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 shepherdsLuke 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

• 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

Message for reassurance

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

“Do not be afraid I bring you good news of great joy ”.

Angel reassured the shepherds

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!