Good News of Great Joy

Angles Appear to Shepherds

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. v. 8

Same Region

Bethlehem

And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them,

Appeared to them

Moses, Gideon, and the shepherds all were people going about their regular responsibilities when God spoke to them. God will speak to you outside of spiritual disciplines.

I had prayed about something but got the answer while getting ready to walk out the door to take Corban to school. I wasn’t consciously thinking about my prayer.

Glory of the Lord shone around them

Glory here is the manifestation of God’s presence

Not in the temple and not in Jerusalem, but to the shepherds.

We are not told why shepherds receive this message, but perhaps it has to do with shepherds symbolizing in the Old and New Testament those who care for God’s people. In the Kingdom Jesus is ushering in, believers will be called to care for one another.

What we do know is that shepherds were looked down upon by the religious authorities at the time because of their failure to keep the Sabbath and human imposed religious obligations.

For the general public, shepherds would represent the average local.

Glory of God's Throne

Ezekiel 1:26–28 “And above the expanse over their heads there was the likeness of a throne, in appearance like sapphire; . . . upward from what had the appearance of his waist I saw as it were gleaming metal, like the appearance of fire enclosed all around. . . . and there was brightness around him. Like the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud on the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness all around. Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. And when I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard the voice of one speaking.”

and they were filled with great fear. v. 9

Imagine going for a walk at night and then, bam! An angel!

Imagery of Seraphim :) human/ lion, ox,& eagle face; burning coals of fire & lightning; wheel full of eyes.

If this is the state before angels what will it be like before God? Imagine expressing your excuses to God?

“There was never a good time to bring you up in conversations” (Proclaim)

“I never caught the vision” (Mission/initiatives)

“It was too confusing” (Pins)

“I didn’t want to have to commit to a schedule” (Ministry)

“I had a lot of things on my plate at the time”

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy

Great

Pertaining to being above standard in intensity

All things work together for good vs. My greatest problem, that I could not fix, has been resolved.

Joy

A quality not simply an emotion

that will be for all the people. v. 10

A. Message of Great Joy

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. v. 11

David

Fulfilled covenant

Savior

Conquered sin, death, & Satan

Christ

Fulfillment of God’s Old Testament promises to his people

The Lord

As Americans, were not used to Lords. Someone who has such authority over you, you are not to tell them no. You obey, not because you feel they are right or they have given you all the answers, you obey because they are your Lord. Is Jesus lord of our life or are we trying to be lord of His?

If we look at Jesus’ commandments as our job description, if you were God, would you be happy with your performance?

Have you been considering how to stir one another up to love and good works?

Have you been considering how to encourage a fellow believer?

Good News of Great Joy

Jeremiah 33:6–9 “Behold, I will bring to it health and healing, and I will heal them and reveal to them abundance of prosperity and security. I will restore the fortunes of Judah and the fortunes of Israel, and rebuild them as they were at first. I will cleanse them from all the guilt of their sin against me, and I will forgive all the guilt of their sin and rebellion against me. And this city shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and a glory before all the nations of the earth who shall hear of all the good that I do for them. They shall fear and tremble because of all the good and all the prosperity I provide for it.”

Jeremiah 33:14–15 ““Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David, and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.”

Jeremiah 33:16 “In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will dwell securely. And this is the name by which it will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’”

God has always reigned over the earth, but this kingdom was now being inaugurated

Hebrews 9:14 “how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.”

John 17:26 “I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.””

God’s love is always with us. God is always with us. These conditions never change.

The good news is not that our circumstances will always be joyful, but that this good news can helps us look forward rather than our present circumstances.

Luke 10:20 “Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.””

Do you believe it to be true that Jesus is savior, christ, and lord? If so, are you sharing it with others? Go & Make

B. Sign

And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” v. 12

Angel determining the sign :) No glory; The King of Kings is a baby; manger, that should do it. To assure them he's cared for let's add swaddled.

Baby

Jesus’ identification with humanity. God became a man, not an angle. He redeemed us, not angles.

You can’t get more personal than this.

The creator who fixed the order of heaven and earth (Jer 33:25) and sustainer of all things.

C. Pronouncement of Peace

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, v. 13 “Glory to God in the highest,

Highest

Heaven

and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”” v. 14

Peace (in messianic Kingdom)

Isaiah 52:7 “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.””

Summary

Announcement

- Regular Responsibilities

- Great Fear

Good News of Great Joy

- Savior

- Christ

- Lord

- (Peace)

A Possible Next Step

What i dos the good news that would be of great joy for your acquaintance to hear?