Spread the News
By Rev. Heidi L. Barham | April 5, 2026
Click here to listen to the service
Read Acts 10:34 – 43 (NIV)
All that encompasses Holy week... from Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday to Holy Saturday... all of that has likely already started fading into our memories as we come to this Easter Sunday – this Resurrection Day... when we shout with joys of acclamation, “Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed!”
We begin to let go of the darkness that characterized so much of the last few days and we look to the Light of TODAY.
Today… when many families will come together to enjoy traditional Easter meals... when peals of laughter and squeals of excitement abound during old-fashioned Easter egg hunts... and when children and the young-at-heart will be gifted with baskets lined with colorful fake grass and filled with chocolate bunnies, jellybeans and my all-time-not-so-favorite, marshmallow Peeps.
Today… when those who “gave up” something for Lent can once again begin to indulge in those things they were willing to sacrifice... even if it was only for that stretch of time between Ash Wednesday and today.
Yes, today is the day for all of that and more… which brings me to the question for us to consider, which is, “Now what?”
Do we simply pack up our “Hallelujahs” and “Hosannas” and put them in storage in the attic next to the Christmas tree and the boxes labeled decorations?
Do we just go on with life as usual and take it for granted that everybody else already knows about the significance of Jesus’ birth, His life, His death, His burial and most important of all, His resurrection?
Do we give into the spirit of comfort and complacency and just forget about Jesus’ Great Commission to, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matt. 28:19 – 20a).
Or do we respond to the Lord’s clarion call and make it our mission to SPREAD THE NEWS like Peter did in our text for the morning?
Are we ready, willing, and able to take up the charge and SPREAD THE NEWS... to tell a dying world about a living Savior who is Christ the Lord?
As we reflect on our answers to those questions, let’s turn our attention back to our New Testament lesson for the morning... and as we listen to this passage as it is found in the Message Paraphrase... I want to invite us to think about the passion and excitement that Peter must have felt... having previously denied knowing Jesus... not once, not twice, but three times... imagine how emboldened Peter must be feeling now to SPREAD THE NEWS about not just Jesus’ perfect life of servanthood… that led to His death on the cross… but also to His resurrection... all of which fulfilled what had been written about Him in the scriptures.
So, with all that in mind, listen again to our text:
Read Acts 10:34 – 43 (NIV)
All that encompasses Holy week... from Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday to Holy Saturday... all of that has likely already started fading into our memories as we come to this Easter Sunday – this Resurrection Day... when we shout with joys of acclamation, “Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed!”
We begin to let go of the darkness that characterized so much of the last few days and we look to the Light of TODAY.
Today… when many families will come together to enjoy traditional Easter meals... when peals of laughter and squeals of excitement abound during old-fashioned Easter egg hunts... and when children and the young-at-heart will be gifted with baskets lined with colorful fake grass and filled with chocolate bunnies, jellybeans and my all-time-not-so-favorite, marshmallow Peeps.
Today… when those who “gave up” something for Lent can once again begin to indulge in those things they were willing to sacrifice... even if it was only for that stretch of time between Ash Wednesday and today.
Yes, today is the day for all of that and more… which brings me to the question for us to consider, which is, “Now what?”
Do we simply pack up our “Hallelujahs” and “Hosannas” and put them in storage in the attic next to the Christmas tree and the boxes labeled decorations?
Do we just go on with life as usual and take it for granted that everybody else already knows about the significance of Jesus’ birth, His life, His death, His burial and most important of all, His resurrection?
Do we give into the spirit of comfort and complacency and just forget about Jesus’ Great Commission to, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matt. 28:19 – 20a).
Or do we respond to the Lord’s clarion call and make it our mission to SPREAD THE NEWS like Peter did in our text for the morning?
Are we ready, willing, and able to take up the charge and SPREAD THE NEWS... to tell a dying world about a living Savior who is Christ the Lord?
As we reflect on our answers to those questions, let’s turn our attention back to our New Testament lesson for the morning... and as we listen to this passage as it is found in the Message Paraphrase... I want to invite us to think about the passion and excitement that Peter must have felt... having previously denied knowing Jesus... not once, not twice, but three times... imagine how emboldened Peter must be feeling now to SPREAD THE NEWS about not just Jesus’ perfect life of servanthood… that led to His death on the cross… but also to His resurrection... all of which fulfilled what had been written about Him in the scriptures.
