In our hurried, noisy world, we often ache for something deeper and more whole. This message explores the evangelical stream of Christian spirituality, reclaiming the ancient meaning of 'evangelical' as simply 'good news people.' We discover that the word comes from the Greek 'euangelion,' meaning a messenger of good news, like someone bursting through city gates announcing victory in battle. The early Christians boldly proclaimed 'Jesus is Lord' as cosmic good news for the entire world, not just one nation. At the heart of this tradition lies a word-centered life where Scripture shapes us from the inside out, not as a rulebook to wield against others, but as nourishment that forms us into the likeness of Jesus. We learn that all Scripture points to Christ, equipping us not just with knowledge but with wisdom to recognize our need for rescue and directing our gaze toward the One who can save us. The challenge before us is clear: we must come under the Word to be fed, allowing it to transform our hearts rather than simply loading our minds with information. When we're shaped by Scripture this way, we naturally become good news with skin on, reflecting Jesus to a world that's homesick for a home it doesn't believe exists.

"We cannot preach the good news and be the bad news."

— RICHARD FOSTER