We’re back with Ernie & Andy WITHOUT Dr. Grant for one more episode. In this talk we discuss this past summer’s trip to Scotland, which was part of the Gospel Story project.
This was a trip that Ernie headed, Dr. Grant helped host, and about 20 others (film crews, travelers) attended. We’ll talk about WHY the Gospel story matters, how history- and God’s interaction with us in real time and space- enhances life now… and how to StandFast in a world of constant change.
Here’s why story matters…
A person’s story of redemption often carries the same power as the original event that created the story- each time the story is retold. Rabbis in Jesus’ day taught that stories were powerful. Particularly stories of God’s power and provision.
That’s why you find repeated encouragements throughout the Scripture for parents to repeat the stories of God’s work in their lives to them (see Exodus 12:26, Deuteronomy 6:20, Joshua 4:21).
In telling the story, they weren’t just imparting information, they were delivering inspiration and empowerment! You see, rabbis believed a person’s story of redemption carries the same power as the original event that created the story- each time the story is retold.
Did you catch that?
When God does something amazing, His power is obviously present. But it doesn’t end there. When we declare what He just did, the same power is unleashed anew and is available to everyone who hears the story!
For instance…
- When a woman who has been set free of an addiction recounts her story of the Spirit’s deliverance, the same power that delivered her is present to impart the same freedom to others.
- When we recount the story of a man who was emotionally fractured and depleted but has become whole, the same power for wholeness is available.
- When we relay the story of a miracle, of how someone’s body was broken and battered but is now healthy and alive… the same power for Jesus’ healing touch abounds.
… hearing the personal description of how God moved on their behalf encouraged you that He might do the exact same thing for you.
You’ve probably experienced this as you’ve heard people share their story in church, during a small group, or even listened to someone talk on the radio or TV. Somehow, hearing the personal description of how God moved on their behalf encouraged you that He might do the exact same thing for you.
In that instant, you saw a glimpse of someone’s redemption or restoration and thought, “Yes! Me, too! I’ll receive that!”
In this episode, we discuss how Ernie is working on a multi-year project to re-tell the story of the Gospel as it’s been played-out since Acts 28 through our current day.
Links mentioned in this talk-
Website- www.GeorgeGrant.net
The StandFast Community- https://georgegrant.net/community