Fear Not

Fear Not

Sunday A.M. December 19, 1999

Luke 2:1-15

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 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.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

I am sure that you would agree with me this morning that if I would say that the birth of Christ is the gladdest event of history,

I repeat that, the birth of Christ is the gladdest, most joyful event of history.

Angels had many times if you read back through the scripture, angels had many times bought messages from God to man, but never such good news as they bought on this occasion.

I want to study verse 10 this morning for a text and maybe looking at it in just a little different way.

And the angels said unto them Fear Not for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

I know that the thought is simple but studying this week how we got hooked right on that thought, What was the fear that was to be removed?

why could the angels say that these tidings, this message that were bring you will take away fear?

What fear will be removed?

And what joy will take it’s place?

I break into it quickly this morning by saying first of all the fear that was to be removed, was the fear that’s caused by SIN!

Now you may that this scripture doesn’t mean that, but just stay with me just a little bit.

Fear Not was the message and what a message it was, to a people that were very fearful.

And I might say that it’s a message yet today to a world out here that’s very fearful.

Over many more things than I am able to go into this morning, but the fear, the message was that through this great salvation God was perfecting for mankind by sending His son that fear would be removed!

And I say the fear that was to be removed, was the fear that’s caused by SIN!

You quickly go back with me, I’ll not deal in too much history, but God created man in His own image.

AMAN, it was without SIN that Adam came forth from the hands of his maker.

But if we look at the story quickly, being tempted he fell and we take a long jump to

Romans 3:23

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.

And many people have wondered why, all mankind sin, I tell you quickly,

Jesus taught in John 3:6

That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Every little child that is born into the world my friend, is born in the weakness of the flesh.

They do not have strength and ability and when I say in the flesh I am using a biblical expression, Paul talked in the Roman letter, about being in the flesh and in the Spirit, he talked about unregenerate man living in the flesh.