Hymn
Hymn 519: Take my life and let it be
Hymn 316: Just as I am without one plea
The annunciation to the shepherds
Luke 2: 8-18
The annunciation to the shepherds
Luke 2: 8-18
• And there were shepherds living out in the
fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks
at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to
them, and the glory of the Lord shone around
them, and they were terrified. But the angel
said to them, "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."
Luke 2; 8-12 (RSV)
Passage
The sermon this morning is subdivided into 3
messages .
1. Message of reassurance
2. Message of good news
3. Message for all people
Message for reassurance
• One of the most re-assuring words of the
bible are these, “ Do not be afraid”
• They were said to the Israelites in the
wilderness (Numbers 14:9)
• They were said to Mary when the angel
announced the birth of the Christ child
Reassuring words in the face of fear
• Reassuring words are
used for soothing, it is
normally meant for
those worried or
perplexed.
• To reassure you must
choose your words
Fear of Flying
Angel reassured the shepherds
“Do not be afraid I bring
you good news of
great joy ”.
The Lord is with you
Jesus the Saviour and Lord is born
The good news was
about the birth of a
Baby
who will be the
Saviour and Lord.
The good news was
delivered to those
who were eagerly
waiting for a
saviour
Message of good news are for those eagerly
waiting
The message of the good news was for those eagerly waiting.
Is it by chance that of all the people living in and around
Bethlehem these shepherds were hand picked by the angel for
the good news? They were eagerly waiting.
Simeon a devout Jew in Jerusalem (Luke 2: 25 -32 Read) was
eagerly waiting
Message for all people
God gift at Christmas is for all mankind
•
•
•
•
1. To the poor shepherds living near Bethlehem
2. To the rich wise kings living far from Bethlehem.
3 The shepherds were Jews
4 The wise men were gentiles
• Why? Because God's love is for all men. Black, white ,
Asian, Arab, Chinese ...
God loves the rich and the poor, Jews and Gentiles
Recipients of the good news must respond
urgently
• The Jewish shepherds responded urgently
to the good news.
• The gentile wise men responded urgently to
the good news.
• Hebrews 3:7 says “ Today, if you hear his
voice do not harden your hearts...”
• Hebrews 3:13 “ ... as it is called today.
You have received the message today – what
is your responds?
•
You may think I am not good enough, or he / she not good
enough
– No matter how soiled the past
– No matter what life one’s lived
– No matter how wretched you are at present
– No matter how hopeless you future seems
– Thou our sins may be as scarlet; they can be as wash as white
as snow.
– But what is your responds to good news message that a
saviour is born who died for you sins?
– Will you just like shepherds take steps to find out that what is
been preached to you is true?
The good news is for all
The story of Caesar Milan and Charlotte Elliot.
• Just as I am without one plea, but that thy blood was
shed for me,
• And that thou bid me to come to thee, O lamb of
God, I come! I come!