Good news is always better than bad news. It is a general truth that we all love to hear and experience. Is it better to be the recipient or the giver of such news? It’s like the old phrase, “It is better to give than receive.” I know that this is debatable depending on who you talk to but most people prefer to receive than to give.
Now, I love to give gifts. I also love to receive gifts. I think we can all agree we enjoy both, but who doesn’t love receiving gifts? It is just in our nature, especially when we know the person and the meaning behind the gift. I reflect on the idea of good news and live with the fact that I am in the giving business. I am in the giving of the good news business. I think about the supreme calling all Christians have been given and the urgency in that calling. We are flawed sinners, prone to wander like sheep, but it is by God’s wisdom he uses us to bear witness to the good news of the Lord Jesus Christ and to tell others about the gift given to the world.
Part 3: The Gospel-Focused Church
The gospel-focused church is one that is serious about its mission. It is one that addresses the overwhelming reality of sin in our lives. A gospel-focused church faces the hurts and pains of this life and provides relief by focusing itself on and around the good news of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Throughout my life, I have had the privilege to serve in several churches. I have learned and grown through the helpful guidance of many godly people and pastors. I have watched pastors from a distance, those that lead the large churches with the skills and resources all young pastors wish for but are usually out of reach. To acquire those it often takes a lifetime of faithfulness, work, and ultimately God’s grace. But often pastors and churches lose sight of their mission and the vision that they set themselves on at the beginning of their ministry. We do not want to be a church that loses sight of the vision God has set before us.
We have a goal and a vision. It is not complicated nor hard to achieve. We wish to be a church worthy of our Savior. To be Christ-centered and gospel-focused means to take seriously the message that truly is good news. We have to be givers of the good news. We have to tell people about the good news. We have to be clear about sin, not beating around the bush like so many churches do today. Sin is bad, and no matter what shape or form it comes in, it leads to death and hell. It leads to an eternity separated from the God of the universe. We have to tell people about Jesus and his death and his atoning work for all who would believe in him. And we have to call people to live in obedience with that good news. The Gospel is not a “get out of jail free” card message. It requires actual life-changing actions. A gospel-focused church focuses on those things.
My vision for us, and I believe it to be God’s as well, is to grow into a church that is saturated with gospel-truth. We teach and preach the gospel that was “ once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3). I know if we run with endurance towards the prize of Jesus, striving to look like Jesus always, we will surely finish the race. Pray that God will aid us in our vision and the days ahead. Pray that God would send leaders to lead his people. Pray that God would send out gospel messengers from among us, for his glory and honor. Pray that we will grow to be a gospel-focused church.
Bro. Jesse