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Understanding the Good News of Jesus: Insights from Galatians

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JEFF TURNER

The good news about Jesus is something special. It comes from God and helps people grow in their faith. A letter in the Bible, the book of Galatians, talks about this good news. This letter was written a long time ago by Paul, a person chosen by Jesus to spread the word.

Paul wrote to churches in a place called Galatia. These were churches that Paul had started. He really cared about these churches, but he heard that some people were teaching something different from what he had taught them. This different teaching was that believing in Jesus wasn’t enough. People also needed to do good things, like following old rules, to be right with God.

Paul wanted the people in Galatia to know that this wasn’t the real good news. He said that he was an apostle, not chosen by people, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who brought Jesus back to life. Paul explained that he wasn’t made an apostle by a group of people picking him. Instead, God himself chose him in a special way to tell others about Jesus. Paul said that the message he preached came from Jesus himself.

Paul was not the only one who believed this good news. He said that other believers who were with him also shared the same message. When Paul went to Jerusalem to talk to the other important apostles, like Peter and John, they agreed that the good news Paul was sharing was true. They gave Paul and his friend Barnabas their support to go and tell the Gentiles (people who were not Jewish) about Jesus.

The good news is about God’s grace and peace. Paul said, “Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen”. Grace is like a free gift from God. We don’t earn it by doing good things; God gives it to us because he loves us. This grace brings us peace with God.

Paul made it clear that we are made right with God by believing in Jesus, not by doing good works or following rules. He said that if we could be saved by our own efforts, then Jesus wouldn’t have needed to die for us. The Bible says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord”. Our sins deserve punishment, but God offers us eternal life as a free gift through Jesus.

Paul also said, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them”. This means that God saves us through his kindness, and we receive this by believing in Jesus. It’s not because of anything good we have done so that we can’t brag about it. Instead, God made us to do good things, which he has already planned for us.

Paul warned the Galatians about turning to a different message that said they needed to do certain things to be saved. He said this was not the true good news. The law was given to show people that they couldn’t perfectly follow God’s rules and that they needed Jesus.

Paul wanted the Galatians to remember the good news he first told them: that Jesus gave himself to save us from our sins and from this bad world, because that was God’s plan. This is why Paul gave glory to God forever. He knew that our salvation is all because of what God has done for us through Jesus.

Finding Fulfillment: Jesus as the Bread of Life

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JEFF TURNER

Life often leaves us feeling empty and unfulfilled. We might chase after success, money, or relationships, thinking these will fill the void inside us. But even when we achieve these things, we can still feel a deep hunger for something more.

Jesus spoke about this emptiness and offered a solution. He called himself the “bread of life,” using a metaphor his listeners could easily understand. In those days, bread was essential for survival. By comparing himself to bread, Jesus was saying he’s just as crucial for our spiritual well-being.

Jesus challenged people to look beyond their physical needs and focus on what truly matters. He said, “Don’t work for food that spoils, but for food that lasts forever.” He wasn’t telling people to stop earning a living, but rather to prioritize their spiritual health alongside their physical needs. Jesus claimed he could provide a kind of spiritual nourishment that would satisfy people’s deepest longings.

The people listening to Jesus were skeptical. They wanted proof that he was as special as he claimed to be. Jesus responded by saying that believing in him was the most important thing they could do. He promised that anyone who comes to him would never be spiritually hungry or thirsty again.

This message is still relevant today. Many of us feel empty inside, even when our lives seem successful on the outside. Jesus offers a different path to fulfillment, one that doesn’t depend on material possessions or worldly achievements. He invites everyone to come to him, promising that he can satisfy our deepest needs in a way nothing else can.

God’s Goodness: Our Reason to Be Thankful

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Adapted from a sermon delivered by George Whitefield (C 1735)

Want to know one of the clearest signs that we’ve drifted from God? It’s how hard we find it to be thankful. Think about it – when things are going well, how often do we actually stop to say “thank you”?

When God first created humans and placed them in paradise, they were naturally filled with gratitude. They used every breath to praise God, recognizing that their very existence depended on Him. Even now, when we imagine heaven, we picture angels and perfected souls constantly praising God, acknowledging His worth and power.

