1. Jesus is LORD…
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:15-17
Jesus is the LORD of all things – He preceded and created all things. He defines all things. He owns all things and sustains all things. He rules all things. Why is that good new? Well, Jesus overflows with love, joy, peace, self-control, zeal and hope. He is wise, humble, good, gentle, kind, patient and faithful. The Lord of all is the best of all possible beings. This is good news.
2. Human beings are SINNERS facing God’s judgment
For All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God Romans 3:23
SIN is described in the Scripture as any offense against God in thought, desire, word and deed as well as a power inseparably mixed into fallen humanity. In other words, it is not just that we have all sinned, but that we are all sinners. Our problem is us. Sin and self are intertwined. We are inescapably sinful beings. And the Almighty, Holy God is going to evaluate every one of our sinful thoughts, desires, words and deeds. He is going to judge us. Why would anyone describe that terrifying reality with the phrase “good news”? Because God is going to judge us through Jesus.
16 This will take place on the day when God judges people’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.
3. Jesus is the SAVIOR of sinners
15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners…1 Timothy 1:15
The One who will judge us is the SAVIOR who lived a sinless life and died as wrath-absorbing substitute on the Cross, paying the penalty for offenses against God. Therefore, He has the ability to credit His flawless righteousness to sinners so that they are blameless in God’s sight at the judgment. Furthermore, He never sinned, He didn’t die as judgment upon His sin. He voluntarily laid His life down for others and picked that life up again, walking out of the tomb in a glorified human body and rising to the right hand of the throne of God – a comprehensive and cosmic defeat of the power of sin. So, He is also able to supernaturally deliver sinners from their sin-infected selves and has promised to do upon His return. Which sinners is Jesus saving?
4. Jesus is saving sinners who have FAITH in him…
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
Salvation is by FAITH. The good news concludes with the promise that Jesus will save everyone who relies on His payment for sins on the Cross and His victory over sin in the Resurrection. This is the only grounds for being right with God and the only way to be delivered from the wrath of God at the judgment.
