GOOD NEWS FROM THE BIBLE

INTRODUCTION:

1. In today's society, it seems like everywhere we turn we are introduced to some type of bad news.

a. Before we go to bed at night, many of us watch the evening news; and usually the first thing we hear about is bad news.

b. When we wake up in the morning, many of us read the newspaper; and normally, the first thing we read about is bad news.

c. When we come home from work, and ask our spouse about their day, frequently, the first thing they talk about is the problems they encountered while at work; more bad news.

2. With so much bad news in the world,…

a. Its no wonder so many people have a gloomy outlook on life.

b. Its no wonder so many people have a negative attitude towards others.

c. Its no wonder so many people live their lives with no joy or hope.

FOLKS, THIS MORNING I AM GOING TO SHARE WITH YOU - NOT SOME MORE BAD NEWS- BUT SOME GOOD NEWS THAT WE FIND IN THE BIBLE.

THE BIBLE IS FILLED WITH GOOD NEWS THAT WE NEED TO HEAR AND MEDITATE ON!

I. THE FIRST PIECE OF GOOD NEWS THAT WE FIND IN THE BIBLE IS THAT JESUS CHRIST DIED ON THE CROSS SO THAT WE CAN RECEIVE SALVATION.

1. Before Jesus took His last breath on the cross, mankind was sinking in sin. In fact (Eph. 2:1) teaches that mankind was dead in their sins.

2. But listen to the good news of what God did for us!

• (Eph. 2:4) “But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions.”

• (Rom. 5:8) “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

• (Col. 2:13) “When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins…”

• (2 Cor. 5:21) “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.”

3. Brethren, we will never hear any better news than this.

4. Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose again, and through His sacrifice, we can have our sins washed away and be free from the bondage of sin, so that one-day we can live in heaven.

ILLUSTRATION:

In his book "Written in Blood," Robert Coleman tells the story of a little boy whose sister needed a blood transfusion. The doctor had explained that she had the same disease the boy had recovered from two years earlier. Her only chance for recovery was a transfusion from someone who had previously conquered the disease. Since the two children had the same rare blood type, the boy was the ideal donor.

The doctor asked the little boy “Would you give your blood to your sister Mary?”

Johnny hesitated. His lower lip started to tremble. Then he smiled, “Sure, for my sister.”

Soon the two children were wheeled into the hospital room--Mary, pale and thin; Johnny, robust and healthy. Neither spoke, but when their eyes met, Johnny grinned.

As the nurse inserted the needle into his arm, Johnny’s smile faded. He watched the blood flow through the tube. With the ordeal almost over, his voice, slightly shaky, broke the silence. “Doctor, when do I die?”

Only then did the doctor realize why Johnny had hesitated, why his lip had trembled when he’d agreed to donate his blood. He’d thought giving his blood to his sister meant giving up his life. In that brief moment, he’d made his great decision.

5. Johnny, fortunately, didn’t have to die to save his sister. Each of us, however, has a condition more serious than Mary’s, and it required Jesus to give not just his blood, but his life.

6. Oh what a precious, and loving Savior we have in Jesus. He voluntarily gave his life for us so that we may have a new life and a new relationship with God.

***Sing “Redeemed p. 436***

II. THE SECOND PIECE OF GOOD NEWS THAT WE FIND IN THE BIBLE IS THAT IF WE ARE LIVING OUR LIVES FOR JESUS, WE CAN HAVE ASSURANCE OF OUR SALVATION.

1. A Bible teacher once asked his class, most of whom were professing Christians, “Can you be sure that you are saved?”

2. Here are some of the answers he received:

a. “No, there is no way you can know for sure if you are saved.”

b. “I hope so.”

c. “I won’t know till I get to heaven--if I do get there. I wouldn’t presume to say I know for sure.”

3. I'm sure that if I asked you the same question some of you may have some of the same answers that these students had.

4. But what does the Bible say about assurance of salvation?

• (John 5:24) "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.

• (1John 5:13) These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, in order that you may know that you have eternal life.

5. The Bible clearly teaches that we can know (eidete; perfect tense; here and now present certainty) that we have eternal life. We can know that we are in a saved relationship with God.

6. How do you know if you are saved?

a. If you have given your life to Jesus Christ by (a) Believing in Him (b) repenting of your sins (c) confessing Him to others (d) being baptized for the remission of your sins; and If you are living a faithful and Godly life; and walking in the light, then you can have assurance of your salvation! Isn’t that Great News! What a great burden that has been lifted off our shoulders.

ILLUSTRATION:

C. H. Spurgeon is quoted as saying that he was so sure of his salvation that he could grab on to a cornstalk and swing out over the fires of hell, look into the face of the devil, and sing, “Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!”

7. Brethren, our salvation is not dependent upon hope, it is dependent upon what God has promised in the Bible.

III. THE THIRD PIECE OF GOOD NEWS THAT WE FIND IN THE BIBLE IS THAT ONE-DAY JESUS IS COMING BACK TO TAKE US TO HEAVEN.

1. Read (John 14:1-4).

2. From this passage, we notice that Jesus is preparing a place for us and He is coming back to take us with Him.

ILLUSTRATION:

Several years ago, I heard a story about a father who one morning told his son that he was going to California to find a job, and once he found a job and made some money, he was going to come back and get his family and take them back with him.

However, the tragedy of this story is that the father did not keep his promise; for he never came back for his family. Year after year, the boy hoped and prayed that his father would return but he never did. He abandoned his family.

3. My friends, Jesus is not going to break His promise to us. He is not going to abandon us. He is not going to leave us. For the Bible says that one day, Jesus is coming back to get us.

• “For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever” (1 Thess. 4:16-17).

CONCLUSION:

1. In closing, every day we should fill our souls with good news -- especially good news from the Bible.

2. Today, we have seen three pieces of good news:

a. Jesus Christ died on the cross so that we may receive salvation.

b. If we are living our lives for the Lord, we have assurance of our salvation.

c. One day, Jesus is coming back to take us to heaven.

3. I hope and pray that this lesson has blessed you as much as it has blessed me. If you would like to receive these wonderful blessings, please come now as we stand and sing.