The Ink of “The Story” (Pastor Robbie Lawson)

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus is the Author and Finisher of Our Faith

From before the foundation of the world, Jesus was already the central figure in God's redemptive story, and every page of Scripture points to Him as the beginning and the end, the Alpha and Omega. Our lives are not about our own stories or achievements, but about being part of the greater narrative that God is writing through Christ. When we surrender to Him, we become the ink through which His story continues to be told, and our purpose is found in reflecting His image and message to the world. [07:40]

Hebrews 12:2 (ESV)
"Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."

Reflection: In what area of your life are you still trying to write your own story instead of letting Jesus be the author? What would it look like to surrender that area to Him today?

Day 2: The Redemptive Story Is Written Through Surrendered Lives

God’s story is told through those who yield their lives to Him, not seeking their own glory but allowing themselves to be the ink in His inkwell, no matter their past or status. From Abel to Rahab, from Moses to the unnamed faithful, God uses surrendered souls—often the overlooked or broken—to advance His redemptive plan, showing that it is not about our qualifications but our willingness to be used. The ink does not choose the page, the chapter, or the length of its story; it simply yields to the hand of the Author. [13:09]

Romans 12:1 (ESV)
"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship."

Reflection: Who in your life needs to see the story of Jesus through your surrendered actions this week, and how can you intentionally show them His love?

Day 3: The Story Is About Jesus, Not Us

Every part of Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation, centers on Jesus—the Redeemer, the promised King, the fulfillment of every hope. Our temptation is to make the story about ourselves, our nation, or our church, but the true narrative is always about Christ and His redemptive work. When we try to co-author or take the pen from God, we lose sight of the purpose and power of the story; only by making less of ourselves and more of Jesus do we find our true place in His narrative. [09:26]

John 1:1-3 (ESV)
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made."

Reflection: What is one way you can intentionally shift the focus from yourself to Jesus in your conversations or actions today?

Day 4: God Uses the Weak and Overlooked to Tell His Story

Throughout history, God has chosen the unlikely, the broken, and the forgotten—like Leah, Rahab, Gideon, Ruth, and the Samaritan woman—to be vital parts of His redemptive story. He delights in using what the world considers foolish or insignificant to display His wisdom and power, reminding us that no one is too far gone or too unworthy to be used by Him. Our past does not disqualify us; rather, God can use every part of our story for His glory when we surrender it to Him. [29:39]

1 Corinthians 1:27-29 (ESV)
"But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God."

Reflection: What part of your past or present do you feel disqualifies you from being used by God, and how can you offer it to Him as part of His redemptive story?

Day 5: Surrender Is a Daily, Humble Choice

Being the ink in God’s inkwell is not a one-time decision but a daily act of humility and surrender, regardless of our circumstances, age, or struggles. Whether facing trials, illness, or the temptation to hide our brokenness, God calls us to render our lives to Him, trusting that He will use every moment for His glory. The story is not over, and as long as we have breath, we are invited to let God write His story through us, not for a better version of ourselves, but for the sake of Christ and His kingdom. [32:24]

Luke 9:23 (ESV)
"And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.'"

Reflection: What is one practical way you can humble yourself before God today and invite Him to use your life—right where you are—for His story?

Sermon Summary

From the very beginning, before time itself, God had a story in His heart—a story of redemption centered on Jesus Christ. Every page of Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation, is written with this purpose: to reveal the coming, the sacrifice, and the return of the King. But God, the Author, chooses to write this story not with ink made by human hands, but with the surrendered lives of His people. Each of us is invited to become the “ink” in His inkwell, allowing Him to write His redemptive story through us.

It’s not about the pen, the parchment, or even the instrument, but about the ink—the souls who yield themselves to God’s purpose. Throughout history, God has used the unlikely, the broken, the overlooked, and the humble to tell His story. Abel, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Moses, Rahab, Ruth, David, and countless unnamed others—none were perfect, but all were willing to let their lives be used for something greater than themselves. Even when they faltered or tried to write their own stories, God’s redemptive ink never ran dry. He continued to seek those who would surrender, who would stop fighting against His will and let the floodwaters of His grace carry them.

