Mission: Good News to All

“Good news” refers to the gospel, which is centered on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and His message brings hope, forgiveness, reconciliation, and eternal life to all who believe. It is good since it reconnects us, who fell short of God’s glory, to the Father who in His great love, sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to bear the penalty of sin on the cross, offering forgiveness and salvation to all who believe in Jesus Christ. Through the sacrificial death and triumphant resurrection of Jesus, the good news proclaims victory over sin and death. Such that, everyone is offered an opportunity to reconcile with God and to restore our relationship with Him. Further, good news is not only about personal salvation but also about the establishment of God's Kingdom on earth. This ensures a hope of a renewed creation, where unlike our current world, justice, peace and righteousness will prevail. Good news of Jesus Christ inspires everyone who believes in his Name to live in alignment with the Father’s Will, thereby, spreading love, hope, compassion and reconciliation to everyone - leading to the establishment of the Kingdom of Heaven on earth. As followers of Christ, we are all called to share the good news with others.

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. Matthew 28:18-20

This Great Commission involves not only the proclamation of the good news verbally, but also to embody its essence - the transformative power of faith and submission to the Will of God - in our lives. It means to live out the teachings of Jesus Christ: demonstrating love, faith, compassion, forgiveness, and justice in our relationships and interactions with everyone. Thereby sharing the incredible love and grace we found in Jesus Christ, bringing glory to the LORD. This is our mission, to share Good News to All.

Sharing of the Good News is not limited to a select few or to just a specific group of people. It is a universal call to spread the message of God's love, grace, forgiveness, and salvation to all corners of the world.

“Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; And you who have no money, Come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk Without money and without price. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And let your soul delight itself in abundance. Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live; And I will make an everlasting covenant with you—The sure mercies of David. Indeed I have given him as a witness to the people, A leader and commander for the people. Surely you shall call a nation you do not know, And nations who do not know you shall run to you, Because of the Lord your God, And the Holy One of Israel; For He has glorified you.” Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near. Isaiah 55:1-6

Isaiah chapter 55, opens with an invitation from God to all who are thirsty to come and drink freely. This refers and emphasizes that God's offer of salvation and abundant life is available to everyone, regardless of their background or status. It is clear that the good news is not exclusive but inclusive. It reminds us that our mission is to reach out to all individuals, inviting them to experience the love and grace of God.

In Acts chapter 10, we see the good news shared to the gentiles for the first time. God makes Peter realize that the message of salvation through Jesus Christ is not limited to the Jewish people, but is meant for people of all nations. Following which, Peter proclaims that “God shows no partiality” and tells the household of Cornelius the good news of Jesus Christ, the message of salvation, and how the disciples are testimonies to the fact.

Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all— that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree. Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.” Acts 10:34-43

While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. Thus, confirming that the good news is to be shared to everyone through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit to the gentiles. The mission of spreading the good news transcends all human barriers, so we ought to overcome any biases or prejudices we may have and share the good news freely with people from every culture and background.

The message of the good news starts with a call for repentance. Acknowledging our fallen state and striving to reconcile with God is a necessary first step to salvation. Jesus started His ministry with the proclamation "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matthew 4:17). Jesus further went about various places teaching and preaching the gospel of the kingdom and also healing those in need.

And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them. Great multitudes followed Him—from Galilee, and from Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan. Matthew 4:23-25

The message of good news also has a sense of urgency to it (Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand). The need for repentance and faith in Christ is crucial and time sensitive. Jesus also emphasized that the mission of sharing the good news involves not only proclaiming it but also demonstrating it through acts of compassion and service. It is now our duty to carry out the same.

May the LORD help us to proclaim the good news, not only verbally, but also through our life - with love, faith and compassion overflowing out to reach the people from all corners of the earth; inviting them to experience the same transformative power of God’s love which we cherish. The inclusive message of the good news is bound to unify us all and usher in the kingdom of God, which is already among us. Let the LORD use us as ambassadors of Christ to bring hope, healing, reconciliation and joy to this world which needs it. Let us also never forget the urgency of the message. The time of the LORD is at hand.

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9