Good News For All!
Luke 2:8-20

 People respond to Christmas so differently; some choose to celebrate it, others don’t.  For some it could be a time of joy and celebration. For others it could be a time of sadness and gloom.  Some people would love if this holiday didn’t exist.  Some tend to hate this holiday because of how commercialized it has become.  Regardless of the commercialization of Christmas, some try really hard to focus on the birth of Jesus.  Regardless of what people do in Christmas, some people try their best to remind themselves of the time when God sent them a Savior.  This is how they choose to respond to what Christmas has become these days.

Mary placed herself at the LORD’s will to be the mother of the Messiah.  She said yes to God even when she didn’t understand the details.

Joseph, chose to stay with Mary through the pregnancy. 

God chose to reveal the news of a Savior to humble shepherds in the field.  Luke 2:8-20  An angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds to give them the news that the Savior was born.

Don’t be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

(v.11) Today in the town of David (Bethlehem) a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.

Right here the angel announced who the savior is.  Christ (Messiah) the Lord.  Your expected Messiah has been born today.  This is the greatest news for the shepherds, but not only for them but everyone.  A news of great joy for all people, including me and you.

 

This will be a sign to you: (go confirm the accuracy of it; go check it out)  You will find the baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.

This would be an easy thing to do, how many babies would be born in such condition?

 The angelic choir: (v.13)

Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased. (Those on whom his favor rests}

A choir of angels singing to the arrival of the Messiah in Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth among those with whom God is pleased.

 How did the shepherds respond? (v.15-20) The news was delivered to them.  What would they do with it?
– They went to check it out the veracity of the news.
– They found the baby just as the angel said. Lying in a manger (v.12,16)
– They shared the news and caused people to be amazed, they wondered about these things.
– Mary treasured up all these things in her heart. She too wondered about all the things she was told about this child. (v.19)
– They glorified and worshiped God for all the things they heard. (v.20)

The baby in a manger, whom the shepherds went to see would become the Savior of the world. (News of great joy for all people v.10)  This news would not bring joy just to the Jewish people, but to all people.  The Savior is here.  As a baby Jesus could not save anyone, in order for him to save the world, he must die for the sins of the world.  An angel had told Joseph that Jesus will save his people from their sins. Matt.1:21

Why a Savior?  Because we have a sin problem that we cannot get rid of on our own.  We cannot free ourselves from sin, it’s in us, in our DNA; It doesn’t take much for it to be exhibited in us and through us. (a conversation, someone looks at you the wrong way, someone cuts you off in traffic, etc. lust, greed). You cannot free yourself from sin even if you tried.  You and I are imprisoned by it.  It’s in our system, in our minds.   This conflict has been around for ages.  We are born into this sinful world and feel the effect of it daily in our lives.  We become victims of sinful acts.  It has been affecting our world ever since we decided to be independent from God. 

Sin makes us enemies of God and deserving of his wrath

Col.1:21-22, Rom.5:10  For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.

The great news for all people is that through Jesus you can be at peace with God.  Jesus saves you from the penalty of sin.  God became a man, in Jesus so that through dying, our sins can be forgiven.  I hope you don’t miss this, because it was through his death and resurrection that he became the savior of the world.  Jesus’ death on the cross for our sin was the greatest act of love displayed by God towards you.  Rom.5:8 God demonstrated his love for us in this, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

He came to save everyone, but not everyone wants to be saved.  God can only save those who believe in him.  Whosoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life John 3:16.  Jesus will save those who receive him and believe in him.  Do you believe that Jesus is the Savior, the Christ? 

What are you going to do with the news that a Savior came to the world for you?

I think you, like the shepherds should go find out if Jesus is truly the Savior or not.  Whatever I am telling you about Jesus, you should go check it out.  There is plenty of evidence that points to Jesus as the Messiah and Savior.

When you have checked it out, when you have found out who Jesus is, then you must spread out the news.  Tell others about your research.

Finally, you will find yourself praising and worshiping God for his gracious gift to you.

How are you going to respond to this marvelous news?  Jesus is the greatest gift God has given you.

Salvation is only found in Jesus because there is no other name given to men by which we are saved. Acts 4:12