"I Bring You Good News - Gospel"

Good News - Gospel

With December and December 25th, Christmas being so near , we are gently encouraged to sure that we are clear of the details of the One whose birth but more so the life of this birth that we celebrate.

TThe Bible is clear. The coming of Jesus was and is good news. The angel that emphasized that to the shepherds with a message.

Luke 2:10–11 ESV

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

With that brief but succinct announcement of the good news, we are told that a multitude of heavenly host was suddenly there praising God and saying,

Luke 2:14 ESV

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

We do not have time to consider all the implicartions of what the host said. Luke details of what the host said add exclamation marks underscoring the the importance of the good news message. Every word from the heavenly host should pull at our hearts and minds with the prayer that we fully understand every detail. This is not something that should be content to repeat without a full understanding of the meaning and implications for them and for us.

Multitude of heavenly host.

Military encampment term - Matt 26:53 - perhaps too large to number.

Rev Rev 5:11

Revelation 5:11 ESV

Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands,

Glory to God in the highest.

On earth peace:

Among those with whom He - God is pleased - those who have received the Gospel/the Savior by faith and by grace are forgiven.

The use of the term “good news” would not have been new to the shepherds. What was new was that it was delivered by an angel, with an expanded “Hallelujah” chorus of angels to them, humble shepherds, who were working the night shift caring for sheep.

The term used by the angel, “euangelion” is really not that strange to most of us.

eu = good.

eulogy, euphonium

The basic meaning of “euangelion” is “good message” or “good news”, “Gospel. It is them easily understood that angel/,essenger comes “angelion”

Doctor’s explanation most often good news.

In ancient world news was of necessity communicated is person - i.e. marathon runners with news outcome of battle.

Isaiah 52:7 ESV

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”

Good news delivered by angel.

Angel - a messenger that afterwards they knew to be an angel.

Good news, great joy, not just for you but for all people.

Specifiic :

Unto you is born this day in the city.

A Saviour

Angel message to Joseph - Matt 1:20

Matthew 1:20–21 ESV

But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

With the title “Saviour” there is the clear indication of the need of a Saviour and that from which there is a need to be saved.

His people:

Luke 2:11 ESV

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

Acts 4:12 ESV

And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Acts 5:31 ESV

God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.

Acts 13:23 ESV

Of this man’s offspring God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised.

Who is Christ/Messiah

2 Samuel 7:15–17 ESV

but my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.’ ” In accordance with all these words, and in accordance with all this vision, Nathan spoke to David.

The Lord.

“The gospel is this: We are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe, yet at the very same time we are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope.”

(Late Pastor Tim Keller - Redeemer Presbyterian Church, New York City)

The gospel has been described as a pool in which a toddler can wade and yet an elephant can swim. It is both simple enough to tell to a child and profound enough for the greatest minds to explore. Indeed, even angels never tire of looking into it (1 Peter 1:12). Humans are by no means angels, however, so rather than contemplating it, we argue about it.

1 Peter 1:12 ESV

It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.

As we are able, may we not only wade in the Gospel, but also swim, immerse and trust the Gospel of Jesus Christ to carry us forward into eternity in God’s presence,