God is Here
Jars of Clay FBC • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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God is Here
Luke 2:8-20
INTRODUCTION
ILL—Tara expecting Jonathan- Jordan unwrapping “I’m a big sister” shirt.
What do you do with good news?
Incarnation- God came in the flesh.
The Messiah has come
What are we going to do with this good news?
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.
4 Reactions to Good News
4 Reactions to Good News
1. Good News Must Be Shared (9, 17-18)
1. Good News Must Be Shared (9, 17-18)
Angels (9)
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.
Only used in the most important and rarest of occasions.
Accompanied by “Glory of the Lord”= Shakinah Glory
Mt. Sinai
Above the Ark
Fear- People’s response when approached by an angel.
Mary when told of Jesus/ John in Revelation
Fear- People’s response when they see God’s glory.
Response of Isaiah
Jews when Moses’ face shone from being in God’s presence.
Shepherds (17-18)
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.
The most common way God shares good news is by people.
Shepherds were a very unlikely people. (like sailors)
Learn some more at Christmas Eve Service.
Shepherds could not keep it to themselves.
Jesus gave us the responsibility to share.
18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
2. Good News Brings Great Joy (10-12)
2. Good News Brings Great Joy (10-12)
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.”
Joy comes from content of the message (11-12)
Savior= literally- a rescuer
Rescued us from sin.
Sin puts us in bondage. Jesus came to break the bondage.
10 For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.”
11 Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.”
12 But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.”
13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”—
14 so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.
Christ the Lord
Christ= Messiah—the Promised One
Lord= Ruler – our boss
Jesus must become both Savior and Lord in our life.
3. Good News Leads to Praise (13-14, 20)
3. Good News Leads to Praise (13-14, 20)
Praise by the Angels (13-14)
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!”
Praise by the Shepherds (20)
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
Praise should be our response
37 As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen,
38 saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
39 And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.”
40 He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”
4. Good news is Worth Obeying (15-16)
4. Good news is Worth Obeying (15-16)
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.
Sacrifice of Shepherds
Traveling at night.
Take Sheep? Leave them behind? Definitely not responsible.
Obedience takes sacrifice.
20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Living Christian Life is Worth It- Not always easy.
CONCLUSION
What are you doing with the Good News?
What are you doing with the Good News?
