I Have Good News For You

There is a great little song that I find myself singing at times.  Its lyrics go something like this:

I'm going to take a trip in that old gospel ship
I'm a-going far beyond the sky
I'm gonna shout and sing til heaven rings
When I bid this world goodbye
 
I have good news to bring, and that is why I sing
All my joys with you I'll share
I'm going to take a trip in that old gospel ship
And go sailing through the air
 
I can scarcely wait, I know I won't be late
I'll spend my time in prayer
And when the ship comes in, I'll leave this world of sin
And go sailing through the air
 
If you are ashamed of me, you have no cause to be
For, with Christ I am an heir
If too much fault you find, you will sure be left behind
While I'm sailing through the air
 
I'm going to take a trip in that old gospel ship
I'm a-going far beyond the sky
I'm gonna shout and sing til heaven rings
While I’m sailing through the air

What a great jubilee song.  I have good news!

 I challenge you, my reader friends, say that to some people today, and see the response you get!  The retort will most likely be positive.  There is nothing like “good news” to brighten the day.  Be blessed my friend.

I have good news to bring! That is what the Gospel of Christ is all about. Take a gander at the words of the Apostle Paul:

(Rom 1:16) For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. (Rom 1:17) For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, "The righteous shall live by faith."

Paul has good news to bring; he is as anxious as a parent waiting for his daughter opening that first Christmas present. He wants folks to know about Jesus. This backdrop is not always the same as the way we present the Gospel today, but I have good news to bring!

This precious word “Gospel” (“euaggelion” Greek) simply means “good news”. Christianity picks up the word and makes it “the good news of Jesus Christ.” Before the days of radio and print media, emissaries would be sent before major festivals with the good news that victory in a war or battle had been won, and to get ready for a celebration. The good news prepared the way for major celebrations. Well, I have good news to bring.

Now, here comes Paul, anxious to share his good news of Jesus Christ. He has been hindered getting to Rome, but not because he did not want the Gospel shared. Instead he shouts it as a herald through this letter.

What is it about this Gospel that makes Paul so bold?

The first good news of the Gospel is that indeed the gospel is good news.

The story is told of a little girl who was with her older brother, visiting Carlsbad Caverns. The tour guide had one of the ushers to turn the lights out, so the crowd could experience its “total darkness.” The frightened little girl flinched and grabbed for her big brother. He replied, “Don’t be afraid Sis, someone knows how to turn the lights on!”

I know Someone who can turn the light on. His name is Jesus, and I have good news!

This is all that these Romans needed, and what the world needs today, to have the “Light of the world” turned on in their hearts and minds. I have good news!

Too Many "Nots"

The Pharisees had tied people’s minds in knots with their “not’s” about how “not” to live. The light of the gospel was that there is good news on how to live and live abundantly. Paul has good news. Folks are tied in tethers by today’s torments, but we have good news. His name is Jesus.

However, the good news doesn’t stop by simply being good news.

The second thing about this gospel is that Paul says it is the “power of God.”

Power (“dunamis”, Greek) is a good news word! It is this Greek word, from which we get our words, “dynamo” and “dynamite.” Indeed the Gospel is like great dynamite. I had a friend (now deceased) who worked his life in explosives. He worked his life in construction and helped in the construction of bridges, roads and buildings of all sorts. I learned from him that construction and destruction often go hand in hand.

Here are three observations I make about dynamite:

1. Dynamite makes a great show : It attracts people to it, and yet, people run from it! I find an uncanny similarity to the response of sharing the Gospel with someone. Some are drawn, some flee.
2. Dynamite makes a great blow . POW! Dirt and debris scatter; something is destroyed. The Gospel is not good news if people stay in their sins. Drugs, addictions, and immorality are blown into the sea of forgetfulness through this great power of Jesus Christ.
3. Dynamite makes a great go . Mountains move, new roads are opened, precious jewels hidden for millennia are revealed because of its power. Sin’s effects are squished, squashed and smashed. and a new life opens up because of the dynamic dynamo of the good news. Every Christian has good news to bring.

The good news of the Gospel is that it is power, the power of God. When you enter most of our modern churches (and I am speaking of most ALL of them) – If you come with an ailment, and share such a need, you might hear something like, “You have a problem; now, let me tell you mine.” It might be interesting to award trophies to the ones with the biggest complaints.

Shouldn’t someone say, “I have good news for you! His name is Jesus!”

My final observation in this devotional is that this Gospel is good news because within its contents is the great power of God for salvation.

Salvation (“soteria” Greek meaning: rescue or safety (physically or morally): - deliver, health, salvation, save, saving.) And the best of the good news is that this Saving Grace is for all who believe. Paul says it is the way the Christian lives. We live in the good news every day of our lives. We live by our trust. I have good news means I HAVE good news! The good news lives in me, through me, by me, for me, with me, and on me. I have good news!

I have good news for you no matter how black or white, rich or poor, good or bad you are. It is the good news Gospel that we can all have simply by believing!

Paul says, “I am not ashamed by this gospel, I live by it, I preach by it, I walk by it, I suffer in prison for it, I write with it, I pray through with it, and I rejoice in it!

I have good news!

 I find my testimony similar to that of Brother John Carver in a like sermon he preached

 I have Holy Spirit power within me.
My die has been cast.
I have stepped over the line.
My decision has been made.
My faith is locked in this Gospel.
I am a disciple of His.
 
I have good news!
 
I dare not  look back, slow down, back away, or be still.
My past is redeemed, my present is sanctified, my future is secure.
I do not choose low living, side walking, small planning, smooth knees, mundane talking, chancy giving, and dwarf goals.
I will no longer require preeminence, prosperity, promotions, positions, or popularity.
I don’t have to be right, first, tops, recognized, regarded, rewarded, or praised.
 
I have good news!
 
I now live by trust, lean by faith, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power.
My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few, my Guide reliable, my mission is clear.
I will not be bought, compromised, lured, manipulated, enticed, or bribed.
I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the Adversary, negotiate at the table of the Enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.
I won’t give up, shut up, or let up until I’ve stayed up, prayed up, and preached up for the cause for Christ.
I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, work till He stops me.
And when He comes back He will have no problem recognizing me.
For I have forgotten all that is in the past, I’m pressing on for the prize, the high calling of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

 

I have good news!

 I have the Gospel, the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes,