 1 Peter 3.13-18 tells us to Bear Witness includes 3 things: Deep allegiance to Jesus and his kingdom, clear readiness to suffer for Jesus' sake, and a commitment to live good lives - with personal integrity, in committed community, and in service to the world. As we do that, Peter says, we'll have opportunity to respond to those who ask for a reason for the hope that is in us. In the final part of our series, we're giving reasons for hope by looking at the Storyline of the Bible - Creation, Rebellion, Redemption, and Restoration. Each movement propels hope-filled living and gives us intellectually stimulating, emotionally satisfying, and consistently livable answers to life's biggest questions. This week we explore the doctrine of Restoration: God will return to dwell among us as he did in Eden, remaking the world as it was meant to be, eradicating evil and sin, and making all things new!
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
Read 1 Peter 3:13-18
How would you explain the doctrine of Restoration to someone who asks? What does it mean?
How does the end of the Story - all things made new, justice and righteousness restored, and everything sad coming untrue - bring you hope?
What shows up in our lives when we don’t believe this personally and deeply? What behaviors or emotions?
July 2, 2023 - Steve Hart