2014 Christmas Series (December 21, 2014)
Sermon 4 – Shepherds and Angels' Rejoice
Luke 2:1-15
Introduction
- Obvious question: “What is Advent?”
-- The word Advent means "coming" or "arrival."
-- The focus of the entire season is the celebration of the birth of Jesus the Christ
-- His birth is his First Advent, his first coming, to a world in great need
-- Also reflects on the anticipation of the return of Christ in his Second Advent
- Advent is far more than simply marking a 2,000 year old event in history.
-- It is celebrating the most important truth about God
-- It’s the revelation of God in Christ whereby all of creation might be reconciled
-- It is the GLORY of God which has come down to dwell among His creation
- Over the past few weeks we have examined several very important topics:
- The joy of Mary’s heart and soul as she worshipped what God was doing in her
- The prophecy surrounding John the Baptist’s birth; focus on Zechariah
- Last week we explored the prophecy of Jesus’ birth being foretold
- IMP: Mary’s response: Luke 1:38, “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.”
- The importance to note is that OUR response must be the same
-- When God calls us to move, we need to be obedient and move
- This morning, we continue our Advent series with the Announcement of His birth
- Read Luke 2:1:15 / Pray
∆ Point 1 – The Angels Appear (v8-10)
- I want to stress here the importance of this entire sequence of events
-- Last week we discussed Mary’s lineage from the Tribe of Judah
-- Psalm 132:11 “The LORD hath sworn in truth unto David; he will not turn from it; of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne.”
-- Matt 1:11-12 says Joseph, was from David, but descended from Jechonias
- APP: Therefore, Joseph would’ve had sin in him, while Mary who was a virgin (but yes, also a sinner) found FAVOR with God to carry His child
- IMP: The lineage of the perfect birth was from Mary’s side of the family
-- Keeping those in mind, let’s proceed with the text from this morning
- Joseph was living in Nazareth at the time, with a pregnant wife
-- Originally from Bethlehem, he took his family to complete the census
- Do you recall the prophecy which said where Jesus will be born?
-- In about 750 B.C, a prophet named Micah proclaimed in Micah 5:2, “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”
- CONSIDER: Did you know that God used Caesar to fulfill His prophecy?
-- APP: Caesar caused the census to be done; but God already said it would be!!
- APP: When God’s prophecies are fulfilled right before your eyes, how can you NOT get a little excited! How can it not make you want to GO and TELL?
- So in a manger, in a place where animals ate, our Lord was laid to rest
- In my mind I imagine that the animals were in awe, praising His arrival
-- And … why not? Why would they not be rejoicing?
- APP: Jesus taught later in Luke 19:40 about worship in the presence of the Messiah – he said (when the Pharisees asked Him to silence the disciples), “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”
-- DEEPER: So, what about us? Will we shout for joy that He has been born?
-- Will we rejoice with the angels and PROCLAIM the GLORY given to us?
- Notice, that the announcement of His arrival was not on CNN, Fox, MSNBC
-- God sent an angel to proclaim to societies lowest … men living in fields!
- Re-read verse 8-10 (BOLDLY AND WITH MUCH EMPHASIS)
- These men, who lived amongst the animals in the fields, got the breaking news
-- They are the first to hear the Gospel preached from Heaven’s choir
- These men were tending the animals, probably very cold from the elements
-- Maybe hopeless & without a future, are given the greatest news ever!!
- And what are they told in response? “DO NOT BE AFRAID!!”
-- APP: Church, if God’s angels told them to not be afraid, how can we be afraid?
-- If God’s angles would tell shepherds in a field “DO NOT BE AFRAID …”
- (LOOK AT ME): How can we be ashamed, afraid, worried, or anything about proclaiming the Gospel to a world desperately in need?
- TRANS: Look at the impact of this GLORIOUS announcement that was made
∆ Point 2 – A Glorious Announcement (v11-15)
- As the angel is proclaiming that the Savior has been born, look what happens …
-- Suddenly, out of nowhere … ALL OF HEAVEN JOINS IN!!
- v13-14 says, “Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
- Think for a moment, where have we heard that kind of worship before?
- Go to Isaiah 6:2-4, “Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.”
- Is this reference too far back? Then let’s jump ahead in time …
- Go to Revelation 4:8-11, “Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying:
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.”
Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”
- IMP: Do you know why the angels & all of Heaven praise Him in this manner?
- Here it is – here is the summation of the entire series: BECAUSE HE IS GOD
- APP: It is the understanding of God’s glory by all of creation that cries out
- APP: The angels could no longer be silent when the Good News was proclaimed
- TRANS: So, right now in this place, where does this leave us?
∆ Point 3 – Will We Seek Him, Too? (v15)
- Re-read verse 15
- These men, these shepherds in the fields, needed NO additional convincing
-- They heard from Heaven and they responded by leaving everything to go see
-- Church, what are we waiting for? What signs do you need for convincing?
- How about this:
-- It is estimated that 6.2 Billion people have died since the year 1900
-- Today, there are estimated to be 7.12 Billion people alive on the Earth
-- How many of those need Jesus? The answer is: Every single one of them!
∆ Big Ideas
- When the shepherds went to seek Him, it’s because they needed a Savior
- When we hear the Gospel preached, it is because we needed a Savior
- This morning, we are charged with heralding the GOOD NEWS!
-- The good news is that Jesus has been born, and has died for our sins
- There is NO other way to be reconciled to God, in history or in eternity
-- Allah will not save you,
-- Buddha will not save you,
-- Your checkbook will not save you,
-- Your good intentions will not save you … it is ONLY Jesus!
- We have heard the Good News – will we share it with others who need Him?
-- What better time than Christmas to rejoice and proclaim what God has done???
- With every eye closed and every head bowed …
- Today, we celebrate God’s incredible gift – remembering three things:
-- 1. Jesus was born sinless into this world by a God who loves you
-- 2. Jesus died, taking on our sin, so that we could be forgiven by God
-- 3. We must accept Him as Lord in order to share in His glory & fellowship
- This child was born to us that our sins might be forgiven if we accept Him
-- IMP: There is no other name on Heaven or Earth in which you must be saved
-- Have you accepted Him? Have you turned over your entire life to Him?
-- If not, you can right at this time be forgiven of your sins and receive Him
∆ (response to God slide) -- PAUSE FOR TIME OF MEDITATION
- I want to give you time right now to make things right with God …
∆ Lord’s Supper
- The Bible warns us about taking the Lord’s Supper improperly
- 1 Corinthians 11:27-29, “Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself.”
- This is your time to meditate and reflect on what God has done for you
- And at the same time, to confess where you need forgiveness in your life
- The Lord’s table is open to all who are believers in Christ
-- But if you’re not, I’d love to introduce you to Him this morning
-- The table is set friends, when God prompts you, please come and partake ...