So, with all that in mind, listen again to our text:
It’s God’s own truth, nothing could be plainer: God plays no favorites! It makes no difference who you are or where you’re from—if you want God and are ready to do as he says, the door is open. The Message he sent to the children of Israel—that through Jesus Christ everything is being put together again—well, he’s doing it everywhere, among everyone. You know the story of what happened in Judea. It began in Galilee after John preached a total life-change. Then Jesus arrived from Nazareth, anointed by God with the Holy Spirit, ready for action. He went through the country helping people and healing everyone who was beaten down by the Devil. He was able to do all this because God was with him. And we saw it, saw it all, everything he did in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem where they killed him, hung him from a cross. But in three days God had him up, alive, and out where he could be seen. Not everyone saw him—he wasn’t put on public display. Witnesses had been carefully handpicked by God beforehand—us! We were the ones, there to eat and drink with him after he came back from the dead. He commissioned us to announce this in public, to bear solemn witness that he is in fact the One whom God destined as Judge of the living and dead. But we’re not alone in this. Our witness that he is the means to forgiveness of sins is backed up by the witness of all the prophets.
We are living in a day and time when it feels like some folks are working overtime to ensure separation and segregation are the order of the day... however, our text reminds us that God does not play favorites and God does not show favoritism... God’s love, God’s grace and God’s mercy are available to all who would believe... regardless of anything we might say or do to the contrary.
In the Inspirational Bible, Max Lucado, put it like this:
In the Inspirational Bible, Max Lucado, put it like this:
Are our differences that divisive? Are our opinions that obtrusive? Are our walls that wide? Is it that impossible to find a common cause? “May they all be one,” Jesus prayed. One. Not one in groups of two thousand. But one in One. One church. One faith. One Lord. Not Baptist, not Methodist, not Adventist. Just Christian. No denominations. No hierarchies. No traditions. Just Christ.
Lucado then asked the questions, “Too idealistic? Impossible to achieve?” ...going on to answer, “I don’t think so. Harder things have been done, you know. For example, once upon a tree, a Creator gave His life for His creation. Maybe all we need are a few hearts that are willing to follow suit.”
(The Inspirational Bible, 1995, p. 1257)
What better time is there than Easter for us to reflect on our willingness to follow suit... asking ourselves the question, “What would Jesus do?” and then going out to do it?
Easter is so much more than just the traditions that we celebrate. It is an opportunity for us to reflect on the sacrifice that Christ was willing to make for us and for us to be intentional in making the sacrifice to become more like Christ.
To focus not on the things that have the ability to divide us... but to turn our attention to what and WHO it is that unites us -- in spite of any perceived differences we may have.
Easter gives us the opportunity to SPREAD THE NEWS that the story of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection is more than just a story that we tell at Easter time... and it is more than just an intriguing plot for movies like “The Passion of the Christ” or “The Greatest Story Ever Told.”
It is more than just a biblical story -- it is our story.
Because Jesus gave His life on that cross back at Calvary for each and every one of us -- that is what makes this our story to tell -- our story to share to offer hope and encouragement to others -- our story to pass on to current and future generations to assure them that all is not lost.
But someone is sitting there thinking, that’s all well and good, but I am not eloquent like Peter. I am not gifted with words like Paul... besides, who would want to hear my story?
You would be surprised.
There are people out there who think they are in this thing called life all alone... people who feel as though no one even knows they exist, that no cares and that no one understands... people who have no idea that others have walked in shoes very similar to theirs and come out on the other side of unimaginable adversity... people who need to know that in spite of what circumstances may look like to the contrary… there is a God who loves them unconditionally.
The fact of the matter is that there are people who NEED to hear your story... and your story... and your story.
And keep in mind that sometimes we can simply tell our stories in words... while at other times we have the opportunity to SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS through our actions.
And you just never know how your story, whether it is shared in word or deed, will affect someone else.
Take the story of a young man named, Brody, for example, who is the son of one of my coworkers. I shared this story several years ago, but it still has relevance for us today.
