Go Tell it on the Mountain - A Mandate into the New Year December 29, 2024
Brandon Michael Queen / General
Advent / Isaiah 52:7–10; Luke 2:8–20; Matthew 28:18–20
Introduction: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
I want to go back to the beginning of Advent. Hank started us with a gospel-centered sermon on O Come, O Come Emmanuel. This is one of my favorite hymns! Hank opened the Advent series with the words O Come All Ye Unfaithful. I was in an eight-year funk due to numerous family issues and losses, including the passing of my grandmother, several church members, and other loved ones. His opening statement helped me to capture the true essence of Advent. His message was this: However, you felt this Advent season whether sorrowful at the loss of a loved one, a job, or a family member due to anger or separation, or even if you felt offended at God because of loss, whether it was a person, income issues, or material possessions, /CHRIST/ was born for you. Even if you’ve been unfaithful and didn’t feel worthy to come into His presence, whether happy, sad, or angry, this truth remains: Christ was born for you.
As we move into 2025, let the truth of Christ's birth compel us to action. No matter our circumstances, we are called to "Go, Tell It on the Mountain." Share the good news boldly, proclaim that Christ is Lord, and let the joy of the gospel shine through your life. Christ is still - born for you—and for the world!
**SING**
”O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here,
Until the Son of God appear."
This hymn expresses the longing for deliverance and the arrival of God with Us. It highlights the anticipation of Christ’s coming, a cry for God to rescue His people and be present with them. Just as Israel longed for Emmanuel, we celebrate that Christ has come. Christmas is not just a story of Christ’s birth but a powerful reminder of God's answer to humanity's deepest longing.
While “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” reflects the waiting, “Go Tell It on the Mountain” calls us to proclaim the fulfillment of that wait. CHRIST HAS COME, and we are to declare it to the world. Christmas is not just about a mysterious birth or exchanging gifts; it is the merciful reminder that IN Christ’s coming, our hope IS complete.
This truth calls us to look beyond the season's traditions and corporatization and embrace the deeper meaning of Christ’s coming as God’s promise fulfilled. In Christ’s birth, God's promises have been made visible, and salvation has been secured for His people. Just as the shepherds spread the news of the Savior's birth, we, as redeemed people, are called to declare the gospel to the ends of the earth.
The message of Christmas is not meant to be whispered. It is the glorious announcement that a King has come to save His people from their sins. Let us go and tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is LORD!
1. God’s Message of Good News (Isaiah 52:7-10)
Isaiah paints a picture of a messenger bringing good news. The messenger’s feet are beautiful because they carry hope and peace.
Isaiah 52:7–10: “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.” The voice of your watchmen—they lift up their voice; together they sing for joy; for eye to eye they see the return of the Lord to Zion. Break forth together into singing, you waste places of Jerusalem, for the Lord has comforted his people; he has redeemed Jerusalem. The Lord has bared his holy arm before the eyes of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.”
In Christ, in his fullest expression, we see the fulfillment of the ancient promise that God would dwell with His people. This truth is foundational to our faith, for as John Calvin reminds us, “We see that our whole salvation and all its parts are comprehended in Christ.” Jesus, Emmanuel, ’God with us,’ is not just a comforting idea but the very essence of God’s covenantal faithfulness, demonstrating that He has not abandoned His creation but has come near to redeem it.
This fulfilled promise is the cornerstone of the gospel, echoing Augustine’s declaration that “God became a man, that man might be made sons and daughters of GOD.” In Christ, the infinite God took on human flesh, entering our brokenness to restore us to Himself. Jesus is the living proof of God's unchanging commitment to His people and His unshakable presence among us. This is the hope we proclaim: that the God who is with us has brought salvation to His people and reigns as King forever times forever.
