Good News-Part 4

Luke 2:4–14 NIV

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

The Christmas Story is ‘Good News of Great Joy For All People’

Now, I’ve always appreciated this fact: the first real proclamation of the gospel recorded in the bible is to these ‘lowly shepherds’.

God could have chosen big, he could have sent out for the richest of the rich in the land.

We live in a world where it seems like a lot of society bends towards benefitting a small, rich, powerful group of people.

But even when Jesus walked around - he preferred the ‘sinners’, the lost, the broken, the sick.

Jesus is Saviour and Lord

This phrase where the angel says that Jesus is ‘the messiah, the lord’. It only appears right here. And the angel is telling them - he is your salvation. But he’s also your Lord, your God.

So many people at the time were trying to figure out who Jesus is.

Matthew 16:13–16 NIV

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

We can’t approach this idea of the bible, God or Jesus without confronting this stark reality - that Jesus is both our saviour and our Lord.

That he’s our only way to life - but he’s also the source of life itself. That we need to follow Him - but also obey Him.

When you leave today, I want us all to leave with a bigger picture of Jesus. Not some lesser Jesus that is never demanding of us, or some vicious Jesus that only wants to spite people.

The real, full Jesus is both a sacrifice and a king.

We can expect to see God’s glory, and peace in us

that’s what the angels are singing. ‘Glory to God in the Highest Heaven, and Peace on Earth to those on whom His favour rests’.

That’s something big we often forget - not just about the Christmas story, but about God to begin with.

Matthew 5:16 NIV

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Jesus taught - when we act for Jesus, when we serve. The goal is that people see OUR good deeds, and praise GOD.

And don’t get me wrong - everything God does for us, He does because he loves us and wants to be with us. But we can’t ever trade places with God on the throne. We’re not the focus here. God is.

When we gather - it’s not to benefit ourselves. It’s to praise God. He benefits us with his presence - but we’re still here to praise Him.

But here’s the amazing thing - God’s presence is SO good, that he brings peace everywhere he goes.

Philippians 4:6–7 NIV

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

We work for God’s glory. God’s glory brings us great peace.