The Good News
In today’s article we are going to be discussing: The Good News
The bible says you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere- in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria and to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8)
It is the Holy Spirit who gives us power, courage and wisdom to share the good news. The Good News is the gospel. In Matthew 28 v 19, scripture says “Jesus came and told his disciples “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of age.”
We have a duty as God’s children to share the good news with everyone, regardless of their faith. The NLT study Bible shares that the Good News is Good because it is God’s design and desire for us to be cleansed of our sin, reconciled to a right relationship with him, and free to pursue his courageous callings.
In Genesis 22, God made a covenant with Abraham. He promised to bless him and multiply his descendants. He promised, that through all Abraham’s descendants, all the nations of the earth will be blessed because he has obeyed the Lord.
Salvation is for all people. Jesus commanded his followers to keep faith in him alive by going into all the world to share the gospel and to teach other’s God’s word.
In Matt 28 v 19, scripture says: Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations,[b] baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
In Mark 16 v 15- 16, scripture reads: And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. Anyone who believes, and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned.
In Luke 24 v 47, scripture says: It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations,[f] beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’ You are witnesses of all these things.
Scripture also tells us that people should respond to the gospel with faith. (John 1:12)
The gospel is powerful. Even if you preach the gospel and you feel like it may be falling on deaf ears, believe me, somewhere, the seed was planted. Even if you feel like you don’t know if you are the right person, remember we are all called to share the good news.
I choose to share it here on this platform.
Other biblical writers confirm this command. In Deut 4 v 9-10 9- scripture says: “But watch out! Be careful never to forget what you yourself have seen. Do not let these memories escape from your mind as long as you live! And be sure to pass them on to your children and grandchildren. Never forget the day when you stood before the Lord your God at Mount Sinai,[a] where he told me, ‘Summon the people before me, and I will personally instruct them. Then they will learn to fear me as long as they live, and they will teach their children to fear me also.’
And again, where God calls for a whole hearted commitment from us in Deut 6 ; 6-9
“And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. 8 Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”
You can find the sharing of the Good News and the command for it from Jesus and the disciples in other scriptures such as:
Deut 11; 18-19 “So commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these words of mine. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Teach them to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, so that as long as the sky remains above the earth, you and your children may flourish in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors.
2 Timothy 2 v2; “You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.”
2 Timothy 4 v 1-5 “I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he comes to set up his Kingdom: Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.
For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths.
But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.
1Peter v 3: 15 scripture says: “Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way.”
In Psalm 40, verse 9-10 we clearly understand that we should share the Good News with everyone.
Scripture reads : (NIV VERSION)
Verse 9: I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, Lord,
as you know. 10 I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help. I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness from the great assembly.
But in particular, verse 9 -10 stands out – it reads: “I have told all your people about your justice. I have not been afraid to speak out, as you, O Lord, well know. I have not kept the good news of your justice hidden in my heart; I have talked about your faithfulness and saving power. I have told everyone in the great assembly of your unfailing love and faithfulness.” (NLT version)
In the book of Ezekiel – Ezekiel received a message, a task of sharing God’s promises and warnings. This was from God. We have a duty to share God’s judgement and his free gift of salvation to others with gentleness. It is then up to the recipient to choose salvation or condemnation. In Ezekiel 3 v 16, scripture reads:
“ 6 At the end of seven days the word of the Lord came to me: 17 “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. When I say to a wicked person, ‘You will surely die,’ and you do not warn them or speak out to dissuade them from their evil ways in order to save their life, that wicked person will die for[b] their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood.
19 But if you do warn the wicked person and they do not turn from their wickedness or from their evil ways, they will die for their sin; but you will have saved yourself.
20 “Again, when a righteous person turns from their righteousness and does evil, and I put a stumbling block before them, they will die. Since you did not warn them, they will die for their sin. The righteous things that person did will not be remembered, and I will hold you accountable for their blood. 21 But if you do warn the righteous person not to sin and they do not sin, they will surely live because they took warning, and you will have saved yourself.”
22 The hand of the Lord was on me there, and he said to me, “Get up and go out to the plain, and there I will speak to you.” 23 So I got up and went out to the plain. And the glory of the Lord was standing there, like the glory I had seen by the Kebar River, and I fell facedown.
24 Then the Spirit came into me and raised me to my feet. He spoke to me and said: “Go, shut yourself inside your house. 25 And you, son of man, they will tie with ropes; you will be bound so that you cannot go out among the people. 26 I will make your tongue stick to the roof of your mouth so that you will be silent and unable to rebuke them, for they are rebellious people. 27 But when I speak to you, I will open your mouth and you shall say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says.’ Whoever will listen let them listen, and whoever will refuse let them refuse; for they are a rebellious people.
We as righteous people have a responsibility to warn others caught in a sin.
In Psalm 96 verse 2-3 Scripture read in the NLT Study bible:
“Sing to the Lord; praise his name.
Each day proclaim the good news
That he saves.
Publish his glorious deeds among the nations.
Tell everyone about the amazing
things he does.”
