What is the good news?

The Good News (or Gospel) is at the heart of Christian faith and is encapsulated in the story of the God's relationship with people (The Bible).

YOU ARE LOVED BY GOD
The world values you on the basis of your money, sexual potency or power. But God values you because you are his precious creation.

SO HE'S ANGRY ABOUT YOUR SELFISHNESS
The world says that you are perfect just as you are. God knows you better than that - he sees the selfishness (broken relationships, arguments, addictions, fears, anger, hatred) that bubble to the surface in all of us. Our selfishness makes God angry because he loves us and wants better for us.

THERE'S NOTHING YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT
Religion says that if you try hard enough, you can deal with sin in your life and impress God. Jesus exposed this as a lie — he said that sin comes out of our hearts. When people try really hard to be good, they know that sin is a real issue. Some really religious people — Mother Theresa, Mohandas Ghandi, Saul of Tarsus have written about this painful realisation 'it is the evil passions within which keep me so far from Him' Ghandi.

SO GOD DID SOMETHING ABOUT IT FOR YOU
Atheists talk about how God (in whom they don't believe) is irresponsible. God actively took responsibility for the mess that we had made of our lives and the world. He became one of us in the person of Jesus and showed us how to live a life of selfless love. He died to take the punishment that we deserve for our selfishness and to heal the separation from God that we deserve. Then (and this is the best bit) he came back to life, showing that we can overcome death and the fear of death through faith in him — just like he said. Jesus said that he would send supernatural power to his followers when he went back to heaven to change them, so that they could transform the world.

AND NOW HE WANTS TO GIVE YOU NEW LIFE
God wants you to receive the forgiveness that come from the death of Jesus and new life that comes from his resurrection. Christians are people who say sorry to God for their selfishness and rely on the supernatural power that come from the cross and resurrection of Jesus to relate to him, change our own lives from the inside out and transform the world. We'd love you to join us.

How can I find out more about the good news?

1. Bible reading & prayer
Jesus said that you don't have to use big words or magic words to pray and you don't have to pretend to be anyone else. Reading the bible helps us learn how to live and pray. God is a good heavenly Father who listens to his children and wants to speak to them. Talk to God like a Father. Read the bible (try starting with Mark's Gospel) to learn about him and hear him speak.

2. Asking any member of the church here about their Christian faith
We believe that the church is the people, not the building and that the church is here to share the good news of God's love, forgiveness and purpose for all of us.

3. Making the connection
Read the bestselling author and International speaker J. John's booklet 'Making the Connection' - available free from the back of the church.

4. The Alpha Course
Discover and discuss the Christian faith over series of meals in a relaxed environment. WBC runs regular Alpha courses, aimed at people of all faiths and none. For more details check out www.alpha.org, or ask any church member.