In "Looking at the Big Picture" we look at what life is all about according to the Bible by looking at Jesus, the gospel, the church and the mission of the church. This teaching is the introduction to the gospel series "Growing Deep in the Gospel".

1. Looking at the Big Picture
Why is Knowing the Big Picture Important for Us?
Knowing the Big Picture helps us to answer the question, “What does God say life is all about?”
It also Helps Us to Answer Some of Life’s Big Questions
1. Why did God create me?
2. What is the purpose of life?
3. What is God’s will for me?
4. How do I decide what is important in life?
Not knowing the Big Picture can leave us confused and disoriented a lot of times due to the
busyness of life, the information overload we experience, and the crazy chaotic world we live in.
The Big Picture helps us to see what is truly important so that we can make the wisest and best
choices in all areas of our lives.
Some Dangers to Consider
But before we look at the big picture there are some dangers you need to be aware of that can
keep you from focusing your life as God wants you to.
Frog in the Boiling Pot Syndrome
Frog thrown into a boiling pot will try to get out but if they are put in a pot with cold water and have
the temperature slowly increased they will not notice and will boil to death.
There are influences that have the same affect on us spiritually from the times and cultures we live
in.
Dangerous Influences
1. Materialism
2. Individualism
3. Relativism
4. Pragmatism
5. Consumerism
These influences result in making us very worldly and self-centered in orientation and thinking.
Being focused in this way results in us only being interested in is our story and wanting God to
become part of our story and make it better. But that is not what God intended!
Romans 11:36 (NLT)
For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to
him forever! Amen.
Mark 8:35 (NIV)
For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the
gospel will save it.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV)
…You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
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2. 2 Corinthians 5:15 (NIV)
And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died
for them and was raised again.
Galatians 2:20 (NIV)
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in
the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Paul Tripp
“We were created to live for something, someone bigger than ourselves. We were designed to live
with, for, and through the Lord. God is meant to be the motivation and hope of everything we do.
His pleasure, his honor, and his will are the things for which we are meant to live. But the
foolishness of sin really does cause us to reduce our lives to the size and shape of our lives.”
The Big Picture
Jesus
  
  
Gospel  Church  Mission
Instead of being created to have our own story God created us for Himself and to be a part of His
story but we turned away from Him to be our own gods and that is how everything got so messed
up.
As we see it’s not about us, it’s about Jesus! Even Jesus said this!
John 5:39 (NLT)
“You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to
me!
Luke 24:25-27 (NLT)
Then Jesus said to them, “You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets
wrote in the Scriptures. Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these
things before entering his glory?” Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the
prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
How we come to know Jesus
The Bible

The Gospel

Jesus
Hebrews 1:2-3 (NIV)
but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and
through whom he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact
representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word…
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3. Matthew 25:31-33, 46 (NLT)
“But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his
glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as
a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep at his right hand and the
goats at his left… “And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into
eternal life.”
Philippians 2:9-11 (NIV)
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
It’s About Jesus!!! Trinity Symbol
1. Jesus created the universe
2. Jesus sustains all things
3. Jesus will inherit all things Jesus
4. Jesus will judge everyone   
5. Jesus will be King over all   
Gospel  Church  Mission
Remember this! Whenever you see Jesus know that the Father and the Holy Spirit are
involved as well. They are the Trinity and are always in unity and harmony.
The Trinity and the Gospel
1. The Father established the eternal plan of salvation and sent His Son.
2. Jesus fulfilled the plan and accomplished redemption for man.
3. The Spirit applies the benefits of Christ’s atonement to believers.
Importance of the Gospel
Luke 4:43 (NLT)
But he replied, “I must preach the Good News of the Kingdom of God in other towns, too, because
that is why I was sent.”
Romans 1:16 (NIV)
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who
believes…
Definition of the Gospel
The gospel is the good news of what God has done through His Son Jesus Christ to restore His
reign and rule over all creation and bring reconciliation to all those who repent and place their trust
in Jesus.
Aspects of the Gospel
1. Understanding/Believing the gospel
2. Living the gospel
3. Proclaiming the gospel
4. Defending the gospel
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4. Understanding the Gospel
1. Growing in knowledge and understanding of the gospel.
2. Able to write out the gospel.
3. Able to clearly explain the gospel to others.
You never leave the gospel to go onto other things. You only go deeper into it.
Living the Gospel
1. Preach the gospel to yourself daily.
2. Live based on the truths of who you are in Christ.
3. Live a cruciform life.
4. Live a life of repentance and faith.
Proclaiming the Gospel
1. Holy Spirit – need for prayer
2. Gospel – know it well
3. Testimony – your story & life
Defending the Gospel (Questions you should be able to answer)
1. Why believe in God?
2. Why believe that the Bible is the Word of God?
3. Why does God allow evil and suffering?
4. Why does God send people to hell?
Importance of the Church
1 Peter 2:4-5 (NIV)
As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him—you
also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual
sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 3:10-11 (NLT)
God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the
unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was his eternal plan, which he carried
out through Christ Jesus our Lord.
1 Corinthians 12:7, 27 (NLT)
7 A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other… 27 All of you together are
Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.
The Church
1. Bride of Christ
2. Body of Christ
3. Family of God
God as Trinity is our guide for our relationships with one another in the church.
The Church is a community of people who belong to God through faith in Jesus Christ.
The church is a community of imperfect people clinging to a perfect Christ who are being perfected
by grace. -- Jonathan Dodson
The Church is God’s people saved by God’s power for God’s purposes. -- Soma Communities
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5. The purpose of the church is to serve as an outpost of Jesus’ kingdom that makes the invisible
kingdom visible by the grace of God and power of the Holy Spirit. -- Mark Driscoll
The church is a light, a city on a hill before a watching world. It is like a model home in a new
subdivision. The church shows what it looks like to live in the Kingdom of God under Jesus.
Goal  Mission  Purpose
Glorify God and Jesus
  
