Trait # 7 A Vital Christian Joyfully Shares The Good News

                                                  TEN TRAITS OF A VITAL CHRISTIAN

Trait # 7 Joyfully Shares the Good News

 

            The USA lived through one of the worst pandemics, COVID-19, in 2020. People were stricken with fear and uncertainty, and our personal, church, and social life as we knew it changed. As of April 26, 2023, the number of confirmed and presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 in the US had reached over 104 million, with over 1.1 million deaths."[1]

            There was no hope; it seemed all was lost. Then came the COVID-19 vaccine! Regardless of your political opinion, basketball arenas, baseball stadiums, shopping malls, and parking lots have become the happiest places in the US, and the happiest people in medicine are plunging the vaccine into stranger's arms. "It's a joy to all of us," says "Nana" Poku, a nurse in Northern Virginia. "I don't think I've ever had an experience in my career that has felt so promising and so fulfilling," says Christina O'Connell at the University of New Mexico."

            For health-care workers, the opportunity to administer the vaccine has become its own reward. Giving hope to others has given them hope, too. Corie Robinson, a nurse in D.C., was selected to give the ceremonial first vaccinations on camera at a December 17 news conference. The positivity has lifted her spirits. She said of her patients, "You can see their smiles through their masks." One older man sang while he got his shot. Robinson said, "I say quite often, this is probably the most important thing I'll ever do in my career. Sometimes it's a little overwhelming because you're like, 'Wow, I'm the keeper."[2]      We Christians experience an even greater joy seeing the faces of those who receive Christ as Savior! It is a time of rejoicing when someone passes from death to life, and it can be the most important thing we will ever do. Bringing hope is our goal. In our series on Vital Christian Living, we will look at Trait # 7: A Vital Christian Joyfully Shares the Good News." John 3:1-21

            As followers of Christ, we came to understand that we are not saved so that we escape hell and live with God in heaven forever but also to bring as many people as possible to Christ. A vital Christian finds ways to share the Good News in word and deed with those outside the faith. We will examine some questions: What does it mean that the Gospel is Good News? Why are Christians called to share the Good News? And how do we share the Good News?

 

I. What does it mean that the Gospel is Good News?

            Jesus, after he had risen from the dead, commissioned his disciples to "Go into all the World and preach the gospel to all creation." Mark 16:15. Matthew 28:19-20 reads, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you."

            These two scriptures define the job description of every servant or follower of Christ. We are called to be the Great Commission disciples. Our joyful vocation as vital Christians is to partner with the Holy Spirit in the disciple-making process of all nations or people groups. To become effective disciple-makers, we need to know what it means that the gospel is Good News.

            The word gospel means "good news" and occurs 93 times in the Bible, exclusively in the New Testament. In Greek, it is the word euaggelion, from which we get our English words evangelist, evangel, and evangelical. The gospel, broadly speaking, is the whole of Scripture; more narrowly, it is the good news concerning Christ and the way of salvation.

            The key to understanding the gospel is to know why it's good news. To do that, we must start with the bad news. We all have sinned and missed God's standard of living. (Romans 3:23).            None of our efforts would ever be able to raise us to God's glorious standard. Our sins have separated us and earned us eternal death. That is the bad news. But the Good News is, God graciously gifted us eternal life with Him in heaven through Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23.

 

II. Why are Christians Called to Share the Good News to all people?

            We live in a self-absorbed world where we become the center of our own universe. Some Christians think, "Jesus is here to give them happiness." Though God loves and cares for us, His plan is much bigger than ours. It is to bring the Good News of the Gospel to all people. If that is God's highest priority, don't you think that should affect our priorities as his followers?

            The scriptures give us several reasons why christians are called to share the Good News with everyone. In Abraham, we have inherited both blessings and the responsibility of being a blessing to all nations. Gen 12:1-3. King David prayed that one day, "All the nations God has made will come and worship before Him, for he alone is God. Psalm 86:9-10.

