Heaven’s Song
Notes
Transcript
Open your bibles and turn with me to the book of Luke 2:8-20
We are continuing our way through Luke.
Last week, we saw the birth of the Messiah, Jesus Christ!
Against the backdrop of the EDICT of CASAER AUGUSTUS
In which, Luke shows us that the true king of the world is NOT
born in earthly royalty of nobility, but in humility and human frailty.
The true King of the world isn’t on a throne in Rome, but instead….in a manager in Bethlehem!
And this passage of scripture we are going to look at this morning,
continues with the birth narrative of Jesus.
In which, Luke begins to drop hints on to the reader of the
scope of redemption that Jesus will bring!
Namely, the good news of Jesus is for the Jews but also for all people!
Sermon Summary - The Gospel of Jesus is for all people.
In Luke’s gospel, there are three songs recorded
really there are four if you include the one seen here…and I will
and all of them take place early in the gospel.
And all of them revolve around the birth of the Messiah….
Think about it.
We’ve seen the Magnificat – Luke 1:46-55
This is Mary's song of praise when she visits her cousin Elizabeth.
The song begins with the words, "My soul magnifies the Lord."
We’ve seen Zachariah’s Song – The BENEDICTUS! - Luke 1:68-79
It is a prophecy about the coming of the Messiah and the role of his son, John
is the one who prepares the way for Jesus.
The song begins with "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel."
We will see next week of the NUNC DIMITTUS
This song is sung by Simeon, an elderly man who was promised by the Holy Spirit
that he would not die before seeing the Messiah.
Upon seeing Jesus as an infant, he praises God,
acknowledging that he has now seen the salvation of the Lord.
And I would argue – even here in this text is yet another song –
THE SONG OF HEAVEN….the SONG OF THE ANGELS!
WHEN they CRY out of the NEWs of JESUS!
14 “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
Luke gives us this picture –
That all of heaven and earth is SINGING and rejoicing at the birth of the MESSIAH!!
REJOICING in the GOOD NEWS –
that the hope of salvation has come to earth in the form of flesh and blood….
a little baby, lying in a manger, who is Christ the LORD!
This NEWS changes EVERYTHING!
And this news demands a response!
AND an appropriate response of worship!!
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.
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I. The News of Jesus is for all people (v.8-12)
I. The News of Jesus is for all people (v.8-12)
Luke zooms out just a little bit from Bethlehem!
And puts us in the same region….Just outside of Bethlehem!
And brings our attention to shepherds in a field, and begins to tease,
just a bit of who this news of Jesus is for.
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.
Here are shepherds– doing what shepherds do, keeping watch over their flock!
Seeking to protect them, keep them from danger in the evening!
We aren’t told if it was the same night, but I believe it may have been.
But nonetheless, it was at night!
And an angel of the Lord – appeared to them!
Now, we aren’t told if this is Gabriel who appeared to Mary and Zachariah.
But an ANGEL of the LORD appeared to the SHEPHERDS.
And think about it….here the angel just appear to one person, but a plurality of persons….
Multiple shepherds –
Shepherds, you likely know, aren’t the most upper echelon of jobs in Israel.
Shepherds were often considered dirty, unclean, and lowly of peoples in the region!
To think about it….
The first announcement of news of the Messiah’s arrival!
Doesn’t go to Zachariah’s office of High Priest!
That might have made sense since we’ve been introduced to him before!
It doesn’t come first to leaders like Herod…
in fact, the news of Jesus won’t reach him unto sometime later.
A messenger isn’t giving to the steps of CAESAR! – YOU’RE REIGN IS UP!!
It doesn’t come to ANNIAS or CIAPHIAS’s as the HIGH PRIEST!
NOR TO THE PHARISEE’s or the SADUCEEDS!
It instead comes to lowly, outcast….dirty, unclean….minding their own flocks- SHEPHERDS!!
And they like others before – stand in fear!
Of the sight that is before HIM!!
OF THE MAJESTIC SIGHT OF THE ANGEL
and OF THE GLORY OF THE LORD shining around them!
But the angel gives comfort to them
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.”
The Angel declares to them the news that has taken place!!
DON’T BE AFRAID!!
FEAR NOT….I BRING YOU GOOD NEWS!!
I BRING YOU NEWS -
I PROCLAIM TO YOU THE GOSPEL! (GOODNEWS!)
