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Share Your Good News

“The great difficulty is to get modern audiences to realize that you are preaching Christianity solely and simply because you happen to think it true; they always suppose you are preaching it because you like it or think it good for society or something of that sort.” -C. S. Lewis

Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus.

Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter).

The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.”

Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote–Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” (John 1:40-45)

Ever had some really good news that you were busting at the seams to share? The arrival of a new baby, the marriage of a child, a job promotion, an unexpected call or visit by someone you love–you name the good news–whatever it may be–and chances are you will want to share it.

“He is your friend who pushes you nearer to God.”
-Abraham Kuyper

This is exactly what we find in our verses for today. Both Andrew and Philip, having found Jesus, had to make it known! Andrew is convinced of the truth of Jesus, and those who are convinced cannot help but share especially with those nearest and dearest to them. Paul tells us:

“One man with beliefs is equal to a thousand with only interests.”
-John Stuart Mill

For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. (2 Corinthians 5:14)

Realizing the gospel was God’s solution for all of mankind’s spiritual needs, Paul unabashedly proclaims in Romans:

“True grace hates monopolies, and does not love to eat its morsels alone.”
-Matthew Henry

I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are at Rome. I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” (Romans 1:14-17)

“There is no joy in the world like the joy of bringing one soul to Christ.” -William Barclay

A heart filled with Jesus will spill out to others in both words and in deeds. So excited over his discovery of the Messiah, Andrew brings Simon to Jesus. Next, Philip is found by the Messiah and subsequently goes forth with the good news to Nathanael, unable to keep quiet over this wonderful truth he has discovered–the One on whom we have so long been waiting and wishing–He has come, He has come, we have found Him! What an experience of pure joy!

Take It to Heart

“He who does not live in some degree for others, hardly lives for himself.” -Montaigne

The wonderful news of Jesus is exciting to share. Because we have freely received we must also freely give.

“Nothing taken for granted; everything received with gratitude; everything passed on with grace.” (G. K. Chesterton)

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