The story is not about us, our achievements, or our comfort. It’s about Jesus—His life, His sacrifice, and His victory. We don’t get to choose the chapter, the sentence, or the length of our part in the story. Our role is to yield, to let go of pride, self-preservation, and the desire for recognition, and to let God use us however He chooses. Whether our names are known or forgotten, what matters is that the Author’s story is told.

Even now, the story is still being written. The ink of redemption is still flowing, and the invitation remains: will you surrender your life to be used by God? Will you let Him write His story through your joys, your struggles, your past, and your present? The final page has not been turned. Today is the day to humble yourself, to step into the inkwell, and to let your life be part of the everlasting story of Christ.

Key Takeaways

1. Surrendered lives are God’s redemptive ink God’s story is written through those who yield their lives to Him, not those who seek their own glory. True surrender means letting go of control and allowing God to use every part of our story—our strengths, weaknesses, and even our failures—to point to Jesus. The value of our lives is not in what we accomplish for ourselves, but in how we allow God to use us for His greater purpose. [03:07]
2. The story is always about Jesus, not us From the first page to the last, the central theme is Christ—His coming, His sacrifice, and His return. Our lives are not the main event; we are vessels through which the Author reveals His Son. When we try to make the story about ourselves, we lose sight of our true calling and miss the joy of being part of something eternal. [07:21]
3. God uses the unlikely and the overlooked Throughout Scripture, God chooses the humble, the broken, and the forgotten to carry His story forward. It’s not about our qualifications or our past, but about our willingness to be used. Even when we feel insignificant or unworthy, God can weave our lives into His redemptive tapestry if we simply say yes. [26:26]
4. We must resist the urge to co-author There is a constant temptation to take control, to write our own story, or to seek recognition. But when we try to co-author with God, we hinder the flow of His redemptive ink. True faith is found in letting go, trusting the Author, and allowing Him to choose how, when, and where our lives are used for His glory. [18:33]
5. The invitation to be “ink” is for today The story is not finished, and the inkwell is not empty. Each of us has a choice: to surrender our lives now, in this moment, and let God write through us, or to hold back and miss our part in His eternal story. The time is short, and the opportunity is precious—let us yield ourselves fully to the Author today. [32:32]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - Called to a Heavenly Purpose
[02:01] - The Inkwell and the Author
[03:07] - The Ink of the Story
[04:25] - God’s Story Continues
[06:12] - Surrendered Souls as Ink
[07:21] - Jesus: The Center of the Story
[09:41] - Redemptive Ink Throughout History
[13:09] - Yielding to the Redemptive Flood
[15:11] - Abel, Sacrifice, and Favor
[17:02] - Abraham, Sarah, and Surrender
[19:15] - Moses and the Danger of Co-Authoring
[22:01] - Joshua, Caleb, and the Remnant
[26:26] - Unsung Heroes of Redemption
[28:32] - The Value of Surrendered Ink
[32:32] - The Invitation to Surrender Today
[37:20] - Responding to God’s Call

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Revelation 13:8 (ESV) — > and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain.

2. Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV)
> Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

3. Hebrews 11:32-40 (ESV)
> And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets—who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. ... And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

Observation Questions

According to Revelation 13:8, when was the Lamb (Jesus) slain in God’s plan, and what does this say about the timing of God’s redemptive story?
In Hebrews 12:2, what titles are given to Jesus, and what did He endure for the sake of the story?
The sermon mentions several people God used to tell His story—Abel, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Moses, Rahab, Ruth, David, and others. What do these people have in common, and what does this reveal about the kind of “ink” God uses? [[17:02]]
What does the preacher mean when he says, “The ink doesn’t get to tell its own story or her story if we are in his inkwell”? [[13:31]]

