Christmas Day 2020
Notes
Transcript
8 In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: 11 Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: 14 Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people he favors! 15 When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the manger. 17 After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had seen and heard, which were just as they had been told.
Intro.
Intro.
What a year riff!
This year has been an obivious challenge, and the constant onslaught of bad news made it all the harder.
Awaiting the COVID numbers daily
Awaiting Dan Andrew press conferences to find news about restrictions.
Struggling economy and the impact that it is having on jobs
Hearing horrific stories from overseas about the effect that COVID has been having
The chaos of the US election and wittling away of democratic insititions and the fear of what the future holds with the world's largest super power.
Then you have the closer to home hard news.
Sickness and illness (knowing that many of you have stuggled with that his year).
Lack of job security
Home schooling stuggles
Not being able to gather in person for church.
The list goes on.
The great news that we are reminded of this day is that Good news has arrived! Good news that triumphs over any other circumstance.
10 But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people:
Not just good news for a select few, but for all people.
Have you ever noticed how someones good news is someone elses bad news.
One football team wins, the other looses.
When someone gets a job, someone else didn't.
When jobs are shipped over seas, we focus on the local impact, but there are people on the other end of that equation that are getting employment.
Rising Australaian dollar, might be good for some but bad for others.
The good news of Jesus arrival, is not just good news for some, but good news for all!
Jesus Arrival is good news for all
Jesus Arrival is good news for all
It's not just good news for a certain race or ethicnic group - not just Israelites (even the wise men from the east respresented in the Christmas event of the universal nature of the good news)
It's not just good news for members of the elite, but even shepherds in the fields!
34 Peter began to speak: “Now I truly understand that God doesn’t show favoritism, 35 but in every nation the person who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.
28 There is no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male and female; since you are all one in Christ Jesus.
He has come to bring about God's kingdom here on earth. He has come to deeat the curse of death. He has come to bring life to everyone who would have it from him. He has come to bring joy.
Jesus Arrival is good news forever!
Jesus Arrival is good news forever!
This was good news during that evening when Jesus was born, but it is good news forever!
It's also worth emphasising that this was good news for the shepherds when they heard it, not just when they died!
Often we boil down the "good news"of Jesus as being you go to heaven when you die. But this simply is not the core message of the Gospel.
It's much more urgent, imminent, and captivating. Christ's kingdom has come down and burst onto the scene! He has disarmed powers and principalities of darkness. He has liberated the captives.
He is at work making all things new through His church as His hands and feet. He has died, He is risen, He will come again to eradicate all sin and evil from the cosmos. He is with us every step of the way from glory to glory.
What do the angels say?
Good news of great joy!
The great thing that this means is that the current circumstances that we find ourselves do not need to be a barrier to the life and joy that is available because of Jesus arrival.
Brother Yun Quote:
I didn't suffer for Jesus in prison. No! I was with Jesus and I experienced his very real presence, joy, and peace every day. It's not those in prison for the sake of the gospel who suffer. The person who suffers is he who never experiences God's intimate presence.”
Talk about our recent expierence of having Patrick diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. Nothing can take away the good news of Jesus! In fact he has walked along side us in the midst of our struggles.
38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Jesus has arrived, and this is great news to everyone in this room. It changes everything!
