"The Gospel in a Nutshell"

JOHN 3:16-21

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. ‘Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.’* 

DEVOTION

I am so excited to have the opportunity to be writing about John 3:16 which has often been called, “The Gospel in Nutshell.” When I say the word Gospel, I am referring to the GOOD NEWS message! What is this message? I believe it is simple—God loves, God gave, God saves!

In this season of Lent, we take upon our brow a cross of ashes as a 

reminder that we came from the dust, and to the dust we will return. As we fast, pray, and give alms to the poor we are reminded of our own frailty and of our very real need for our Lord and Savior—Jesus--who is the Christ!

Isn’t it amazing that although we sin and fall short of the glory of God, God continues to pursue us, romancing our hearts, and calling us home?! I am so glad that God did not send Jesus into the world to condemn us; but rather, God sent Jesus that we might be saved! 

I don’t know about you, but it thrills me that the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the Great I Am, has chosen to call me friend… 

As we look around with eyes of faith, we will notice that this friendship permeates every area of our lives.  It means that we don’t have to be ashamed, hiding our sin in the deepest recesses of our souls. Because God is El Shaddai, God is our all sufficiency. When we fall down, God picks us up! When we get lost, God leads us to safety. When we feel sad, God fills us with joy!

This is wonderful GOOD NEWS, my friends!  And it is so good that we cannot keep it to ourselves. Today, let us make it our business to make the name of Jesus famous everywhere we go! Let us go to the highways and byways of life and bid others to come. 

God has been good a good friend to us, let us introduce our best friend to others! For it is truly a matter of life and death…

With whom will you share GOOD NEWS today?

Loving and Compassionate God, I thank you that you sent Jesus to die on the cross in order to make provision for my sins to be forgiven and for me to enjoy an eternal love relationship with you. Please forgive me for failing to share our friendship with others. You are a good God and I want my life to declare your praise! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Rev. Yolanda Denson Lehman, M.Div.

Travelling Evangelist: AME Zion Church

Publisher: “Ain’ta That Good News?!”

A daily Christian devotional dedicated to making the GOOD NEWS easy to understand and easy to share! Monday-Saturday, I mediate on a Biblical scripture with an emphasis on evangelism. On Sunday, I post my sermon based on revised standard lectionary! Please read as you are able, and share as you are led!

http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/