What is the meaning of life?
What is your purpose on earth?
To make the most of your short time on this planet, you need to know the master plot of the story God is writing. Check out this overview of the work of Bible teacher Fran Sciacca.
“Most middle-class Americans tend to worship their work, work at their play, and to play at their worship. As a result, their meanings and values are distorted. Their relationships disintegrate faster than they can keep them in repair, and their lifestyles resemble a cast of characters in search of a plot.”
Gordon Dahl, in Have we Lost the Plot, by Fran Sciacca, p. 58
Fran challenges us to grow out of our 2D theology (“I’m saved! We’re saved!”) to embrace the 3D glory of the gospel. In short, we are not just saved from our sins, we are saved for a purpose right now. And that purpose centers on the peace-bringing work of King Jesus.
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
Luke 2:14
This Advent season (2023) we are zooming out to look at the whole story of God in Scripture. We will learn, as Fran presents so well in his book and podcast, that shalom is God’s agenda. The story begins with perfect peace and harmony in the garden and it ends with shalom totally restored in a reunited heaven and earth.
“Making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.”
Ephesians 1:9-10
Did you catch that? The eternal plan of God is to “unite all things” in Christ. That’s what Revelation 19-22 presents in vivid detail as the Bride of Christ descends in glory as the Holy City of Jerusalem and is united with the renewed earth as the final temple where God will dwell with His people forever.
How is God uniting all things in Christ right now?
“He raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.”
Ephesians 1:20-23
Jesus is seeking to fill this dark and broken world with His own light and glory through the church!
“To preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Ephesians 3:8-11
God’s eternal purpose was realized in Christ and is being accomplished, day by day, through everyday Christians like you and me – and through local churches just like Oakwood, joining Jesus to restore shalom one person at a time.
Your daily work is part of this calling, whether you are a plumber, a mechanic, a nurse, a teacher, a financial advisor or a stay at home mom. Everything you fix, every person you help, every way that you serve should be an opportunity to bring a little of God’s shalom to a place of pain and brokenness. If you need some ongoing encouragement to connect your day job with God’s purpose, be sure to check out Jordan Raynor’s podcast and writings.
Jordan will kick off our new series on 11/19/23 with an overview of the Bible and the prominent theme of work as partnering with Jesus to exercise dominion in the world. This was God’s original plan for Adam and Eve before the fall and is His plan for us for eternity – that we will reign with Him forever (Rev. 22:5). Our work is seriously effected by the curse of sin but is not in itself a curse. In fact, it is part of how God has been pushing back against the results of sin since corruption and death entered the one story.
How can you bring some shalom to someone today? How can you push back against the darkness and decay of this world through your work and ministry?