Notice the language that will be FOR ….WHO – ALL PEOPLE!!
Now, LUKE begins to tease out here a primary theme
that he will continue to build throughout his GOSPEL…
THAT THE MESSAGE OF CHRIST is not just for the JEWS but also for the NATIONS!!
And that’s seen first – in the message given to LOWLY SHEPHERDS but now,
declared that THIS GOOD NEWS is FOR ALL PEOPLE!!
FOR OR BECAUSE - UNTO YOU –
Who says that aboutsomeone else, baby….you aren’t even related to?
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ (THE MESSIAH) the Lord.
BELOVED, this MESSAGE IS FOR YOU!!
THE BIRTH OF THE MESSIAH, LUKE WILL GO ON TO SHOW US!!
THE GOOD NEWS OF THE GOSPEL IS FOR ALL PEOPLE!!
That is THIS DAY – LITERALLY (TODAY)
A little later in LUKE 4 –
Jesus will begin his earthly ministry by taking up the scroll of ISAIAH,
on the SABBATH DAY in TEMPLE
And after he read it, he handed it back to the attendant and he sat down, and said!
Luke 4:21 TODAY – this scripture has been fulfilled in your ears….
And in LUKE 19 Jesus, while passing through JERICHO….will meet a Short tax collector –
And Zacchaeus’s heart is changed….
and the others grumble that Jesus would entertain a conversation
and dine with TAX COLLECTOR like ZACCHAUES
And Jesus says in Luke 19:9-10
9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
On the night before Jesus is Crucified – LUKE 22….Simon Peter says we will never desert you….
Jesus says – Before the rooster crows today! You will deny me three times!
And in Luke 23 –
While Jesus is on the cross, an UNNAMED thief looks to Jesus, knowing He is the savior –
and says to JESUS
42 And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Like bookends, Jesus’s earthly ministry ends with TODAY – YOU WILL BE WITH ME IN PARADISE!!
And yet on this day – TODAY
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
Luke is showing us – who this message of the gospel is FOR!!
It’s for THE RELIGIOUS and proud elites in the temple…
who are willing to humble themselves and submit to HIS authority!!
It’s for sinners and tax collectors! ….who repent of their sin and turn to JESUS!!
It’s for the zealous and hopeful follower of Christ, who stumbles and falls…
and is in need of mercy!
And it’s for worst of criminals, deserving to be crucified
and punished for their wrongs committed!!
And right now – we see, it’s FOR the SHEPHERDS!!
And don’t miss it….the NEWs OF JESUS comes t them!!
OUT in a field…tending SHEEP!!
And the same is true today!! – TODAY!!
The message of the gospel is that GOD HAS COME US… TO SAVE US!!
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
And the angels tell them of where they can find the truth of this message!
In flesh in blood….Luke 2:12
12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”
You can go look and see for yourselves….you’ll find him there….
in the most unsuspecting place
Just be sure to look on the wrong side of the house….
He’s not in the KATALYMA!....LOOK over on the other side….in the MANGER!!
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II. Heaven rejoices at the news of Jesus (v.13-14)
II. Heaven rejoices at the news of Jesus (v.13-14)
Well, suddenly, the shepherds are outnumbered!!
And my goodness, if they had reasonto fear before, they have even more reason now!!
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!”
SUDDENDLY - ….that is IMMEDIATELY and without WARNING!!
THERE APPEARED with the ANGEL –
A MULTITUDE!! A LARGE NUMBER-----likely THOUSANDS OF ANGELS!!
IT IS A MULTITUDE of HEVENLY HOST
Now that term - HEAVENLY HOST – Military term
ARMIES make war and ARMIES fights battle!
Here – they are coming to not for WAR BUT TO announce PEACE!!
A singing army – a praising army!
Not looking for WAR, but WORSHIP!!
SAYING – GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST!!!
They are worshipping CHRIST – THE MESSIAH!! WHO IS JESUS!
At the announcement and arrival of THE NEWS OF HIS COMING!!
Like Isaiah 6:3 (of the heavenly host)
3 And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!”
And of declare the message of Isaiah foretold in Isaiah 9:6
6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
We are told in John 12:41
41 Isaiah said these things because he saw his glory and spoke of him.
AND HERE IS HEAVENS ARMY – DECLARING GLORY IN THE HIGHEST!!
