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| Good News, Bad News – A Two-Sided Coin Based on “How Jesus' Birth Changed Everything, Part 5” by Pastor Mark Balmer; 1/1-2/11, Message #MB445; Daily Devotional #4 -
Preparing the Soil (Introduction): Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20) Before leaving this earth to go back to His heavenly Father, Jesus gave this command to His disciples – to be His hands, His feet, and His mouth to the world.
Planting and Watering the Seed (Growth): It is important for Christ followers to remember that this mission is like a two-sided coin. There is the “good news,” and there is the “bad news.” Each of these is critical to the salvation message. People need to understand the bad news before they can understand their need for the good news. They need to know:
§ Everyone has sinned. (Romans 3:23) § The wages of sin is death. (Romans 6:23) § Hell is a real place. (Matthew 5:22; Matthew 10:28) § There are no second chances once we die. (Luke 16:26) The other side of the coin is the Good News: § God’s salvation is available to all through His Son, Jesus. (John 3:16) § Jesus died on the cross and took the wrath of God for us. (2 Corinthians 5:21) § Jesus’ death on the cross frees us from the penalty of sin. (Romans 6:23) § Every Christ follower has eternal life. (John 3:36)
Harvesting the Crop (Action/Response): Jesus has asked His followers to be His ambassadors in presenting both sides of this coin to others. In its totality, the year 2011 will have 365 days, which is 8760 hours or 525,600 minutes. A few days, several hours and many minutes of this New Year have already passed. This serves to remind us of the need to take advantage of the opportunities God puts before us to take this two-sided coin and share it with those in need. Ask God to open your eyes, your mind, and your heart to the opportunities He gives you to be His hands, feet, and mouth to the world around you.
Cultivating (Additional Reading): 2 Peter 3:9 klw Calvary Chapel of Melbourne; 2955 Minton Road; W. Melbourne, FL 32904; 321-952-9673 All Bible references are from the New International Version (NIV) unless otherwise noted. |
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