The Best NEWS Ever

What is this great joy? The Best News Ever that came first to only a few shepherds? How can we experience JOY like those who were their at the first Christmas…? The best news ever.. that brought hope, peace, love and joy to the world?

Who could use some JOY this Christmas?

Joy can be found, not just wrapped in swaddling clothes in a manger, but in the good news of God’ with us…Jesus was the BEST NEWS EVER, and it still is today!

P — B — N

(S2) — The Best NEWS Ever

What is the best good news you have ever recieved? Do you remember how you felt in that moment? Joy? Fear?

How the shepherds felt, when Good news arrived...

Shepherds — Poor — Societal outcasts — most likely not to succeed. First to cower in †he corner, hide under a rock at the sign of danger.

(S3) — To the contrary shepherds were not normally the fearful type…

8 That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep.

Guarding sheep in the dark of night wasn’t for the fearful....Their being close to Bethlehem tells us more about these shepherds...

“Mishnah — Documents that recorded oral traditions that governed the Jewish people during the time of the Pharisees. One of its regulations states...

It “expressly forbids the keeping of flocks throughout the land of Israel except in the wilderness — and the only flocks otherwise kept would be those for the Temple services (Bab K.7:7; 80a).

Theirs was a profound duty — A priestly calling — Caring for lambs to be used in temple sacrifice — Passover lambs had to be without blemish — They would have had knowledge of a coming Messiah — The hope of Israel —

John 1:36 “As Jesus walked by, John looked at him and declared, “Look! There is the Lamb of God!””

The perfect lamb who would take away the sins of the world.

(S4) — Still Luke tells us they were frightened...

9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified. Luke 2:9 (NLT)

For them the arrival of good news, was met with mixed emotions — Both fear and joy. Fear because an angel of God stood before them. Joy as the Lord’s glory enveloped them. This was a personal encounter with heaven — The boss checking in on their work!

Receiving good news? Text — Phone — Mail — Personal visit? Did it ever come with some uncertainty, questions or even fear?

Not everyone receives the good news of Christmas the same — Some are overwhelmed with emotion — Fear the holidays — Reliving loss, tragedy, uncertainty...

(S5) — The good news at first came with uncertainty. Yet Joy was just around the corner...the words of the angel

10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!”

Do not be afraid — To Ezekiel/enemy — Jacob/Israel's —Joshua and Moses facing/Leadership — People/promised land

Jesus said it again and again...

Jairus/dying daughter — Disciples/walking on water

The persecuted/choosing to following Jesus (Lk 12:4)

Eve of his own death (Jn 14)/Appearing fter his resurrection

Woman at the tomb/Those he instructed to go tell others (Matthew 28:10)

Apostles who were sent to spread the good news

If were were to look at each of these, we would find that while good news can bring uncertainty and even fear, it also brings with it great joy!

(S6) — What is this good news that brings such joy! The best news ever! The good news that..

I. God’s was WITH them!

For 400 years God seemed silent…The word/promises of God…Priests who spoke of God‘s presence, their place of worship. But, maybe you may know what its like when God doesn’t feel near. When we don’t think he hears our prayers…

Yet just as God heard the cries of those in bondage… This night proved that God had not forgotten…So in a big way, the good news of Gods presences changes the landscape of the worlds circumstances.

Behold — To see — Look around — God’s was everywhere. The appearance of the angel who stood among them. Close encounter of the heavenly kind.

Zachariah — Luke 1:11-12

Joseph — Matthew 1:20

Mary — Luke 1:29

(S7) — Each time there was fear and uncertainty, but each time there was the assurance of God with them.

“Best of all is, GOD is WITH US”

Now only with them, but the glory of the Lord surrounded them.

Ever felt overwhelmed with God’s presence? What was that like? Fear and Joy in the same room!

Acts 12:6-8 — Peter in chains

(S8) — Three ways Joy is with us today?

JOY of FRUIT of the SPIRIT at work in us

Galatians 5:22 “The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,”

God’s presence is made visible by our actions and response in times of fear. Pouring out in various ways in our lives...

Like Eve, we have a choice of the fruit we pick from the tree of life

God with us is Jesus’ presence in the world

— Visiting the sick, helping the needy, comforting the hurting, are all ways the fruit of the spirit is at work in those who have put their trust in Jesus.

How is the fruit of the spirit at work in you…?

(S9) — Joy is with us...

2. JOY in theABILITY to ENDURE

1 Colossians 1:11 “We pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy,”

The assurance of God’s presence gives us joy and a way to endure…

James 1:2 “ Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.”

(S10) — Joy is with us...

3. JOY as the EVIDENCE of FAITH

Philippians 1:25 “Knowing this, I am convinced that I will remain alive so I can continue to help all of you grow and experience the joy of your faith.”

What is this good news that brings such joy! The best news ever! The good news of God with us.

(S11) — The good news that would bring such joy to the world...

II. God’s SALVATION

11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! Luke 2 (NLT)

Luke the only gospel to proclaim together Jesus as savior, Messiah and Lord

Savior — Deliverer, rescuer, saves or brings safely through an ordeal.

(S12)

1. Joy in Jesus who DELIVERS us

Galatians 1:4 “Jesus gave his life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live.”

Who do you know who needs some joy, to be delivered…?

Messiah — Christ, Anointed one, Son of God, Jesus upon who God’s authority rests

(S13)

2. Joy in Jesus who is our perfect LAMB

John 1:36 “As Jesus walked by, John looked at him and declared, “Look! There is the Lamb of God!””

Lord — Personal name — Jesus who is the lamb who takes away the sin of the world

Who do you know who needs some joy, in God’s forgiveness?

(S14)

3. Joy in Jesus who is God IN us

1 John 4:12 “No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us.”

Who do you know who needs the joy of God living in them…?

Many had been looking for a savior...

Isaiah 12:2 See, God has come to save me. I will trust in him and not be afraid. The Lord God is my strength and my song; he has given me victory.” 3 With joy you will drink deeply from the fountain of salvation! 4 In that wonderful day you will sing: “Thank the Lord! Praise his name! Tell the nations what he has done. Let them know how mighty he is! 5 Sing to the Lord, for he has done wonderful things. Make known his praise around the world. 6 Let all the people of Jerusalem shout his praise with joy! For great is the Holy One of Israel who lives among you.””

The reason the angels sing! Why the shepherds immediately went to see what God had done. God who was with them — God’s who is salvation.

(S15) — Christmas can bring a mixed bag of emotions — Fear and Joy. Yet because of Jesus who is God with us and our salvation, we have every reason to sing…JOY to the world...

10 “I bring you good news that will bring GREAT JOY to all people. Luke 2 (NLT)

Joy can be found, not just wrapped in swaddling clothes in a manger, but in the good news of God’ presence with us and God’s salvation found in Jesus! It was the BEST NEWS EVER, and it still is today!

Who do you know who could use some good news this Christmas? What will you do with the Best News Ever?

Resources

https://steppesoffaith.medium.com/the-real-truth-about-the-shepherds-on-that-first-christmas-night-c32296181a27

Related Media

Related Sermons