Isaiah 52:7–10 presents a glorious declaration of God's redemptive work, pointing to the heart of the gospel. The beauty of the messenger's feet lies not in the messenger but in the message itself: the proclamation of peace, happiness, and salvation is rooted in the reign of our sovereign God. John Calvin writes, “The Gospel is not a doctrine of the tongue, but of life. It cannot be grasped by reason and memory only, but it is fully understood when it possesses the whole soul and penetrates to the inner recesses of the heart.”
The Lord’s return to Zion is a picture of His covenantal faithfulness, bringing comfort and redemption to His people through Christ. The unveiling of God's holy arm before all nations signals the universal scope of His salvation, revealing His glory to the ends of the earth. This passage reminds us that salvation is not the result of human effort but the sovereign act of a holy (3x) and just God who redeems His people by His grace alone. As the nations witness this salvation, the call to joyful singing resounds, for the gospel of Christ compels all creation to magnify the Lord. This is the essence of theology: salvation belongs to our God, and He alone deserves all glory and praise. (AMEN)
Just as the messenger in Isaiah’s prophecy brings the hope of salvation to a weary and broken world, we, too, are called to carry this same Good News with boldness and joy. The song Go Tell It on the Mountain beautifully captures this calling not as a task for a select few but as a privilege for all who have experienced the saving grace of Jesus Christ. We find a powerful example in the shepherds, the first to receive and proclaim the message of Christ’s birth, as described in Luke 2:8-10.
2. The Shepherds as the First Messengers (Luke 2:8-20)
In Luke 2:8-14, the shepherds, upon hearing the good news of Christ's birth, are filled with joy and immediately share the message with others, embodying the spirit of Go Tell It on the Mountain by proclaiming the Savior’s birth to all, spreading the joy of the gospel far and wide.
Luke 2:8–14 (ESV) - And in the same region, there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
Let’s talk about how the world saw the shepherds in the first century. Why did the angels bring the good news to shepherds? Shepherds were considered religious outcasts (due to their inability to go to the temple on the Sabbath), yet they were humble, still served God, and were devout. Shepherds were isolated from people because they had to tend to the sheep from sunrise to sunset. The angels brought the good news to the shepherds to highlight God's sovereign grace, choosing to reveal the birth of Christ to the humble and lowly rather than the powerful. This demonstrates that God's salvation is available to all, regardless of status, emphasizing His unmerited grace and the universal nature of the gospel. When we look at first-century shepherds, we see Moses, Abraham, and David, who are the most widely respected men in Jewish history.
The shepherds were ordinary people living simple lives, often overlooked by society. Yet, in His infinite wisdom, God entrusted them with an extraordinary message: the announcement of the Savior's birth. This divine act reflects the heart of the gospel: salvation is not earned through worldly status or achievement but is a gift given freely to those who humbly receive it. The shepherds, upon hearing the angelic proclamation, became the first messengers of Christ’s birth, showing that God’s power is made perfect in weakness and that His truth is meant to be shared by all, no matter their position in the world.
The shepherds, upon hearing the joyous news of Christ’s birth, couldn’t contain their excitement. Filled with awe and wonder, they immediately went to spread the message, glorifying and praising God for what they had seen and heard. Their response to the good news was one of joyful proclamation, recognizing that the birth of Jesus was not just a personal blessing but a world-changing event. As they shared the news, they invited others into the same joy that had overwhelmed them. In the words of John Calvin, “The gospel is not merely to be heard but to be proclaimed, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.” Just as the shepherds couldn’t keep the message to themselves, we are called to proclaim the gospel with the same enthusiasm, giving glory to God and spreading the good news of Christ's birth to a waiting world.
Like the shepherds, we are ordinary people called to share an extraordinary message. We may not feel qualified or capable; we may be extraverted, introverted, or no vert at all, but God does not rely on our strength or status; He uses the humble and the willing. The shepherds, who were considered lowly by society, became the first to proclaim the birth of the Savior, showing that God delights in using those who are often overlooked. It is not our qualifications that matter but our willingness to be vessels of His glory. As the apostle Paul reminds us, “God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise” (1 Corinthians 1:27). In the same way, we are called to share the good news of Christ's birth and salvation, knowing that God empowers those who are humble and ready to obey. Whether we feel inadequate or not, God’s power works best in our weakness, and He will use us to proclaim His glory to the world.
"Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills, and everywhere." This joyful proclamation connects directly to Jesus' command in the Great Commission, where He sends us to make disciples of all nations, as recorded in Matthew 28:18-20.
3. Who Needs to Hear the Message of the Gospel?
1. The World - The Good News of Jesus Christ is for everyone, everywhere. It is a universal message meant to bring hope to a broken and weary world. The hymn “Go Tell It on the Mountain” emphasizes the urgency of sharing Christ’s salvation far and wide. The “mountain” represents any place where the message needs to reach—whether across the globe or within our own communities.
The mountains, valleys, and all places in between become the stage for the church to declare the glory of God. This is not just an invitation to spread a message; it’s a mandate for every believer to bear witness to the redemptive work of Christ, who reigns as Lord over all. In the spirit of the psalmist, "Let the peoples praise You, O God; let all the peoples praise You" (Psalm 67:3), This call reminds us that salvation through Christ is not confined to a single group or region. It is for every nation, tribe, and tongue. EVERY ETHNOS!
2. The Lost and Searching - The gospel is especially for those who have yet to experience the love and redemption of Christ. Like the shepherds in Luke 2, who eagerly spread the news of Jesus’ birth, we, too, must joyfully proclaim the Good News so that others can encounter the life-changing grace of God.
The joy of salvation is not meant to be kept to ourselves. It is a gift to be shared with those who are lost, seeking hope, and in need of God’s love. The hymn reminds us:
**SING** “Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills, and everywhere. Go tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born.”
3. Your Mission Field - Each of us has a mission field uniquely defined by where God has placed us—whether at work, school, home, or abroad. Wherever we are, we are called to share the gospel with those around us through our words, actions, and attitudes.
All aspects of our lives should reflect the love, grace, and redemption found in Christ to serve as living testimonies that invite others to experience the hope of salvation. The “mountains” in the hymn symbolize opportunities in everyday life to proclaim God’s truth.
Just as the shepherds joyfully spread the word of Christ's birth, we too are called to herald the message of hope and salvation, declaring the truth of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection to all people everywhere, with boldness and joy.
Conclusion: Living Out the Message of Go Tell It on the Mountain
Christmas is more than a time to reflect on Christ’s coming; it’s a call to action. We are part of God’s unfolding story, entrusted with the hope of Emmanuel, God with us. As we sing, Go Tell It on the Mountain, let it inspire us to be faithful messengers of the gospel. Just as God answered Israel’s cry with the gift of Emmanuel, we are called to bring His hope to a broken world. Let this challenge move us beyond singing about Christ’s truth to living it out while sharing His love, grace, and redemption with those in need.
Let us take the message of Christmas beyond our homes and churches. Let it overflow into the streets, workplaces, and relationships so that the world might see and know the salvation of our God. Let us go and tell it on every mountain (expand), with the confidence that God’s Word does not return void and that He is still drawing people to Himself through the message of His Son. Remember this truth: Christ didn’t just come to be with us; He came to /redeem us./ Through His life, death, and resurrection, He rescues us from sin and restores us to God. Now, through Jesus, God is no longer distant. He is near, present in our struggles and joys, meeting us where we are and transforming us with His love. GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN - MERRY CHRISTMAS, and remember, EASTER IS COMING!
Closing Prayer
Benediction: The Mandate Forward
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ empower you to go forth as His faithful messengers, answering the cries of those in need with the hope of Emmanuel. As you carry the good news of His love and redemption, may your life reflect the gospel's truth, and may the Spirit guide you boldly in the mandate forward. Go in peace, proclaiming His hope to the world. Amen.
