Stephen Francis Staten > My Convictions > Study Series > The Good News

The Good News

Introduction:
Most news today is bad news. Even a majority of good news only provides momentary encouragement. There is news affecting our world that has an everlasting value. Consider the following truth.

When Jesus came onto the scene suicide was considered permissible, legal and often advisable. At times gladiator events would takes thousands of lives for the sheer purpose of amusement. Also prevalent was the killing of infants and the selling of young children as slaves. Evidence points to a widespread and unimaginable disdain for life throughout the world’s greatest empire. Early emperors claimed to establish a gospel, which means “good news”, throughout the land. Instead, shamelessness behavior would be the legacy of first century Roman world.

Then Jesus came along and contradicted previous gospel claims, audaciously asserting that He was the bringer of the “good news”. Jesus of Nazareth lived in a way to show us how to live but ways struck at the cord of both the Jew and the Roman. He especially became the stumbling block for the religious leaders of his day and was crucified by secular authorities. Upon his resurrection his followers spread the complete gospel message into their world. Many ultimately died for Jesus and He is directly responsible for humanity’s greatest hopes, teachings and goodness.

I. Jesus was a HISTORICAL FIGURE: Luke 1:1-5

• Dr. Luke “investigated” (from same Greek word often translated “autopsy”) the data.
• Luke’s account reveals a scholarly look at the evidence.

II. Jesus was an INCOMPARABLE PERSON: Mark 1:35-39, 3:15-17, 7:37

• Concerned for community.
• Love for the disenfranchised.
• Did everything well.

III. Jesus taught SUPERIOR VALUES: Matthew 5:1-11, 7:28-29

• Most famous sermon of all time.
• Contrasts teaching and style of His time.

IV. Jesus was the PRIME MOVER OF GOODNESS: Acts 10:34-43

• Brought good news of peace.
• Known for doing good and healing.

V. Jesus alone OVERCAME DEATH: 1 Corinthians 15:1-5

• The gospel (good news) is an essential belief of the Christian religion. To not believe in the resurrection means that one has vain faith. Where is your faith?
• Do you believe the gospel of Jesus --- His great life, death, burial and resurrection?

Conclusion:
A Gentile investigator (Luke), witnesses (Mark, Matthew), and a former enemy (Paul) represent the same good news of Jesus. Consider the impact that the good news had on its first audience by watching the film, The Cross.

Have you been living as if you have received the good news of Jesus Christ (Consider Mary running from the tomb)?

Are you one of Jesus’ followers who are spreading the word of the gospel and all its implications?

If you are not a disciple of the Lord, would you like to learn more about him and what it means to embrace him?

Copyright 2004 Stephen Francis Staten