Kendall the Fire

Sometimes I find something that needs to be passed on to you “as is.”  Recently, I got an email from the President of Dallas Theological Seminary, Dr. Mark M. Yarbrough, and it contained a message that I want to pass along to you. 

Dear Brad, 

 Someone recently asked me, What is something you see missing in the teaching of the church at large—something Christians need to know but aren’t always taught? 

 I can tell you that every Christian needs to know how to study the Bible, and every Christian needs to understand the big picture of Scripture from beginning to end. Every single Christian, every single one of us, needs to understand God’s grand plan from the beginning of Genesis to the very end of Revelation. It is transformational. 

 In His love, God wants you to know the big picture of His plan for history. God included in Scripture what He wants you to know about the world’s future. God wants you to gain strength for today by knowing the prophetic promises for tomorrow (and to take comfort in knowing that past prophecy has always come true). 

 I’m reminded of this every time I conduct a two-day conference on “The Story of Scripture.” As I teach, I see two very distinct things happen in the audience. The first day, when I am helping people understand the beginning of the story, individuals begin to see that all the events are connected—and that God knows what He’s doing.  

For instance, in Genesis 1 and 2, everything was created perfectly. We’re introduced to  the Garden of Eden and the world  as it should be. However, in Genesis 3, sin entered the world, and everything falls apart. In Genesis 4, Cain killed Abel. And in Genesis 5, every name in the genealogy, except Enoch, is followed by “and he died.” They lived, they died, they lived, they died, and on and on–this pattern of living and dying continues repeatedly creating a genealogy of death.  The audience grasps that because of what happened in Genesis 3, when Adam and Eve disobeyed, sin and death are the condition of everyone. Just as God warned, “from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die” (Genesis 2:17). From Genesis 3 onward, spiritual and physical death hang over the story— and over our lives. 

My point? Every chapter connects to the next. It’s all one story. 

Then on the second day of the conference, people see how God resolves the story. They see the birth, death, and resurrection of the Messiah, the Son of God. They see the birth and mission of the church. And they get more prophetic information on the second coming of Christ—connecting to the strands of prophecy from the Old and New Testaments. 

I can watch people realize, “You mean it’s one continuous story?” They get it. The whole Bible is connected. They also realize, “If God knows what He’s doing, then I can trust Him with my difficulties.” Their view of God is elevated. By the time they get to the end of the conference, people see God’s resolution.

They have said, “I can trust God.” Their resolve is to connect with God’s resolve. And, best of all, they know that this “big story” we’re part of is going to end well for those who are on God’s side. 

 Only God can transform lives, and we can share that good news with people who are searching this world for something that satisfies. People are hungry for the truth. Did you know that Bible sales were up 20 percent last year? And that much of the growth was people who were first-time purchasers? That’s a huge open door. But who will teach people what the Bible means and how God can use His “continuous story” to help them grow spiritually? We will. We all must! God uses His Word to change lives, and we want the church filled with believers who can help people understand the complete story told in Scripture.  

 What a time to be alive and serving Christ! As Jesus’s coming draws nearer, “the fields…they are white for harvest” (John 4:35). Let’s make every moment count. 

 Waiting and working for Him,

Dr. Mark M. Yarbrough