Reassurance From The Word of God

Can you imagine having a Bible for sixteen years and not knowing what it was about. That’s my story. I did not know the Bible story. It was nothing more than a symbol of religion to me. I had no idea it had a message of life and answers to questions about God. I had no idea I could find God in its pages.
Where would you look to find God? Where do you look to find comfort? Where do you look to find truth?

If you want to find God, the Savior of creation, Jesus Christ, the Bible is the book to read. It is all about Jesus. And because of this, it is no wonder, so people find comfort and peace in reading the Bible. The message is about Jesus and His promise of life everlasting and deliverance from condemnation. It is a message about hope despite the suffering we endure in our lives.

The message of the Bible gives hope for a better life. It gives spiritual guidance to overcome doubt, fear, and uncertainty. It reassures us that change and renewal of ourselves and of our circumstances are not only possible, but guaranteed when we believe in God’s way.

Many people have experienced the power of God through His Word. Its message inspires personal growth, renewal, and a positive change in behavior and attitudes that is good. Those who read its message experience the proclamation of Hebrews 4:12,

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

Combined with the presence of the Spirit of God, who enlightens the minds of those who study God’s Word, there is an experience of deep satisfaction, understanding, and communion with God.

And for those who study and apply its message, it unites us in doctrine, vision, purpose, and fellowship.

The Word Of God Is Who And What

The Bible is called the Word of God because it contains the words of God. It is the message from God to us. Luke 24:44-45, says, the message of the Bible is all about Jesus. Jesus is the reason for hope, the peace, and the comfort we find in the Bible’s message. He makes the promises of Scriptures secure. He is the reason there is a spring of life that never runs dry, eternal hope, bread for everlasting life, and spiritual water that quenches an eternal thirst.

Every story, every event, every instruction, and every prophecy is about Jesus. From beginning to end, the Bible is about Jesus. Just as He is the beginning and the end of everything, He is the beginning and the end of the Bible’s message. It is an old, old, story that is still new to all those who hear it for the first time. It is a message with everlasting endurance. It is a story that will be told forever, and no one will ever get tired of it. It is a story that is just as important and relevant today as it will be in the future and as it has been in the past.

Since the Scriptures are about Him, it is appropriate to refer to the Scriptures as the Word of God. For this reason, Luke 24:44-45 as our text verse. “And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures.” If you want to understand the Scriptures, ask God to give you understanding.

John 1:1 declares, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Jesus is the message. He is the messenger sent from His Father, and He is the message. He is both the messenger and the message. He is the Word of God spoken of in the Word of God. To know and understand the Word of God is to know and understand Jesus.

There are many real-life stories in the Bible. They are all rich in meaning and significance because they are all about Jesus. He is the only reason there is significance and meaning to any of the stories in the Bible. Whether the story be about Methuselah, Joseph, the flood, the kings of Israel, or the Philistines, every story is about Jesus. Search the Scriptures and mediate on the stories. You will see the story of Jesus.

The Bible In One Word

The story about Jesus in the Bible can be summed up in one word. This one word makes the story of Jesus meaningful to us. What word might that be? Ask yourself why Jesus came to be our Savior. What were His plans at the beginning of creation and what are His plans for the eternal future?
If you want to know the future plans, go to the end of the story. Knowing the end will show us what the story is all about and where every story and event is headed. The ending will show the direction the world is heading right now. Let’s read the final chapters of the Bible to find out what God intended from the beginning and to find out why He does what He does now. The ending makes sense of all that precedes it. The ending is the culmination, the ultimate revelation of what the entire Biblical narrative has been building towards. It reveals the end goal and purpose behind every story, every prophecy, and every event.

Revelation 22:17 says, “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” To what are people being invited to come? Let’s move backward into the last chapter a little bit to see where the invitation is coming from.

Revelation 22:1 says, “And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.”

What is this place called? This is heaven. This is the dwelling of God. And why is there a throne and servants in heaven? Because this is the kingdom of God. Where do you find God dwelling? In His kingdom on His throne. Where are His servant? In His kingdom before His throne.

Revelation 11:15 declares at the final and last trump of God’s judgment against evil, “And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.”

I use one word to state the Bible story clearly: Kingdom. The one phrase that sums up the Bible story is the kingdom of God. The one unifying statement that explains the message of Jesus is that Jesus is God’s plan to bring souls into His kingdom.

The Simple Story Of The Bible

Here is the simple story of the Bible. In the beginning, God created His kingdom. The Bible refers to it as the first heaven and earth. He placed man in it. God ruled, man served and was blessed. God was the benefactor, and man was the beneficiary.

In Genesis 2, we read about the garden in a land called Eden, we refer to this place as the garden of Eden. This was a special place in the kingdom of God. It was a beautiful place. Every need of man was provided for.

