LET US PRAY

SERMON TITLE: DO YOU WANT TO KNOW THE GOOD NEWS?

I remember back in the early 70’s I believe a new Bible came out called “The Good News For Modern Man.” Anyone remember that one? It was a grey and white paperback. I remember thinking, another one? What’s so different? And this title?

I believe I mentioned “The Good News” last week in my sermon. We all know what the good news is today, Jesus Christ. Today I am going to take you on a little journey and we will be reading words from God when the prophets told about the coming Messiah.

Our main scripture for today comes from the book of Acts 10:34-43 written by the Apostle Luke the Doctor......

34 Then Peter replied, “I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism. 35 In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right. 36 This is the message of Good News for the people of Israel—that there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. 37 You know what happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee, after John began preaching his message of baptism. 38 And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39 “And we apostles are witnesses of all he did throughout Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a cross, 40 but God raised him to life on the third day. Then God allowed him to appear, 41 not to the general public, but to us whom God had chosen in advance to be his witnesses. We were those who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 And he ordered us to preach everywhere and to testify that Jesus is the one appointed by God to be the judge of all—the living and the dead. 43 He is the one all the prophets testified about, saying that everyone who believes in him will have their sins forgiven through his name.”

Messiah-Definition, Noun. “The one anointed by God to deliver His people and establish His kingdom. OK, So Jesus was “anointed” by the God, Our Father, King of King-Lord of Lords to deliver us! I like the sound of that don’t you?

Isaiah 7:14 “All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’).

The prophets tell us in the OT, around 750 BC.... Micah writes …”And you O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are not least among the ruling cities of Judah, for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.....

Isaiah 9:6–7 “For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!"

Isaiah 53:2 “My servant grew up in the Lord’s presence like a tender green shoot, like a root in dry ground. There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him."

So let’s fast forward to the 1st Century AD. Jesus was on earth, preaching, teaching, and He told the Disciples what was going to happen. “I am going to die, I am going to suffer.” They didn’t believe it at all. They were believing that Jesus, The Messiah, was going to end all suffering, all war, all poverty.....Didn’t happen that way.

After Jesus Death, the OT promises had been fulfilled in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The OT told the story and it happened just as scripture said. Then what???????

After Jesus crucifixion, somewhere around 33 AD The day of Pentecost happened.

Acts 2:1–3 “On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. 2 Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. 3 Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them.” This day was when God sent His Holy Spirit to the ones who believed in Jesus. Can you imagine that day?

The apostles had witnessed all that had been prophesied, Jesus’ ministry, Jesus’ Miracles, Jesus’ life on earth, Jesus Crucifixion,and thankfully His resurrection. Now, they had a job to do. To do as they were instructed , just like you and I have been instructed.

It’s time to go tell the Good News, to tell others the story about Jesus. To tell all that the proper response to Jesus, the good news is “ Repentance and Faith” as I preached last week. In Acts 2:38 we read: “Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Acts 20:20–21 “ I never shrank back from telling you what you needed to hear, either publicly or in your homes. 21 I have had one message for Jews and Greeks alike—the necessity of repenting from sin and turning to God, and of having faith in our Lord Jesus.”

I’m going to close this morning with a story, about the Good News. totally true story of a small rural church, a praying church, a faithful church, a Jesus loving church.

I was raised in a small country church in Rushville Indiana. I never really remember having more than 50-60 in church. I grew up, moved away but visited when I came back home to visit family.

About 10 years ago, Plum Creek Christian Church hired a new pastor, Pastor Ray. Plum Creek was about 8 miles out of Rushville, farming community, roads had no yellow middle lines, tough to get there from anywhere. I recall talking to my parents asking how Plumb Creek was doing?

To my and the congregation I guess surprise, Plum Creek was growing. New faces, new believer's in Jesus, new volunteers, Sunday School growing, Bible Study growing, new music, new musicians, choir... new attitude towards church- The Holy Spirit full of Love was in the house. What a blessing! After a year or two, PC went to two services. AMEN

So Ray, the new Pastor now Pastor of PC (at the time of this conversation with my parents) with attendance of somewhere around 300. Families, kids, committees to oversee the functions of the church. What? Ray? So one day, I asked my Mom, what is this all about Mom? I have never seen this “metamorphosis” in a church. Why Mom, I asked?

Now you must understand something, My Mom is a very Godly woman, very loving, very pray full woman and very to the point of woman when it comes to Jesus.....

With no hesitation, my Mom answered my question, and I quote. “Every Sunday, not some Sundays but every Sunday, Ray preaches about The Love of Jesus.! Jesus is the focus, the subject. Period! How profound.

Today’s message on “The Good News” goes way back. It has been repeated over the centuries to many people both Jews and Gentiles. The Apostle Paul preached throughout the middle east, Rome, around the Mediterranean world and we are instructed to do the same today as believers in Jesus Christ.

AMEN