Fear Not (Sermon 1 Of 3) Series

CHRISTMAS 2024: FEAR NOT

LUKE 2:8-21

# fearnot

READ LUKE 2:8-21 (ESV) [person from the congregation reads]

“And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, Who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a Baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and 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 among those with Whom He is pleased!” 15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this Child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. 21 And at the end of eight days, when He was circumcised, He was called Jesus, the Name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.”

VIDEO… Christmas According to Kids, youtube.com/watch?v=suowe2czxcA, [3:15]

INTRODUCTION

Christmas is that time of year where we focus on the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. Why should we focus on the birth of Jesus Christ? The birth of Jesus of Nazareth holds immense significance for people who are Christians:

First, it is a miraculous fulfillment of prophecy. The birth of Jesus is seen as a unique fulfillment of various Old Testament prophecies, particularly those regarding the coming of the Messiah. Prophecies such as those in Isaiah 7:14 and Micah 5:2 viewed by Christians and even some historians as being realized in Jesus' birth. This makes His arrival via the Virgin Mary a key event in God's plan for salvation for human beings.

Second, with the birth of Jesus, we have the unique and only incarnation of God. For believers in Jesus, the birth of Jesus marks the moment when God became human. We believe that Jesus is both 100% God and 100% human. The birth of Jesus signifies God's presence on Earth in a new and tangible way. The incarnation is central to our understanding of the nature of Christ and His role in salvation. God entered the world in the form of a vulnerable infant. Amazing and mysterious.

Third, the birth of Jesus feels like the beginning of the redemptive mission of God. Jesus' birth marks the start of His mission to bring salvation to humanity; even though Jesus was always the plan. Jesus was born to teach about love, forgiveness, and the Kingdom of God, and ultimately to die for the sins of the world. His birth sets the stage for His later teaching ministry, unfair crucifixion, and amazing resurrection.

Fourth, the birth of Jesus, as we have already seen in Luke 2, has with it a message of hope and peace. The angels' announcement to the shepherds in Luke 2 declares "good news of great joy" and proclaims "earth peace among those with Whom He is pleased." Jesus is the light in the darkness. Jesus is hope to people suffering from oppression, sin, and despair. His birth begins all of that.

Fifth, and this sounds like some kind of political statement, but it is not, it is a theological one. The birth of Jesus reminds us about the marginalized. The circumstances surrounding Jesus' birth are significant in their portrayal of God's concern for the poor, the oppressed, and the marginalized. Born in humble surroundings, not in a palace but in a manger, Jesus' birth reflects God's care for the poor, the outcasts, and the downtrodden. The first visitors to see the newborn Jesus were shepherds, who were among the lower classes in society. There is much signifying in the Old Testament and the New Testament that Jesus came for all people, regardless of their social status or background.

So, for all these reasons and more, it is important for those who believe in Jesus Christ, to focus on His birth. His birth means so much