Tuesday, January 25, 2022

Really Good News Produces Real Joy

I really enjoy watching YouTube videos of André Rieu and his orchestra and vocalists. Almost as much, I enjoy watching the reactions of his audience - such happiness, even tears of joy.

Audiences leaving the concert are often singing and dancing as they make their way to the street, and always with a huge smile on their faces.
And their topic of conversation? The concert, of course, and the exhilaration and happiness it gave them.  

I can't help thinking how wonderful it would be if we saw people leaving a church service like that.
Singing, dancing, talking about the joy and exhilaration the service gave them, and especially the good news that was preached.

But I haven't seen that too often ... and wonder why.
I wonder if God's true character, his love, grace and mercy, have been celebrated?
I wonder if God's plan to save the world has been mentioned?
I wonder if the audience has been reminded how specially chosen and privileged they are to be in Christ's advance party?
I wonder if the audience has been taught that their "unsaved" loved ones have already had their sin penalty paid for them by Jesus' death on the cross 2000 years ago?
I wonder if the really good news from the Bible has been shared or whether this has been re-jigged in some way?

For which reason God also exalted him on high and graced him with the name that is above every name,
so that at the name of Jesus every knee - of beings heavenly and earthly and subterranean - should bend,
and every tongue gladly confess that Jesus the Anointed is Lord, for the glory of God the Father.
[Philippians 2 : 9 - 11  DBH]

If this really good news has been preached and celebrated, genuinely enthusiastic worship would break out spontaneously.
And the conversations after the service might contain expressions of  thankfulness, joy and hope, rather than discussions about the weather, football and politics. 

On a personal note: conversations after the service I have led have ranged from "You sure gave us something to think about this morning!" to
"Why haven't we heard that before?" to
"I don't think you should lead a service here again!"

And in one church, I have been cancelled, never to return to that pulpit again.
I had preached too much good news that made too many people hopeful and joyful and discussing the Biblical truths that were explored as they had morning tea after the service.


Blessings, Barry

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