The Good News of Good News week

A search of the idea of “Good news” in the bible quickly uncovers a rich treasure hoard of God’s promises. The Old Testament reminds us that God promised to Abraham to bring blessing to all the nations through his descendants, the promise is good news for the nations who turn to God. As the history of Israel unfolds the promise is sharpened to teach us that the Good news will be seen in the coming of God’s king who will establish the kingdom of God forever. The prophets anticipated the good news is a promise for the future.

This Old Testament backdrop helps us to understand with richness the angel’s good news to the shepherds at the birth of Jesus. 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 Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. .” The content of the Good news is a person.

As Jesus carries out his public ministry he assures John the Baptist that he is the Servant of God and replies “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.” The priority of Jesus ministry is to proclaim the good news this is accompanied by wonders which bear witness to his claim.

The early church is described, day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ. This good news is for all the nations. The Ethiopian official asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. Peter declared to gentiles “You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.

God chose Paul to bring the good news about Jesus to the nations, and so Paul declares to the Galatians “Men, why are you doing this? We too are only men, human like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them. Or Paul brings the good news to the thinkers of Athens, some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others remarked, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection.

So the Good news about Jesus spread from place top place, and generation to generation. Paul puts the challenge to us in this generation in this city.

"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

In Good News Week: Real Life we have a season of taking the opportunities to share the Good news about Jesus with our friends and family and neighbours in our community and networks through hospitality events. It is not the only time we do this but it is a concentrated time.

See you there

GP