The Gospel in Pop Culture – THE HAPPY ENDING

Bad Ways to Witness
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The Gospel is the perfect representation of any story ending, “happily ever after.”  Every believer that is empowered by the glorious life, death, and resurrection of Christ is without a reason for despair. No matter what our story, we know it’s a happy ending.  This frees the Christian to be joyful, peaceful, loving, patient, and forgiving not mater the current life circumstances. 

To understand the magnitude of the gospel lets think about how tragic stories illustrate the opposite.  

What thoughts and feelings surface
when you think about how these tragic stories end?

The Happy Ending

Tragedy reveals our deep need for a happy ending.  Happy endings bring closure to a world that is in chaos. Without closure an individual’s mental and emotional health are schizophrenic.  No matter how much anyone tries to find closure outside the redemption of Christ they’ll always create more chaos.  The Happy Ending found in the Gospel brings peace in the midst of the storm. 

Through The Storm
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The Gospel Ending

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”  Revelation 21:1-8 ESV

THE GOSPEL’S HAPPY ENDING

Scripture is clear about what we have to look forward to.  Reading through Revelation 21 points out three outcomes that are associated with our happy ending: all things will be new, our ending is free of tragedy, and justice will prevail.

IS NEW

Have you ever wanted to press the refresh button for your life?  Jesus will make all things new (Rev. 21:5).  How does that truth effect your thinking today?

IS FREE OF TRAGEDY

Has tragedy ever robbed you of your joy?  Jesus will wipe away all your tears (Rev. 21:4). How does this change the way you deal with tragedy?

IS WHEN JUSTICE PREVAILS

Have you ever been filled with anger and disgust over the injustice in the world? Jesus will judge them according to their sin.  How does knowing that Jesus will bring justice to the world release you from the anger and disgust that is associated with injustice?   

How does knowing your ending change you?