The Best News Ever: Sharing Hope in a Hungry World
In a world starving for hope, we hold the recipe for life-giving nourishment. Imagine stumbling upon an endless feast while surrounded by people wasting away from hunger. Would you keep that discovery to yourself? Of course not! Yet so often, we who have tasted the goodness of God's love fail to share it with those around us.
The apostle Paul reminds us in Romans that "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." But he then poses a crucial question: "How 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?" We who have experienced God's grace are called to be His messengers, bringing good news to a world in desperate need.
This mission isn't reserved for a select few. While some may have specific callings, like Paul's ministry to the Gentiles, all believers are part of a "royal priesthood" (1 Peter 2:9). We are God's chosen people, set apart to "declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." This calling requires us to be prepared, as Peter exhorts: "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have" (1 Peter 3:15).
Our mission begins with our own spiritual growth. We must be disciples before we can make disciples. This means prioritizing our relationship with God through prayer, Bible study, and fellowship with other believers. As we mature in our faith, we become better equipped to share it with others.
But how do we share this "best news ever" in a way that resonates with those around us? Here's a simple framework to guide our conversations:
1. Tell people about God's plan: God created us for relationship with Him. He desires to give us abundant life, joy, and peace – even in the midst of life's storms.
2. Help people understand the problem: Sin has separated us from God. This isn't just a "them" problem; it's a universal human condition. As Paul says, "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).
3. Share the solution: Jesus, through His death and resurrection, bridges the gap between us and God. He paid the price for our sin and offers us new life.
4. Explain the next steps: Using the acronym ABCDE can be helpful:
- Admit you are lost and need help
- Believe in Jesus as Savior and accept His invitation
- Confess your sins and ask for forgiveness
- Decide to follow Jesus and His way
- Engage with others in the faith community
Remember, this isn't about having all the answers or winning arguments. It's about sharing our own stories of how God has transformed our lives and pointing others to the source of true hope.
The Old Testament provides a powerful illustration of this calling. In 2 Kings 7, we find the story of four lepers during a time of severe famine. These outcasts, facing certain death, decide to surrender to the enemy camp in hopes of finding food. To their amazement, they discover the camp abandoned, filled with provisions. After satisfying their own hunger, they have a moment of conviction: "This is a day of good news. If we are silent and wait until morning light, punishment will overtake us. Let's go at once and report this to the royal palace" (2 Kings 7:9).
Like those lepers, we have discovered an abundant feast in a world of spiritual famine. We cannot keep this good news to ourselves. Our mission is to invite others to the banquet, to "come to the waters and drink" as Jesus says in Revelation.
This calling requires intentionality and strategy. We must be aware of the opportunities God places before us, both within our existing relationships and in everyday encounters. This might mean striking up conversations with other parents at your child's activities, building relationships with employees at places you frequent, or simply being more attentive to the people you interact with daily.
As we share the gospel, it's crucial to approach others with gentleness and respect. Remember that we, too, were once lost. Our role is not to judge, but to overflow with the hope we've found in Christ.
Sharing our faith isn't always easy. It requires courage, wisdom, and perseverance. That's why prayer is so essential. We must continually ask God for opportunities, for the right words to say, and for softened hearts to receive the message.
The journey doesn't end with someone accepting Christ. We are called to help new believers grow in their faith, just as others have nurtured us. This might involve inviting them to church, studying the Bible together, or simply doing life alongside them as they learn to follow Jesus.
In a world inundated with information, we possess the word of life. While the internet offers a wealth of knowledge, true wisdom and hope are found in Christ alone. We have the incredible privilege and responsibility of pointing people to Him.
Let's not keep the best news ever to ourselves. Like those four lepers who couldn't remain silent about their discovery, may we be compelled to share the life-giving hope we've found in Jesus. The feast is abundant, and the invitation is open. Will you join in spreading the word?
In a world starving for hope, we hold the recipe for life-giving nourishment. Imagine stumbling upon an endless feast while surrounded by people wasting away from hunger. Would you keep that discovery to yourself? Of course not! Yet so often, we who have tasted the goodness of God's love fail to share it with those around us.
The apostle Paul reminds us in Romans that "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." But he then poses a crucial question: "How 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?" We who have experienced God's grace are called to be His messengers, bringing good news to a world in desperate need.
This mission isn't reserved for a select few. While some may have specific callings, like Paul's ministry to the Gentiles, all believers are part of a "royal priesthood" (1 Peter 2:9). We are God's chosen people, set apart to "declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." This calling requires us to be prepared, as Peter exhorts: "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have" (1 Peter 3:15).
Our mission begins with our own spiritual growth. We must be disciples before we can make disciples. This means prioritizing our relationship with God through prayer, Bible study, and fellowship with other believers. As we mature in our faith, we become better equipped to share it with others.
But how do we share this "best news ever" in a way that resonates with those around us? Here's a simple framework to guide our conversations:
1. Tell people about God's plan: God created us for relationship with Him. He desires to give us abundant life, joy, and peace – even in the midst of life's storms.
2. Help people understand the problem: Sin has separated us from God. This isn't just a "them" problem; it's a universal human condition. As Paul says, "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).
3. Share the solution: Jesus, through His death and resurrection, bridges the gap between us and God. He paid the price for our sin and offers us new life.
4. Explain the next steps: Using the acronym ABCDE can be helpful:
- Admit you are lost and need help
- Believe in Jesus as Savior and accept His invitation
- Confess your sins and ask for forgiveness
- Decide to follow Jesus and His way
- Engage with others in the faith community
Remember, this isn't about having all the answers or winning arguments. It's about sharing our own stories of how God has transformed our lives and pointing others to the source of true hope.
The Old Testament provides a powerful illustration of this calling. In 2 Kings 7, we find the story of four lepers during a time of severe famine. These outcasts, facing certain death, decide to surrender to the enemy camp in hopes of finding food. To their amazement, they discover the camp abandoned, filled with provisions. After satisfying their own hunger, they have a moment of conviction: "This is a day of good news. If we are silent and wait until morning light, punishment will overtake us. Let's go at once and report this to the royal palace" (2 Kings 7:9).
Like those lepers, we have discovered an abundant feast in a world of spiritual famine. We cannot keep this good news to ourselves. Our mission is to invite others to the banquet, to "come to the waters and drink" as Jesus says in Revelation.
This calling requires intentionality and strategy. We must be aware of the opportunities God places before us, both within our existing relationships and in everyday encounters. This might mean striking up conversations with other parents at your child's activities, building relationships with employees at places you frequent, or simply being more attentive to the people you interact with daily.
As we share the gospel, it's crucial to approach others with gentleness and respect. Remember that we, too, were once lost. Our role is not to judge, but to overflow with the hope we've found in Christ.
Sharing our faith isn't always easy. It requires courage, wisdom, and perseverance. That's why prayer is so essential. We must continually ask God for opportunities, for the right words to say, and for softened hearts to receive the message.
The journey doesn't end with someone accepting Christ. We are called to help new believers grow in their faith, just as others have nurtured us. This might involve inviting them to church, studying the Bible together, or simply doing life alongside them as they learn to follow Jesus.
In a world inundated with information, we possess the word of life. While the internet offers a wealth of knowledge, true wisdom and hope are found in Christ alone. We have the incredible privilege and responsibility of pointing people to Him.
Let's not keep the best news ever to ourselves. Like those four lepers who couldn't remain silent about their discovery, may we be compelled to share the life-giving hope we've found in Jesus. The feast is abundant, and the invitation is open. Will you join in spreading the word?
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