A Savior to Encounter
Luke 2:8-20
Introduction
I. Different stories of encounters
A. Literature
1. Scrooge: Ebaneezer Scrooge had a Christmas Eve encounter with three spirits of Christmas and he was never the same again
2. It’s A Wonderful Life: George Bailey had an encounter with an angel named Clarence and his life was changed from sheer desperation to delight after the encounter
B. The common thread
1. Both of these situations have one thing in common
a.) George Bailey and Scrooge encountered situations had their lives changed completely
b.) It was the encounter that gave them a change of heart
2. The difference is clear
a.) There is a clear difference between the person before the encounter and after it
b.) The change is permanent
II. Advent is a time for us to encounter our savior
A. There is no way to mistake the joy of Christmas
1. Christmas is a season of joy and expectation
2. There is something about Christmas that touches every heart and every life
B. Let’s take some time to look at the story of those who first encountered Christ
Thesis: A life touched by an encounter with the Savior can never be the same
Body
I. The Routine of the Day
A. The shepherds routine is changed
1. The shepherd were in the fields
a.) The occupation of shepherd
1.) The shepherd was literally a herdsman of sheep
2.) The shepherd was one of the “lowly” positions in Israel and was a common occupation
b.) The location of the shepherds
1.) Temporal location: These shepherds were essentially the night watch for these flocks
2.) Physical location: The sheep were kept outside of the city of Bethlehem for good pasture area
2. The shepherds were with their flocks
a.) The watching of the flocks
1.) This was the night watch
2.) These shepherds lived with the sheep
b.) The simplicity of the duty – Twofold purpose
1.) To provide: This would have been a secure place for the sheep
2.) To protect: These shepherds would have protected the flock against predators or thieves
B. Our routine is challenged
1. Allow God to make your routine days extraordinary
a.) God may not send angels from heaven with a special message for you
b.) God does still speak with us
2. God wants to be a part of your daily life
a.) God’s deepest desire is to have a personal relationship with you. This is the very reason that He sent the savior
b.) God wants you to spend time with Him everyday
II. The Report of the Divine
A. The message of the angel
1. The angel comes
a.) The angel comes with purpose
1.) The Greek word for angel literally means messenger. These supernatural beings are the messengers of God.
2.) This angel is referred to as “the angel of the Lord.” This is the same designation given through the entire birth narrative and in Luke 1:19 the angel is identified as Gabriel
b.) The angel comes with power
1.) The “glory of the Lord’ is the splendor or divine radiance of God. This was most likely made manifest by a blinding light
2.) The power of God is revealed with this angel to give credit to the coming message
2. The angelic message does three things
a.) Dispels fear
1.) The shepherds were terrified by the presence of the angel. Could you blame them?
2.) The angel calms their fears immediately with the words “fear not.” There was no reason for them to be afraid
b.) Dispenses good news
1.) The angel promises good news that will bring great joy to the whole world.
2.) The good news is announced
In Bethlehem there has been an amazing birth
This child will be a savior. This means one who will deliver
This child will be the Christ. This is the Greek equivalent to Messiah
This child will be the Lord. This word was used exclusively in reference to God the Father
The essence of the message is that a savior has been born who is the awaited messiah and the embodiment of God. What an amazing and accurate picture of Jesus
c.) Directs the shepherds
1.) The angel gives exact directions to follow
The baby will be wrapped in cloths. This is normal everyday occurrence and there is nothing special about it
The baby will be lying in manger. This identifies where the shepherds can and will find the baby. They were to look for the child in a stable
2.) The angel is joined by a large number of angels who give praise to God
B. God wants to make us aware
1. God wants to dispel our fears
a.) Fears about God are created from misconceptions and lies that we buy into
b.) God created you and loves you
2. God wants to dispense good news
a.) God gave us a savior to take our place
b.) The true message of Christmas is the message of God’s grace
3. God wants to direct our steps
a.) God offers us direction for our lives. He offers but does not force His will on us. We make the choice to follow
b.) God surrounds us with His presence. Direction is only good when in the presence of the one giving the directions
III. The Rejoicing of the Devoted
A. The sharing of the shepherds
1. The shepherds search for the baby
a.) The angels return to heaven
b.) The shepherds begin their search of Bethlehem
2. Mary stores the event like a treasure
a.) Mary sees the shepherds
b.) Mary stores up the event
3. The shepherds are changed by the encounter
a.) The shepherds go and share the good news
b.) The shepherds are given new joy and share the joy with everyone
B. The searching of the soul
1. God wants to fill the longing and searching of your heart
a.) Every person has the desire for God. Unfortuantely many people fill that longing with other things
b.) God wants to replace your emptiness and fill you with His peace
2. God wants to give you the treasure
a.) You have been given a savior in Jesus Christ
b.) All that you need to do is accept the gift God has given to you
3. God offers you an encounter with His son the Savior
a.) Step away and remove your fears
b.) Step out and renew your faith
c.) Step up and reclaim your future
