Good News!

 

 

 

I have spent the past few weeks praying for you and for your friends and family members who have not yet surrendered to Jesus as Lord and Saviour.  I guess I’m getting a jump on the Penetcost Prayer Vigil.

I’ve also been thinking about things; namely, God, Jesus, the Bible, St. George’s and Burlington.

Over coffee on Wednesday morning, my friend Andrew was sharing his passion, zeal (and yes, even a bit of frustration) in getting the good news that changed his life out to Burlington.  You see Andrew intuitively knows what we all know:

1) God has good news for all of Burlington

2) The Bible records the good news of Jesus

3) St. George’s reason for being lies somewhere in proclaiming that good news to Burlington

It is all about God, Jesus, the Bible, St. George’s and Burlington.

Now here’s where the rubber meets the road.  You are St. George’s.  I am St. George’s.  We are St. George’s.

With whom are you intentionally sharing the good news?  How’s it going?

We had our monthly Executive Council meeting last night.  During the meeting we went around the table, each of the three trustees talking briefly about the person they are talking to about Jesus.  We shared our joys and challenges in sharing the good news.

I pointed them to two instructive passages of scripture:

1) John 1:35-42 – Andrew, a new convert to Jesus, hasn’t the words and confidence to articulate his faith.  So he just grabs Simon Peter and drags him to Jesus saying, “Come and see!”.  For some of us inviting our friends to church will be the mode for sharing the good news.

2) Acts 8:26-40 – Philip is a seasoned, confident disciple of Jesus.  He comes along side the Ethiopian eunuch and asks, “What are you reading?”  Philip is certain that he can show this man how Jesus is at work in his life and even in the world around him.  Some of us will be like Philip and our sharing of the good news will involve in depth dialogue.  Just make sure you answer your friends’ questions and avoid giving sermons over coffee.

We will talk more about this at Parish Council next week.  I am asking for the foreseeable future that each small group take time to discuss these two models for sharing the good news, Which one will you use?  Take time to ask each member of your small group who they are sharing the good news with.  Pray for each other.

Be intentional.  God has good news for everyone.  His plan for sharing that good news has always been through the church. You are the church.