In the garden, there was the tree of life. The tree of life was in the kingdom of God at the beginning. It is in the kingdom of God in the end.
The story of the Bible is about how God created His kingdom for humanity, how humanity rejects God as their king and suffers the consequences, and how God is wooing humanity back to His kingdom.

Jesus is the hero of the story. He makes it possible for humanity to be brought back into the kingdom of God. Satan is the evil villain who opposes Christ and all that is of Christ. Humanity is the poor creature distressed by the choice of accepting the invitation of Jesus Christ to enter His kingdom or to follow the rebellion of Satan in opposition to Jesus. The choice is very simple, heaven or hell, the kingdom of God or the kingdom of Satan, eternal life or eternal death, everlasting blessings or everlasting condemnation. Some people struggle with this choice like it is a matter of life and death. Well, it is. It is a matter of eternal life or eternal death. It is the most important choice anyone will ever make. But, though it may be the most important choice, it is the simplest choice to make: eternal blessings or eternal condemnation.

Consider a couple illustrations that show how obvious and simple the choice is. If your arm was strapped down on a table, and you were given the choice to keep your arm or have it cut off, which choice would you make? If you were tied to a torture rack and given the choice to be stretched until your limbs were pulled off or to be set free, which choice would you make? When given the choice to be blessed forever or to be condemned forever, which choice would you make?

These examples show how simple the choice is and, in addition, reveal the real struggle of the choice between heaven and hell. The reason choosing to save your arm or to be set free from the rack is easier to make is because people believe that is a real choice. The struggle people have with choosing heaven or hell is they do not believe that hell is for real. There is doubt. The struggle and conflict people go through is choosing to believe what God says or not. If they believed hell was real, the choice would be easy. It is unbelief that holds people back from choosing Christ, rather hell.

The reason for the stories in the Bible is to give real life testimonies of how God works in our lives. The reason our personal testimonies are important today is because a good testimony gives relevance, realness, and assurance to the skeptics who are uncertain about believing in God and in His message. As believers, our role is to convince people that God is real, and His way works. But to have a believable testimony, you must be a believer. You must believe that the choice between God’s way or another way is truly believing God’s way is the right way. Is your testimony believable?

Do you believe the simple story of Jesus and the kingdom of God in the Bible? If you grasp and remember the simple story about the kingdom of God, you will grasp the message of every story in the Biblical. All stories are about the kingdom of God. The story is all about what God does to win souls into His kingdom. It is that simple, and it is no more complex than this.

In 2 Corinthians 11:3, Paul wrote, “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.” The simplicity that is in Christ is the simple message of trusting Him to save us from condemnation and save us into His kingdom forever.

One Simple Story In Many Stories

The Bible tells of many things and explains in detail many things. There is great complexity in the world. And the real-life stories in the Bible have complexity and variation. But all the complexity in the real world is simplified in the story of the kingdom of God. There is one simple story in many stories recorded in the Bible.

Creation is about the kingdom of God. God created His kingdom and saw that it was good, and He created it all in six days. It is a good kingdom filled with hope, love, peace, and blessings.

Satan’s fall is about the kingdom of God. Satan was created perfect and was the most beautiful creature in the kingdom of God. But due to the sin of pride, he lost his status and residence in the kingdom of God. Now he rules his own kingdom and is challenging God’s kingdom.

The creation and blessings of Adam and Eve is about the kingdom of God. God created all things for them their descendants. God placed them in His kingdom in a special garden called the garden of Eden where every need was provided for. But, like Satan, Adam and Eve did not believe God’s way was the best way, so they chose their own way, and lost their blessings in the kingdom of heaven.

The rest of the Bible story is about how God is wooing man back into His kingdom asking only that we believe His way is the right way, the best way, and the only way—to be restored into the kingdom of heaven.

For example, the story of Cain and Abel is about the kingdom of God. Abel gave an offering as instructed by God and was accepted. Cain gave an offering his own way and was rejected. Abel believed God’s way was the right way. Cain did not believe it.

Enoch’s relationship with God is about the kingdom of God. Enoch walked with God. He believed God’s way and was accepted into God’s kingdom.
Noah’s ark and the flood is about the kingdom of God. After two thousand years since creation, humanity rejected God’s way and decided to do things their own way. God judged them but saved eight souls who believed His way was the right way.

The call of Abraham is about the kingdom of God. Abraham believed God’s way was the right way, and God blessed him with a special promise by grace for all families on earth who would believe like Abraham did. Everyone who would follow the example of Abraham and believe God’s way is the right way inherits the kingdom of God. Romans 4:21–24 say, “And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead.”

The call of Isaac is about the kingdom of God. He was the only begotten son of Abraham, who believed God would provide a sacrifice. Isaac assumed the role of Jesus being sacrificed by His Father. He believed God’s way and was accepted into God’s kingdom.

