A Season to Proclaim
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Handout
A Season To Proclaim
A Season To Proclaim
Luke 2:8-21
Luke 2:8-21
December 24, 2017
Fellowship Baptist Church
Introduction:
Introduction:
In the middle of the Indian Ocean is a small land mass surrounded by crashing waves known as Christmas island. The island, a territory of Australia that is home to about 2000 residents, was so named because it was discovered on Christmas Day 1643. Although too small to be much of economic value, it is known for its scenery: 63% of the island is a national park full of beautiful hiking trails and mountains and a breathtaking waterfall. Several of its plant and animal species can be found nowhere else in the world.
Just over 9000 miles away in the middle of the Pacific Ocean is another beautiful place, also bearing the name Christmas island; this one has miles of white, sandy beaches surrounded by jagged cliffs and 120 square miles of a secluded coral lagoon. This Christmas island, the entirety of which is a wildlife sanctuary, is in the world’s farthest forward time zone and is one of the first inhabited places on earth to experience the new year.
The Christmas Islands and places like them remind us that Christmas should be sort of an island of time when we can pause, pull away from the busyness and cares of a long year, and spend a few moments in peaceful contemplation of the greatest gift ever given to mankind: the Lord Jesus Christ.
Luke chapter 2 shows us that God can bring peace to all who look to him. In the middle of a difficult time in human history, when taxes were on the rise, poverty was widespread, and it seemed that God was silent, He sent his only Son to be the good news and glad tidings the world needed.
The Lord Jesus was presented in a humble manger in the stable of Bethlehem, and God chose common workingmen, a group of shepherds to proclaim the news of his Son’s birth to the world.
How about you…who have you shared Jesus with lately?
Hear the Heavenly Announcement-vs. 8-14
Hear the Heavenly Announcement-vs. 8-14
Until the appearance of the angels it was just an ordinary night of work for group shepherds.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
The shepherds were simply going about their business, doing what they did every other night, when something amazing happened.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
These shepherds suddenly heard a heavenly announcement.
A. From a special messenger-vs. 9
A. From a special messenger-vs. 9
The angel that was sent to the shepherds was no ordinary angel. This was the angel of the Lord who was a visible appearance of God to man and was sent on special occasions in history.
This was the same angel that appeared to Joseph. Just a short time earlier in his time of questioning and pondering.
But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
vs. 9- “came upon them”
Note the word “host” in verse 9. This word carries with it the idea of an army. So we have a great many angels perhaps spread across the sky as far as the shepherds could see all bearing the same message of praise.
Angels, or ministering spirits were often used to deliver God’s messages. Considering they were announcing the greatest event in human history, it is no wonder that this was a job for an army of angels.
And we also see the same thing in Hebrews:
And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.
We know that this is similar to what we shall see one day, in Heaven.
And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.
B. With a special Message-vs. 10-12
B. With a special Message-vs. 10-12
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
This Was a Message of assurance vs.10
The angel told them to fear not. It was not that they were just a little afraid for the Bible says they were sore afraid. They had no idea what was happening to them; they were shocked by the sight of the angel of the Lord and of the heavenly host.
Perhaps they thought it was the end of the world.
When the angel used the term “fear not” he sought to bring assurance telling them that there was no reason to be terrified.
God did not want them to be frightened; because His message was not and is not one of fear and destruction.
Rather, his message was and still is; God has come to be with us.
This was a message of acceptance- vs. 10
In verse 10 the angel followed up the instruction to fear not by saying he brought something that was the opposite of fear: he brought good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
The phrase good tidings means good news it is also the same root word that we get the word gospel from.
The good news proclaimed by the Angels is for everyone. God in his love accepts all who come to the Lord Jesus Christ, in faith.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.
People who are saved, rejoice in the fact that salvation is not only for someone that is part of some exclusive religious club.
Anyone can experience the forgiveness of sins and assurance of eternal security.
It does not matter where we come from, or what dark sins are in our past; the Good News is available to all who will believe.
These are truly good tidings of great joy!
This was a message of anticipation-vs. 13-14
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, good will toward men.
The Angels message promise peace to the earth because of the birth of Jesus.
The peace that the Angel is talking about is not so much a peace that is known in our society or our circumstances.
The peace that the Angel is speaking of is a peace that we enjoy in our hearts because we have trusted Jesus Christ as our personal Savior.
You see true everlasting peace can only happen when Jesus Christ comes again as the Prince of peace, King of Kings, and Lord of lords.
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
Jesus promises peace to all them who believe him now but peace will also will to the earth as he establishes kingdom in the future.
For for every Old Testament prophecy about the first coming of Jesus there are eight about his second coming.
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
We may not know the day or hour, but we believe the Word of God; soon Jesus will return as the Prince who will bring peace to the earth fulfilling his promise.
Illustration:
One last minute Christmas shopper learned about the obligation of a promise when she bought 50 Christmas cards for her circle of friends without stopping to read them first.
Quickly she rushed straight to the nearest post office addressed 49 of the 50 and sent them off. When things had quieted down, a few days later, on Christmas Day.
She happened to come across the leftover card from the batch she’d mailed. She opened it and was a little surprised to read this cheery holiday message: “ this is a little card just to say a great Christmas gift is on its way!”
With a sinking heart, she realized that 49 of her friends would now be waiting for the gift she never intended to give.
When God makes a promise, he delivers.
He promise peace on the earth and it is a fact that those who know him know the peace that passes all understanding.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
it is also a fact that he will bring peace to the world for all eternity
See the Heavenly Arrival- vs. 15-16,20
See the Heavenly Arrival- vs. 15-16,20
After hearing the Angels wonderful news to shepherds decide to go and see for themselves if what they had heard was true.
