“Encounter with an Announcement”

DID NOT PREACH ON THIS SUNDAY 12-29-2024 BECAUSE I WAS SICK — PREACHED THE FOLLOWING SUNDAY

01-5-2025 WHICH WAS IN A NEW YEAR.

INTRODUCTION.

MESSAGE.

God provided His Son but we must receive Him.

Just as the Lord’s Supper is a time of remembrance we must receive it for us to partake of it.

Share a story of a happy time.

then have people take a journey in their minds to a happy time.

then have them share it with the person sitting next to them (if possible)

__________________________________________

This past year has I have looked at the word “ENCOUNTER” for the year. As I was preparing this message the title “Encounter with an Announcement” came to mind. Then I realized what better way to end the year than by and “ENCOUNTER”.

INTRODUCTION.

Share a story about a hearing about a present for me, then going and finding it, after opening it I tell everyone about it.

One of my favorite parts of this encounter with God’s word is that the Great news of the Birth of Christ was first given,(announced) to ordinary people like me and you.

The birth announcement of Jesus Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords.

Luke 2:8–20 NASB95

8 In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 “This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there appeared 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 men with whom He is pleased.” 15 When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. 17 When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.

MESSAGE.

I. The announcement is RECEIVED by the shepherds.

Luke 2:8-14.

1. Glorious announcement - Angels.

2. Shepherds - Common people.

3. A Sign.

4. Witnesses - multitude of the heavenly host.

I. The announcement is RECEIVED by the shepherds.

II. The announcement LEADS the shepherds.

Luke 2:15-16.

1. The shepherds IMMEDIATELY responded to the announcement.

2. The shepherds SEARCHED until they found baby Jesus.

3. The Shepherds searched with URGENCY.

I. The announcement is RECEIVED by the shepherds.

II. The announcement LEADS the shepherds.

III. The encounter with Christ causes the shepherds to SHARE the good news.

Luke 2:17-19.

1. The shepherds shared what had been told to them.

“Good News” for ALL the people.

Christ the Savior.

Luke 2:10–11 NASB95

10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

2. Shared with enthusiasm.

“all who heard it wondered”

3. Return to Life praising God.

CONCLUSION.

We must respond as soon as we hear from Holy Spirit. The more times we hear the less it means to us.