Luke 2 v. 8-20, Matthew 2 v. 1-12 The Response to The Incarnation THE ANGELS HAD THE JOY OF REVEALING THE INCARNATION Luke 2 v. 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. Seven Reasons The Gospel Is Good News
I. The Incarnation Banishes Fear. – Vs. 10 – “fear not”
II. It Brings Joy. v. 10 “Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy”
III. It Is For All People. – Vs. 10 “which shall be to all people.”
IV. It Emphasizes The Individual. – Vs. 11 “Unto you” Jesus preached one of his greatest sermons to one man. Nicodemus.
V. It Saves – Vs. 11 “A Saviour, which is Christ the Lord”
1. He is the Saviour from Sin. – Heb. 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
2. He is the Saviour from Self. – Rom. 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
3. He is the Saviour from Satan – Acts 26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
VI. It Glorifies God. – Vs. 14 “Glory to God in the highest.”
VII.It Gives Peace. 14 ‘And on earth peace, good will toward men.”
THE SHEPHERDS HAD THE JOY OF RECEIVING THE INCARNATION v.s 15- 16 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. I. They Received the Announcement (v. 8-14)
God Provided Direction to the Saviour (v. 11) For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
1. The Direction pointed to the Way – “..the city of David..”
2. The Direction Pointed to the Truth – “..Christ the Lord…”
3. The Direction Pointed to the Life – “…a Saviour..”
II. They Reacted to the Announcement (v. 15-16) 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.
A. They Were Brought to Point of Decision (v. 15a)
B. Their Decision Required Action (v. 15b)
C. Their Action Resulted in Reward (v. 16) And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
III. They Relayed the Announcement to Others (v. 17-18) And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
IV. They Rejoiced Over the Announcement (v. 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.
ANNA HAD THE JOY OF REPORTING THE INCARNATION Luke 2 36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; 37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. 38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. 2 Corinthians 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
MARY HAD THE JOY OF REHEARSING THE INCARNATION 19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. The Reaction of Mary Luke 1:26-38 I. Her Fear (v.28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. 29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. 30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
A. Of the Messenger Angels Are From the Heavenly Realm
B. Of the Mystery (The Unknown) (v. 29)
C. Of the Meaning (v. 30)
II. Her Favour 30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
(v. 31) And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
1. God’s Method Seemed Impossible
2. God’s Method Seemed Implausible (Baffled Human Wisdom)
3. God’s Method Was Imperative (It would Accomplish God’s Plan)
III. Her Faithfulness 38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
A. She Submitted to the Proof of God’s power 36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
B. She Submitted to the Promise of God’s power (v. 37) For with God nothing shall be impossible.
C. She Submitted to the Pre- eminence of God’s power (v. 38) be it unto me according to thy word
WISE MEN HAD THE JOY OF RECIPROCATING THE INCARNATION Matthew 2:1-12 11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2:11 says they …fell down and worshipped him. I. Their Desire For the Saviour (v. 1-8)
A. They were Passionate in their search for Christ 1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
B. They were Patient in their search for Christ (Came a long way)
C. They were Persistent in their search for Christ (Kept Going)
II. Their Devotion to the Saviour (Bowed and Worshiped Him) 9-11
A. They worshiped out of duty (John 4:23) But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
B. They worshiped Him out of a desire
C. They worshiped Him out of desperation (John 6:68) Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
III. Their Delight in the Saviour (They Gave Sacrificially to the Saviour) (v. 11b) and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
1. Gold for His royalty
2. Frankincense for His Lordship
3. Myrrh for His coming death
IV. Their Dedication to the Saviour (They Obeyed) (v. 12) And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
THE ANGELS HAD THE JOY OF REVEALING THE SHEPHERDS HAD THE JOY OF RECEIVING ANNA HAD THE JOY OF REPORTING MARY HAD THE JOY OF REHEARSING THE WISE MEN HAD THE JOY OF RECIPROCATING