Brody was a standout basketball player in high school and an extremely caring and compassionate individual... and he still is. One day Brody stopped to help a stranger whose car was stalled and blocking traffic.
Brody was able to get the woman’s van running and then went the extra step... he offered to fix what was wrong with the van at no cost. All she had to do was buy the necessary parts.
Well, the woman did just that and Brody was able to get her van up and running without a hitch.
And if that was all there was to the story, that would be enough for us to be able to talk about Brody’s act of kindness and compassion for a stranger... somewhat reminiscent of what Jesus taught in the Parable of the Good Samaritan.
Other people had honked and jeered at this woman because she was blocking traffic... but no one had stopped to tend to her needs. No one, that is, except Brody. The others had all passed her by, the same way the religious leaders had passed by the man who was laying in the road, having been left for dead by robbers.
And like the Good Samaritan who took care of the man’s wounds and made provisions for him to stay at an inn -- Brody made provision for this woman to be able to drive her vehicle safely again.
But unlike the story of the Good Samaritan... Brody’s story did not end there.
While we do not know what became of the man who was helped by the Good Samaritan in the biblical story... I can tell you what happened to the woman who Brody helped that day.
A short time later, that woman was driving the same van that Brody had fixed... becoming the first person to arrive on the scene of a horrific accident... and she was able to be by the side of a young man as he was taking his last breath... a young man who was actually one of Brody’s classmates... a young man, who, because of Brody’s random act of kindness, did not have to die alone.
Because someone took the time to be a blessing to that woman... she was able to be in the right place at the right time to be a blessing to someone else... to be Jesus’ hands and feet of compassion for that young man.
To show him love and kindness and let him know that he was not alone and that Jesus was waiting for him with arms open wide.
And others who were able to witness that compassion firsthand, along with those who have heard this story since, have been blessed as well.
We just never know how our “story” will impact someone else’s life.
When Brody’s mom first shared that story with me... she told me how Brody had been praying with and for their other classmates as well as for the young man’s family in the days following the tragic accident.
And she told me how he had been offering words of good counsel to everyone, including her and her husband. Brody told everyone, “Stop and breathe. Enjoy the moment because you don’t know if you will have the next one.”
Brody’s words are similar to another quote that I came across in a Daily Guideposts devotional, which said, “Special moments are fleeting. Stop and enjoy them while they are here.”
The next moment is not promised to any of us, so we need to make the most of each moment while we can.
When God opens a door for us to share our story with someone else, that truly is a special moment. That is a moment when we can give them the words of comfort, assurance and encouragement that they might need in that moment.
And what a gift it is when we recognize those moments and seize the opportunity to SPREAD THE NEWS about God’s love!
What an honor to be used by God to SPREAD THE NEWS about Jesus... the One who gave His very life for us so that we might have eternal life.
What a privilege it is to share the good news with all who will listen, that because Christ lives, we are able to face tomorrow... not with fear and trepidation... but with joy and hope in the promise of the future that we will share with Him in the kingdom of God forever.
So, today, on this Resurrection Sunday, let us make it our mission to tell our stories and SPREAD THE NEWS about our living Savior as we stand and join in singing our Hymn of Discipleship: Because He Lives #562
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(The Inspirational Bible, 1995, p. 1257)
What better time is there than Easter for us to reflect on our willingness to follow suit... asking ourselves the question, “What would Jesus do?” and then going out to do it?
Easter is so much more than just the traditions that we celebrate. It is an opportunity for us to reflect on the sacrifice that Christ was willing to make for us and for us to be intentional in making the sacrifice to become more like Christ.
To focus not on the things that have the ability to divide us... but to turn our attention to what and WHO it is that unites us -- in spite of any perceived differences we may have.
Easter gives us the opportunity to SPREAD THE NEWS that the story of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection is more than just a story that we tell at Easter time... and it is more than just an intriguing plot for movies like “The Passion of the Christ” or “The Greatest Story Ever Told.”
It is more than just a biblical story -- it is our story.
Because Jesus gave His life on that cross back at Calvary for each and every one of us -- that is what makes this our story to tell -- our story to share to offer hope and encouragement to others -- our story to pass on to current and future generations to assure them that all is not lost.
