Week 27: The Gospel

• Key verses: Mark 1:1; Romans 1:16; Galatians 1:6-7
• The Good News from God
• Fake news
• Parting thoughts

Key verses

Mark 1:1 (NLT)

1This is the Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God.

Romans 1:16 (NLT)

For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.

Galatians 1:6-7 (NLT)

I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ. You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ.

The Good News from God

During the Roman Empire, emperors would send good news throughout the empire to announce births of an heir, military victories, and a new emperor’s ascension. The word “gospel” means good news. God used the same announcements for Jesus.

Jesus’ birth

Angels declared the good news to the shepherds at Jesus’ birth.

Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 

Luke 2:9-11

Jesus’ victory

The gospels further proclaim the victory over death and sin at the cross and ultimately with his resurrection. Paul summarizes the victory in his letter to the Corinthians.

“Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 15:54-57

Jesus’ ascension

Finally, Jesus ascended to the throne at the right hand of God. Stephen’s vision at death broadcasts Jesus’ assumption to the throne.

And he told them, “Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand!”

Acts 7:56

God used the Internet of the Roman Empire to declare his good news. All parts of the news deserved to be celebrated. Christmas and Easter are celebrated by Christians throughout the world. Ascension Day traditionally occurs 40 days after Easter. However, it is primarily celebrated only in Catholic Church. I have never heard of this day being celebrated in evangelical churches.

Should we give it more focus? Why don’t we celebrate it like his birth? I think we really like the baby in the nativity. The Savior has come. We celebrate his victory over sin and death at Easter. Why do we shy away from the coronation of King Jesus?  He is the king of the universe. God announced all three, we should celebrate all three.

The twisted gospel, fake news

 Throughout history, from the early days of the church, the gospel has been twisted into fake news. Whether you add to message or take away from it, the good news which leads to life is twisted into fake news which leads to death. So many in the church today pick and choose what to believe. We need to declare and believe it all not just part of it.

I also see many non-Christians twisting the good news. They pick out what they want from the Bible and ignore the rest. Then they try to justify their lifestyle and sin. Or they try to shame Christians with their bad theology like “if God is love, how can he send someone to hell?”

If you are a Jesus follower, you have the good news from God through Jesus. Jesus came to conquer death and give us eternal life with him. Don’t be ashamed of the gospel. When Jesus was exalted on Ascension Day, he commissioned us to share the good news! Let’s get to it!

Parting thoughts

The Good News is very good. We see King Jesus born, victorious, and coronated. Have you chosen to celebrate the good news and follow Jesus? Let me know if you have any questions.