Responding to the News of a Savior
Luke 2:8-20

 People respond to Christmas differently; some choose to celebrate it, others don’t.  For some it could be a time of celebration and family time.  For others, they 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.

Last week we talked about how an angel announced to Mary the news that she would be the mother of the Savior.  In the midst of her uncertainty, she chose to trust God by placing herself under God’s will.

Joseph, her fiancée, was ready to leave her when he discovered she was pregnant.  He also received a message from God who explained to him what was going on.  Joseph didn’t leave Mary but stayed with her and married her.

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 give them the good 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 would be.  Christ the Lord.
This will be a sign to you:  You will find the baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.
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}

 How did the shepherds respond? (v.15-20)
     – They went to check it out, they went to search the truth of news.
     – They spread the news about the baby.
     – They glorified and worshiped God for all the things they heard.

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)  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. Matthew 1:21

Why a Savior?  Because we have a sin problem that we cannot get rid of on our own.  The Bible teaches us that sin separates us from God.  We all fall short of the glory of God because of our sinful nature.  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. Rom.5:10
Col.1:21-22
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 about Jesus as the Savior of the world?
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 grace in sending you a Savior.
How are you going to respond to this marvelous news?