            God's plan has always been to save all the people of the World. John 3:16 reads, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." What was the context of this verse? A Pharisee named Nicodemus came to Jesus at night to clarify his doubts. During the conversation, Jesus spoke the truth three times, saying that they will not enter God's kingdom unless someone is enlightened from above.

            Then, he reminded him of Israel's history. Nu 21: 4-8. While journeying through the wilderness, the Israelites murmured and complained about food. To punish them, God sent a plague of deadly serpents. The people repented and cried for mercy.

            God instructed Moses to make a bronze serpent and lift it on a pole, and whoever saw it was healed. Barclay's commentary on John says, "It was not the serpent that gave life. So long as Moses lifted up the serpent, they believed in him, who commanded Moses to act. It was God who healed them." Jesus explained to Nicodemus that in the same way, the serpent was lifted for the people to see, return to God, and be healed, so it was with Jesus. He must be lifted on the cross. Whoever believes will be saved. That is the Good News we are called to share with others.

 

III. A Vital Christian Joyfully Shares The Good News.

            One day, the disciples privately approached Jesus to know when Jesus would establish His Kingdom on earth. Jesus pronounced this definitive statement in Matthew 24:14, "This Gospel of the Kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come." That is the heart of God for all nations (all ethnic groups).

            Ivan Veldhuizen, the Vice President of International Ministries in Converge, writes, "Every nation will have an opportunity to hear, know, and follow Jesus before the end comes. This reveals God's passionate pursuit of all people groups in the World, so much so that He will suspend the culmination of all things until the gospel has penetrated every corner of the earth."[3]

            Preaching the gospel to all people groups everywhere will not happen by chance until every child of God takes this mandate seriously and Joyfully shares the Good News through word and deed. Did you know every single soul matters to God? Nothing brings more Joy to God in heaven and the angelic beings than one soul being saved. Luke 15:7

            For that reason, we do local outreaches, support missionaries, and pray for all Muslims to hear the gospel, including the six million Wolof Muslims in Senegal. The Angel told the Shepherds, "I bring you good news that will cause great joy for everyone." Luke 2:10. In this World, the Devil has robbed people of their Joy through sin, sickness, and death.

            Jesus Christ came to restore Joy and give us abundant life through His death on the cross. In John 15:10-11, "If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my Joy may be in you and that your Joy may be complete." Remember that sharing the gospel is the Good News of Great Joy. Therefore, we must share it with others not grudgingly but willingly and Joyfully.

 

           

 

 

 

 

---

[1] https://www.statista.com/statistics/1101932/coronavirus-covid19-cases-and-deaths-number-us-americans/ Accessed 3-20-2025

[2] Maura Judkis, “The joy of vax: The people giving the shots are seeing hope, and it’s contagious,”

[3] Ivan Veldhuizen, Far Off Saints, Page 26

Trait # 6 A Vital Christian Exhibits Christ Like Servanthood

                                                   TEN TRAITS OF A VITAL CHRISTIAN

Trait # 6 Exhibits Christ-Like Servanthood  Matthew 20:17-28

 

            "Mama Nellie" Yarborough founded the Mt. Calvary Holy Church on Otisfield Street in Dorchester, MA, in 1962. She single-handedly created a tight-knit congregation that looked to her for moral, spiritual, and daily strength. Mama Nellie won't reveal her exact age, but at 70-something, her strength and energy have not waned despite inner city life's hardships," wrote Christina Wallace. This petite Southerner believed that one person can make a difference."

            She became a Bishop in her denomination, a school principal, and a community activist. To her colleagues and friends throughout greater Boston, she is known as a faithful servant of Jesus Christ, which she has been since she was fifteen."