AND PEACE – not in ROME!!
Not in the PAX ROMAMA ….not in the earthly realm!!
BUT PEACE on EARTH is found AMONG THOSE with WHOM he PLEASED!!
Not only does MARY REJOICE, but think about what we’ve seen so far!
MARY REJOICING!!
ELIZABETH praising the LORD
ZACHARIAH– Rejoicing and praising GOD!
Little JOHN THE BAPTIST – LEAPING FOR JOY in the WOMB!!
AND NOW – HEAVEN REJOICES of the new of JESUS!!
They rejoice of salvation coming!!
And it’s not even coming even unto them!!
ANGELS– as majestic as they are – don’t know redemption that CHRIST BRING!
BUT THEY REJOICE of HIS SALVATION Coming to EARTH!!
AND SAY – FOR UNTO YOUIS BORN this DAY A SAVIOR!!
ANGELS – who Peter tells us long to look into the GOOD NEWS OF THE GOSPEL! (1 Peter 1:12)
And just as angels rejoice, even when one sinner repents!
AND REJOICE and worship the LORD in majesty and SPLENDOR!!
NOW - REJOICE AND WORSHIP - at the NEWS OF JESUS’s BIRTH!!
And oh, how we ought to do the same!
How, we often just walk by and move along about our days.
As if Jesus changes nothing about our lives!!
But beloved, He changes everything!!
Because of JESUS, we have hope!
Because of Jesus, We can live in confidence rather than fear!
Because of Jesus, we can cling to HIM and his promises!
Because of Jesus, we can humble ourselves and trust the LORD!
BECAUSE of JESUS – we aren’t condemned in our sin!
Because of Jesus, salvation has come to the undeserving sinners!
BECAUSE OF JESUS – we have a reason, always to rejoice, along with HEAVEN!
OF THE CHRIST – THE MESSIAH has come to EARTH….TO SAVE!!
GLORY TO GOD….and bring PEACE!!
He’s brought salvation to sinners!
And hope when we deserve to perish!
14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. 16 For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham.
III. Living in faith is the right response to the gospel (v.15-20)
III. Living in faith is the right response to the gospel (v.15-20)
What I want to show you here, is the response of a couple of people,
upon the giving of the news of Christ coming!
a. Believing and going with urgency (v.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.
It should be noted – first that the Shepherd’s believed the news!
That is they took the message of the ANGEL and the praise of the heavenly HOST….
AND THEY ACTED IN FAITH!!
THAT IS, THEY got up and looked at one another and SAID – LET’S GO!!!
Let’s go see the thing that has happened!
It had only been told to them, but they considered it as done!
Notice because they saw it as coming from the Lord HIMSELF…
Though it came from the message of ANGELS-
IT IS THE LORD has made it known to them!!
AND THEY WENT WITH HASTE-
THAT is in a hurried way!!
EVEN as SHEPHERDS-
Their sheep were the last thing on their mind – and they say Let’s go find the Messiah!
They get it, and they act!!
LITERALLY – they were going over to BETHLEHEM – to see this thing –
THAT IS TO SEE THIS WORD – THAT HAS HAPPENED!!
This what it looks like to believe the Lord – trust God!
To move, to act – and to move quickly in faith!
OF the things that God has spoken to us in his word –
Here are shepherds teaching us what it means to follow and trust the LORD!
And I just want to say –
this ought to be the same posture that we share when we come to word of GOD!
And receive the truth that GOD has spoken!
THAT WE BELIEVE! And WE MOVE …..
WE BELIEVE and LIVE in faith, obeying with urgency!
b. Speaking plainly (v.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.
That is when they saw the fulfillment of the WORD –
They saw the things had taken place in the same way IT HAD BEEN TOLD TO THEM!
Now, the saying was what we have written in v. 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.”
But you got to know – they didn’t leave out the heavenly chorus!
But don’t miss it – they spoken plainly of the things BEEN TOLD THEM –
v.15 – THAT HAD BEEN MADE KNOWN TO THEM!!
And the people- wondered!!
LITERALLY – THEY MARVELLED!
