“I HAVE SOME GOOD NEWS”

INTRODUCTION:
1. Got a dart board for his 16th birthday with an automatic return;
2. “Life comes at you fast” commercials.
3. Everyday we are bombarded by bad news.
a) War on terror drags on and on. Every day more Americans lose their lives.
b) The murder rate in greater Cincinnati area is averages over 100 per year.
c) An attack on the army base at Fort Hood.
d) Drugs are ruining our society and taxing our resources.
e) Divorce has passed the 50% mark.
f) An epidemic of methamphetamine production and use is leaving thousands of children to be wards of the state.
g) A near-record number of home foreclosures again this year, third year in row.
4. The 9-11 attacks were a horrible tragedy on our nation.
a) News reports were constant and continuous.
b) Stories of death and of heroes and survivors were all mixed together.
c) We saw leaders praying in public for God to help us.
d) People re-evaluated their spiritual lives.
e) We drove through SD,TN,KY,MO,IO,NE, ND, MN,WS,IL.
f) In every small town we saw flags waving and God Bless America signs.
g) Even against this horribly dark background there was good news.
5. We are not immune to it in the church either. We lose members to death and back to the world each year.
b) I for one am very tired of bad news and I don’t think I am alone.
6. Sometimes it seems we can’t take another year of waking up to a brand new horror
story practically every day!
7. While men behave badly and hurt one another, there is still good news.
a) We still have good news:
b) 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 “Christ died for our sins, was buried and rose again the third
day.”
8. What good news is available for us today?

I. GOOD NEWS
A. There is good news in the world, we just don’t hear much of it:
1. Modern medical break through--what killed people 50 years ago is nothing: heart transplant, by-pass surgery, many kinds of cancers are being cured; Hospital stays have shortened tremendously; think about the invention in the last 40 years of decongestant/anti-histamines. Before that those of us who suffered from allergies, just had to suffer.
2. Good came out of these disasters we mentioned: People came together to help each other. It became very clear who cared and who didn’t; No atheistic organizations sent relief; mostly only Christian ones;
3. Good things have happened here this year:
a) People who were not attending at all before have been restored to the fold and placed their membership with us.
b) We started only 2 ½ years ago and already have about 45 members.
c) 11 precious souls were baptized into Christ this year making our total for 2 ½ years 25 baptisms. There are some large congregations that don’t teach and baptize that many in that same length of time.
4. Most good news is but a fleeting moment that will quickly pass into obscurity.
5. But not the most important good news in the world.
B. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Now let me remind you, dear brothers and sisters, of the Good News I preached to you before. You welcomed it then and still do now, for your faith is built on this wonderful message. And it is this Good News that saves you if you firmly believe it — unless, of course, you believed something that was never true in the first place. I passed on to you what was most important (first of all KJV; first importance NIV) and what had also been passed on to me — that Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, as the Scriptures said.
C. Real "Good news" gospel~euaggelion~a good message, i.e. the gospel: The first of all the religious things; the most important message for the Christian, more important than church, baptism, elders, deacons, preachers, church buildings, singing, Lord’s supper, or anything else is a proper understanding of the gospel.
D. The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus, the Christ, the Messiah, The Son of God!

II. THE GOOD NEWS OFFERS:
A. Hope in a world of despair
1. Hope is what keeps us going, when everything says quit.
2. Ellis island was flooded with people from around the world with one thing in common--hope, for a better life, a brighter future, a chance at the American dream
3. Hope encourages endurance,
4. Hebrews 6:13-20 For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, saying, "Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you." And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. For men indeed swear by the greater, and an oath for confirmation is for them an end of all dispute. Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.
5. 1 Peter 1:3-5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
6. 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;
B. Strength in a world of weakness
1. Strength equates with respect, reverence, freedom, security. . .
2. Weakness harbors depression~~What's the point of struggling on, I'll only fall short of the goal.
3. Romans 1:16 Power of God unto salvation.
4. Galatians 2:20 “I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live, yet not I but”
5. Ephesians 6:10 Finally my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
6. Job, never thought about quitting nor suicide; Paul never entertained the idea of giving up;
C. Love in a world of hate
1. We've advanced so far in recent years, but have made little movement in many social realms.
a) Racial tension and hatred still exists;
b) Wars in the world.
c) Hatred for Americans, Christians and Jews especially has grown.
2. The Love of God is extended 100% unconditionally,
3. 1 John 3:11-23 For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another, not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother's righteous. Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death. Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment.
D. Joy in a world of sorrow
1. Happiness is a time-honored emotion, but far too often, there simply isn't enough of it to go around.
2. People have more pain than it seems they can bear.
3. The "good news" brings about happiness:
a. Jesus is the true happiness, Luke 2:10-11 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.
b. The obedient, Luke 15:32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” Acts 8:40 rejoicing
c. Angels, Luke 15:7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.
d. The church, Romans 12:9-15 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another.
E. Life in a world of death
1. Sin causes death, Romans 6:23
2. Our sin debt can be eradicated in Christ,
a) Romans 8:1-3 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh,
b) 1Corinthians 15:53-58 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory." "O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?" The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
c) Hebrews 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.
3. I must accept the payment in order to have life:
a) John 8:24
b) 10:10;
c) Romans 6:3-7;
d) 1 John 1:7-9
F. Will you embrace the good news?

III. REWARDS OF THE GOSPEL
A. Faithfulness, 1 Thessalonians 3:6, But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always have good remembrance of us, greatly desiring to see us, as we also to see you
B. Grace, Acts 20:24 But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
C. Salvation
1. Ephesians 1:13, In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth,
the gospel of your salvation:
2. 1 Chronicles 16:23, Psalm 96:2, Sing to the LORD, all the earth; Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day.
E. Evangelism, Psalms 40:9, I have proclaimed the good news of righteousness, In the great assembly; Indeed, I do not restrain my lips, O LORD, You Yourself know.
F. Good news, you can go to heaven.

Conclusion
1. Reality hurts,
2. Jeremiah 8:20-22 "The harvest is past, The summer is ended, And we are not saved!" For the hurt of the daughter of my people I am hurt. I am mourning; Astonishment has taken hold of me. Is there no balm in Gilead, Is there no physician there? Why then is there no recovery For the health of the daughter of my people?
3. But there is good news.
4. Proverbs 25:25 As cold water to a weary soul, So is good news from a far country.