…of those who preach the good news. (Romans 10:15)

Men I write to you today because someone many years ago heeded the call of God to preach to me the good news of Jesus Christ. That is what gospel means: good news. The good news is that the God of the universe who created and rules over everything, created you and I to have a relationship with Him. This relationship is meant to be forever and God sent His one and only son Jesus to make it happen. And calling it good news is actually selling it short, because it is the greatest news one can hear. Thanks be to God my Uncle Tom shared with me what he heard from Billy Graham. I wouldn’t be a believer today if God hadn’t worked through Billy Graham’s humble, faithful, and powerful preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I am not about putting another man on a pedestal, but I am about giving credit where credit is due. Thank you Lord for Billy Graham, thank you for my Uncle Tom, and thank you for calling me to you through your Word and the great news of Jesus Christ. I taught Sunday school yesterday and the curriculum spelled out the gospel as follows:

God rules. God created everything, and He is in charge of everything. (Genesis 1:1, Revelation 4:11, and Colossians 1:16-17)

We sinned. Since the time of Adam and Eve, everyone has chosen to disobey God. (Romans 3:23) The Bible calls this sin. Because God is holy, God cannot be around sin. Sin separates us from God and deserves God’s punishment of death. (Romans 6:23)

God provided. The greatest gift that could be given. (Romans 6:23, John 3:16). God sent His Son, Jesus, the perfect solution to our sin problem, to rescue us from the punishment we deserve. It’s something we, as sinners, could never earn on our own. Jesus alone saves us. (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Jesus gives. Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again. Because Jesus gave up His life for us, we can be welcomed into God’s family for eternity. This is the best gift ever! (Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 3:18).

We respond. We can respond to Jesus. (Romans 10:9-10,13). And these are the aspects of our response: Believe in your heart that Jesus alone saves you through what He’s already done on the cross. Repent, turning from self and sin to Jesus. Tell God and others that your faith is in Jesus.
Romans 10:9-17: 9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

SO AS MEN IN THE TRENCHES OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD, LET US BE THE ONE WHO SHARES THE GOOD NEWS WITH THOSE IN OUR LIVES GOD HAS DRAWN US TO.