In Mathhew 28 Mary was the first person who saw Jesus resurrected after his death. She then went and told the other disciples. God has entrusted us to share his message of hope to the hopeless, and salvation to the lost.
In Matthew 28 v 18-20, the NLT Study bible scripture reads:
“Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations,[b] baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
In Acts 10 v 34- 43 scripture reads; “Then Peter replied, “I see very clearly that God shows no favouritism. In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right. This is the message of the Good News for the people of Israel- that there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. You know what happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee, after John began preaching his message of baptism. And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.
“And we apostles are witnesses of all he did throughout Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a cross, but God raised him to life on the third day. Then God allowed him to appear, not to the general public,[d] but to us whom God had chosen in advance to be his witnesses. We were those who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. And he ordered us to preach everywhere and to testify that Jesus is the one appointed by God to be the judge of all—the living and the dead. He is the one all the prophets testified about, saying that everyone who believes in him will have their sins forgiven through his name.”
In Acts 28, Paul arrived in Rome and explained and testified about the Kingdom of God and he tried to persuade the people about Jesus from the scriptures.
Paul’s final words to the people was “The Holy Spirit was right when he said to your ancestors through Isaiah the prophet,
26
‘Go and say to this people:
When you hear what I say,
you will not understand.
When you see what I do,
you will not comprehend.
27
For the hearts of these people are hardened,
and their ears cannot hear,
and they have closed their eyes—
so their eyes cannot see,
and their ears cannot hear,
and their hearts cannot understand,
and they cannot turn to me
and let me heal them.’[h]
28 So I want you to know that this salvation from God has also been offered to the Gentiles, and they will accept it.”[i]
The Gospel is powerful because scripture says that faith comes by hearing, and that is hearing the good news about Christ. (Romans 10V 17)
Salvation is for everyone. We must remember, we are now under God’s grace. In Romans 10 v 8-10), scripture says “ The message is very close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart. And that message is the very message about faith that we preach. If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.
In Colossians 4 v 2- scriptures reads:
“Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains. Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should. Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive[a] so that you will have the right response for everyone.”
Even though Paul was treated well in Philippi when he preached, he remembered that God had given him courage to declare his good news boldly.
In 1 Thessalonians 2 v 4 , scripture reads: For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts.
Jesus’ resurrection is the gospel. The bible says that it is the good news that saves us if we continue to believe the message. 1 Corinthians 15 v 3 says that Christ died for our sins, just as the scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the scriptures said. He was seen by Peter, and then by the twelve. After that he was seen by more than 500 of his followers.
You can find the Good News all throughout the New testament.
In Mark 1 verse 1 scripture reads: This is the Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God. It began just as the prophet Isaiah had written:
“Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
and he will prepare your way. He is a voice shouting in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming!
Clear the road for him!”
This messenger was John the Baptist. He was in the wilderness and preached that people should be baptized to show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven. All of Judea, including all the people of Jerusalem, went out to see and hear John. And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River. His clothes were woven from coarse camel hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. For food he ate locusts and wild honey. John announced: “Someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not even worthy to stoop down like a slave and untie the straps of his sandals. I baptize you with[d] water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit!”
In Luke 2 verse 10, the Angel reassures the shepherds not to be afraid, and also confirms bringing the Good News. Scripture reads: “but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!
In Matthew 4 verse 23, scripture shows us that Jesus went around sharing the Good News. And although it was coming directly from him, not all people believed him, but the ones that did, were healed from their illnesses and diseases.
Matt 24 v 23 Scripture says: “Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. 24 News about him spread as far as Syria, and people soon began bringing to him all who were sick. And whatever their sickness or disease, or if they were demon possessed or epileptic or paralyzed—he healed them all. 25 Large crowds followed him wherever he went—people from Galilee, the Ten Towns,[h] Jerusalem, from all over Judea, and from east of the Jordan River.
After Jesus healed the people, he continued to preach.
In Luke 4 verse 42-43 Scripture read: “Early the next morning Jesus went out to an isolated place. The crowds searched everywhere for him, and when they finally found him, they begged him not to leave them. But he replied, “I must preach the Good News of the Kingdom of God in other towns, too, because that is why I was sent.” So he continued to travel around, preaching in synagogues throughout Judea.”
We know the famous John 3 verse 16 -17 scripture that reads: “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.”
So you see, whatever we do, whatever career we choose, our purpose is always to share the Good News with others and make disciples in the world. This is our hope. Jesus is our living hope.
Believing in the gospel changes lives. You begin to look at life differently, you begin to visualize what one man did, not as for ALL of us – but what he did for YOU. You, who were unworthy, undeserving. We didn’t deserve this beautiful gift of eternal life, but he gave it to us anyway.
Lets Pray together:
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for this new day. I am eternally grateful for all that you have done in my life, and for what you have prepared for me. Thank you for your son who shed his precious blood, to save me and cleanse me from my sins. Help me to not only be prepared, but to be bold and confident in sharing your Good News, knowing that all things are possible through Jesus Christ our Lord.
In Jesus Name I pray.
Amen
God Bless you all.