What was natural for humans at creation, and what will be our joy in heaven, should be part of our life now. But let’s be honest – how rarely do we feel moved to praise God! Even when guardian angels watch over us, they must be amazed at how seldom we express gratitude for all we’ve been given.

We never lack reasons to be thankful, especially those of us saved by Jesus. We see God’s goodness everywhere – in sunshine, in daily blessings, in His care for all people. But few of us have reached the point where we can genuinely rejoice in others’ blessings as much as our own. That kind of perfect love will only be fully achieved in heaven, where every blessing given to others will give us new reasons to be thankful.

What usually moves us to gratitude is personal blessing – things that directly affect us. This makes sense – when something touches our own lives, it feels more real. When God shows us special favor or delivers us from trouble, it hits different. It’s like the Psalmist who kept saying, “If only people would praise God for His goodness and for the amazing things He does for them!”
The Psalmist’s passionate plea shows both how important gratitude is and how often we neglect it. It’s like the story Jesus told about the ten lepers – they all cried for help when they were sick, but only one came back to say thanks when they were healed. Sadly, that’s pretty typical of how most of us act.

For four months, we’ve been at sea together. We’ve seen storms that lifted waves high as mountains. We’ve felt our courage melt away in trouble. But we cried out to God, and He brought us safely through. He calmed the storms and brought us to our destination. Shouldn’t we praise Him for His goodness? Shouldn’t we tell others about what He’s done for us?

Don’t just say “thank you” with your lips while your heart is far away – that’s just pretending. God didn’t save us from storms just to hear empty words. He wants our lives to show our gratitude.
Give God your whole heart. Let His love draw you to honor and obey Him. You couldn’t serve a better master – His service brings freedom, His requirements become easy with practice, and His rewards are amazing: love, peace, and joy now, plus eternal glory later.

If we don’t respond to God’s kindness with changed lives, we’re in serious trouble. God is both merciful and just. The more blessings we receive, the more responsible we are for how we use them. Don’t let God’s blessings become reasons for greater judgment.

But I believe better things for you. I’ve seen positive changes among you. The cursing has decreased, and recent hardships have made you think more seriously about eternal things. Keep going in this direction. Nothing would make me happier than to hear you’re living according to truth.

Remember, you’re entering a new world with new challenges. Show by your lives that God’s mercy hasn’t been wasted. Let your gratitude show in how you live, not just in what you say.
May God bless you, guide you, and bring us all finally to that eternal haven where we’ll praise Him forever for His goodness and declare the wonders He has done for us.

Gospel Music Stars Come Together for Benefit Concert to Support Hurricane Victims in North Carolina

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Amy Turner

A group of gospel music’s most iconic performers is joining forces for a special benefit concert aimed at raising funds for hurricane recovery efforts in Western North Carolina. The event, set to take place on Monday, November 11, 2024, at Hopewell Baptist Church in Monroe, NC, will bring together some of the genre’s biggest names, all volunteering their time and talents to aid those affected by the recent natural disasters.

The benefit concert will feature performances from gospel music’s beloved family, The Hoppers, the legendary Kingsmen Quartet, and The Inspirations, fan favorites from the Gospel Music Fan Awards. Other performers include The Littles, a family ensemble known for their harmonious sound, and Band of Brothers, along with some surprise guests expected to make an appearance throughout the night.

Proceeds from the concert will go to Hearts With Hands, a Christian humanitarian nonprofit based in Swannanoa, North Carolina. Founded by Ralph Sexton, the organization provides critical relief to communities in crisis, with a current focus on helping those in Western North Carolina recover from recent hurricanes.

The concert is also supported by the leadership of Hopewell Baptist Church in Monroe, which has generously opened its doors for the event. The collaboration between the artists and the church underscores the power of community and faith in times of hardship.

This event is set to be a remarkable show of solidarity from the gospel music world, as they come together to support those rebuilding their lives in the aftermath of the devastating storms.

The Perrys’ Journey with ‘Long, Long Road’ Album

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SPECIAL: STOWTOWN RECORDS

Nashville, TN – Over the past five decades, it’s safe to say The Perrys have enjoyed quite an amazing journey. Their walk has been filled with many mountaintop experiences, as well as difficult valleys. The path hasn’t always been easy, but charter member Libbi Perry Stuffle and The Perrys are evidence that, along the journey, we make discoveries about ourselves and experience God’s faithfulness on the long, long road. 

