With Us - Goodwill Series

“With Us” - Part 3 - Goodwill

Steele Creek Church, Eastfield Campus - December 20, 2020

Dr. Tom Bartlett

OUTLINE

10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, 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, goodwill toward men!” Luke 2:8-13 (NKJV)

Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” Luke 2:8-13 (NKJV)

A message from God: “I bring you. . . peace, goodwill toward men. . .”

Key 1 - Peace with God leads to the peace of God

Peace with God - Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1 (ESV)

Peace of God - And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 (ESV)

Key 2 - When peace is present goodwill abounds

Goodwill – “Goodwill is God’s will!”

Goodwill In Action

• GOD EXTENDS LOVE TO US

And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. Luke 2:7 (ESV)

• WE RESPOND TO GOD’S LOVE

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 14“Glory to God in the highest. . . Luke 2:13 (ESV)

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. Hebrews 11:6 (ESV)

• WE PLEASE GOD AND OTHERS

. . . and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:17 (ESV)

. . . and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” Luke 2:14 (ESV)

MANUSCRIPT

Good morning and Merry Christmas! I want to welcome you here today live and in person and virtually as well. Today we will observe the Lord’s table and commemorate all that Christmas means in the grand scheme of things.

Now, I love Christmas time, when it is Christmas time! Unfortunately, I live with people who like to play Christmas music year-round. As I said, I love Christmas, but not year-round! But I have to admit that the sense of Christmas that comes out of singing those songs and celebrating the reality of the birth of Christ is a wonderful thing. Just think about the great must-see movies that we watch over and over again;

• It’s a wonderful life

• Miracle on 34th street

• White Christmas

• Scrooge

• Home alone!

Well, maybe not home alone (LOL).

What’s the great theme of every great Christmas movie? It’s always the triumph over terrible circumstances to a place of peace and goodwill toward others. People come to grips with an issue, find the answer and return goodwill to God and others.

I guess you can say that at the heart of it, Christmas is all about peace and goodwill.

We’re concluding a series today called “With Us”. It’s based on the name of Christ found in Isaiah 7:14, Emmanuel, which interpreted means, “God with us.” Truly, that’s who Jesus is!

Now, the first Christmas was not like what you and I might picture and beyond that, Jesus was not born in December and there was no snow on the ground! But He was born and He did enter the world in lowly circumstances. His birth was announced to shepherds and observed by animals not kings and people of high standing. From this lowly place He rose to change the world.

Let’s revisit once again the message from the angels to the shepherds.

10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, 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, goodwill toward men!” Luke 2:8-13 (NKJV)