Now, this is a key LUKAN term….
he uses this word extensively in HIS GOSPEL – and in the book of ACTS
To the supernatural working of GOD –
Soon MARY and JOSEPH will MARVEL of the things spoken about JESUS in LUKE 2:33
The crowd will MARVEL of the wordsand truths being spoken by JESUS – LUKE 4:22
HIS DISICPLESwill MARVEL at JESUS –
saying WHO is this that even the winds and waves OBEY HIM– Luke 8:25
THE CROWDS will marvel and the wonderfuland mighty works of JESUS in Luke 9:43
After the RESSURECTION–
PETER would return home after seeing the EMPTY tomb,
MARVELING at the truth of JESUS being raised from the DEAD! In Luke 24:12
That ought to be the expected response to the GLORIOUS truths and work of GOD!!
But beloved – don’t miss it….here!
The marvel was in response to the SHEPHERD’s speaking the truth of GOD!!
AND ALL WHO HEARD IT!
MARVELED!
All of HEAVEN and the whole world is zeroing in to moment –
in a little stable, where animals are fed….
To a home in Bethlehem that’s too crowdedfor the Messiah!!
That the world stopsand listens – when the good news of Christ is proclaimed!
And all who heard marveled!
Beloved – I would just submit to you that the news of CHRIST –
Is just as compelling today!
That God has come in the flesh –
And he has come to earth!
To save humanity from their sin!!
And beloved, the entire world stops …
And centers around the truth of the gospel of JESUS CHRIST!!
That at the center of HISTORY – is the blood stained cross of CALVARY
Where Jesus gave his life on behalf of sinners!
And beloved – these things that have happened!
Are worth sharing!
It’s worth us proclaiming!!
EVERYTHING THAT has been shown to us!!
The truth of CHRIST – HE HAS LIVED,
CHRIST had DIED, and Christ has risen, and Christ will come again!
And beloved – I mean to tell you, upon those hearing –
By the working and power of the SPIRIT of God –
When they hear it, they’ll be AMAZED!! – ATONISHED at the work of GOD!
And so, may be speak this truth’s plainly
c. Thinking Carefully (v.19)
There is a slight contrast here….
The focus shifts ever so briefly away from the shepherds and onto the Mother of Jesus!
19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.
As these things were being told to her –
Mary is processing!!
She’s wrapping her mind and heart around
all the glorious realities that she is experiencing.
No doubt – thinking about the words being spoken by the SHEPHERDS!
BUT HERE, MARY is said to treasure up all these things!
And I got to believe that MARY wasn’t only processing this moment
but the last 9 months of her life…
Of the words spoken to her by Gabriel
Of her own experience carrying the Messiah in her womb!
Of Elizabeth’s Testimony of Jesus
Of John leaping in Elizabeth’s womb!
And on the one hand – Mary knew who Jesus is –
But on the other, she’s still coming to grips with all these things!
I quite confident that Mary wouldn’t have been able to
give you a textbook definition of INCARNATION
She wouldn’t have been able to tell you about the HYPOSTATIC UNION!
She wouldn’t have been able to describe to you –
in great theological depth about
SUBSITUTIONARY ATONEMENT and INPUTTED RIGHTEOUS
through CHRIST!!
Mary couldn’t give an example of any of things,
but she treasured them and pondered them in her heart!
This is what it looks like to treasure up the truths of GOD in a believing heart!
She didn’t interject when the news was given!
She processed and kept it in her heart!!
She’s pondering them- reflecting deeply about these things!!
BELOVED–
the great truths and mysteries of the faith are worth you pondering in this way!
To stop and consider the great depth and beauty of God’s truth!!
To stop and consider the depth of CHRIST’s GOSPEL!!
And the mystery of CHRIST that has been revealed to us!!
That God has redeemed for himself a people!
By writing HIMSELF into HIS own story
Coming to DIE in their place!
TO make atonement for their sin….to SAVE THEM!!
That we might stop and consider and meditate, often on the truth of the gospel!
To rehearse the truth of the gospel and get it in our heart!
To remind our own hearts of the gospel that we still desperately need!
That I’m not good!
I’m a wretched!
And yet, in my state of sin, I am beloved by God.
To the degree that he would joyfully shed His blood and die for me!!
d. Living in worship (v.20)
We are back to the shepherds…
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
The shepherds eventually returned to the field –
but they carried the hope of the gospel with them!
And BELOVED, I just want to say – many of you…after hearing the gospel preached!
Enjoying a day of rest and of worship in the Lord’s house!
Will return – You’ll return home!
You’ll return to a job!