            Mama Nellie has repeatedly proven her servanthood. Though she was a Bishop of her denomination, it only took a phone call for her to rush to the side of an ailing parishioner. She led a neighborhood watch group on Saturday nights, scolding prostitutes and trying to drive them out of the area. On Thursday nights and Saturday mornings, she served hot meals to dozens of homeless people from the basement of her church, organized health workshops for women, etc.[1]

            Mama Nellie exhibited Christlike servanthood toward all who crossed her path daily. From a very young age, she understood that the call of a disciple is to follow in the footsteps of their master. Her infectious heart of love and obedient life of servanthood touched many lives.   

             In our series, the Vital Christian Living, we have worked through the five traits of a Vital Christian. They are: 1. A Vital Christian experiences God's Empowering Presence. 2. Engages in God-Exalting worship. 3. Practices the Spiritual Disciplines. 4. Learns and Grows in the community. 5. Commits to Loving and Caring Relationships. Today, we will look at Trait # 6,  A Vital Christian Exhibits Christlike Servanthood. Matthew 20:17-28

I. Biblical Understanding of Servanthood.

            In a power-hungry and egocentric world, servants or serving are considered weak and demeaning. But that's not how God views it, and He showed the power of serving by sending Jesus Christ, His only begotten son, who became a humble servant of the people He created. The dictionary definition of servant is "a person ardently devoted to another or a cause.

            We often think of servants as people hired to do domestic duties or people as government servants hired to perform government duties. As Christians, we are God's servants. We are called to be devoted to God and to carry out His mission obediently. In the Bible, the words "servant," "service," and "serve," in various forms, occur well over 1,100 times in the NIV.

            Many persons in the Old Testament are called "servants," among them some well-known ones: Abraham, Jacob, Moses (40 times), Joshua, Samuel, and David (more than 50 times). Some heathen kings, like Nebuchadnezzar (Jer 25:9) and Cyrus (Is  45:1-25). Some prophets like Isaiah and Daniel. The Jewish elders saw themselves as servants of the God of heaven and earth ( Ez 5:11), and some women like Ruth, a foreigner(Ruth 3:9), and Hannah. Mary, Jesus' mother, saw herself as a humble servant of God (Lk 1:48). The Book of Isaiah contains the "servant Songs" ( Is 42:1-4, 53:12). In the Book of Acts, Jesus was referred to as God's servant four times (Acts 3:13, 26; 4:27, 30).

 

            When Jesus walked this earth, his devotion was to the cause of his heavenly Father, and his example was one of a faithful servant. He fulfilled his call with faithful consistency, showing his disciples the fullness of his love through many acts of servanthood. The prophet Isaiah prophesied Jesus as God's chosen servant in Isaiah 42:1-4.

In the N.T, Jesus quotes the same prophecy verbatim after healing a large crowd that came to him and said this was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah. Matt 12:18-21. You can check these passages at home.

            There is nothing to be ashamed of in calling ourselves God's servants. God calls all of us to be His servants in his vineyard whether we are in a full-time ministry, a 9 to 5 job, a stay-at-home parent, currently unemployed, retired, or not working at all. We all are recruited to serve God, which is the greatest privilege. Let's humbly display the badge of honor as God's Servants.

II. A Vital Christian Exhibits Christlike Servanthood

            A vital Christian practices God-honoring servanthood in every life and ministry relational context. Jesus exhibited such servanthood to everyone who crossed his path throughout his earthly ministry. Here are some acts of his service: He fed the hungry crowds, healed the sick, restored the dignity of women, reached out to social outcasts, and raised people from the dead.

            After predicting how he would be delivered to the chief priests and crucified for the third time, he established a road map to greatness through servanthood. Two of his disciples wanted to sit on the left and right sides of Jesus when He established His Kingdom.

