"Good Tidings of Great Joy"

The birth of a baby.  A raise in salary.  Good grades on a report card.  Recovery from an illness.  These things bring joy to our lives because they are good news!

But, hear the greatest news of all as the angel told some shepherds out on the Judean countryside almost 2,000 years ago:

“Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.  For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:10-11).

The “great joy” of which the angel spoke was not the joy that we have because of time off from work, the family get-togethers, and the giving of gifts that are often associated with Christmas, a time that many in the world recognize as the birthday of Jesus.  The joy of which the angel spoke is called great  because of the greatest blessings that Christ brings.

The greatest problem in the world today -- both globally and individually -- is 
NOT the economy, world hunger, and education (although these are great needs 
and MUST be addressed).  The greatest problem in the world today is SIN! 
SIN is universal -- “for all have sinned” (Romans 3:23) and “the wages of sin
is death” (Romans 6:23). 

• SIN is deceptive.  It promises personal freedom, but brings us into bondage (see Luke 15:11-32).  It appears attractive, but is hideously ugly (see Isaiah 1:5-6).  It appears to be satisfying and pleasurable, but ultimately it is disappointing and painful (Hebrews 11:25).

• SIN is divisive.  It separates a man from his family, a man from his friends (Proverbs 16:28), and most tragically, a man from God. "Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, That it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear.  But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear" (Isaiah 59:1-2).

• SIN is destructive.  It will destroy your good name (Proverbs 22:1).  It can destroy your body (1 Corinthians 6:18-21).  Sin will destroy you emotionally (cf. Psalm 32:1-4), economically (Luke 15:13-14) and spiritually (Romans 6:23).

Indeed, SIN is man’s greatest problem.

But, Christ is God’s answer to the problem of sin.  He is the Savior!  This is the good news that brings great joy!  As someone has well said:

“If our greatest need was for information........God would have sent an educator.
 If our greatest need was for technology.........God would have sent a scientist.
 If our greatest need was for pleasure............God would have sent an entertainer.
 If our greatest need was for money...............God would have sent an economist.

But since our greatest need was (is) forgiveness........God sent a Savior!”

The greatest news of all is that those who believe in Christ (Acts 16:31), repent of their sins (Acts 17:30), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), are baptized into Christ (Acts 2:38), and continue to follow Him (1 John 1:9-10) have their sins washed away by the blood of Christ!  The good news is that not only did Christ come into the world, but that He also died on the cross, was buried and rose again so that we might have the forgiveness of sin!

God bless you!

David A. Sargent, Minister 

Church of Christ at Creekwood 
1901 Schillinger Rd. S.
Mobile, Alabama  36695

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