The Good News of Jesus Christ
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of the Christian faith. It represents the ultimate victory over death and sin, offering hope to all who believe.
“The angel said to the women, ‘Don’t be afraid! I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen.'”
(Matthew 28:5-6)
This miraculous event demonstrates God’s power and love for humanity. It validates Jesus’ teachings and sacrificial death, proving that He truly is the Son of God.
“And if Christ has not been raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless.”
(1 Corinthians 15:14)
The resurrection assures us that our faith is not in vain and offers the promise of eternal life to all who believe in Him.
Jesus Christ has Ascended to the Father
After His resurrection, Jesus spent time with His disciples, teaching them and preparing them for their mission. Then, He ascended to heaven, returning to His rightful place at the right hand of the Father.
“After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him.”
(Acts 1:9)
The ascension signifies the completion of Jesus’ earthly ministry and the beginning of His heavenly reign. It also paved the way for the coming of the Holy Spirit, who would empower believers to continue Christ’s work on earth.
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
(Acts 1:8)
Jesus Christ reigns
Now seated at the right hand of the Father, Jesus Christ reigns supreme over all creation. His rule is one of love, justice, and grace.
“God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
(Philippians 2:9-11)
As believers, we can take comfort in knowing that our Lord is in control, even when the world seems chaotic. His reign extends over every aspect of our lives, and we are called to submit to His loving authority.
“For he must reign until he humbles all his enemies beneath his feet.”
(1 Corinthians 15:25)
Jesus Christ is returning soon
The promise of Christ’s return gives hope and urgency to our faith. While we don’t know the exact time, we are called to live in expectation of His coming.
“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves.”
(1 Thessalonians 4:16)
This imminent return should motivate us to live holy lives and to share the Gospel with others while there is still time.
“So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming.”
(Matthew 24:42)
Repent and trust in Him for eternal life
Given these truths about Jesus Christ, the appropriate response is repentance and faith. Repentance involves turning away from our sins and turning towards God.
“Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away.”
(Acts 3:19)
Trusting in Christ means placing our faith in His finished work on the cross for our salvation. It’s not about our own good works, but about His grace.
“God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.”
(Ephesians 2:8-9)
The urgency of repentance
The call to repentance is urgent because our time on earth is limited, and we don’t know when Christ will return.
“Don’t put it off; do it now! Don’t rest until you do. Give no sleep to your eyes, no slumber to your eyelids.”
(Proverbs 6:4-5)
Repentance is not just feeling sorry for our sins, but actively changing our mindset and behavior.
“Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God.” (Matthew 3:8)
The power of trust
Trusting in Christ means relying on Him completely for our salvation and for every aspect of our lives.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”
(Proverbs 3:5-6)
This trust leads to a transformed life, characterized by love, joy, peace, and other fruits of the Spirit.
“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”
(Galatians 5:22-23)
The promise of eternal life
The ultimate reward for repentance and faith is eternal life with God.
“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”
(John 3:16)
This eternal life begins the moment we put our trust in Christ and continues forever in His presence.
“And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth.”
(John 17:3)
Living in light of these truths
As we embrace these truths about Jesus Christ, our lives should reflect His love and grace. Here are some practical ways to live out our faith:
- Cultivate a deep relationship with God: Spend time in prayer, Bible study, and worship.
“But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!” (John 15:7)
- Share the Gospel: Tell others about the good news of Jesus Christ.
“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
(Matthew 28:19)- Serve others: Show Christ’s love through acts of kindness and service.
“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
(Mark 10:45)- Live with integrity: Let your actions align with your beliefs.
“Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.”
(1 Peter 3:15)- Persevere in faith: Stand firm in your beliefs, even in the face of challenges.
“So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.”
(1 Corinthians 15:58)
Conclusion
The message of Jesus Christ—His resurrection, ascension, reign, and imminent return—is a powerful call to repentance and faith. It offers hope, purpose, and eternal life to all who believe. As we embrace these truths, may we be transformed by His love and grace, living as faithful witnesses to His glory.
Let us remember that our time on earth is short, but the impact of our faith can be eternal. May we live each day in light of Christ’s finished work and His promised return, sharing His love with a world in desperate need of hope.
As we go forth, let us hold fast to the words of the apostle Paul:
“May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God.”
(Philippians 1:11)
About the Author
Meet Bruce Mitchell – a devoted servant of God’s Word and compassionate guide to his flock. As a Pastor, Bible teacher, and writer, Bruce shares heavenly wisdom for daily life.
Educated at Biola University and Dallas Theological Seminary, Bruce leads Agapao Allelon Ministries and writes at Allelon.us. His mission is to weave God’s love into society’s fabric through the principle of Loving One Another.
Inspired by 1 Peter 4:8, Bruce believes love can transform enemies into friends. He teaches that knowing God requires love (1 John 4:7-8) and urges us to love as Jesus did (Ephesians 4:31-32).
Bruce embodies unwavering faith and deep empathy. He offers wisdom from personal experiences and inspires and comforts others. Join him in exploring God’s word and applying it to your life. Let’s share love, as Jesus commanded!
Pastor | Bible Teacher | Speaker | Writer | Podcaster | Advocate for God’s Mercy, Grace & Love | Biola University & Dallas Theological Seminary alumnus | 1 Peter 4:8
