2019.12.14 Angels-Good News Celebration…Who’s your #1?
William Akehurst HSWC
The Angels announced the Good News of JESUS.
To Mary 1st and Joseph 2nd, then to the Shepherds.
There was a heavenly celebration, rejoicing and praising GOD for HIS PLAN of Salvation had begun. JESUS, the Savior was born.
THE MESSAGE SUMMARY:
Just as JESUS described in the parable of the lost sheep and lost coin, HE values all people, for all mankind is precious to HIM. And when 1 sinner comes to repentance and salvation, all the heavens, the angels rejoice.
This Christmas, don’t get so caught up in the wrappings that we miss the gift. The Gift is JESUS, our Emmanuel, GOD with US.
Share the gift of Christmas with someone who needs to know. Perhaps you are the angel to appear and share the truth and Good News of Christ to that 1 person this season.
Who has GOD placed on your heart this Christmas, to share HIS redeeming love for them. Who’s your Number 1?
CALL TO WORSHIP Psalms 89:5, 15-18 HEAVEN REJOICES
5 And the heavens shall praise thy wonders, O LORD: thy faithfulness also in the congregation of the saints.
15 Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance.
16 In thy name shall they rejoice all the day: and in thy righteousness shall they be exalted.
17 For thou art the glory of their strength: and in thy favor our horn shall be exalted.
18 For the LORD is our defense; and the Holy One of Israel is our king.
THE HEAVENS SHALL PRAISE THY WONDERS
Psalms 89:5 (KJV) And the heavens shall praise thy wonders, O LORD: thy faithfulness also in the congregation of the saints.
Psalms 148:1-2 (KJV) 1 Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the heights. 2 Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts.
ANGELS ANNOUNCE THE GOOD NEWS
Luke 2:8-14 (KJV)
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.
ANNOUNCING THE NAME OF GOD’s PLAN
Matthew 1:20-25
20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
OUR EMMANUEL—GOD WITH US
REPEAT THE SOUNDING JOY - ANNOUNCING HIS NAME
Luke 1:30-35 (KJV) 30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God.
31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
SEEKING THAT WHICH IS LOST
Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Matthew 18:11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.
At the Phone center, we rejoice when people call to make a decision to follow CHRIST. The bible tells us that the heavens, the angels also rejoice.
THE LOST FOUND—REJOICING WITH THE ANGELS
Luke 15:3-10 3 And he spake this parable unto them, saying, 4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
8 Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?
9 And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.
10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
ANGELS ANNOUNCED THE GOOD NEWS OF CHRIST
This Christmas, perhaps GOD is giving you someone to whom you are to announce and introduce to JESUS the Savior.
So, Just as finding the lost coin and lost sheep were rejoiced by the woman and the shepherd, the Angels in Heaven rejoice in one who comes to salvation through Christ.
So I ask you this…Who’s your number 1?
Who has GOD put on your heart that needs to hear the Good News of the Savior?
Perhaps you are the number 1, or the LORD has given you a name just now, of the person you need to share.
Be God’s Messenger, HIS appointed Angel this Christmas and share the gift of CHRIST.