Their brand new Stowtown Records release, Long, Long Road, is a testament of God’s goodness and takes listeners to a place of inspiration and encouragement. The recording reunites Libbi, her son Jared and talented vocalists Jason Gordon and Dayton Gay with producer and longtime friend Wayne Haun. It is a powerful collection of songs that will challenge and uplift listeners who have been longtime fans, as well as attract new listeners who have never experienced the unmistakable sound that has made the iconic group so popular for over half a century.

Riding high on the success of the group’s current Top 10 hit, “Warmin’ Up,” StowTown plans to release at least three radio singles from this brand-new recording, promising even more radio success in the coming months.

Producer and StowTown Records Executive Wayne Haun shared his excitement about the new release, “This album is classic Perrys! It has absolutely everything you could want in a Perrys recording, from reimagined classics to traditional convention sounds. Add in some fresh new material and, as always, it all fits perfectly and is performed brilliantly.”


One special cut from the recording that will no doubt be embraced by radio upon its release is the remake of the upbeat “You Can’t Hurry God.” From legendary songwriter Dorothy Love Coates, who penned such classics as “I’m Sealed” and “Get Away Jordan,” this particular cut is an appropriate reminder of God’s perfect timing.

The moving ballad, “Jesus Is,” is a simple message of the ever-present, perfect love of Jesus, regardless of any situation. Another message of the love of God and His unwavering faithfulness can be found in the progressive, yet powerful “A Million Reasons.” Prolific writer Jeff Bumgardner united with Joey and Kristi Stroud to create this beautifully written expression of God’s abundant grace. 

This latest recording effort is yet another reminder from Libbi and The Perrys of the victory that can only be found by trusting in the faithfulness of a Father who is always directing our path, through the twists and turns on the long, long road. Libbi expressed her joy about the new recording, “Long, Long Road is a very fitting title with this being our 54th year since we began on our journey on Christmas Day in 1970, when we gathered around the family piano and sang our very first song after the tragic loss of our oldest brother that previous July. We’ve seen a lot of hard days, but God has remained faithful to the calling He placed on our lives. For every valley, there has always been a mountaintop! For every tear that has been shed, there has always been a smile and some laughter. This album is filled with songs that have fit every phase in our lives. There are even songs of rejoicing about when we finally reach that hallelujah meeting at the end of this long, long road! We are too close to our Heavenly Home to stop now.” She continued with a beloved scripture passage, Philippians‬ ‭3‬:‭13‬-‭14‬, “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

Distributed exclusively by Provident/Sony, Long, Long Road is available on all digital platforms worldwide. Stream the full project here.

Track List:

Long, Long Road
A Million Reasons
Maybe When the Sun Comes Up
Hallelujah Meetin’
Jesus Is
That Kind of Faith 
You Can’t Hurry God
He Never Gave Up on Me
The Night I Walked the Aisle 
By the Blood

Links:
https://perrysministries.com
https://facebook.com/ThePerrys70/
https://instagram.com/theperrys70/
https://youtube.com/theperrys9801

ABOUT THE PERRYS
The Perrys have a rich history spanning over five decades, proving to be a faithful force in Southern Gospel music. In keeping with the tradition of presenting quality music, The Perrys consistently perform songs which speak to hearts and change lives. While their focus is ministry, the quality of their numerous number 1 songs is continuously confirmed by radio airplay. They have been honored by industry peers and fans alike, having received multiple award nominations and wins over the years, including GMA Dove Award® for Southern Gospel Recorded Song of the Year for “Celebrate Me Home” and multiple Singing News Fan Awards for Mixed Quartet of the Year. Founding member Libbi Perry Stuffle, whose matchless voice with velvety alto tones has been the nucleus of the group since its inception, has also been individually honored by fans, winning the Singing News Fan Award for Favorite Alto of the Year eight times and Favorite Female Vocalist of the Year twice. With appearances on the Gaither Homecoming Series, at Dollywood and Silver Dollar City, in addition to various churches and festivals, The Perrys keep a full touring schedule year after year. Their passion for encouraging others for Christ will carry them through many decades to come.