The Love Of God Changes Things Series

5 Ways That God Shows He Loves You Series (Part 4 of 5)

The Love of God Changes Things (Sermonette)

Luke 2:8-14

Dec. 17, 2006 FBC, Chester Mike Fogerson, Pastor

I Introduction:

A Today there is a love/hate relationship with the supernatural.

1 Folks deny the existence of an unseen force, but in crisis/meltdown they cry out in helplessness.

a Folks balk at the existence of God, rush headlong to Barnes & Noble/Amazon.com to purchase the newest books on how spirits are at work in nature or devour the most recent New Age craze.

b Folks dive into astrology to tap into the power behind the stars, but pause at the thought of angels.

2 When Scripture talks about angels (or demons), it’s like heaven pushing back the curtain on a world behind the scenes.

a Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Eph 6:11-12 (NASB)

b Angels (and demons) are real!

aa Hebrews 1:14 tells us that good angels are ministering spirits who serve God. Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation? Heb 1:14 (NASB)

bb We can’t see them, but they are working on our side!

c We’re not to become preoccupied with angels/demons, rather occupied with walking with God.

3 In the Christmas narratives we see angels appearing at least three times:

a Mary, Joseph & the shepherds (nobody stays the same after tonight).

b In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. 10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 "This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." 13 And suddenly there appeared 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 men with whom He is pleased." Luke 2:8-14 (NASB)

aa Angels praised at creation (When the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy? Job 38:7 (NASB)) & they praised at the beginning of the new creation.

B Let’s look at how God’s love changed things by looking at the angels who bent near the earth.

II Scared Shepherds & Singing Army

A Scared at the sight of the angel. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people

1 Don’t be afraid!

2 Like the shepherds, we never have reason to be afraid when God moves in grace.

B Good news for all the people (v. 10b)

1 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord...

a Not for the angels, but for you folks!

b The One you’ve been looking for/anticipating is here!

2 The major offices of Jesus are confessed in one sentence: He is Savior, Lord, & Christ-that is, Deliverer, Master, & anointed King.

a This fact (good news) was reason for great joy!

b The good news was not to be kept a secret, rather it was to be told to all people.

C The angels’ doxology (singing angel army, heaven is excited that Jesus was born).

1 “Glory to God in the highest”

a The reason for salvation (good news) was to bring God glory. ...to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. 12 to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory. 14 who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory. Eph 1:6, 12, 14 (NASB)

b God’s glory had dwelt in the tabernacle (Ex. 40:34), & in the temple (2 Chron. 7:1-3), but Israel’s sin caused God’s glory to depart (1 Sam. 4:21; Ezek. 8:4; 9:3; 10:4, 18; 11:22-23)

c At the nativity, God’s glory is returning to earth in the person of Jesus Christ (the manger becomes a holy of holies because Jesus was there).