Fear Not

Sermon Title: Fear Not

Scripture: Luke 2:8-14

Occasion: Christmas Eve

Date: December 24, 2024

Read Text:

Luke 2:8–14 ESV

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 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. 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. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

Opening Prayer:

Heavenly Father,

We come before You tonight with hearts that are full—some with joy, others with burdens, and many with fears.

Yet in this moment, we pause to remember the glorious news declared to the shepherds: “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy.”

As we reflect on the birth of Christ, may Your Word calm our anxieties, reorient our hearts to You, and fill us with the peace that surpasses all understanding.

Open our ears to hear, our minds to understand, and our hearts to believe.

Be glorified in this time, Lord.

In the name of Jesus, our Savior, we pray.

Amen.

Introduction: What Are You Afraid Of?

Christmas Eve is a night of wonder and reflection, but if we’re honest, it’s also a night where fears and anxieties often rise to the surface.

Maybe it’s the fear of unmet expectations, strained relationships, or the emptiness of loss.

For others, it’s the weight of providing for family, the nagging question of whether we’re enough, or the stress of holiday chaos.

I was reminded of this recently while watching The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.

The Herdmans—an unruly, messy, and chaotic group—taught me something profound:

In the midst of our fears, insecurities, and brokenness, the raw beauty of the gospel shines brightest.

As they awkwardly embraced the Christmas story, it reminded me of how messy our own hearts can be.

Yet God speaks into our mess, tonight, with this timeless proclamation: "Fear not."

Tonight, as we look at the familiar account of Luke 2:8-14, I want us to focus on fear—not just the surface anxieties of life, but the deep fears that often define and control us.

What does it mean to “fear not,” and how does the fear of the Lord reorder our hearts, loves, and lives?

How does the birth of Christ—the Son given—serve as the ultimate answer to our fears, anxieties, and insecurities?

Point of the Sermon:

The baby in the manger, Jesus Christ, reveals the depths of our fears only to graciously and powerfully deliver us from them.

Let’s turn to our text in Luke 2:8-14, where the story of the shepherds shows us the reality of fear (vv. 8-9) the remedy for fear (vv. 10-12), and the transformation of fear into worship (vv. 13-14).

Transition to Point 1:

The Reality of Fear

To begin, let’s consider the shepherds. These ordinary men were going about their nightly routine when they were suddenly confronted with the glory of God. What happens next reveals an important truth about fear and how it often manifests in our lives.

Point 1: The Reality of Fear (vv. 8-9)

Text:

Luke 2:8–9 ESV

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

Exposition:

Fear is one of the most fundamental human experiences, and Scripture reflects its weight.

While words like “anxiety” or “worry” appear about 30 times in the Bible, the word “fear” is used over 400 times.

This shows us that fear is the deeper reality behind many of our anxieties.

Illustration:

Imagine driving your car and seeing the “check engine” light flash.

That light isn’t the problem; it’s a signal that something deeper is wrong.

Similarly, anxiety is often a “dashboard light” signaling misplaced fears—fears that our security, significance, or satisfaction rests on something other than God.

The shepherds’ fear that night was substantial.

They weren’t merely startled by the angel’s appearance; they were overwhelmed by the glory of the Lord shining around them.

This wasn’t just fear in the sense of dread but awe—an overwhelming awareness of God’s holiness and their own smallness and unworthiness.

BUT fear in Scripture is not always negative.

There’s a kind of fear—the fear of the Lord—that is truly distinctive.

This fear doesn’t drive us away but draws us toward God.

Unlike the fears we experience in the world, which often lead to “fight, flight, freeze, or faint” responses, the fear of the Lord leads us to refuge, trust, and worship.

Think of the shepherds in their field as the angel appeared.

Their immediate response was great fear—likely a mix of terror and awe.

Application:

What fears are gripping your heart tonight?

Maybe it’s a fear of failure, rejection, or the unknown, or maybe it the fear of man- what others might think of you.

(Let people into my fear of man and battle with this fear over the course of this year.)

Fear isn’t inherently sinful, but misplaced fear leads to anxiety, which often shows we’re trusting something other than God.