Interpretation Questions

What does it mean that Jesus was “slain before the foundation of the world”? How does this shape our understanding of God’s plan for redemption? [[03:21]]
The preacher says, “It’s not about the pen, the parchment, or even the instrument, but about the ink—the souls who yield themselves to God’s purpose.” Why do you think God chooses to write His story through surrendered people instead of just doing everything Himself? [[03:07]]
Why do you think God often chooses the unlikely, the broken, or the overlooked to be part of His story, as seen in Hebrews 11 and the examples from the sermon? [[26:26]]
The sermon warns against trying to “co-author” our own story with God. What are some ways people try to take control of their own story, and what are the consequences? [[18:33]]

Application Questions

The preacher says, “Either you are in the ink well or you’re not. Either God is using you to tell his story or you want a better you in this world. There’s a defining difference.” How can you tell which story you are living for right now? What would it look like to step into God’s inkwell today? [[05:15]]
Think about a time when you tried to “co-author” your own story instead of letting God write it. What happened, and what did you learn from that experience? [[18:33]]
The sermon highlights that God uses people who are willing, not perfect. Is there an area of your life where you feel too broken, insignificant, or unqualified for God to use? What would it look like to surrender that area to Him? [[26:26]]
The preacher says, “It’s not about us, our achievements, or our comfort. It’s about Jesus—His life, His sacrifice, and His victory.” Are there ways you have made your faith more about yourself than about Jesus? How can you shift your focus back to Him this week? [[07:21]]
The story is still being written, and the invitation to be “ink” is for today. What is one practical step you can take this week to yield your life more fully to God’s purpose? [[32:32]]
The sermon mentions that even our failures and struggles can be used by God if we surrender them. Is there a struggle or failure in your past or present that you need to let God use for His story? What would it look like to do that? [[29:31]]
The preacher says, “Humble yourself before a holy God and allow him to tell the story his redemptive story through your life.” What is one area of pride, self-preservation, or desire for recognition that you need to let go of? How can your group pray for you in this? [[31:23]]

Sermon Clips

When our lives are given, he chooses the page. And when our life is over, he continues on. It's about his story. It's about rendering your life to the redemptive story. [00:05:42] (19 seconds) #InTheInkWell

From there, Genesis to Revelation, the story, capital S, the Redeemer, the author, the words, the theme, from top to bottom, from beginning to end, this is not about a nation, it's not about the church, it's about Jesus, and Jesus alone, Him alone. This story is about Him, from start to finish. [00:07:02] (25 seconds) #JesusTheAuthor

The story of redemption didn't end with the Word when He became flesh because He poured out His Spirit upon us so we could finish telling the story. This is the Great Commission, guys. This is the Great Commission. That ink well will never run dry until the King of kings and the Lord of lords splits those eastern skies and He fulfills the end of the story and we have our everlasting happy ending. Amen? [00:11:20] (27 seconds) #SpiritFueledStory

The ink doesn't choose the past. The ink doesn't choose the age. The ink doesn't choose the book. It doesn't choose the chapter, the time that God created you to live in. None of that. You don't get to even choose the word or words or sentence or paragraph that he wants to write you in. [00:16:37] (19 seconds) #NoCoAuthorNeeded

God doesn't need our help. He doesn't need our co-authorship. He doesn't need us to take the pen. He doesn't need us to choose the paper. He needs us to surrender our lives to be the ink in the ink well. And ever how he chooses to use a 90-year-old woman and a 100-year-old man for the seed of promise and the nation to rise out of, so let it be. And I look around here, let it be with you. Settle in. [00:18:49] (26 seconds) #RemnantOfFaith

The very first place to start, humble yourself before a holy and risen God and surrender your life to the story, not a better you, not a better circumstance of life, but surrender your life so he can tell his story. [00:38:47] (21 seconds)

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