vv 3-4 The Good News is about his Son. In his earthly life he was born into King David’s family line, and he was shown to be the Son of God when he was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. He is Jesus Christ our Lord.
Here is another vital element of our faith; there is life beyond the grave. Without any awareness of that, the whole of life seems devoid of purpose and direction. This is what transformed the disciples from fearful, hiding-in-a corner followers of a dead Messiah into world changers. The news of Jesus’ death and resurrection was Good News to a world that could only trust in rules and regulations to make it a better place. All the rules and restrictions in the world could only modify a lifetime of behaviour through imposing laws, sanctions and punishments. Religion held people in check for a lifetime only, while Jesus offers fullness of life in the here and now and for eternity too.
Resurrection and life eternal gives hope beyond.
So whatever else you think of as being essential here is the essential purpose of being a Christian – it is to announce the Good News of Jesus.
We might think about being good news to a desperate world, offering love and hope to its people, but in the last analysis this Good News is for announcing and explaining. All the other good things we might do as Church and individuals – immensely valuable in themselves of course – but they are designed to point to Jesus who is the Good News.
You may be able to do an endless number of good things to help people; you might use your money to help fulfil the plans of excellent organisations; perhaps you might even take a leading role in a religious organisation such as a Church or Missionary Society, but all will be exercises in missing the point unless they fulfil that most essential function of announcing the Good News of Jesus to a world in need of forgiveness and eternal life.
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