But even in our misplaced fears, God draws near to us.

Like the shepherds, He doesn’t leave us trembling in dread but moves us toward a greater fear—a fear that leads to peace.

We will find tonight, contrary to what you may believe, In our misplaced fears, God draws near—not to condemn but to comfort.

Transition to Point 2: The Remedy for Fear

The shepherds’ fear isn’t the end of the story.

The angel immediately spoke words of comfort, revealing the remedy for their fear and ours.

Let’s look at verses 10-12 to see how God meets us in our fear with His good news.

Point 2: The Remedy for Fear (vv. 10-12)

Text: Luke 2:10-12

Luke 2:10–12 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. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”

Exposition:

The angel’s words, “Fear not,” are not a command to suppress fear but an invitation to reorient it.

The remedy for fear is found in the good news of great joy: a Savior has been born.

The titles given—Savior, Christ, and Lord—reveal the nature of this child:

He is the Deliverer from sin, the promised Messiah, and the sovereign King.

The “sign” given to the shepherds—a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger—is a profound paradox.

The Savior of the world enters in humility, not majesty.

This reminds us, tonight, that God doesn’t meet us in our strength but in our weakness.

And in our most frail and weak moments of life we can truly see and experience the reality of the gospel:

That’s God’s grace is sufficient and that Christ’ power is made perfect…in our weakness.

Our Savior’s birth in the flesh is an earnest, and, as it were, beginning of our birth in the Spirit. It is a figure, promise, or pledge of our new birth, and it effects what it promises. As He was born, so are we born also; and since He was born, therefore we too are born. As He is the Son of God by nature, so are we sons of God by grace; and it is He who has made us such.

Saint John Henry Newman

The only way to receive the gospel, the good news the angels speak of, is by grace through faith.

The only way to embrace grace is in weakness.

The only thing you bring to the table is weakness, frailty.

And if there is anything on the table other than weakness, you don’t get it yet.

You are not the only one who is weak. Look around, everyone here is riddled with weakness.

The only way to be reborn of God in Christ is to accept the one that was born Son of God, Savior, Christ, the Lord, for us.

He was born for us- “unto us”!

Illustration:

In The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, the Herdmans—who knew nothing of religion or propriety—were captivated by the story of Christ’s birth.

As they gazed at the baby Jesus in awe, they understood something we often forget: this child (JESUS) changes everything.

Application:

The good news of Christmas is that God has come to us in our fears.

Jesus doesn’t just sympathize with our anxieties; He bears them.

Tonight, you are invited to come to Christ with all your weaknesses, and cast your anxieties on Him, for He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7).

Transition to Point 3: The Transformation of Fear into Worship

The angel’s announcement doesn’t end with a proclamation—it leads to worship.

Let’s see how fear is transformed into glory and peace in verses 13-14.

Point 3: The Transformation of Fear into Worship (vv. 13-14)

Text:

Luke 2:13–14 ESV

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

Jesus transforms our fear into worship by meeting us in our brokenness and bringing us peace with God.

When the shepherds encountered the angel and the glory of God, they were overwhelmed with fear—a natural response to God’s holiness and their own sinfulness (v. 9).

However, their fear did not remain terror.

The angel's proclamation, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy” (v. 10), reframed their fear, showing that God’s glory was not for their condemnation but for their salvation.

The peace declared by the angelic host in verse 14 is more than the absence of conflict; it is the fullness of God’s shalom—a restored relationship between God and man.

This peace is a gift received through faith, a truth that transforms fear into awe-filled worship.

The shepherds, once trembling in dread, became participants in heavenly praise, glorifying God for what they had seen and heard (v. 20).

Illustration:

Imagine a family gathered around a Christmas tree, the room glowing with soft light.

Gifts are exchanged, laughter fills the air, but in the heart of one family member, there’s a hidden fear—perhaps the fear of being alone, the fear of failing to meet expectations, or the fear of being unworthy of love.

Suddenly, a child in the room opens a gift and holds it up with pure delight.