A. The place of his arrival-vs. 15
A. The place of his arrival-vs. 15
Last week we discussed that the word Bethlehem means house of bread, let’s take a few minutes to look at some the details about this place were Savior was born.
Bethlehem was a ancestral home of several well-known Bible characters. Rachel, the wife of Jacob, was buried there. It was the original home of Naomi the mother-in-law to Ruth, and was perhaps a setting for much of the book of Ruth.
Probably the most important person to have ever come from Bethlehem before Jesus Christ was King David himself. It was in Bethlehem that the prophet Samuel anointed David, as successor to King Saul.
One writer states that it seems amazing that was such with a rich history Bethlehem was still a common ordinary town but the Bible indicates that this was clearly the case:
But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
B. The person who arrived- vs. 16
B. The person who arrived- vs. 16
The little town of Bethlehem may have been ordinary and the stable and the manger common for that day and time. We know that there was nothing common or ordinary about the baby the shepherds saw lying in that manger.
They saw the Only Begotten Son of God who would become the Savior of the world laying there.
In an inclusive and ecumenical time when society emphasizes more often than not a multitude of pathways to heaven; and people are increasingly tolerant of all religions, gods, and beliefs except for Jesus Christ; We cannot over emphasize that Jesus Christ is the Son of the One true God born of a virgin, lived a sinless perfect life, and died on Calvary’s cross for our sins.
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:
Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Most holiday celebrations have more jingle bells than the truth of the Lord Jesus Christ. When they do that, they miss out on the most important reason for joy during this holiday season.
Many today take offense at the truth that Jesus Christ is in is Emmanuel, God with us, but their feelings make it no less of a fact.
God with us is what we celebrate. God with us is a what Christmas is all about.
But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Every man, woman, boy and girl on the planet needs a Savior. Because the Bible states that we all fall short of the glory of God.
As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
Illustration:
one little boy who wanted to prove that he was especially worthy of great Christmas presents wrote a letter to Santa that said, this:
dear Santa,
there are three little boys who live at our house. There is Jeffrey he is to there is David he is for and there is Norman. He is seven. Jeffrey is good. Some of the time, David is good. Some of the time, but Norman is good all the time.
PS I am Norman.
We all understand that were far from perfect when we rationalize and compare ourselves to others. We can convince ourselves that we’re better than we truly are.
But compared to God’s standards, even the best of us are miserably lacking. None of us are worthy of the gift of God. This is why we all need what Jesus offers: God’s forgiveness and eternal peace.
Share the Heavenly Amazement-vs. 17-18
Share the Heavenly Amazement-vs. 17-18
I wonder what the shepherds thought/discussed after hearing the angelic announcement and seeing the Son of God as a baby.
They may have wondered why did God pick us of all people to see this amazing sight or they may be thought: what we do now?
Verse 17 – having seen and heard the news they told everyone!
You see, the good news about Jesus’s birth was never supposed to be an isolated discovery.
The world needed to know.
The important truth of the angelic call to them was this: Not just a call to see a miracle, but a call to share a miracle.
Just as God had a specific purpose for the shepherds, he has a specific purpose for you and I.
Not just to go to our jobs. Work to make a living or work to make a name for ourselves, but our specific purpose, our holy calling, if you would is to make him known in the world around us.
A. A call to worried men-vs. 10
A. A call to worried men-vs. 10
Note the phrase “fear not” these were worried men; God wanted them to know that he could still use them.
Many Christians are gripped by fear and do not share their faith. But the good news is that God can use our fear and our worry and our weakness,If we let him.
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Don’t let fear keep you from sharing the gospel with others. Instead determine the let God use you, even in your weakness. He will be faithful to strengthen you and to bless you when you share his message.
B. A call to working men-vs. 8
B. A call to working men-vs. 8
These were probably poor and dirty men with Calloused hands. They probably smelled like sheep.
Some of the greatest preachers of the gospel, some of the greatest missionaries, some of the most faithful Christians have not been those that were born into wealth and fame. What set them apart was they had hearts that were yielded to God.
The Christmas story is full of people that had yielded their hearts to God.
Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
C. A call to willing men-vs. 15,16
C. A call to willing men-vs. 15,16
God will use any humble servant who is yielded to Him and will do whatever He asks.
The shepherds willingness is seen in vs. 15- “let us now go” and also in vs. 16- “they came with haste”
God will not overwhelm you if you surrender to Him, in fact, He will enable you to do what He asks you to do.
Sermon Starters, Volume 2 Second—The Capabilities for Service
God’s callings come with God’s enablings. If God calls you to do something and you are unable to do it, God will give you the ability necessary to do it. If you do not have the ability for the position of service and God does not equip you with it, you are not be called to that particular position.
God’s callings come with God’s enablings.
D. A call to witnessing men-vs. 17-18
D. A call to witnessing men-vs. 17-18
When the shepherds realized what they had seen they could not help but to tell others.
When we realize all that Jesus has done for us, we should not be able to keep silent about it.
Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.
Conclusion:
Conclusion:
The reason we know about places like the Christmas Islands is because explorers found them and made their discoveries known to others.
God’s plan for reaching the world is for people, like the shepherds, like you and me, finding Jesus and then making our discoveries known to others.
Who do I know that needs to hear me tell them about Jesus?
Let’s make this the Season to Proclaim the truth about Jesus Christ: why He was born, why He died and what He expects.
