Good News, Anyone? - Christmas

Good News, Anyone?

Luke 2:10-14

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“I woke up Monday morning, walked out on the lawn

my eyes were barely open, and my mouth began to yawn

Picked up the daily paper, every single headline said,

That this ole world is full of trouble, and I wished I’d stayed in bed.

Sometimes the bad that’s goin’ on’s enough to bring you down.

“Turned on my television and began to flip on thru

all 100 channels, On Demand, and Pay per view

Not one message had a meaning that was good in any way

Just before I wrote the whole world off, I heard the Father say,

‘Don’t forget what I have promised, you can overcome it all!’

“Well my knees began to shake, and my heart began to beat,

and a funny new sensation worked its way into my feet

The Spirit of glad tidings came from somewhere deep inside,

And holdin’ back the flood was just like holdin’ back the tide.

I couldn’t help but circulate to everyone I know…

“I’ll spread this talk all over town about the peace and joy I’ve found in You…good news!

This story is about to break and blessed are the feet that take the Truth…good news!

I’m slippin’ on my gospel shoes…’Cause I’ve got good, good news!”

Words: Suzanne Jennings, performed by Gaither Vocal Band, 1999

And the world news has only worsened since 1999, and very much so…but the good news is as good as ever, and shines brighter the darker this world gets. This is the news the angel brought to the world as a “herald” on that night in our text.

The burden of bearing bad news: we all hate to have to deliver it. I don’t know how some doctors get thru doing it every day.

The blessing of bearing good news: we all love to be “the one” who others hear it from first!

The angel had the privilege of sharing the best news the world has ever known…

SEVEN REASONS WHY THIS ANNOUNCEMENT WAS GOOD NEWS:

1. BECAUSE IT BANISHED FEAR. (v 10) "fear not"

Prov. says the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom…it’s a good thing to fear God, for you can’t be saved until you at least have that healthy fear! [a holy respect!]

“No Fear” is the motto of our lost world around us. Even today’s religious world has no reverence, no awe, for Almighty God!

His name is spoken in vain because they don’t fear God.

Our older folks remember a time when lost people had more respect for the name of God than many so-called Christians have today!

Immorality runs rampant because people don’t fear God.

Hebrews 13:4

Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

People don’t believe that. They say, everyone’s doing it and that somehow makes it ok. They think of God like some old man w/ a long, white beard, in a rocking chair, winking at our indiscretions!

Hebrews 10:31

It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

“but I thought He was a God of love?”

Yes! That’s why He sent His Son to die on the cross! But if you reject His offer of love, you’ll soon see another side of God…the Judge. His wrath and anger against sin deserve respect and reverence!

Matthew 10:28

And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Matthew 28:4

And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.

[but to believers, the angel said, “fear not”…we can be exempted. Our fear can become a friendship!]

Luke 12:6-7

Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? [7] But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

Psalm 7:11

God is angry with the wicked every day.

Proverbs 2:22

But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.

You can stand against God, but not for long!

But the believer need not fear:

Hebrews 2:15

And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

2 Tim. 1:7

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Romans 8:15

For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

1 John 4:18

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.