Easter is just six Sundays from now! We are so excited about this year’s Easter theme: “Ain’t No Grave.” Have you heard that Johnny Cash recording?
I know you are being an ambassador, naming people that God puts on your heart, and praying for a divine opportunity to share the gospel with them, and inviting them to our Easter service at the Gilmer High School Football Field.
Later tonight, we will pray for those names, and talk about how God might just use us for His great purpose!
God promised this Good News long ago through his prophets in the holy Scriptures. The Good News is about his Son. In his earthly life he was born into King David’s family line, and he was shown to be the Son of God when he was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. He is Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 1:2–4 (NLT)
The phrase “Good News” means “Gospel.” the Greek word is euangelion. It is the word from which we get the English word evangelism.
Here is the Mirriam-Webster definition of “Evangelist:”
- often capitalized: a writer of any of the four Gospels
- a person who evangelizes specifically: a Protestant minister or layman who preaches at special services
- an enthusiastic advocate an evangelist for physical fitness
Examples of evangelist in a Sentence
an evangelist of space exploration
So, we can see where this word comes from, but how it means something a little bit different today. How has it changed from “good news?”
What, exactly, is the Good News?
A friend recently expressed that she wasn’t sure what the gospel actually is. How would you describe it?
Jesus began his ministry by preaching this message:
“The time promised by God has come at last!” he announced. “The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!”
Mark 1:15 (NLT)
Paul draws us a map to this nearby Kingdom in the Book of Romans. In fact, the most famous “road” to the Kingdom is called the “Romans Road.” Why don’t we walk this road, and see what the Good News really is?
The Good News actually starts with bad news.
Quoting the book of Psalms, Paul states the bad news:
For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;
Romans 3:8-10 (ESV)
no one does good, not even one.”
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God
Romans 3:23 (ESV)
…the wages of sin is death…
Romans 6:23 (ESV)
I always say that “the good news is only as good as the bad news is bad.” How bad is Paul’s bad news for us here?
What does Paul mean by “death” here in Romans 6:23? What does “death” mean here and now? What does it mean in eternity?
Why don’t you think people in the world today perceive this even is bad news for them?
Even with the bad news, there is hope in Christ
but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8 (ESV)
Why is it important that Jesus died for us?
The Scripture is clear that “without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.” (Hebrews 9:22) What does this mean? For us? For Christ?
The sinner’s response
if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
Romans 10:9-10 (ESV)
For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Romans 10:13 (NLT)
The result of salvation
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Romans 5:1-2 (ESV)
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:1 (ESV)
Who do you know that needs this Good News?
Has God spoken to you about two or three people in your circle who you can be an ambassador to, sharing this Good News on His behalf?
Why don’t we pray for those people tonight?