January 23. Good News
J.R. Miller teaches that the gospel is the eternal good news bringing joy, forgiveness, hope, and comfort to all who receive it.
In this devotional sermon, J.R. Miller explores the profound joy and hope that the gospel brings to every believer. Drawing from Luke 2:10, he illustrates how the gospel is like a joyous tree bearing rich fruit and ringing sweet bells of good news. Miller encourages listeners to embrace the gospel fully and become bearers of its victorious joy to others, highlighting its power to forgive, comfort, and restore.
Text
"Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy." Luke 2:10
Every work of the gospel is a joy-bell. In Eastern poetry, they tell of a wondrous tree on which grew golden apples and silver bells. Every time the breeze went by and tossed the fragrant branches, a shower of the golden apples fell, and the bells chimed and tinkled forth their sweet and airy music. Like this fabled tree — is the gospel-tree, ever dropping rich and mellow fruits, and ringing joy-bells whose music thrills our hearts with its celestial sweetness.
The gospel is always good news. Who was ever made sad by it? It brings good news to the guilty sinner when it comes to tell him of forgiveness. It brings good news to the struggling soul in the strife of temptation, when it comes to offer him help to overcome. It brings good news to the man or the woman who has failed, and is in despair over a ruined life and hopes dashed to the dust, when it says, "You may rise yet to a glorious life!" It brings good news to the mourner when it breathes comfort, the assurance of divine sympathy and love; and a promise that good shall come out of sorrow. So wherever the gospel goes — it tells good news, never bad.
Think what joys it has started in this world, what sadness it has chased away, what ruin it has restored to beauty. Think of the hymns of joy that have been sung along these Christian centuries — and are yet echoing in countless human hearts. Think of the heavenly songs in which millions will unite eternally. Then remember that all this song and gladness will be but the prolonged echo of that joy which the angel proclaimed. "Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy!" We must be sure that we let this good news into our hearts, else we can never share this great gladness. Then we should in turn become joy-bearers, by ourselves repeating the good news, and likewise by letting all about us see in us — what deep victorious joy the gospel of Christ can give.
Sermon Outline
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I
- The gospel as a source of joy like a tree with golden apples and silver bells
- The gospel always brings good news, never sadness
- It offers forgiveness to the guilty sinner
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II
- The gospel helps the struggling soul overcome temptation
- It gives hope to those who have failed and despair
- It comforts mourners with divine sympathy and promises
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III
- The gospel has started joy and chased away sadness throughout history
- It inspires hymns of joy and eternal heavenly songs
- Believers must receive the good news to share its joy with others
Key Quotes
“Every work of the gospel is a joy-bell.” — J.R. Miller
“The gospel is always good news. Who was ever made sad by it?” — J.R. Miller
“We must be sure that we let this good news into our hearts, else we can never share this great gladness.” — J.R. Miller
Application Points
- Receive the gospel message into your heart to experience its joy and transformation.
- Share the good news of the gospel with others to become a joy-bearer in your community.
- Trust in the gospel's promise of forgiveness, hope, and comfort during times of struggle and sorrow.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main message of the gospel according to J.R. Miller?
The gospel is good news that brings joy, forgiveness, hope, and comfort to all who accept it.
Why does the gospel bring joy?
Because it offers forgiveness to sinners, help to overcome temptation, hope for the despairing, and comfort to mourners.
How should believers respond to the gospel's message?
Believers should receive the gospel into their hearts and become joy-bearers by sharing its message and demonstrating its victorious joy.
What biblical verse does the sermon focus on?
The sermon centers on Luke 2:10, where the angel proclaims 'good tidings of great joy.'
What impact has the gospel had historically?
It has started joy, chased away sadness, restored ruined lives, and inspired countless hymns and songs of praise.