Powerful News
Good News of God
By Greg Johnson
March 14, 2007
http://www.LovingGodFellowship.org/greg_johnson_blog
Romans 10
It’s easy to become a news addict with all of the news outlets today. There are magazines, newspapers, the internet and nightly news. For the serious news minded there are the 24 hour news channels such as CNN and Fox News. All of this news is informative, but not powerful.
The good news of God is powerful. It is the only news that can change a life and its destination.
POWERFUL NEWS
From the incarnation to the resurrection, the good news of God is powerful news.
Christ came from heaven to earth.
Christ lived a life worthy to be followed.
Christ died on the cross for our sins.
Christ rose from the grave and has been exalted to glory for our life.
Christ is the only way to righteousness.
The Apostle Paul writes (Romans 10:1-4 NIV) "Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. {2} For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. {3} Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. {4} Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes."
Christ is our righteousness! One is declared righteous through Christ and not through works. That is powerful news that is life changing!
POWERFUL NEWS PROCLAIMED.
This is the best news that can ever be proclaimed. Notice what the Word of God says. (Romans 10:5-13 NIV) "Moses describes in this way the righteousness that is by the law: "The man who does these things will live by them." {6} But the righteousness that is by faith says: "Do not say in your heart, ’Who will ascend into heaven?’ " (that is, to bring Christ down) {7} "or ’Who will descend into the deep?’ " (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). {8} But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: {9} That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. {10} For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. {11} As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." {12} For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile--the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, {13} for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.""
The Apostle Paul said “this is the word of faith we are proclaiming.” The good news of God is powerful and worthy to be proclaimed. It’s a message of faith and not works. It’s a message of believing and professing Jesus Christ.
POWERFUL PREACHING ALWAYS POINTS LISTENERS TO JESUS.
Listen closely to those that claim to be called in our day. If their message is not pointing people to Jesus, they are not proclaiming “the word of faith.” They are not proclaiming the Word of Christ. They are proclaiming a different gospel as the preachers that the Apostle Paul corrected in the book of Galatians that tried to lead the people into salvation by works instead of faith.
God’s Word says (Romans 10:14-17 NIV) "How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? {15} And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" {16} But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our message?" {17} Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ."
Powerful preaching always points listeners to Jesus. As they listen, some will believe and faith will grow within them. Their lives will be changed along with their destination. Jesus will save them and take them on a wonderful journey from earth to glory! That is powerful news! It is the word of faith that I dedicate my life to preaching. It’s all about Jesus, my wonderful Lord and Savior. He is my righteousness and I rejoice in Him! I proclaim Christ and Christ only!
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