The first step as we begin our journey to our stronger walk with Christ, I must discuss the "Good News." The news about the redemption plan God has for each of us. It doesn't matter where we've been or what we have done; God has made a way of redemption through the Cross. Before the beginning of time, God knew the path each of us would take and loves us so much that He would make a way for us to be set free from sin and death.
Romans 5:15 But not as the offense so also is the free gift. For if through the offense of one (Adam) many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.
Romans 8:1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,
All of mankind has fallen short or missed the mark. All have done things that are against the will of God. However, God wants us to lay our shortcomings at His alter, the Cross!!! He wants us to become more robust in our faith and walk. When we become stronger in our walk others will see Him in and through our lives.
Isaiah 43:1 (NKJV) But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, your name( ) And He who formed you, "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine.
It is because of God’s love for all mankind that He sent His son to take our sins upon Himself so we could be forgiven, redeemed, and set free. Let us never forget the price that was paid for our salvation and may we always strive to live in a way that honors God and reflects His love for the world around us.
When you look in the mirror, who do You see? The man that the world is proud of or a man that God would say,
"Well Done!"
It doesn't matter where you are in your life's journey, mature Christian, new Christian, or not a Christian at all, we must know one infallible truth…" The God News of Christ's Redemption."
As you begin this journey as men pursuing Christ, I want us to take a moment and look at the "Why" that we follow Christ or the "Why" one should follow Christ. Most followers of Christ did not follow Him because the Bible said they should. When we look at the early church's history, there were tens of thousands of followers before they had a New Testament as we know it today. Those early believers followed Christ because of the infallible truth of His life and resurrection. The early Jewish followers of Christ called themselves "The Way." It appears the early Christians were called "The Way" for several reasons.
Isaiah 40:3 A voice of one calling: "In the wilderness prepare the "Way" for the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Christ stated in John 14:6 Jesus answered, "I am the "Way" and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Albert Barnes, in his commentary on Isaiah written in 1851, remarks on these verses: The idea is taken from the practice of Eastern monarchs, who, whenever they entered on a journey or an expedition, primarily through a barren and unfrequented or inhospitable country, sent harbingers [forerunners] or heralds before them to prepare the way.
Ask yourself, “What path am I on?” At some point in life, we must all come to a fork in the road and make a choice.
Matthew 7:13-14, Jesus said to enter through the narrow gate, for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
So, what led so many early believers to follow the ways of Christ? It all begins with John the Baptist. In Luke 1:76, it is said that John would be called a prophet of the Most High and would go on before the Lord to prepare the way for Him. John the Baptist prepared the hearts of many future followers of Christ by preaching the doctrine of repentance, administering the ordinance of baptism, pointing to the Messiah, and exhorting the people to believe in him.
Luke 1:76 And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the LORD to prepare the "Way" for Him.
John the Baptist would prepare the way for the Messiah whose proper deity, a noble testimony, is here, called "Jehovah" and "our God." John the Baptist prepared the hearts of many future followers of Christ by preaching the doctrine of repentance, administering the ordinance of baptism, pointing to the Messiah, and encouraging the people to believe in Him. John also called upon them to prepare the way and make a plain path to meet Him by repenting their sins, amending their ways, and cordially embracing Him when they come, laying aside all those sentiments contrary to him, his Gospel, and kingdom. The way of the Lord was paved as the profit Isaiah had prophesied. Many of the followers of Christ would have the foundation of "The Way" through the message of John the Baptist and eventually have a better understanding of the message.
John 1:29-31. The next day, he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world!" This is he of whom I said, 'After me comes a man who ranks before me, for he was before me.' I did not know him; but for this, I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel."
For those early believers, it was no different than it is for all believers who follow Christ. Even to this day, the message has not changed…" Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world."
Although the early believers didn't have the New Testament as we do today, they had something better. Those early believers had the eyewitnesses sharing the truth of what they saw and heard. Even those who, at first, were skeptical possibly became believers after the resurrection.
Many early converts would write down what they had witnessed and heard. Some early followers might have been in the crowd crying, "Crucify, Crucify, Crucify." Others might have been soldiers at the Cross or guarding the tomb. We know that many historians from that time and other writers had written their accounts of what they saw. In the book of Luke, he reminds us of that in his opening verses.
Luke 1:1-4 Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. With this in mind, I have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, and I, too, decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of what you have been taught.
Luke writes to Theophilus an orderly account of the life of Christ from the beginning to the end. One might say that Luke was "The news reporter of the day." A reporter who would thoroughly investigate the stories of those who had written about and witnessed the things of Christ.
The message of salvation, also known as the "Good News," is available to all people because God sent his only Son to live among us and experience life as we do. This is referenced in John 1:14-18, where it is stated that the Word became flesh and lived with us, revealing God's glory and grace. John the Baptist confirmed this message, stating that Jesus was the one he spoke of when he said, "He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me." Through Jesus, we have received grace upon grace, as opposed to the law which was given by Moses. Jesus brought grace and truth to the world. Though no one has seen God, the one and only Son, who is himself God and at the Father's side, has made Him known to us. Because Jesus was tested in the same ways that we are, God understands our struggles and temptations. It is important to take His love and redemption seriously. His calling on our lives is simple: "Follow me."
Often, we feel like our future is limited because of past mistakes or current circumstances. However, we should not let the struggles of yesterday prevent us from following God's calling on our lives. We must keep our eyes fixed on the prize and not get stuck or distracted during this race. Rather than remaining fixated on past failures, we should look toward the endless possibilities of the future that God has in store for us. The reward at the end of our race is eternity with Christ. The word Gospel is derived from the Greek word εὐαγγέλιον, euangelion, which means “good message”. The New Testament conveys the message of “Good News” that brings salvation to all who believe. Jesus Christ's birth and death on the cross provide us with the Good News of eternal life. Luke 2:10-11 recounts the angel's announcement to the shepherds, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord." In John 11:25-27, Jesus proclaims, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me will live, even though they die, and whoever lives by believing in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” To which Martha replies, “Yes, Lord; I have come to believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, and He who comes into the world.”
The Good News is evident from the first word of the Bible. In Genesis 1:1, the Hebrew word “B’reishit” or “Beresheet” in English is usually translated as “In the beginning…”. From the very first word of the Bible, God had established a plan of redemption through His Son. Through His Son Jesus Christ, God would put His plan of redemption in place before Adam and Eve and before the fall of mankind.