“I don’t have to hate anymore.”

“Dad, if I had grown up in one of those kinds of churches, I don’t think I would still be going to church either.”

Is it true?
Is it good?

Not good
Not true

Good News
Great Joy
For All People

The Gospel
The Good Story

What happened?

What happened to the good news?
We happened!

That’s not good news.

That’s pick and choose news.

Slave Bible
1807
Society for the Conversion of Slaves in British West Indies

Galatians 3:28 NIV
There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

But what about me?

Are you good news?

Correct belief?

Matthew 5:14, 16 NIV
“You are the light of the world
…let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Personify the good news.

Philippians 2:1 NIV
Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love,

Philippians 2:1 NIV
if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion…

Philippians 2:2 NIV
then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.

Philippians 2:3 NIV
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.

Philippians 2:3 NIV
Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,

Philippians 2:4 NIV
not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Philippians 2:5 NIV
In your relationships with one another have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

Philippians 2:6 NIV
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;

Philippians 2:7 NIV
rather, he made himself nothing…

Philippians 2:7 NIV
by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

Philippians 2:8 NIV
And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!

Philippians 2:12 NIV
…continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,

Philippians 2:13 NIV
for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

Philippians 2:14-15 NIV
Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure,

Philippians 2:15 NIV
“children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”

Philippians 2:15 (paraphrased by Andy)
Then…
you will shine in the world like stars in the sky…

BE GOOD NEWS
Apologize immediately.
Forgive quickly.
Defer habitually.
Give sacrificially.

When the news is more about a what than a who,
it’s no longer the good news.

Are you good news?

If the life and teaching of Jesus doesn’t strike you as good news,
it may be because the church hasn’t been good news for you.

Luke 2:10–11NIV
“Do not be afraid.
I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

For Discussion:

1.Do you know anyone who deconverted from Christianity? What reason(s) did they give? Have you been tempted to give up on faith because of an encounter with a person of faith?
2.Read Philippians 2:1–8.
Have you ever met a Christian whose approach to relationships reflects Paul’s instructions in these verses?
3.Is anyone coming for Christmas who needs to see and experience the good news through you? What’s one unexpected thing you could do for that person that would make your light shine a little brighter than usual?