Did You Hear the Good News?

There’s a whole lot of evil happening in our world today, and there is always news floating around, whether it's seen on tv or read about in newspapers and magazines. Alot of times the news can be discouraging. But the gospel of Christ reminds me that there is good news to be shared.

 Even if the media doesn't broadcast any good news, the King of heaven has broadcasted some great news for all to hear in His word. Let's look at some of this good news. This first one is so important and one that we hear so much, but it can not be forgotten.

>> The first good news I'm talking about is the gospel. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:"  You know the gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. This is literally the greatest news that a person could ever hear, and yet, how often do we as Christians keep that truth to ourselves? When Adam and Eve brought sin into the world, God didn't just desert man and let him try to figure out something on his own. Instead, God came down because He knew we could never come to Him on our own merits and extended to us something beautiful ---it's called GRACE. 

God's 

Richest

At

Christ's 

Expense

God's grace is completely and totally free. No strings attached! 

>> The good news that Jesus loves us unconditionally, before we even loved Him, and that He will love us forever is pretty special.
Jeremiah 31:3 "The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee." As humans, sometimes we love other people based on how they treat us. But the Saviour does not opperate that way. We were aliens, enemies, of God, but instead of withholding His love from us until we could clean up our life or start loving him, He showed us what love really looked like when He sent Jesus, his Son, down to die a death He did not deserve. And unlike our human nature, God is a Father who will never stop loving us based on our works.

>> There's good news that even amidst all the evil, God still remains on his throne, reigning over the earth. 
There are several verses that speak of the certainty of God being in control.
 Psalm 47:7-8 "For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding."
Psalm 93:1-2 "The Lord reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; the Lord is clothed with strength, wherewith he hath girded himself: the world also is stablished, that is cannot be moved. Thy throne is established of old: thou art from everlasting."
Psalm 96:10 "Say among the heathen that the Lord reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously."
Revelation 19:6 "And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying Alleluia: for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth."
No matter the trials we face,  the tribulation we endure in this life, or the corrupt things that happen in the world, God is not oblivious to any of it, nor does He forget. While we as humans may be surprised at events that happen in the world, the Lord is not. There's a neat verse in Isaiah that says: "Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that is cannot hear:" Though it may seem like Satan has the upper hand, and truth and everything that is right and good is being shunned while evil is being lifted up, we as Christians know the outcome. God will conquer Satan, the wicked will be punished, and Christ will be exalted and worshipped. In short - God Wins! 

In closing, I'll share these lyrics from "A Mighty Fortress is Our God."

"Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing;

Were not the right man on our side, the man of God's own choosing:

Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He;

Lord Sabaoth His name, from age to age the same,

And He must win the battle. 

And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,

We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us: 

The prince of darkenss grim, we tremble not for him;

His rage we can endure, for lo! his doom is sure.

One little word shall fell him.

That word above all earthly pow'rs, no thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him who with us sideth;
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;
The body they may kill: God's truth abideth still,
His kingdom is forever."