INSIDE OUT CHURCH

Good News or Bad News?

Which is a summary of our message?

Heres what you need to do to get close to God.

Heres what God has done to get close to you.

I know you got the right answer. Since our message is positive, why do we hesitate to share
it? I dont entirely know, but I think it might help us to remember that its really great news.
Paul said, I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to
everyone who believes (Romans 1:16). The word gospel means good news and
salvation means rescue. So Paul was saying, I dont feel awkward about sharing the
good news because it really is good news!
If we take Jesus out of it, then the Bible can sound like pretty bad news. A narrow path. Lay
down your life. Obedience. Sacrifice. Discipline. Repentance. Servanthood. Accountability.
Humility. Its all good stuff, but not if theyre burdens rather than blessings. Ive been there.
Reading the Bible, but missing Jesus and missing the point.
The main message of the Bible is that Jesus has broken the power of sin and death.
Theres a new reality in Him. The old is past. The new has come. Its the best news ever.
I.

Starting Out With Jesus

I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 1 Cor. 2:2
A. God wanted to turn Corinth around. It was known as The City of 10,000
Prostitutes. Not a sparkling reputation. Although they might have acted proud of
it, the Corinthians intuitively knew the bad news. They didnt need anyone to tell
them something was wrong. They needed good news! Thats why Paul only
talked about Gods love, acceptance, forgiveness and healing through Jesus.
B. This approach made Paul feel nervous (I was with you in weakness and in fear and
much trembling v. 3), but he knew they needed Jesus, not another person pointing
out where they were wrong. A part of Paul probably would have been more
comfortable debating people about what was right and wrong. But won
arguments don't win hearts. Our world is a bit like Corinth. Lots of people doing
lots of bad stuff that leads to lots of bad news. Its in the headlines every day.
They dont need more bad news (i.e. God isnt happy with all this bad stuff). They
need good news (i.e. God wants to help you)!
C. Jesus said, I am the gate (John 10:9). Since Paul wanted to bring people in, he
pointed them to the gate. The walls are Gods boundaries. Right and wrong.
Paul explained in the verse above that when he first came to Corinth, he only
talked about the gate, not the walls. Years later, he wrote this letter explaining
about the walls. They knew Jesus had welcomed them with love and forgiveness.
But they were tired of hitting the walls. They were ready to learn and grow.

Todd Millikan
July 18, 2015

The Coastlands
www.coastlands.org

II. Staying Focused on Jesus

I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my
Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order
that I may gain Christ. Philippians 3:8
A. As we follow Jesus, we learn how life works. We have amazing experiences. He
blesses us with lots of stuff. But the bizarre irony is that all that stuff can end up
distracting us from Jesus. Family. Friends. Career. Vacation. Education.
Accomplishments. Even the stuff we do to connect with Jesus can get in the way.
Discipleship. Reading the Bible. Prayer. Oddly, the longer we follow Jesus, the
easier it is to let the blessings crowd Him out. Thats why Jesus calls us back to
our first love for Him (Revelation 2:4).
B. Paul isnt saying these things are worthless. Hes saying the opposite! Theyre so
wonderful that they threaten to distract him from what is most valuable: Jesus.
When Jesus is at the center of the good things Hes given us, then they all make
sense. Theyre truly blessings. But if Jesus is pushed to the edges, then they
become too big in our hearts and minds and we get overwhelmed. So Paul
purposefully devalues all these good things so they dont crowd out Jesus.
C. When were focused on Jesus, its easier to share Him with others. If Jesus is at
the edges, well find ourselves talking about how overwhelmed we are rather
than how blessed we are. Its OK to be overwhelmed and its certainly OK to talk
about it. But dont stop there. Find Jesus. He wants to help. Where youre not
able to find Him, ask for help. Hes put people around you to help you find Him.
III. Sharing Life and Sharing Jesus
Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of
God but our lives as well. 1 Thessalonians 2:8 (NIV)
A. As we learn to love Jesus with all our hearts, He fills us with His love for people.
Instead of seeing people in divisive categories (us vs. them), we just see
wonderful people everywhere we go whom God loves with all His heart.
B. When we love people, we naturally want to share our lives with them (and they
with us). Love causes an intertwining of lives. When Jesus is a significant part of
our life, paths will open up to naturally share Jesus. Love people. Wait for the
Holy Spirit to create the opportunity to share. Be ready when it comes.
C. Just because we love people doesnt mean its comfortable or easy to share
Jesus (remember Paul said he was nervous about it?). But its a joy because we
know its really good news and God will do miracles if they will trust Him.
IV. Inside Out Church
Jesus appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to
preach. Mark 3:14
A. Jesus invites us to church so we can get close to one another and to Him. This
is where we learn how to love Him and how to share Him with one another.
B. The goal of church isnt to separate us from the world. God wants us to love and
invest in people everywhere we go. Church is where we get filled up so that
when we go out, we have something to offer.

Todd Millikan
July 18, 2015

The Coastlands
www.coastlands.org