The call of Jacob is about the kingdom of God. The inheritance from Abraham and Isaac was by promise, not by works. Romans 9:11 explains, “For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth.” In other words, Jacob was selected by promise of grace without works because he believed God’s way, God’s inheritance, was the right way and the best way.

The call of the nation of Israel is about the kingdom of God. Israel was called by the grace of God to be His chosen people. But to be chosen requires being right with God. As Paul wrote in Romans 9:6, “For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel.” Only those who believe God’s way of grace is the only way are saved. Only Jews who believe God’s way are considered true Israel. And Israel is a standing testimony in the world today of salvation by grace, not of works. God preserves them as a nation, not because of their works, but solely based on His promise. He is merciful and righteous.

The Levitical laws are about the kingdom of God. The laws serve two purposes. First, they provide the standards for holy living and worship in God’s kingdom. Revelation 21:27 says, “And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” Second, they were given to prove that no one is capable of keeping the laws of God. To get into the kingdom of heaven we must rely on the promise of mercy and grace from God. Those who believe God’s way will be accepted into God’s kingdom.

Biblical stories in Israel’s history, such as Samson setting fire to the fields of the Philistines, is about the kingdom of God. These historical events reveal the illustrate the battle raging between Satan’s kingdom and God’s. God’s way will always prevail, and those who believe God’s way will be accepted into God’s kingdom.

The rule of Israel by the judges and kings is about the kingdom of God. It exemplifies the need for righteous leadership and the need to listen to God’s message. Those who believe God’s way will be accepted into God’s kingdom.

The story of transition from Saul’s kingdom to David is about the kingdom of God. It shows that the endurance of God’s kingdom does not rely on works but on the promise of God. Those who believe God’s way will enjoy the promise of God’s kingdom.

The messages of the prophets are about the kingdom of God. They called the people to align with God’s way and His plan for His kingdom. The same message of repent or be judged is repeated in all seventeen prophetic books in different ways with different events and illustrations by different prophets. The same message is that those who believe God’s way will be accepted into God’s kingdom.

The message of the Old Testament is about the kingdom of God. It lays the foundation for understanding God’s kingdom through His covenants, laws, and promises. It is a message that a covenant of law and works is doomed to fail. It is a message of how not to enter the kingdom of God.

The message of the New Testament is also about the kingdom of God. It focuses on how to enter God’s kingdom through Jesus. It is a covenant of promise, mercy, and grace with forgiveness for those who believe God’s way is the right and the only way into His kingdom.

The message of the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Bible written by Moses and covers the history of time from creation to Israel’s deliverance from Egypt, is about the kingdom of God. It provides the earliest insights into God’s plan for His kingdom through creation and His covenant with Abraham and Israel. In creation, we get a glimpse of what God’s kingdom is like. In His covenant with Abraham and Israel, we see God’s plan to restore humanity into His kingdom.

The message of the historical books is about the kingdom of God. These books detail the struggle between the kingdom of God’s people and the kingdom of their enemies. And we learn, we are our own worst enemy. When we stray from God’s way, we are captured into Satan’s way. In the end, God must always deliver and save us, as He did with Israel when they cried out for His help.

The message of the Gospels is about the kingdom of God. The summary of what Jesus did and said is found in Matthew 4:16–17, saying, “The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up. From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

The message of the Pauline letters is about the kingdom of God. They expound on the need for and the application God’s grace and righteousness to gain entrance into His kingdom. They also describe how the citizens of God’s kingdom live.

The message of the pastoral epistles is about the kingdom of God. They also provide guidance for living as citizens in God’s kingdom.
And last, but not least, the message of the Revelation is about the kingdom of God. It offers prophetic insights into the glorious triumph of God’s kingdom over all other kingdoms. As I read earlier, Revelation 11:15 declares, “And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.”

Do You Believe God’s Story?

The Bible is the story of God’s rescue plan to deliver those taken captive and held in bondage in Satan’s kingdom. It is a story of how He alone delivers souls and conquers all other kingdoms. It is a story of one way to be saved, God’s way, expressed in many ways.
This is the way it is, and the way it must be. It is God’s kingdom, His victory, and His plan, so it should be no surprise He knows the right way to make things right.

Believe And Remember The Bible Stories

Here are three takeaway points from this lesson:
First, believe this simple message of God’s way to enter His kingdom. It is God’s way. You have God’s Word on it.

Second, read the Bible with the big picture in mind. The selection of stories told in the Bible will make more sense, you will remember them better, and you will gain deeper insight into His message.

Third, share the simple message of the Bible with others. Show them how the stories in the Bible are all about Jesus’ rescue plan to win us into His kingdom.