This is the Good News
This is a sermon I preached this week that touches on this topic from another angle. I hope you enjoy it.
Read Time: 10 mins
That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 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!
Luke 2:8-11 NLT
When I was in my more Peter-like phase of ministry I would start verbal altercations with other theology students who could not simply and clearly articulate the gospel. Simon Synek may call it “knowing your why” but Paul called it always being ready to give an explanation for what and why you believe. While I repent of the method of vain and argumentative discourse I once thoroughly enjoyed, the message still stands. There's no way you can call yourself a proclaimer of the gospel without knowing the gospel you are proclaiming.
So what is the gospel? From an etymological standpoint, it literally means “good announcement.” Euanggelion in Greek, the word we translate as gospel, is a compound word with “eu” meaning “good” or “well” and angelos meaning “messenger” or “message.” It's a good message. Bessorah, the word translated to “gospel” in Hebrew, means the same thing, specifically “good news” or “glad tidings.” The first time we see it used in the Bible is actually an announcement that the king has died and that they have won the war as a result. Historically, this word was used in the context of victories, deliverance, the death of enemies, and the birth of saviors. Something was done in the past, without your help, that totally revolutionizes your future. The gospel is the announcement that someone won for you, without you.
Simply put, if the announcement you are making isn't good, it's not the gospel. The gospel is the good news about who Jesus is, what He did, and what that means for you. It's the good news that your life, world, and future are completely changed because of who He is.
This is the good news that the angels are excited about when Jesus is born. Why was His birth such a big deal? Because in many religions you have to fight to get to God but in this one, He fought to get to you. Jesus lowered Himself for your benefit. Jesus wasn’t afraid of you and came near to you in order to save you.
The gospel is the good news that because of Jesus, you can have life and life abundantly. Because of Jesus, you can have peace that surpasses understanding. Because of Jesus, you can be rescued from the fear, shame, guilt, and pain that runs rampant in this world. Because Jesus came to your situation, everything about your situation changes. You are saved. That’s the gospel.
It's my goal that every devotional I write helps you see the good news from a different angle. God and His impact is like a diamond with many faces. He is magnificent on His own but every angle shines the light in a different way.
You cannot grasp the full radiance without shifting your focus and seeing the gem from different perspectives. There are infinite ways in which God can show that His existence is good news.
All I had to do was get a taste of God and see for myself that He is good. Every day I see new aspects of His mercy, grace, and kindness. Every day I see how much better life is with more of HIm in it. I just want you to try what I've been trying. There are a few things we can see about the gospel from today's text.
Good News Brings Joy
Our text today says that the news of Jesus appearing on the scene should bring joy to all people. Not momentary, fleeting, or situational happiness but a joy that overflows into everything you think, feel, and do. In a world of crippling anxiety and depression, record-breaking rates of loneliness and loss, and an epidemic of people with no sense of identity, this promise of joy is glorious. Jesus wants to offer revitalizing joy and it should come at the mere mention of His existence. That means that if the idea of Him being in your life doesn't bring joy, you aren't fully conceptualizing or benefiting from it. It also says this joy is for all people.
It’s Good News for All
The angels proclaim that their good news is good news for all. There isn't much news that is positive for everyone. A declaration of a conquered foe or beaten battle isn't typically good news for all sides involved. But this news is so revolutionary that it brings joy to all, regardless of your side of things. Male or female. Old or young. Black or white. Rich or poor. Gay or straight. Israeli or Palestinian. Democrat or Republican. Far-left or Far-right. Capitalist, socialist, communist, fascist, nationalist, anarchist… whatever. Jesus was known for being a friend to every end of the spectrum. How? Because He is outside of our conflicting and binary construct of identity. His kingdom is not as limited as our worldview. He sees fighting siblings as a Father and not another sibling. While you may be the villain in someone else's story, He sees you as a child worthy of love, care, and respect. He sees past the hurts, fears, traumas, mistakes, decisions, and belief systems of all and what He is offering is a world where everyone regardless of background or future can experience a life of unity, safety, freedom, and restoration.
