Good News and Bad News

Have you ever heard someone say, “I’ve got good news and bad news — which do you want first?”

Most people prefer to hear the bad news first, just to get it over with, and then end with something positive. In a way, that’s how the Gospel works too. We can’t truly understand or appreciate the Good News of salvation until we first come face to face with the Bad News of our sin and separation from God.

Today, many preachers want to skip right to the good part — maybe because it makes everyone, including themselves, feel good. But the Gospel isn’t just about feeling good. It’s about truth, repentance, and redemption. And truth isn’t always pleasant — in fact, it often starts with the bad news.

The Bad News First

Here’s the bad news:

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” — Romans 3:23

From the very beginning, humanity failed the test. In Genesis chapters 2 and 3, Adam and Eve disobeyed God, and sin entered the world. Together with Adam, we all share in that failure.

Because of sin, this world is now driven by corruption and decay. We see sickness, pain, death, and brokenness everywhere — all of it pointing to one tragic truth: we are separated from God.

And if we die in that condition, that separation becomes eternal.

“For the wages of sin is death…” — Romans 6:23a

That’s the bad news. It’s not pleasant. It’s not popular. And it’s definitely not “feel-good.” But it’s the truth. Without it, the good news makes no sense.

Now, the Good News

Thank God the story doesn’t end there.

The Good News is that God, knowing all of this, already had a plan — a plan to restore His relationship with us and to save us from eternal judgment.

That’s what we call the Gospel.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” — John 3:16

God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to be born into this fallen world, to live a perfect and sinless life, and then to give His life as a sacrifice for our sins.

“But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” — Romans 5:8

The bad news is that we could do nothing to save ourselves.
The good news is that Jesus did it for us.

He took the punishment that was meant for us. Through His death and resurrection, we are forgiven, redeemed, and justified before God.

“He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross…” — 1 Peter 2:24
“…so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” — 2 Corinthians 5:21

The Forgotten Word: Repentance

There’s something important we need to remember here: repentance.

A lot of people think Christians walk around pretending to be perfect. But that’s not true. Real followers of Christ know their own sinful nature. They know they need forgiveness — and that’s where repentance comes in.

Sadly, repentance is not emphasized enough today. Many want to preach a “feel-good gospel” — one that talks about blessings, peace, and joy, but ignores sin and accountability.

But here’s the truth:
You can’t receive the Good News until you acknowledge the Bad News.
You can’t be forgiven if you don’t admit you’ve sinned.

That’s why John the Baptist, Jesus, and the apostles all began their messages with the same word:

“Repent.”

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” — Matthew 3:2, 4:17
“Repent and believe the good news.” — Mark 1:15

Repentance isn’t just about feeling bad for what you’ve done — it’s about turning away from sin and surrendering your life to Christ.

The Whole Gospel

We live in a time when people want a positive gospel — something that makes them feel good but doesn’t challenge them to change.

But that’s not the message Jesus preached.

To receive the Gospel, we need to acknowledge the bad news — that we are sinners — and it leads to the greatest news ever — that Jesus came to save sinners.

The bad news shows us why we need saving.
The good news shows us Who saves us — Jesus Christ.

So, when we receive the Gospel, we must acknowledge:

• The bad news that exposes our need,
• And the good news that brings salvation.

Only when we understand how lost we are can we truly appreciate what it means to be found.

Final Thoughts

The Gospel is not meant to make us comfortable — it’s meant to make us new.

If you’ve been chasing a “feel-good” version of Christianity, I want to invite you today to face the truth, repent, and embrace the full Gospel — the one that saves, redeems, and restores.

“If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” — John 8:36

If this message spoke to your heart, share it with someone who needs to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Pastor Gabriel Cordeiro