Share the good news
By Casey McCormick
Mount Pulaski Christian Church

[April 08, 2020]  There was a man we read about in the Bible named Paul. He was religious, but hated Christianity. He was powerful and had Christians arrested. Paul thought he was acting on behalf of God. Then Paul met Jesus. He was blinded by Jesus and heard his voice. Jesus told him what to do from then on...and Paul listened. Paul knew Jesus’ power, because he felt it.

He had every reason to believe in Jesus.

Who else could blind someone for 3 days, then restore their site. But, Paul says that what Jesus did to him and for him was not the reason to have faith. There is something else...

For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.

I Corinthians 15:3-8

Paul calls what he is about to say, “of first importance”. The death, burial, resurrection, and the fact that Jesus appeared to so many is “the central, innermost, or most important part of CHRISTIANITY.”

Later, he adds, And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith… If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.

What this tells me is that my story, your story, OUR stories, are only important because of Jesus and His’ Story. Paul has an amazing story to tell others the impact Jesus had on his life. You may have a great testimony. Or, maybe you don’t feel like your story is all that good. The truth is, whatever story we have, it only matters if it leads others to know who Jesus is and what he has done for all of us.

Let’s go out and share the story of first importance, the Good News of Jesus!