The Response To The Incarnation

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.