Have You Been Living Out the Wrong Story?
In a recent message, pastor Kyle Davies dived into the church value of “story over sin.” He unpacked how embracing God’s full story shapes our identity and frees us to live beyond broken narratives.
Davies began by explaining that our actions flow from what we value. Our church values like “story over sin” stem from the biblical mission to make disciples who make disciples. They help us tangibly live out the gospel day-to-day.
To illustrate the power of stories, Davies told a personal story from college. Though pursuing ministry studies, he clung to old habits like gaming the system and valuing grades over learning. Assigned to interview students for a project, he fabricated the interviews rather than connect with real people.
When caught lying, Davies had a chance to confess but instead doubled down creating fake emails as “proof.” He worked tirelessly to uphold his false narrative of figuring out people’s expectations and beating the system.
This story revealed his deeper beliefs – that grades defined his worth, and he had to succeed alone. Though desiring change, Davies clung to old stories about his identity that prevented transformation. We often believe lies that hinder growth.
In contrast, Davies described his involvement in a small group Bible study while these events unfolded. Studying 1 John, he was struck by verses on walking in light rather than darkness, being cleansed from sin, and confessing our need for God.
Finally, Davies confessed to his professor and failed the assignment. Yet it was the healthiest F he ever received. He traded his false narrative for God’s true story – one where honesty and community matter more than achievements, and grace abounds for failures.
This story shift launched Davies’ growth. He highlighted that if anyone is in Christ, they become a new creation. The old passes away. Sin’s crushing weight is lifted. We’re free to live beyond the chains of former narratives into a new identity defined by Christ.
Davies stressed first being reconciled to God’s story through trusting in Christ. Next, we must live out this reconciled story in every area of life. As Christ’s character shapes our priorities, sin loses its grip.
This involves exploring the roots of our perspectives and habits, allowing Jesus to heal and cleanse us at the core. We can’t guilt or shame ourselves into change. Healing happens through receiving Christ’s unconditional love right where we’re at.
As we live God’s empowering story, we become ambassadors of reconciliation in our contexts. The Christian life isn’t just personal conversion, but missional transformation. Our families, neighborhoods, and cities need witnesses of light in darkness.
Ultimately, Davies cast vision for a church community so rooted in the truth of God’s story that we build deep relationships with those still imprisoned by false narratives. We take time to listen, wait patiently for walls to come down, and point gently to redemption found in Christ alone.
In a world of competing identities, we must stake our lives on the one story that sets captives free into new life. As we choose “story over sin,” we embrace the only narrative big enough to shape the past, present, and future. May God’s redemptive story transform us into ambassadors of reconciliation equipped to set others free.