  
Proclaiming  Discipling  Love
  
  
Kingdom of God
The Foundation and Goal
Mark 1:14-15 (NIV)
After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The
time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good
news!”
Matthew 6:10, 33 (NIV)
10 your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven… 33 But seek first his
kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Ephesians 1:20-22 (NIV)
…which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in
the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can
be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under
his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church,
Summary of Our Goal
Our goal is to bring the reign and rule of God over all aspects of His creation.
The Mission
Matthew 28:18-20 (NLT)
Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.
Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and
the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.
And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Mark 16:15 (NKJ)
And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.
Acts 1:8 (NLT) (see Luke 24:48-49)
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses,
telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends
of the earth.”
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6. John 20:21 (NIV)
Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”
Matthew 22:36-40 (NLT) The Great Commandment
“Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?” Jesus replied, “‘You
must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first
and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The
entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”
Summary of our Mission
Like Jesus we are to go out in the power of the Holy Spirit and proclaim the gospel and make
disciples who love God and people of all those who respond to the gospel.
Our Ultimate Purpose
Ephesians 3:21 (NLT)
Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.
2 Corinthians 4:15 (NLT)
... as God’s grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will
receive more and more glory.
Summary of our Purpose
The ultimate purpose of all we do is to bring God glory. When God is glorified people worship Him.
The Westminster Confession
“Chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.”
What is the glory of God?
John Piper
“The glory of God is the infinite beauty and greatness of his manifold perfections.”
Everything that comes forth from God is His glory. Example: The light, heat, radiation and
everything else that comes forth from the sun.
The ultimate expression of God’s glory is His Son dying for our sins.
God’s Will for Us
Goal - to bring the reign and rule of God over all aspects of His creation.
Mission – to share the gospel in order to make disciples of Jesus who love God and people.
Purpose – to bring glory to Jesus and the Father so they may be worshiped.
Could be summed up in the saying- To know God and to make Him known
Concluding Thoughts
Take a hold of the gospel so Jesus can take a hold of you.
Don’t just go to church, be the church.
You are called by Jesus to join Him in His mission to rescue the world.
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7. Review Questions
1. Without looking back draw out the diagram of the Big Picture and explain the connections
between those things in the diagram?
2. Why should your life be focused on Jesus instead of yourself?
3. Can you explain what the Gospel, the Church and the Mission are?
4. What were the main things that stood out for you in this teaching of the Big Picture and
why?
5. If time, go through the handout together and share your observations and thoughts on each
part of it.
To Learn More
1. Memorize the following Bible verses over the next month (one per week):
a. 2 Corinthians 5:15
b. Galatians 2:20
c. Romans 12:1-2
d. Philippians 2:1-4
2. Write out some specific examples of how knowing the Big Picture can help you make good
choices in important areas of your life.
3. Be able to explain what the gospel is to someone else.
4. Review these notes over the next month and write down what God is teaching you.
5. Discuss items 1-4 with someone or in a small group.
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