Journal: Southern Baptist Journal of Theology
Volume: SBJT 05:1 (Spring 2001)
Article: Sermon: Good News is for Sharing Romans 1:14–16
Author: Timothy K. Beougher

SBJT 5:1 (Spring 2001) p. 70

Sermon: Good News is for Sharing
Romans 1:14–16

Timothy K. Beougher

Timothy K. Beougher is Billy Graham Professor of Evangelism and Church Growth at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he has taught since 1996. Dr. Beougher coedited Accounts of Campus Revival and Evangelism for a Changing World, and is the author of several scholarly articles. He is currently at work on a biography of Richard Baxter.

Introduction

Imagine that you are working in a medical lab one day and you make a startling discovery.1 You find a disease that has infected 100% of the human race. And what is worse, as you continue your research, you discover that the disease is 100% fatal! You feverishly work to find a cure and, one day, you do! You apply the antidote to yourself and it works beautifully. You are healed!

So here is the situation. You know of a disease that affects 100% of the people in the world. You know it is 100% fatal. You have discovered the cure, and you know it works. The question then arises, “Now what do you do? As one who possesses life-saving information, what is your responsibility?”

Let me shift scenes for a moment. In 2 Kings 7 a Syrian attack is underway on Samaria. The Syrian army had surrounded the walls, and was keeping provisions from entering the city. The people of Samaria had no food and were starving.

But unknown to the people in the city, God had caused the Syrian army to flee in the night. Four men from the city went out on a mission to try and find some food. To their amazement, they found the Syrian camp completely deserted! They ate and drank their fill.

In 2 Kings 7:9 we see their response: “Then they said to one another, ‘We are not doing right. This is a day of good news, but we are keeping silent!’” They understood the concept that “Good News is for Sharing.” To be in possession of good news, of life-saving news, obligates us to share it with others!

Let’s go back to the first scenario and put a steeple on top of that medical laboratory. You know of a disease that affects 100% of the people in the world. You know it is 100% fatal. You have discovered the cure, and you know it works. What is your responsibility?

Good news is for sharing! When we reflect deeply about the gospel, the good news, we realize we cannot remain silent. We must speak about what we have seen and heard.

In Romans 1 the Apostle Paul begins with a brief personal introduction and then reflects on the gospe...