What is the Good News?
Jesus lived a perfect sinless life, suffered our penalty, and died for our sins. He was buried and rose again with all power.
Why does this matter?
Sin separated us from God, but the Good News (commonly called The Gospel) brings reconciliation to God.
1. The Problem: Our Need for a Savior
- God has always intended to be in close fellowship with us. We can see this in Genesis 2 and 3 with the naming of the animals and God walking in the garden in search of Adam and Eve. Mankind’s fall prevents this by disobeying God’s instruction of not eating the fruit from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.
- This fruit allowed for sin to enter the heart of man. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:23
- As a result of sin, we were destined for death. Instead, God gave us the free gift of salvation. We are absolved of our sin because of what Jesus did on the cross and we are instead gifted eternal life. “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23
2. The Solution: Jesus Christ
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him.” John 3:16-17
- This verse explains it all.
Jesus lived a perfect sinless life, He died for our sins, was buried, and resurrected three days later with all power. Including the power of salvation, which He gladly gives to whoever believes in what He did for them.
As a result of what He did, He has victory over sin and death. This shows how much he loves us because Romans 5:8 says, “God shows his love for us in that while we were sinners, Christ died for us.”
3. How to Receive the Good News
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
- Salvation is a free gift.
“And Peter said to them, ‘Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38
- Jesus calls us to repent of our sins.
- The word repent simply means “to turn”. If you are traveling in one direction, turn 180 degrees and travel the other way.
- He also calls us to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.
- Baptism is a symbolic representation of how Christ died, was buried, and resurrected. When we do this, we are washing away our sins and beginning a new life in Christ.
- This is also an outward action to show others an internal decision.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17
- You are made new in Jesus Christ. You are washed in His blood. You no longer wear sin but wear His clothes of righteousness.
4. Living in the Good News
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:1-2
- We can be confident in the work that Jesus did for us on the cross and when we give our life to Him, we can be assured that we will see or feel no condemnation unlike sin which condemns us when we mess up.
“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.” Colossians 2:6-7
- When we accept Jesus Christ, we can grow in faith and a relationship with God.
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nation, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20
What should you do as a result of the best decision you will ever make? Tell others! Share the Good News of Christ with others.
Recap:
We are born into this world sinful. Because of sin, we are separated from God who is without sin and cannot be in partnership with anything sinful. There is nothing we can do to get rid of this on our own. Jesus was born as a man, lived a perfect sinless life, was crucified for our sins, and buried. He rose again on the third day with all power. Because of this action, we no longer have to pay for our sins. Jesus did it for us! He offers us this free gift of salvation. When God looks at us, he no longer sees our sins but the blood of Jesus which paid the debt. Hallelujah for this gift!
Have you accepted the Good News? If not, I invite you to trust in Jesus and take a step of faith!
Jesus,
Thank You for this free gift of salvation. You didn’t have to take my penalty but You did because You desire to be with me. Thank You for dying on the cross and making a way for me to come to God. I receive this extravagant gift and ask You to come into my heart and be the Lord of my life. I give You all of me and ask You to turn my life around for Your glory. Fill me with Your Spirit and help me live the life You died to give me. In Jesus name, amen!
Terry’ana xx