We human types love a grand announcement.

In the 21^st century spectacular flare—planed with careful detail—stages grand announcements.

We are especially attentive when the news is good. Girls announce engagement rings. Newscasts announce lottery winners.

Should the announcement benefit me—then so much the better. So here I am a recipient of the grandest of announcements.

God sent angels, a great company of heavenly hosts, and a star, to focus attention on the announcement superior to all announcements—the Savior for all humankind is born.

First cousins to announcement are gospel, good news, herald, and evangelism.  All come from the same New Testament word.

The birth of Savior culminates in the death and resurrection of Savior. That is the grand announcement for the 21^st century.

It is the announcement that becomes the very definition of evangelism. Of all stories, the evangelism announcement is the story at the heart of church.

The horror of a cross is the symbol of God’s sacrificial act to restore His beloved creation to Himself and to its original state.

There is no good news without the cross. Neither is there church without the cross.

As I go about being a redeemed member of Christ’s church, I want an image of the cross to be dominant within my soul.

Each day as a redeemed part of Christ’s body, I want to be attentive to Holy Spirit assignments to share the announcement.

Doesn’t that pretty much describe church?

We are a people joined together as the body of Christ who understand the significance of the announcement and the cross.

We live to honor the Godhead and to announce—and demonstrate—good news of spectacular grace to fellow travelers.

Cross,  Announcement,  and Church.

In the light of the grandeur of each word, I can’t help but wonder why we spend the time and make the effort to fuss, fight, and argue with each other.

I can’t wait for Satan to be confined to the lake of fire and leave God’s children alone to treat each other like God created us to act from the beginning.

Stay tuned.

Dr. Gary J. Sorrells – Reflecting on Cross Church

Gary@GodReflection,org