If this is hard for you to grasp or offensive in your eyes it may be because you haven't fully realized that God loved you knowing that you would also be his enemy at times. You would hate His children and go against His will. You would work against the Spirit and partner with sin. Yet, Jesus still chooses, loves, likes, and forgives you. Jesus loving your enemies is good news because it means He can love you. It doesn't make sense in our understanding of life but that's why God is establishing His own kingdom and not simply remodeling ours. The good news of the kingdom means joy for all, regardless of what traits that “all” encompasses. Peace is possible. Isn't that revolutionary? Isn't that good news?
The Good News Is Not About Fear.
I want to also come from an angle of telling you what the gospel is not. The first thing the messengers do is remind the hearers that their news is not a reason to be afraid. The gospel is not a message of fear. Many have built ministries, churches, and cultures off of fear and they are totally absent of Jesus. Much of our evangelism and argumentative rhetoric is based on what people may miss out on instead of what they have been given. We focus on what will happen to them instead of the freedom that comes from what has already happened for them.
Fear is about loss, punishment, pain, and further brokenness, but the Gospel is about what there is to gain, restoration, healing, forgiveness, and positive use of power. Fear is the idea that something you need has been taken away. The gospel is the idea that everything you need has been provided. Do you see how these messages conflict too much to be the same message? You cannot be both full of fear and faith because they function like light and darkness.
The thing about fear is it may elicit a powerful emotional response in a moment, yet the roots it grows aren't deep enough to last after the stimuli of potential persecution or pain have passed. The Bible says that God’s kindness is what leads us to repentance, not His fear tactics. Recognizing what He did in spite of you leads to a more faith-filled obedience and repentance than trying to get yourself together to avoid what He may do to you. And to be honest, if you don't get that there is a big chance you have not fully experienced the gospel for yourself.
Paul doesn't just declare that God didn't give us a spirit of fear, John backs it up by saying that God is love and His perfect love casts out all fear. A revelation of God dispates all fear. God can't help but expel fear like light can't help but expel darkness, but when God is absent in our lives and messages, fear can run rampant. John further reminds us that fear has to do with punishment and that Jesus Himself said that He came not to condemn but to cover, encourage, and comfort.
The gospel is good news that because of Jesus all people, regardless of background, don't have to be afraid but can walk into a revolutionized life of freedom and joy.
What Now?
So don't be afraid. In many ways, I want to bring you a message that will revolutionize your life regardless of what it looks like. The Creator of the universe sees you and that’s a good thing. You can stop hiding. You were loved and chosen before you desired it. You belonged before you believed. And if you want to walk into the life of blessing and bliss He has prepared for you, you just need to accept it. Every aspect of this message is good.
Life is worth the living because He lives. Life, love, and livelihood are available in Him. Stop trying to hide and fix yourself up before asking for help. Just stop what you're doing now and say “I surrender.” Ask Him to show up and prove yourself. Tell him how scared you are. Tell Him your doubts. Tell Him your hang-ups and fears. Tell Him your assumptions and presuppositions. Be honest about the traumas, experiences, and beliefs that make letting go hard. The good news that He can handle the real version of you. Tell Him what worries you about the idea of surrender, and He will gently walk with you through the process of giving you a better life. Isn't that good news?
This is my homework for you. It's honestly a little game. I'm asking that you lean into God and His word and look for aspects of Him that are good news for you. They are everywhere. The Bible says that all of nature constantly declares the glory of God, you just have to watch and listen.
“This is the good news. If you're breathing, it's for you. And empty grave, a life that’s changed. It all points to Jesus' name. If you've been searching, and nothing’s been working. I got good news: Jesus loves you.”
-
If you want to partner with this ministry in my goal to help explain the good news about Jesus in a practical and simple say, please consider donating through the donate tab or through Cash App at $ThoughtsByPace. Every gift is greatly appreciated.
