10/28/2026
Midweek Inspiration
The Gospel: Bad News, Good News
Blessings, Church!
Recently, when I’ve been sharing Jesus with others, I’ve been asking them if they know what the Gospel means. Almost everyone I’ve asked has responded, “You have to live a good life” or “You have to do good deeds.”
On one level, this shows how many people have not yet understood the truth about Jesus. It encourages me to keep talking with others about Him. But it also makes me wonder, How many people in the Church can explain what the Gospel means?
Being able to articulate the Gospel is not what saves us. But as believers, we should be able to explain the good work Jesus has done. The word “Gospel” means “Good News.”
Today, “Good News” can sound like, “What can Jesus do for me and my circumstances?” But that is not the Gospel. That is a self-centered way of seeing Jesus. Treating Him as a means to an end.
The Good News makes sense in light of the bad news. We are all sinners before God, and our sin breaks His law and is a personal offense against Him. Sin deserves judgment, and the consequence is death, which is eternal separation from the One who is the author of life. That is the bad news, in short.
But the Good News is that, in His gracious love, God came into the world as a human being. Jesus showed us what a life fully devoted to God looks like. He was sinless, yet He died on the cross and took the penalty of death for you and me. Three days later, He rose again, defeating death and demonstrating His authority over sin, Satan, and death. He promises eternal life with our Creator to all who believe in Him and His work and repent.
Recently, Luis Delvalle and Eddie Olivencia came to Jesus after hearing this simple Gospel message. The same day Bro. Luis Delvalle accepted Jesus, he entered Teen Challenge to get help overcoming addiction. He is still there pressing forward. Bro. Olivencia came inside the church after this past Sunday’s service when everyone left. After we discussed the Gospel, he understood his need for a Savior and recognized his condition as a sinner. He said he was tired of dealing with the consequences of his sinful life. Please keep these men in your prayers.
These men were strangers to me. They knew about God, but they did not understand the truth about their condition. They needed to hear both the bad news of sin and the good news of Jesus.
My prayer for you, Church, is that God will fill you with boldness to share Jesus. You don’t have to be eloquent or have extensive biblical knowledge. Put your faith into action and trust God to work in the listener’s heart.
If you ever have questions about sharing your faith, or any other questions about your faith, I’m available.
Grace, mercy, and peace be with you!
Pastor Lu