It’s not expensive or extravagant, but it represents something deeper—a reminder of love, thoughtfulness, and belonging. In that moment, the fear is overshadowed by the warmth of love and joy, and the atmosphere shifts.

This is what Jesus’ birth does for us.

In the midst of our fears, anxieties, and feelings of unworthiness, God gives us the ultimate gift: His Son.

Jesus steps into the messiness of our lives, meeting us where we are and offering us peace.

Like the child with the gift, we are invited to look beyond our fears and behold the Savior, who transforms our trembling into joy-filled worship.

Convincing Argument:

Fear of God is the proper response to His holiness and our sin, but Jesus transforms that fear by removing the barrier of sin.

Without Christ, fear leads to despair because we stand condemned under the law.

God’s law reveals His perfect righteousness, and in its light, our sin becomes painfully clear.

Every thought, word, and deed that falls short of His holiness adds to the debt we cannot repay (Romans 3:23).

Our sin separates us from God, making true peace with Him impossible on our own.

Yet the angel’s announcement is good news precisely because Jesus addresses this separation.

He fulfills the law perfectly (Matthew 5:17), living the sinless life we could never live.

Then, through His death on the cross, He bears the full penalty for our sin, satisfying God’s justice (Isaiah 53:5).

By His resurrection, He defeats death, securing for us not just freedom from judgment but eternal peace with God (Romans 4:25; Romans 5:1).

The angels’ song—“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased”—reminds us that this peace is not universal; it is given to those who respond to God’s grace in faith.

Only through faith in Christ can we be reconciled to God, turning our fear of judgment into awe-filled worship.

True worship is only possible when our hearts are made right with God.

Without Christ, worship is hollow, an attempt to appease a God we cannot reach.

But with Christ, worship becomes a joyful response to a God who has come near, bridging the gap between His holiness and our sin.

In Christ, fear gives way to gratitude, awe, and love—a heart posture that exalts God for who He is and what He has done.

This is why the shepherds, once paralyzed by fear, left the manger glorifying and praising God.

They saw firsthand that the glory of God, once a source of terror, had now become their greatest joy through the arrival of the Savior.

Application:

Believer, let this truth settle in your heart: Jesus has come to turn your fear into worship.

Whatever anxieties or uncertainties you carry, they are no match for the peace He brings.

Worship flows naturally when you realize the depth of His grace and the completeness of His salvation.

My unbelieving friend, the fear you feel—the weight of guilt, the uncertainty of life—is real, but there is a real Savior who offers you peace.

Jesus came to take your sin and replace your fear with the joy of worship.

Will you trust Him tonight?

Conclusion of Point:

In Jesus, fear is transformed into worship because He addresses our deepest need—peace with God and joy in Christ.

We are all looking for peace and joy. And that peace and joy is only found in the savior that was born. Who has Christ the Lord.

The angels declared it, the shepherds experienced it, and it is offered to you today.

Glory to God in the highest!

Conclusion: Fear Replaced by Faith

The message of the angels is clear: “Fear not.”

This is not a call to deny our fears but to replace them with faith in Christ.

The story of Christmas from Luke 2:8-14 can be summed up in one sentence:

The baby in the manger, Jesus Christ, reveals the depths of our fears only to graciously and powerfully deliver us from them.

Call to Action: Believer, rest in the promise that the Prince of Peace has come and will come again.

And your prayer to be delivered from evil/Fear will be answered.

He will deliver us soon.

Deliverence is on the way.

We are one day closer to being delivered, beloved.

My Unbelieving Friend, the gift of salvation is offered to you.

Tired of living a life riddled with anxiety and unhealthy fear?

Receive the free gift of peace in the person and finished work of Jesus Christ, the Savior.

He has come to save you from your sin and deliverer you from all your fears.

Will you receive the gift of His son, tonight?

Friends and Family,

FEAR NOT… “I bring you good news of great joy.

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

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

Closing Prayer: Lord, we cast our fears upon You, knowing You care for us.

Teach us to reorient our hearts toward You.

May the Prince of Peace reign in our lives, now and forever.

Amen.