A Better World Is Possible
Our world is often scary and uncertain, but there is hope in Jesus.
Need for Change
When you turn on the news, what do you see? Racism, terrorism, global warming... the list goes on and on.
It’s obvious our world is messed up.
But what’s more revealing is the human response: How do you feel about this kind of world?
None of us think that suffering, violence, and oppression are good things.
We all ache for a better world.
Designed for Good
In the Christian worldview, a better world did exist.
God created a good world and it worked beautifully. All creation was under God’s leadership and enjoyed God as the source of life. (Gen 1:31)
The world and all that’s in it was designed for good.
Damaged by Evil
Clearly, the world isn’t living according to it’s design.
We rejected God’s leadership, took charge, and essentially became our own god. By doing so, we broke our relationship with God, and left ourselves and our world in a state of death (Isaiah 53:6, Romans 6:23, Isaiah 59:2).
On every level, we have become corrupt. We see evidence of this corruption all around us.
Our corruption compels us toward evil even as we try to do good. Education, technology, and government never get to the root of the problem. The Bible says that God “has set a day when the entire human race will be judged and everything set right.” (Acts 17:31) Not only will God judge the evil people out there, God has seen our own corrupt sides and will hold us accountable.
Restored for Better
But God loves the world too much to leave it this way.
Because he loves us, God responds to injustice and corruption. He entered into history as a human in the person of Jesus of Nazareth over 2,000 years ago. (John 3:16)
By doing that, God started teaching us a better way to live - a way in which all the good things that are supposed to happen actually do.
Through Jesus, everything is being restored for better.
Sent to Heal
Jesus calls us to follow him as he heals the damage in the world (Acts 3:6-7). By following him, we become the hands and feet of Jesus in the world (Matthew 5:14-16, John 20:21-22).
With Jesus, our mission is to be sent to heal.
Only Through Jesus
But why can’t we just make the world better on our own?
We might like the mission Jesus is talking about, but we want to do it without faith or spirituality.
Where Are You?
Which one of these ‘worlds’ would you place yourself in?
Ready To Follow Jesus?
If you’re compelled by this story and you’re ready to follow Jesus, pray this prayer below and let us know below so we can celebrate with you!
Jesus, I believe that you are both Creator and Lord and that your death and resurrection broke the cycle of death in the world and in me. I acknowledge my responsibility in contributing to the damage in the world. I receive your forgiveness. I choose to follow you and let you be my leader. I receive your Spirit. Help me to know you, follow you, and honor you in all that I do.
Next Steps
Continue to explore the faith life of our church including resources for daily life with God, our other ministries, and service opportunities.
Content for this page used with permission from The Big Story Gospel Presentation, adapted from James Choung’s True Story, published by InterVarsity Press, 2008. For more information about The Big Story Gospel Presentation, visit evangelism.intervarsity.org.
Copyright © 2019 Intervarsity Christian Fellowship/USA. All rights reserved.