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Luke 2:8-14
We invite you to join us for worship each Sunday morning at 9:30. You can download our service on iTunes or tune in for “The Good Word” each day on AM 1230 WSAL or on Hoosier Country 103.7 FM just after 8am. As the year comes to a close, tradition holds that we turn our thoughts to Christmas. To most people Christmas means almost everything except the birth of The Savior. From a Biblical viewpoint there is no such thing as the Christmas season! From a Biblical viewpoint the birth, earthly life, death, burial, and resurrection of the God-Man Jesus Christ – or simply stated – salvation or redemption is to be the focus of our entire life all day every day of our life! In v. 10 of our passage today we see 2 truths that the angel brought to the shepherds, and all mankind,
- GOOD NEWS OF GREAT JOY! There are at least 2 important truths we must see in this good news of great joy! The news was to alleviate fear! One writer said, the first two words of the Gospel are “fear not!” What was it that would cause the Angel to speak the words “fear not” before anything else? It was the glory of the Lord that surrounded the shepherds. That glory or light is the very essence of God’s holiness. What they saw was the Shekinah glory of God that will light heaven for all eternity. What would cause a person to be afraid of the glory of God? Simple answer = sin. How do I know that? Scripture tells us very clearly throughout. Sin causes fallen man to fear everything about God and His holiness. It is interesting to note that in a redeemed heart, and only in a truly redeemed heart, it is the fear of God that keeps sin at bay! The 2nd truth of the good news is: it is for all the people. That little phrase “all the people” includes you! It means “you,” where you are, and just the way you are in your life right now. If you’ve never come to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, then this good news of great joy is for you personally. The good news of great joy to you this day is that if you will humble yourself and pray asking God to forgive you for your sin and heal you from your sin nature and you will declare Christ as your Savior, and allow Him to become the unchallenged sovereign Lord of your life, you can become one of God’s adopted children today! This is the good news of great joy Angels brought to the Shepherds that night – and it is still good news of great joy to all who will hear, believe, and accept it! Notice next the:
- SIGNS THAT LED THEM TO THE SAVIOR! 12. The 1st sign given to the shepherds by the Angels was a common practice, He was wrapped in swaddling clothes. The Lord Jesus Christ was miraculously conceived within Mary by the Holy Spirit, but He was born as all humans are born, and thus identified Himself with us from His birth. The other sign given to the shepherds was that the Savior would be found in an uncommon place! Scripture doesn’t tell us that Jesus was born in a stable, only that He was lying in a manger. One doesn’t have to have much imagination to figure out that the guiding star that came to rest over the place where Jesus was made it fairly easy for them to find! Do you find it hard in some ways to relate to the Man Jesus? Remember this, other than His deity meaning Jesus is 100% God and at the same time 100% Man, and His sinless perfection throughout his entire life – He was like us in every way. He experienced every human emotion that you experience, felt every human feeling that you feel, and was tempted in every way – and even to a greater degree – as you are tempted! If you have never met the Man Jesus, who is God’s Christ, the Savior of the world, or if you’re one of those people who just pretend you’ve met the Savior, and the only good news is that as long as you’re still breathing you have an opportunity to be rescued from an eternity in hell! You should not be afraid to humble yourself now, while you have the opportunity. Rest assured, if you continue to put off the new birth in Christ, there is nothing in this life to the fear you will experience for all eternity! The bad news for you is in your current situation you have absolutely no hope! The good news is Jesus is waiting with all the hope you’ll ever need!
If we can help you with your spiritual questions, call us at 574-643-9419.
