GOOD NEWS!
Luke 2:10-11
S: Shepherds and Good News
Th: Courage at Christmas
Pr: GET THE GOOD NEWS!
?: What? What is the good news?
KW: Descriptions
TS: We will find in our study of Luke 2:10-11 three descriptions of the good news.
The _____ description is the good news is…
I. AWESOME
II. ALL-EMBRACING
III. ASSURED
Version: ESV
RMBC 24 December 03 AM
INTRODUCTION:
ILL Notebook: Good News (Private Peters)
The drill sergeant making his morning announcements to a group of newcomers in a training camp, stated: "Today, gentlemen, I have some good news and some bad news. First, the good. Private Peters will be setting the pace on our morning run.’ With this the platoon was overjoyed, as Private Peters was overweight and terribly slow. But then the drill sergeant finished his statement: "Now for the bad news. Private Peters will be driving a truck."
Well, in contrast to that incident, tonight…
1. We want to celebrate news that is good all the time!
Now, the good news is not that you have successfully battled the traffic, bought the presents and conquered the malls.
The good news is not that you attended all the kids’ programs, went to the parties, and did not make a fool of yourself.
The good news is not that you trimmed the tree, sent the cards and prepared the food.
Those are all fine accomplishments, but they are not the good news.
Because Christmas has become such a big event socially and commercially, we often lose sight of its importance.
And perhaps, once again, you have shown up here on Christmas Eve and you are struggling to find the true meaning of this day.
So let’s find it, because we want you to…
2. GET THE GOOD NEWS!
So what is the good news?
Well…
3. We will find in our study of Luke 2:10-11 three descriptions of the good news.
The announcement we are about to hear once again is an extraordinary statement.
It literally comes from out of this world.
It is exceptional.
It is remarkable.
In fact, I struggle to find words that adequately the greatness of this statement.
It goes like this…
And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a 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.”
This was great news!
But, you know…
4. It’s hard to believe in good news when you are afraid.
You see, you would be afraid too!
You would be terrified.
Angels are not like what we see on “Touched by an Angel” or “It’s a Wonderful Life.”
We would not react to the appearance of an angel by saying, “O look darling, a cute little angel!”
No, angels are mighty figures that carry swords, not harps.
They are the messengers for God.
They are warriors for God.
And so, when they come to the shepherds, they knew that their appearance was frightening.
So they said, “Don’t be afraid!”
“Be of good courage and stand up men!”
“We have news for you!”
The angels came to say that God was at work…right now…right here.
The birth of the One they had hoped and longed for was happening that very night.
OUR STUDY:
So let us hear how the good news was described…
I. The first description is the good news is AWESOME.
The good news is thrilling!
It is this time of the year that we sing, “Joy to the World!”
It is this time of the year we sing, “O come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant.”
We sing, “Repeat the sounding joy.”
Some even sing, “’tis the season to be jolly.”
But some of us are not feeling very jolly.
No, we are entering into Christmas day stressed out, worn out, burnt out, and joyed out.
The message of the angels, though, is that this is so awesome that if we feel anything less than ecstatic about this good news, we have missed out on the meaning of this birth.
This is so great!
This is so exciting!
This is so incredible…that joy is the only appropriate response.
This brings us to…
II. The second description is the good news is ALL-EMBRACING.
The good news is comprehensive!
The announcement made to shepherds in that lonely and unassuming field was for everybody!
The news was not just for a segment of a population.
It was not just for a certain nationality.
It was news that embraced everyone.
No one was to be left out.
You see, God saw our need.
He saw our loneliness.
He saw our separation from the beauty of life that we were missing and sent us a way to be reunited with Him.
Now we come to…
III. The third description is the good news is ASSURED.
The good news is guaranteed!
The angels told those shepherds that they could check it out.
The son had been born.
He was close by in Bethlehem.
They were to courageously step out of their own self-imposed boundaries and go see Him.
For this baby was everything that they needed.
He was everything that anyone needed.
He was the Savior, giving us salvation from our sin.
He was the Messiah, demonstrating that God keeps His promises.
He was the Lord Himself, Immanuel, God with us.
APPLICATION:
This may seem amazing to us, but Jesus did not come 2000 years ago so that we could give each other presents, decorate our houses, drink egg nog, have parties, and sit on Santa’s lap.
No, Christmas is about God giving His Son to die for each one of us.
You see, the real joy of Christmas is grounded, anchored, and tied to the love of God…for us.
So…
Get the good news!
Have you gotten it?
If you have…get the good news out!
It is not meant to be kept to ourselves.
You see, if you do keep it to yourself, it must not be all that good.
So have the courage to step out and say it:
“Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a 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.”
So, in the midst of your celebration tonight and tomorrow, remember that the source of joy is not you.
It is the good news that a Savior that has been born to you.