But someone is sitting there thinking, that’s all well and good, but I am not eloquent like Peter. I am not gifted with words like Paul... besides, who would want to hear my story?
You would be surprised.
There are people out there who think they are in this thing called life all alone... people who feel as though no one even knows they exist, that no cares and that no one understands... people who have no idea that others have walked in shoes very similar to theirs and come out on the other side of unimaginable adversity... people who need to know that in spite of what circumstances may look like to the contrary… there is a God who loves them unconditionally.
The fact of the matter is that there are people who NEED to hear your story... and your story... and your story.
And keep in mind that sometimes we can simply tell our stories in words... while at other times we have the opportunity to SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS through our actions.
And you just never know how your story, whether it is shared in word or deed, will affect someone else.
Take the story of a young man named, Brody, for example, who is the son of one of my coworkers. I shared this story several years ago, but it still has relevance for us today.
Brody was a standout basketball player in high school and an extremely caring and compassionate individual... and he still is. One day Brody stopped to help a stranger whose car was stalled and blocking traffic.
Brody was able to get the woman’s van running and then went the extra step... he offered to fix what was wrong with the van at no cost. All she had to do was buy the necessary parts.
Well, the woman did just that and Brody was able to get her van up and running without a hitch.
And if that was all there was to the story, that would be enough for us to be able to talk about Brody’s act of kindness and compassion for a stranger... somewhat reminiscent of what Jesus taught in the Parable of the Good Samaritan.
Other people had honked and jeered at this woman because she was blocking traffic... but no one had stopped to tend to her needs. No one, that is, except Brody. The others had all passed her by, the same way the religious leaders had passed by the man who was laying in the road, having been left for dead by robbers.
And like the Good Samaritan who took care of the man’s wounds and made provisions for him to stay at an inn -- Brody made provision for this woman to be able to drive her vehicle safely again.
But unlike the story of the Good Samaritan... Brody’s story did not end there.
While we do not know what became of the man who was helped by the Good Samaritan in the biblical story... I can tell you what happened to the woman who Brody helped that day.
A short time later, that woman was driving the same van that Brody had fixed... becoming the first person to arrive on the scene of a horrific accident... and she was able to be by the side of a young man as he was taking his last breath... a young man who was actually one of Brody’s classmates... a young man, who, because of Brody’s random act of kindness, did not have to die alone.
Because someone took the time to be a blessing to that woman... she was able to be in the right place at the right time to be a blessing to someone else... to be Jesus’ hands and feet of compassion for that young man.
To show him love and kindness and let him know that he was not alone and that Jesus was waiting for him with arms open wide.
And others who were able to witness that compassion firsthand, along with those who have heard this story since, have been blessed as well.
We just never know how our “story” will impact someone else’s life.
When Brody’s mom first shared that story with me... she told me how Brody had been praying with and for their other classmates as well as for the young man’s family in the days following the tragic accident.
And she told me how he had been offering words of good counsel to everyone, including her and her husband. Brody told everyone, “Stop and breathe. Enjoy the moment because you don’t know if you will have the next one.”
Brody’s words are similar to another quote that I came across in a Daily Guideposts devotional, which said, “Special moments are fleeting. Stop and enjoy them while they are here.”
The next moment is not promised to any of us, so we need to make the most of each moment while we can.
When God opens a door for us to share our story with someone else, that truly is a special moment. That is a moment when we can give them the words of comfort, assurance and encouragement that they might need in that moment.
And what a gift it is when we recognize those moments and seize the opportunity to SPREAD THE NEWS about God’s love!
What an honor to be used by God to SPREAD THE NEWS about Jesus... the One who gave His very life for us so that we might have eternal life.
What a privilege it is to share the good news with all who will listen, that because Christ lives, we are able to face tomorrow... not with fear and trepidation... but with joy and hope in the promise of the future that we will share with Him in the kingdom of God forever.
So, today, on this Resurrection Sunday, let us make it our mission to tell our stories and SPREAD THE NEWS about our living Savior as we stand and join in singing our Hymn of Discipleship: Because He Lives #562
