27 May 2016
The Good News of Jesus
Acts 20:24
But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.
Spreading the Good News of Jesus takes work and should be treated by all Believers as our job. Unfortunately, lots of people think that talking about Jesus is something only people employed by a church do. They don’t take it on personally. Mormons and JW’s are required to take it on personally, so for a portion of their lives (Mormons) or day (JW’s) regular ol’ people are mandated to share their faith with strangers.
But Believers are compelled to share their faith because of the love of Christ. We are not compelled to share out of fear of being ousted from a religious organization. For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
Jesus died and was raised again for our sakes and for everyone sakes. That’s what we need to share as often and with as much enthusiasm as Mormons, JW’s, Global Warmers, and Vegans share their beliefs.
If I work at a job, go on a vacation, shop at the mall, or take some classes, I should use all of these occasions as vehicles for sharing my faith because it is my job (see 2 Corinthians 5:20) to make sure others know the Good News of Jesus.
And the Good News is this:
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. (John 3:16-18)
The first part of this passage about eternal life is familiar and fulfilling, but the end is where the Good News is. No one is perfect; EVERYONE stands condemned before God because of sin (and if one doesn’t believe they sin they are totally delusional). BUT! Whoever believes in Jesus is NOT condemned anymore. That’s it! And that is really Good News! Eternal Life and Acceptance! And the reality of this amazing love & grace compels us to share with those who don’t know or don’t care.
BTW, to all the un-believers, atheists, and all other groups who don’t like hearing us talk about Jesus... How much would we HATE you if we didn’t share Jesus with you? I would certainly try and pull you out of a burning building too out of the same concern and compassion.
Dear God,
I pray once again for our unsaved family and friends who are indifferent, and some hostile, towards your Good News. Please open their hearts even as I pray for them now to think about you, eternity, and your Son’s love today. Help me be faithful to share Jesus in big and small ways so that someone else’s unsaved loved ones would have something to think about today too. I love you and thank you for your wonderful grace, and I pray in Jesus’ name, amen.
The Good News of Jesus
Acts 20:24
But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.
Spreading the Good News of Jesus takes work and should be treated by all Believers as our job. Unfortunately, lots of people think that talking about Jesus is something only people employed by a church do. They don’t take it on personally. Mormons and JW’s are required to take it on personally, so for a portion of their lives (Mormons) or day (JW’s) regular ol’ people are mandated to share their faith with strangers.
But Believers are compelled to share their faith because of the love of Christ. We are not compelled to share out of fear of being ousted from a religious organization. For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
Jesus died and was raised again for our sakes and for everyone sakes. That’s what we need to share as often and with as much enthusiasm as Mormons, JW’s, Global Warmers, and Vegans share their beliefs.
If I work at a job, go on a vacation, shop at the mall, or take some classes, I should use all of these occasions as vehicles for sharing my faith because it is my job (see 2 Corinthians 5:20) to make sure others know the Good News of Jesus.
And the Good News is this:
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. (John 3:16-18)
The first part of this passage about eternal life is familiar and fulfilling, but the end is where the Good News is. No one is perfect; EVERYONE stands condemned before God because of sin (and if one doesn’t believe they sin they are totally delusional). BUT! Whoever believes in Jesus is NOT condemned anymore. That’s it! And that is really Good News! Eternal Life and Acceptance! And the reality of this amazing love & grace compels us to share with those who don’t know or don’t care.
BTW, to all the un-believers, atheists, and all other groups who don’t like hearing us talk about Jesus... How much would we HATE you if we didn’t share Jesus with you? I would certainly try and pull you out of a burning building too out of the same concern and compassion.
Dear God,
I pray once again for our unsaved family and friends who are indifferent, and some hostile, towards your Good News. Please open their hearts even as I pray for them now to think about you, eternity, and your Son’s love today. Help me be faithful to share Jesus in big and small ways so that someone else’s unsaved loved ones would have something to think about today too. I love you and thank you for your wonderful grace, and I pray in Jesus’ name, amen.
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