THE ANNOUNCEMENT - LUKE 2:8-18

INTRO: Families rejoice at THE ANNOUNCEMENT of A Newborn. There’s something special about time with a newborn like seeing it and telling others about it. This is what the Shepherds did.

NEED-Christmas is a great time to ANNOUNCE Christ’s story to others.

PREVIEW-The Announcement is “Your Miracle is Here!”

THE ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINED AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE - 8-12

Some announcements are not IMPORTANT. We interrupt this program...

Angels ANNOUNCEMENT..."THE SAVIOR IS BORN”. THAT’S IMPORTANT.

Shepherds were outcast; lowly workers.

Guarding lambs for the Temple sacrifices (forgiveness of sin) THEY Received a DIVINE invitation to visit the Lamb who would take away the sins of the World. Robots Replacing People - Out of a job; Yet rejoicing.

This is the awaited birth and the lowly received it first.

Matt 5:3 “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

IS 41:17 “When the poor and needy search for water and there is none, and their tongues are parched from thirst, then I, the Lord, will answer them. I, the God of Israel, will never abandon them.”

James 2:5 “Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren’t they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him?”

SO THE ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINED AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE AND IT WAS DELIVERED TO THOSE WHO WERE IMPORTANT TO GOD.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT CULTIVATED A SENSE OF URGENCY - 15-16

The Shepherds did not delay BUT WITH URGENCY went to see this Miracle baby. (15)

In His presence they were fulfilled…no questions; no doubt; just filled with Praise for what they saw.

God’s Church experiences Christ in community…fellowship of the Body of Christ.

We discover Him together, pray to Him together, connected to Him through faith. WHAT A BLESSING!

We should have an URGENCY of PRAISE (LET US); when we enter; when we see one another; when God is blessing someone else; when God is delivering someone; when God is healing someone.

If your URGENCY depends on your PERFORMANCE, you didn’t get the ANNOUNCEMENT. It’s about you.

The Holy Spirit should CULTIVATE a SENSE OF URGENCY because we are in the presence of Jesus. And in His presence burdens are lifted; salvation abounds; depression flees; guilt is erased; sadness is removed; rejection is eliminated; failure is forgotten;

THERE IS ONLY JOY - PS 16.11 “In Your presence there is fullness of joy. “

PEACE - John 14.27 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”

LOVE - 1 John 3.1 “See how very much our Father loves us, for He calls us His children, and that is what we are!

STRENGTH - IS 40:31 - they that wait upon the LORD shall renew...

THE ANNOUNCEMENT COMMUNICATED HOPE - 17, 18)

The shepherds spread the Good News of the Messiah’s birth.

They didn’t keep it secret; didn’t manipulate it for their gain; didn’t sell it; they freely shared it with others.

What did they share? They shared their experience.

And that’s what filled everyone with amazement. Simple.

We have the same opportunity to COMMUNICATE the Good News.

That through Christ, God offers restoration; forgiveness,; salvation to all people.

People want to hear HIStory, and when we COMMUNICATE it from our OWN experiences lives are changed. You don’t know like I know...

CLOSE - The ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINED A VALUABLE MESSAGE.

We have heard the message, experienced His presence;

THE ANNOUNCEMENT CULTIVATED A SENSE OF URGENCY…SO now we must be URGENT about Kingdom business.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT COMMUNICATED HOPE - We must communicate the Good News, “The Messiah has come to save, heal and set free.”

Let’s make this Christmas season the starting point where we tell other about the message and mission of Jesus.