You’ll return to live as we know it – Monday-FRIDAY
But beloved – don’t leave the good news on a shelf….
or someplace separate from the world we live in!
THE SHEPHERDS, They return in praise!
They joined in the heavenly chorus!
GLORY TO GOD in the HIGHEST!!!
AND in all of these responses –
Of believing, going….speaking…pondering…returning in praise!
This is what it looks like to live in FAITH!!
And that’s always the right response to the good news of the GOSPEL!!
And I say right response – because everyone does respond to the gospel!!
Some hear these truths, and they turn away!
But they respond – they respond in unbelief!
But the right response is to BELIEVE in FAITH!!
CONCLUSION: -------
Really, everything in this story hinges on an act of faith!!
AND God is still working on the scale of history to do a single act in the human heart!
We weren’t born 2000 years ago
You were born in this day -
But you’ve heard the same gospel!!
That unto you has been born THIS DAY– Jesus Christ!
THE GOOD NEWS that was preached in the shepherd’s field –
and echoed through the house in BETHLEHEM!
THAT GOD has come in the flesh to save us from our sin!!
THE MESSIAH – is HERE – JESUS CHRIST the LORD!!
That Christ lived the life before God that we couldn’t!
He upheld the law!
He fulfilled the righteous requirement of the LAW before GOD!
And he was hated by his own people!
And put to death on a ROMAN cross!
And the death he died, should have been ours!
We deserved to have the wrath of God poured out on us!
But instead – it was God’s will to crush him – to put him to GREIF!
And God was willing to place our sin debt on JESUS!
And in utter amazement – IMPUTE to us the very righteousness of CHRIST to us!!
And to think about this message that is being PREACHED!!
UNTO YOU!!!!!!
God cared not just about humanity but about you!!
That Christ died on the cross for you!
He felt pain, he was pierced and he was killed!!
And God did that for you!!
And when Jesus died on CALVARY’s CROSS….
His death is sufficient to pay the penalty for your sin!
He righted our wrongs!
And the most wrong thing isn’t the sin of everyone else!!
It’s the problem of our own heart!!
God loves you so much that God has given his life….
To take upon himself all the wrongsI have done!
And has credited to me all his righteousness that He is,
and that he accomplished for me!!
And so here you are today –
You are here,
TODAY
You’ve heard the same story!
AND BORN to you!!
THE LORD CHRIST!! HAS COME!!
And all of that is true…..you need only one thing – BELIEVE THE GOOD NEWS!
That it is true!!
God’s act in history to redeem HIS PEOPLE!!
The message of Jesus
Is about SALVATION!!
And you must BELIEVE.
OR this message do you no good!
Your heart has to BELIEVE!
And all eternity hangs in the balance today!
You don’t go to heaven because you are a good person….
or because you’ve done some good things….
or because you’ve done more good than bad….
you go to heaven because you are in CHRIST JESUS!
and you go to hell because you are trusting in your own righteousness!
And yet – here is this gospel that is being proclaimed to most unlikely of prospects!!
And Luke showing us – who this gospel is for
Sermon Summary - The Gospel of Jesus is for all people.
And so, what might your response be today?
Many of you are believers, and you’ve trusted the LORD.
And believed in faith!
For others, you’ve merely heard but have not responded in faith!
You’ve not repented and trusted CHRIST!
You’ve attempted to live in your own power….in trying hard, doing better!
But you’ve not come to CHRIST in faith!!
AND placed all your trust and hope
to be accepted before GOD in HIM!!
For the non-Christian in this room,
I pray that you would consider these truths and that the SPIRIT of God
would open your eyes to the GOOD NEWS of JESUS….and you too would be AMAZED!!
AND THAT YOU MIGHT BELIEVE on HIM today!!
Sermon Summary - The Gospel of Jesus is for all people.
And the gospel has come to us through Jesus!
We deserve to perish – apart from Christ!
We deserve to be condemned– apart from Christ!
We deserve hell –
What awaits us after this life – is death – APART from CHRIST!
But the GOOD NEWS is that Jesus has come!
He has given his very life to save us from our sins…..
And now God commands all men everywhere to REPENT and BELIEVE in JESUS for salvation!
THE GOOD NEW OF JESUS has come ---- and it is for ALL PEOPLE
And the questionis not if you will respond but how!!
UNBELIEF? – or REPENTANCE and FAITH in JESUS!!
