Boldness A-Z
Bold about the "Good News"
Luke 2: 8-20
Last week we were on the letter "M"m in our BHoldness study and it by God’s grace was a message about Christmas. We talked about how we should be bold concerning The Miracle of Christmas. The Virgin Birth of Jesus. The Virgin birth is important because it was a miracle prophesied. It was a Miracle Pregnancy, not one of immorality like we see rampant today and in Mary & Joseph’s day. One punishable by death back then. It was not an Immaculate conception. The doctrine of the Immaculate conception has to do with Mary being sinless. She was born of a human father and mother therfore conceived in sin. It was an Impossability made Possible by God. It has never been done before or since that Holy night that Jesus was born. It was a Miracle of God’s Presence. Immanuel is God with us.
This morning we will continue our study. This week we will consider the letter "N". Once again I considered many ideas for the letter "N" two of the obvious ones to me were the Names of Christ. Isaiah 9 gives a listing of five names given to Jesus in addition to the two we have already read. But, it was not too long ago on the letter "J" when we considered who Jesus is. So instead of seeming to repeat a lesson. I chose option B or "N"2 We should be Bold about the Good news received in the Christmas Story.
Our scripture is found in Luke 2 verses 8-20.
"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. 16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. 18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. "
The word tidings in verse 10 is the greek word Euaggelizo which means good news. So we could read that verse as .." I bring you good, good news of great Joy..." So this morning we are going to look at this good, good news from a reporters stand point and determine the who, what, where, when, and why of this angelelic messengers proclamation.
Lets consider two things about...
1.The Who
A.. Who is telling the news?
Who is it delivering the news? Let’s consider the source of the news...
" 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them"
"13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, "
B. Who is this news for?
1.. First let’s see who it is delivered to...
"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."
It was not taken to the priest and the holy men of the day it was delivered to the common man.
2. But who was it for ? Let’s look...
The first thing I want you to notice is the recipient of the good news. Look at the "you(s)" in the verses. I noticed four you(s) in these verses. Listen for a moment to three of them. "I bring you good good news of great joy." " For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour" "And this shall be a sign unto you" So we know that the news was intended for the shepherds but I don’t think thats where it ends. Verse ten again "behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. "
In our bad news world here is some good news for you. Just think about it, God has some news for you. That beats a text message or voice mail any day. "For God so loved the world". How about making it personal? It would read, "For God so loved you, that if you believe in Him you will not perish but have everlasting life".
We have determined that the news was delivered to common shepherds and it was for them, but also for all men.
Be Bold in telling the good good news is for all mankind!
Next let’s find out What the news is...
2. What is the Good Good News?
V11 "11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. "
Today is born the Saviour, the Deliverer, which is Christ the anointed, the Messiah, the Son of God, the Lord.
"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."
Remember that the jews were being oppressed by the Roman goverment. The jews have heard for centuries of the Messiah coming to deliver the people and now the angelic announcement has been made that Christ the Saviour is born! Relief was in sight!
Peace was coming, God was showing Good will toward men!
In Isaiah 9:6 Jesus is called the "Prince of Peace"
The Good news is that God so loved the world that He sent his only begotten Son to be born in a cattle stall to be a Saviour for all men. He didn’t come to condemn the world , it was already condemnes but He came to Save the world!! That is what the good news is.
Be bold telling others the good news that Jesus has come to save the world!
3. Where
Where is this news worthy event taking place?
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.
The shepherds knew where to go..
"Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us."
This was a fulfillment of prophecy concerning the Messiah.
Micah 5:2 " But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting"
Incidently one of the names of Jesus in Isaiah 9:6 is " The Everlasting Father"
Be bold in telling others of the fulfillment of prophecy by Jesus.
4. When
When is this event going to take place?
"For unto you is born this day ..."
Galatians 4 Paul writes in verse 4 "4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, " when the time was right according to God’s perfect will and His prophecies.
I’m sure you have heard the saying that timing is everything. That’s true. God brought Jesus into the world at just the perfect time. Keep in mind that Jesus fulfills every prophecy concerning Messiah. Daniel prophecies from the commandment to rebuild Jerusalem to the coming of Messiah to be 69 weeks or 483 years. this I believe is fulfilled at Jesus triumphal entry into Jerusalem. No we don’t have an exact day but the time period was right.
The time was right for Jesus to come, the Saviour of the world. Be Bold about proclaiming that now is the time of your salvation!
2 Cor 6:2 "(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)"
Probably the most asked question ever is Why?
5. Why Did this happen?
The answer is simple. Man can’t save himself and God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
There are many why’s we could ask...
Why as a baby?
Why a virgin birth?
Why Then?
Why Bethlehem?
The reason why is summed up in John 3:17 God sent His son to save the world. That baby born in a manger was born with a purpose, to die for my sins and yours. The News is for You! The News is The Saviour has Come! He was born in Bethlehem to fulfill prophecy. Now He is everywhere. He came at just the right time. Now is the day of your salvation! Why? Because god loves you!
