BEST NEWS
Susan Murray
Today’s Scripture: “And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” Romans10:15, ESV
Theme: Stretch yourself to go and share your own Good News about Jesus!
NEWS
We get our news from many sources: newspapers, magazines, social media, and of course, television. We are inundated with so-called “news,” which most of the time is actual someone’s interpretation of current events rather than the facts. The true definition of news is just the telling and retelling of events that have already occurred.
At some point, news is either considered “bad news” or “good news.” Hearing of a loved one's death is bad news, while the birth of a new baby is good news. Whether the news is good or bad depends on your point of view. If your political guy is voted in, it is good news for you and your agenda and bad news for the other party. That is where opinions and bias come into play, yet opinion is not news. It’s how you feel about the news, not the news itself.
GOSPEL
The word “Gospel” means “good news.” This Gospel was first proclaimed by angels to the shepherds in Luke, chapter two. The Israelite nation had been waiting for the promised Savior for a long time. The entire Old Testament towards the coming Messiah and Jesus Christ’s birth was good news to the shepherds and to us.
The impact of such good news was that the shepherds immediately left the sheep and went to worship Jesus. When you have waited and hoped for something for a long time, and then it becomes a reality, you just have to celebrate! Celebration is what worship is all about.
Don't we typically share our good news with others? We get excited and can’t wait to tell loved ones about a new pregnancy, new job, new fiancée, etc. We share in that celebration. Of course, if you miscarry, lose a job, or lose a loved one, we do not celebrate, yet we still want to share this news. We receive comfort in sharing.
WHAT MAKES THE GOSPEL GOOD?
The good news is good because it is so different from the bad news. Adam and Eve sinned by rebelling against God. That resulted in them being cursed, separated from God, and thrown out of the garden of Eden. That separation brought pain and suffering. God still loved Adam and Eve, so He promised that from her offspring a Savior would come. The wait was long. We can read throughout the Bible about humanity with its troubles, and God’s repeated promise to restore by sending a Savior.
This sin condition and consequences were passed down to us. Because of sin and separation, we are under that same curse, resulting in eternal judgment. But because of God’s love, Jesus came and took that judgment for us in our place. That is why it is called good news. The Gospel is not good advice for how to live a more successful life. It is the news that Jesus came and lived a perfect life, meeting God’s standard for righteousness. He took our judgment on Himself. Then He rose from the grave, overcoming death forever. It is news of something that has already happened, and faith is believing that all of this to be factual truth and that Jesus has the power to save.
RETELLING
When you hear and believe what Jesus did for you, it creates the desire to go tell others. One of the best examples of retelling the Good News of Jesus is the story of the woman at the well in John, Chapter Four. Jesus was so tender and caring. He told her of what He had come to offer her—Living Water, even though He knew all the sinful ways she had lived. She was amazed and, though an outcast in her community due to her sinful lifestyle, she ran to tell others. She was changed.
Likewise, you and I are called to share the Gospel, the Good News of what Jesus has already done. He has saved you from God’s coming judgment. He has freed you from a guilty conscience. He has given you a new life.
Make It Personal: We are so hesitant to share. Why? Fear of not knowing what to say exactly; not being able to answer people’s questions; being mocked/persecution; thinking our story is not dramatic or good enough; or ongoing sin we struggle with. Sometimes we don’t share because we have forgotten how good the Good News is. Maybe we have been thinking that we must live up to the Gospel. Instead, we need to remember that the Gospel is Good News that has already happened. We just need to remember that.
God doesn’t leave us to do this on our own. He promised the disciples (and us) that He will be with us always as we go out to invite others to believe. In John 14:26, Jesus told his disciples: “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you” (NIV). Your job is to remember Jesus and what He has done for you. He will show you the way to share. Remember too that it’s up to God to save people; NOT you. You’re just called to go and tell.
Pray: Father, I acknowledge that I am a sinner, saved from Your just judgment only by grace through Jesus’ final and full sacrifice. You raised Him from the dead, giving me new life. Help me to remember Your grace and more deeply grasp Your love until my heart worships and is filled with awe. I ask that wonder of all You have done from me propels me to share the beauty of Jesus with those You put in my path. I know that it is up to You to save people. Give me wise and winsome words. Help me not to put a stumbling block in front of them. Take away my fears. I love you more than my reputation. In Jesus’ Name. Amen
Read: Matthew 28:20, 9:37-38; Isaiah 45:2; 1 Peter 3:15; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Ephesians 2:10
Weekly Memory Verse:
“I have stored up your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119:11, ESV