            To them, he said, "You've observed how godless rulers throw their weight around, how quickly a little power goes to their heads. It's not going to be that way with you. Whoever wants to be great must become a servant. Whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave. That is what the Son of Man has done: He came to serve, not be served—and then to give away his life in exchange for the many who are held hostage." Matthew 20:25-28 (The Message)

            One of the most dramatic expressions of Jesus's service to his disciples came during the Last Supper before his departure to the cross. Let's picture the posture of this Servant, King Jesus. He knew the Father had put everything under his power, so he got up from the meal, removed his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with a towel. John 13:1-5

            Exhibiting Christ-like servanthood begins at home. A word for Men: How are you serving your wives and children? As couples, we look for ways to lighten each other's load. Here are some ways at Hope Church for you to excel in Christlike servanthood. You can serve on the worship team, the media, as trustees and deacons in the hospitality ministry and missions. We can also take this Christlike servanthood outside the church into our communities and the world.

III. Evangelism Through Christlike Servanthood.

            Jesus exhibited his servanthood with a foot-washing ceremony before going to the cross and culminated His love for humanity with his crucifixion on the cross. We could draw some principles from Christ's death on the cross to guide our evangelistic efforts. We will learn how we should do ministry in the Apostle Paul's letter to the Christians in Philippi. Phil 2:5-10 (NIV)

            "In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross! Therefore, God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

in heaven and on earth and under the earth." Let's observe some principles of Evangelism here.

            Paul exhorts us to have "the same mindset or attitude that Jesus had. What is this attitude? Christ made himself nothing. The Greek word kenosis used here connotes, "Jesus emptied himself." He emptied himself or voluntarily laid down his glory as God's Son and willingly entered into the human experience, being made in human likeness.

             In Evangelism and the Way of the Cross, author Andrew F. Bush notes, "In this act of joining us in our humanness, he affirmed the value of all humanity. Particularly, as we think of refugees and others in need, by laying aside his claims of power, Jesus identified with the weak and marginalized. In the crucifixion, he affirmed their value."[2] In Servanthood Evangelism, we see value in every person, whether native-born, immigrant, or refugee. If Christ loved them enough to die for them on the cross, what can we give up to share that love with others?

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

---

[1] Stephen A. Machia, Becoming A Healthy Disciple, Pages 127-128

[2] Eugene Cho & Samira Izadi Page, “No Longer Strangers,” Page 24.

Trait # 5 Commits To Loving & Caring Relationships

                                            TEN TRAITS OF A VITAL CHRISTIAN

Trait # 5 Commits To Loving & Caring Relationships John 15:9-17

 

            What makes us a Healthy and fruitful Church? Lee Iacocca once asked legendary football coach Vince Lombardi what it took to create a winning team. The book Iacocca records Lombardi’s answer: “There are a lot of coaches with good ball clubs who know the fundamentals and have plenty of discipline but still don’t win the game. Then you come to the third ingredient: if you’re going to play together as a team, you’ve got to care for one another. You’ve got to love each other. Each player has to think about the next guy and say to himself:

            ‘If I don’t block that man, Paul is going to get his legs broken. I have to do my job well for him to do his.’ “The difference between mediocrity and greatness,” Lombardi said that night, “is the feeling these guys have for each other.” The same principles of love and care for each other also work in a Church community. In a healthy church, each Christian learns to care for others. As we take Jesus’ command to “love one another” seriously, we can make our Church healthy and effective witnesses in our communities, which would make us a winning team.”[1]

            We have been working through the Ten Vital Signs of a Christian in our Vital Christian series. We learned that a Vital Christian experiences God’s Empowering Presence daily. A Vital Christian engages both individually and corporately in God-exalting worship. Practicing the Spiritual Disciplines of Studying God’s Word, Prayer, and Works of Service would help us bear much fruit in God’s Kingdom. These disciplines are not worked out in a vacuum but are better practiced in a community. Last week, we examined the importance of being part of a local Church and how a vital Christian learns and grows in the community. Today, we will look at Trait # 5: A Vital Christian Commits to Loving and Caring Relationships.” John 15:9-17

 

II. Christ is the Head, and We are the Members of the Body of Christ.

             In Acts 2:47, the Greek word ekklesia was first used to differentiate the Christian Community from the Jewish Community. In the NT, the Church has twofold aspects: the Church worldwide, which includes all who Christ called in the fellowship of His salvation, and a local individual Church. A vital Christian learns and grows in a Church community.

