Yesterday hearing and praying about life in Venezuela.

The huge overarching story we find in the bible covers all of history, from beginning of time to the end of all things, and the new creation.

God's good news is all about how he has acted in history for us, in Jesus Christ. For those who respond to Jesus and follow him, our destiny is now intertwined with his and we are secure in him forever.

Trying to summarise the good news is difficult in some ways, because there is so much. But we have been trying to think about it using four hooks:

Creation (Identity)
Fall (Problem)
Redemption (Solution)
New creation (Ultimate hope)

These four hooks allow us to get a handle on the story. And what's interesting is that these four things touch on the big questions of life we all wonder about, if we are honest:

Identity - who am I? and who do I want to be?
Problem - what is wrong with the world? and what is wrong in my experience of life, in my own heart and in others dealings with me?
Solution - what do I think will make things better? where do I seek comfort or escape? what needs to happen?
Ultimate hope - what do I dream of ultimately? what do I think will make me truly happy? what am I banking on being the end resolution that all my hopes are pinned on?

We all wonder about these things and in different ways create stories to explain our experiences and our hopes. But the good news story of Jesus Christ gives the ultimate and best story. Because it's true. And we can depend on it - on him!

Our identity is in him as his created, loved and chosen children
Our problem is when we turn away from him
Our solution is found in Jesus' death and resurrection, setting us free
Our hope is in knowing eternal freedom and joy in and with God in the new creation one day.

Tomorrow - our English and Spanish speaking communities meet together at St Chads Centre. 7pm. 
Then on Sunday afternoon we will be going to the Darley Park Concert and fireworks along with most of Derby!
Join us!