Bible Ballistics: BBs #305 Is There Any GOOD News???

 

In a Word yes!!! In fact, The Word is the Good News—Jesus Christ!

 

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not……..14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” Portions of John 1:1-14

Jesus, The Son of God came in the flesh to redeem (purchase back from sin) mankind—all who will believe in Him. And it is Jesus come in the flesh that reveals to us the glory of God. The God Almighty of all creation—Father, Son and Holy Spirit. And the Son took on flesh and blood to pay for our sin at Calvary, after all God couldn’t die, so He took on flesh that He could have a body of flesh in which HE would pay for our sin.

“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood,

he also himself likewise

took part of the same;

that through death

he might destroy him

that had the power of death,

that is, the devil;

15 And deliver them

who through fear of death

were all their lifetime

subject to bondage.

16 For verily he took not on him

the nature of angels;

but he took on him the seed

of Abraham.

17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him

to be made like unto his brethren,

that he might be a merciful

and faithful high priest

in things pertaining to God,

to make reconciliation

for the sins of the people.

18 For in that he himself

hath suffered being tempted,

he is able to succour

them that are tempted.” Hebrews 2:14-18

Jesus took on a body of flesh for you and me, that we might have life—eternal life with HIM. He came to restore that which we (all mankind) lost in Eden, and to do that HE had to come in flesh and blood, walk among men, experience temptation and OVERCOME temptation, sin, death and hell!!! And HE DID! And that is what we must believe and trust in—there is no other way, and that IS the Good News!   But at the same time it is sad news for those who reject Him.

“Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.” 1 John 4:2-3

Jesus IS God, the same Lord God who revealed Himself to Adam and Eve, Enoch, Abraham and Moses– One God in three unique and distinct personalities.

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord:

5 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:” Deuteronomy 6:4-6

And just as Moses declared truth here, it’s not having it in your head—it must be “be in thine heart”! And when we receive the forgiveness of sin that Jesus offers, in giving ourselves to Him we receive life, hope, truth and glory. And while many call the “model” prayer the “Lord’s Prayer”, in truth the “Lord’s Prayer” which He prayed for us is recorded in John 17. And I’d like to share portions of that prayer with you today. My challenge to you is to read it (In fact get out your Bible and read the entire prayer.), think on it and read it some more. Let the very word of the Savior of mankind—of your soul if you know HIM—sweep over you and receive the Good News of who HE is, and what HE has done and is doing for you even now—right this very minute! That my friend, is the Best News.

“These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said,

Father, the hour is come;

glorify thy Son,

that thy Son also may glorify thee:

2 As thou hast given him power

over all flesh,

that he should give eternal life

to as many as thou hast given him.

3 And this is life eternal,

that they might know thee

the only true God,

and Jesus Christ,

whom thou hast sent……

7 Now they have known that all things

whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee.

8 For I have given unto them the words

which thou gavest me;

and they have received them,

and have known surely that I came

out from thee,

and they have believed

that thou didst send me.

9 I pray for them:

I pray not for the world,

but for them

which thou hast given me;

for they are thine.

10 And all mine are thine,

and thine are mine;

and I am glorified in them.

11 And now I am no more in the world,

but these are in the world,

and I come to thee.

Holy Father,

keep through thine own name

those whom thou hast given me,

that they may be one,

as we are……..

20 Neither pray I for these alone,

but for them also

which shall believe on me

through their word;

21 That they all may be one;

as thou, Father,

art in me,

and I in thee,

that they also may be one in us:

that the world may believe

that thou hast sent me.

22 And the glory which thou gavest me

I have given them;

that they may be one,

even as we are one:

23 I in them,

and thou in me,

that they may be made perfect

in one;

and that the world may know

that thou hast sent me,

and hast loved them,

as thou hast loved me.”    Portions of John 17:1-23

Jesus IS the Good News, and you and I are made ministers, ambassadors for Jesus Christ. And an ambassador doesn’t speak for himself, he speaks for the One he represents—we are to be ambassadors of the Good News of the King of Glory! And we can be His ambassadors and do His work only and always because He is within us—in Him, through Him and with Him we can do all things that He asks of us!

“Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; 26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:”  Colossians 1:25-27

There is GOOD NEWS??? It’s your choice! All or nothing?

“…..for without me ye can do nothing.” John 15:5

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13