            The best functional expression of the Church is the “Body Of Christ.” When Christ saves us, he makes us members of his body. Writing to the Corinthian local Church, the Apostle Paul explains how the body of Christ functions in this world. “A body has many parts, and all these parts form one body, so it is with Christ. Each body part needs the other part to be healthy.

            Each part must recognize its placement and function to its optimum for the good of the rest of the body. But God has put the body together so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now, you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” I Cor 12:12-27

            In Ephesians, Paul writes about how each part of the body of Christ interrelates with the other part and their relation to the head of the body, the Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 4:15-16, “Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him, the whole body joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love as each part does its work.”

            The principles of love, support, care, hygiene, health, and unity that apply to the physical body also apply to the body of Christ. How does this work out in Hope Church? Christ is the head of our Church, and we are members of his body. The health and effectiveness of Hope Church depends on all of its members working together in love and and the unity of Spirit.

II. Loving and Caring Relationships are a gift from God.

            Steve Machai has this to say about loving and caring relationships: “Expressing thanks to God for the gift of his relationship with us leads naturally into thanking the Lord for all of our relationships. The quality of our relationships with family, friends, work associates, Church, and community should reflect our extravagant love for Jesus. Be sure to tell God how grateful you are for these people, and take the time to express gratitude to those within your relational web of connections. It’s the relationally healthy thing to do, even when some relationships are stressed and strained!”[2] Many are lonely without loving relationships.

            When we first moved to the US in 2005, as an immigrant family, we experienced the pain of being uprooted from our family and friends and living in a strange country. I don’t know where we would be today without a small local church that welcomed us, embraced us, and made us feel at home. That is why it is so vital that we belong to a local Church.

            This past week, I celebrated my 60^th birthday. I was grateful to God for the gift of life, salvation, and a family where I am loved and cared for. I thanked God for my extended family, Hope church family, friends, brothers, and sisters in the body of Christ. It made me realize that I am not alone but connected with others. We all enjoy loving and caring relationships. Yet those relationships will not happen automatically, and they take effort and management. We will examine why we must love one another and how we cultivate and enjoy loving relationships.

III. A Vital Christian Commits to Loving and Caring Relationships.

            The phrase “one another” occurs 100 times in the NT. Approximately 59 of those are specific commands teaching us how (and how not) to relate to one another. Obedience to those commands is imperative, as they form the basis for Christian communities and their witness.

            Two such direct commands from Jesus are mentioned in the Gospel of John. “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.” Jn 13:34-35.

            Jesus reaffirms the same command but explains how it should be practiced. “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” Jn 15:12-17. Jesus showed us how we are to love one another.

            Christ’s love was generous; he gave his whole life. It was sacrificial. He willingly died on the cross. It was unconditional. He died for us while we were still sinners. It was forgiving. He asked the Father to forgive those who were persecuting Him. How is our love for others?

            Expressing a commitment to loving and caring relationships in the body of Christ begins with knowing and speaking the language of love. I Corinthians 13 talks all about love. How do we know what love is? “Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth." I John 3:16-18

            What hinders us from cultivating and enjoying loving and caring relationships? Unresolved conflicts and strained relationships are demoralizing emotionally and physically. If you have an unresolved conflict and lack of forgiveness in your heart, it calls for you to sit with that person, maybe with the help of another believer, and sort it out.

            Trying to resolve a conflict may not always end up in reconciliation. Sometimes, we may have to end a toxic relationship. God understands that. Therefore, he said, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” (Romans 12:18). What matters is whether we are committed to loving and caring relationships, which makes us a healthy Church.

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

---

[1] Source: Christopher Stinnett, Wailed Lake, Michigan. Leadership, Vol. 15, no. 3.

[2] Stephen A. Macchia, “Becoming A Healthy Disciple,” Page 110