January 03, 2016 | Bob Bartlett
Passage: Luke 2:1-20
Christmas 2015 – Luke 2:1-20
The Good News of Christmas – Part 2
"Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
The Message of Christ’s Birth
Vs 6-7: “While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son.”
1: To show us the extent of his humanity Jesus (God) became one of us.
- His desire to reach humanity – He had to become one of us.
- 2Corinthians 5:21 “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
- Not just man but sinful man – He would become sin for us!
Vs 11-12: “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
2: To show us the extent of his humility Jesus (God) came as a baby.
- His desire to save humanity. He chose humility – He chose the humblest way!
- Philippians 2:6-8 “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God…”
- So many mistake his humility for inability to save the world!
Vs 13-14: “Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
3: To show us the extent of his authority Jesus was heralded by an angel(s) of God.
- His power to save humanity.
- John 14:6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
The significance of his Sovereignty cannot be overstated and must not be under estimated! John 3:16
Like the Shepherds: Their Response is my Response:
Vs 15: “Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened”
#1: They investigated what the angel of God had spoken.
- 1John 1:3 “We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.”
Vs 17: “When they had seen him, they spread the word”
#2: They acted upon the results of their study and investigation.
- Acts 4:2 “For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard."
- The simplest form of evangelism. Colossians 4:6
Vs 20: “The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God”
#3: They lived with a spirit of joy and the desire to glorify God with their lives.
- Psalm 126:3 “The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.”
- Our entire life was to be marked and is to be defined by this one event.
- "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31
John 3:16 God (we must not forget) is still seeking mankind’s redemption this Christmas!