Angels We Have Heard on High
Notes
Transcript
Introduction:
8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.
10 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.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”
16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.
17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child.
18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.
19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
Prayer
Background:
Story of Jesus birth
Luke 2:1-9
Historical information to confirm the historicity of the account
God’s sovereign direction of historical events to bring about what had been prophesied
Jesus is born and placed in a manger
1. Jesus’ birth brings good news (vv. 10-13)
1. Jesus’ birth brings good news (vv. 10-13)
10 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.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
The word “good news” in v. 10 is the word we get the gospel from
Savior - not just a political savior, but more importantly a spiritual savior
Christ is a title for the Messiah
Sign - here’s how you will find the Messiah
host - army of angels in the sky
Suddenly the dark night sky was broken with brightness of the glory of the Lord - “those who dwell in deep darkness have seen a great light” - foreshadowinI
2. Jesus’ birth brings glory to God (v. 14a)
2. Jesus’ birth brings glory to God (v. 14a)
14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
The birth of Jesus should bring God glory
Salvation is about God’s glory
We are the beneficiaries of it
“Angels We Have Heard on High”
Song background
A French Carol that was translated into English written by James Chadwick
Celebrates the birth of Jesus in the countryside by the shepherds
Glory to God - in excelsis deo - latin for glory to God in the highest
3. Jesus’ birth brings peace on earth (v. 14b)
3. Jesus’ birth brings peace on earth (v. 14b)
14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
The reason the message is good news is because Jesus brings peace with God
This peace is not for everyone
With those whom God is pleased
We are only able to obtain peace with God through Jesus sacrifice for us
6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Conclusion
The Response of the Shepherds
15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”
16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.
17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child.
18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.
19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
They went to see if what the angel said was true
Would you? If an angel appeared to you would that be enough?
They were curious
They praised God for what they saw
They told other people about what they saw
All three of these things should be true of us today.
If you are not sure, go and see. Search out the truth for yourself and you will see that the story is true. God has given you signs to show you the truth.
Once you’ve seen, praise God for what He’s done for us. Christmas is a season of worship. There are reminders everywhere of the Christmas story and what Jesus has done for us.
Tell others the good news. We sing the song, “Go Tell It on the Mountain.” That should be our mantra. We have a great story to tell. Can you imagine the shepherds keeping quiet?