Luke 2:1-21 (The Shepherds | Advent Week 4)

Advent

Colossians 1:15–20 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

Pastoral Prayer

From the beginning of time Father, to the end, you have been, are, and will be in control. You alone are from everlasting to everlasting. You alone give life and breath and everything. You alone are the creator and sustainer and we are your humble creation. You alone see into mens hearts and souls and only you can turn dry bones into flesh. You alone have brought light to a world in darkness, and you alone give life in a world that chases death. Through your work alone do we have joy, grace, mercy, and peace.

Despite all that you have made, we reject your glory and the joy we find in you and trade it for the imperfect substitutes in the world. Forgive us and help us to renew our minds and hearts so that we can pursue you with all our hearts minds and strength and be filled with your spirit.

We ask that as we move into Christmas week, that we would not loose sight of the true glory of Christmas. There will be many sparkling lights, fun food, beautiful presents and so much more that so often distract of from the far more beautiful, and meaningful point of the birth of your son.

Luke 2:1-21 Sermon

Honor Christ, Humble the Sinner, Promote Godliness (Tidings of Joy!)

Introduction: This morning is the 4th week of Advent. Preaching through Much of Chapters 1 & 2 of Luke. - Reading on Christmas morning. This morning, 2:1-21 - focusing mostly on Vv 8-14, the joyful angelic announcement to the shepherds.

Pray: Help me this morning Father to be faithful to your word. Please help me to be able to faithfully preach the things you want us to hear and understand from it. Help us Father to see your glory, to be in awe of your work like the shepherds, as we see your word, draw us nearer to yourself and please help me this morning to not detract from your word, but help us to be drawn into scripture, and it alone as we seek you through it. Amen

The Background (Read Vv. 1-7)

Luke opens this part of his brief narrative with some historical background.

He is writing an account of what happened to Theophilus explaining the history of the Christ.

Census, specific time, specific situations, specific people.

The line of David, town of Bethlehem, - Luke - reminding his readers of OT fulfillment

Line of David & in Bethlehem

2 Sam. 7:12-13 When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.

Micah 5:2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.

This is why they are heading to Bethlehem, and it is here, where Mary gives birth to Jesus.

The Pronouncement (Vv. 8-14)

A side Note - Luke tells a quick story of shepherds

In the field working, and it is to these shepherds that God sends his messengers to make the most glorious announcement of arrival of the king...

A humble group.

Like Mary, Like a manger,

Luke 1:46-48 My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;

The angles didn’t go to kings, the wealthy townsfolk, not the Sanhedrin or the priests.

Luke 1:52–53 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty.

Again, it is to these humble men, that God brings this triumphal news, and it is here, on this wonderful message that I would like to spend some time.

As they did with Joseph, and Mary, and many before them in the OT, the angels encourage them not to fear.

What news? ...good news of great of great joy...

This book is sandwiched with the concept of joy, and joy that revolves around Jesus,

Luke 24:50–53 And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God.

There are three terms this angles uses, words that describe in some sense both the nature, and the work of this newly born Jesus.

A Savior

For the nation, but ultimately for our hearts, David wrote:

Psalm 53:1–3 The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, doing abominable iniquity; there is none who does good. God looks down from heaven on the children of man to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God. They have all fallen away; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one.

This one has come to be the sacrificial lamb, the scape goat, the one who would take God’s wrath against sin and evil and make payment so that we don’t have to, because we would never be able to.

Who is Christ (Messiah)

anointed / chosen one

Again - the promise of David, one who would come,

Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;

This savior, this Jesus was the one selected for this task, prophisied, promised, annointed by God for this great work..

And he is

The Lord

This is a designation of the diety of Jesus, Luke doesn’t

Twice Luke quotes David from Psalm 110: In Luke 20 (Jesus), and Acts 2 (Peter)

Psalm 110:1 The Lord says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.”

The end result being, this annointed one isn’t just a king like David, but one who is greater. Not just one who will save from foreign enemies, the romans or the persians, this is one who is God himself, the savior, the messiah.

This news, is great, and it should bring JOY. God has come as the annonted king a savior!

Notes on Joy, it is a word we talk about.

Joy is not exclusive to believers. (Marriages, babies, new jobs...)

Here is where the difference lies, they are limited, and incomplete

Only in Christ can joy be unlimited, and complete. Everything else passes away.

God alone is eternal, and unchanging, and perfect - and so The Father/Son/Holy SPirit are the only foundation that can provide for maximal and true joy. That is what these angels are bringing

Not always on the surface - We can experience pain and joy simultaniously, just like we can love and be annoyed at our spouses or children, but our

Psalm 16:11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

"God is the highest good of the reasonable creature. The enjoyment of him is our proper; and is the only happiness with which our souls can be satisfied. To go to heaven, fully to enjoy God, is infinitely better than the most pleasant accommodations here. Better than fathers and mothers, husbands, wives, or children, or the company of any, or all earthly friends. These are but shadows; but the enjoyment of God is the substance. These are but scattered beams; but God is the sun. These are but streams; but God is the fountain. These are but drops, but God is the ocean." - Jonathan Edwards‌

This joy is possible, because the hope of salvation and perfection one day with God was brought through the womb of a humble woman and put in a little manger in swaddling cloths,

So the angels sing....

Verse 14

Luke 2:14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

The Reaction (Vv. 15-20)

The Angels gave the shepherds a sign of proof that whey they said was true (Vv. 12), so naturally they go and they find validation of the angelic message.

Like Mary in the Magnificat, they glorify and praise God, they worship God, because what they heard, and what they saw

Worship - Glorifying - praise - a natural reaction to joy in something

Food - great restaurant

People (wife) - most songs!

Psalm 63?

Named (Vv. 21)

Luke concludes this portion of his narrative with a simple, but important detail.

Mary and Joseph did obeyed, Jesus was - and Named his Jesus

Luke 1:31-33 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.

Every promise proved, every statement verified.

He is Jesus.

He is Savior, our hope of of eternal live, the reason we are adopted and not destroyed

He is Christ - the prophesied Messiah, the anointed one.

He is the Lord, the rightful King of our hearts, souls, and all of creation.

This coming week we celebrate Christmas. I hope you will come and join us here Christmas morning.

Come Sunday, worship our King - make Christmas about Christ this Christmas.

Worship him, glorify him, praise him, He is worthy, an

Find your Your joy in him - ask God for this

Pray

Benediction

2 John 3 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father’s Son, in truth and love.