The Gospel of Christmas (December 18, 2022)

Luke 2:10-14 ~ “And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!””

Can you just imagine this angel’s response to God when given the honor and privilege of announcing the birth of God’s only begotten Son?? WOW!!! No greater privilege in all the world than to proclaim that the Birth of the Gospel of Salvation of all mankind, the Son of God!!!

Think about this, the angels have never sinned, they don’t know what sin is when it controls your life. We have and we can speak from personal experience of the saving power of Christ. The angel knew the power he was announcing had entered into man’s reach.

• THE GOSPEL IS GOOD NEWS BECAUSE IT BANISHES FEAR

• The first words the angel spake were, “Fear not . . .” (v. 10) We are told that the shepherds were “filled with great fear”. (v. 9)

• How natural it was for them to be fearful. There had been no word from the Lord for 400 years, no word until Jesus was born and His birth announced.

• The antidote to fear is the gospel of Christ.

• THE GOSPEL IS GOOD NEWS BECAUSE IT BRINGS GREAT JOY

• “Behold, I bring you good news of great joy . . .” (v. 10)

• Where fear reigns there can be no real joy. Fear is the greatest enemy of joy.

• Christ brings joy into the lives of all who come to Him and trust Him.

• John 15:11 ~ “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”

• THE GOSPEL IS GOOD NEWS BECAUSE IT IS FOR ALL PEOPLE

• “I bring . . . good news . . . for all people.” (v. 10)

• The gospel is adapted to the needs of all mankind.

• He is rightly described by Haggai as “the Lord of all nations” (Haggai 2:7) All need Him.

• THE GOSPEL IS GOOD NEWS BECAUSE IT EMPHASIZES THE VALUE OF THE INDIVIDUAL

• The gospel is for all people, yet it is “unto you” (v. 11)

• The gospel always emphasizes the value of each individual.

• Christ preached one of His greatest sermons to one man, Nicodemus. (John 3:1–16)

• THE GOSPEL IS GOOD NEWS BECAUSE IT SAVES

• “A Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” (v. 11)

• The primary reason for the Savior’s advent was that He might be the Saviour of His people.

Matthew 1:21 ~ “She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

• He is the Saviour from sin

Hebrews 7:25 ~ “Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.”

• from self

Romans 8:2 ~ “For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.”

• from Satan

Acts 26:18 ~ “to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’”

• Do you know anything about His saving power?

• THE GOSPEL IS GOOD NEWS BECAUSE IT GLORIFIES GOD

• “Glory to God in the highest . . .” (v. 14)

• The gospel is the central theme of Heaven.

• Nothing glorifies God so much as the gospel of His grace It pro- claims His remedy for sin and His promise of eternal life.

• Every time, we preach the gospel God is glorified.

• THE GOSPEL IS GOOD NEWS BECAUSE IT GIVES REAL AND LASTING PEACE

• “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (v. 14)

• Jesus is our Peace. He alone can make peace.

• The angel spoke of peace on earth. How will this be brought about?

• Not by pacts, agreements, or treaties, but by the coming of the Prince of Peace Himself.