Tabor Baptist Church

Introduction

• Centred on the story of the shepherds
• The angels appeared, the glory of the Lord shone around them and they were very fearful
• Be not afraid - a message of good news to all people
• The Saviour has been born, Christ the Lord
• Did they see their need of a Saviour?
• A sign would be given
• Throughout the whole of the Scriptures, had the sky ever been filled with angels praising God?
• The angels were praising God
• The shepherds hurried along to Bethlehem with great haste
• The message is good news with great joy
• Bursting with joy
• The Kings rejoiced with 'exceedingly great joy'
• So much joy in the Christmas message
• For many Christmas is all about presents
• The shepherds gave and received no presents
• They gave their worship
• They knew Jesus was a gift given by God
• The Kings gave costly gifts but received nothing in return
• The unspeakable gift (Jesus) was their greatest gift - may it be the same for us today

The Shepherds

• They were one of the lowest rungs of society
• Considered dishonest and perpetual liars
• They are the first people that God comes to
• The wise men came when Jesus was 2 years old
• The shepherds saw the Babe in Bethlehem
• The message first came to the shepherds
• Why them?
• Nobody else heard the angels
• Some might say it should be someone important - Examples
• God bypasses all these important officials and gives His message to humble, poor sinners
• This is surely the whole message of the Bible
• We are sinners - like the shepherds
• Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners
• Matt 1:21 - Jesus means Saviour
• Is there any greater message than this?
• Christmas presents will be forgotten
• Our soul will continue after death and we will be in God's presence

The Message

Do not be afraid

• v10 - Do not be afraid
• The same words given to Mary, Joseph, Zacharias
• Do you need to hear these words today?
• Is there fear in our hearts?
• We should have a reverent fear of God
• We should not have a dread fear of God and His judgment
• God is a God of love, who welcomes sinners as they are, to be forgiven
• This should bring joy to our heart
• Are you afraid of the concept of eternity?
• Jesus will rescue us from our sins and bring us to heaven

Good tidings of great joy ... to all people

• Good tidings of great joy for all peoples
• Not just for the Jews but the whole world
• Good news
• When Christ comes again there will be people from every language of the world who adore Him

A Saviour who is Christ the Lord

• For all people but particularly for you ...
• To you ... a Saviour who is Christ the Lord
• Bach's Corale music has Easter themes in it
• Christ the Light of the World has shone into the darkness
• He dies in our place - He fulfills the plan of God
• Christ Jesus comes into the world to save sinners
• There was no room at the inn for Jesus
• Is their room in your heart for Jesus?
• You can receive Him or you can reject Him
• Christmas is pointing to Easter

Glory to God

• A multitude of the heavenly host praising God (v13)
• It is as if the angels cannot contain themselves
• They were full of praise
• There was no jealously in the heart of angels towards the Saviour given to sinful mankind
• God gives His angels to look after those who are His
• Peace on earth
• The reconciliation of man to God
• Good will towards men
• Many people doesn't understand Christians
• The message of Christianity is good news to all people

The Response

• They resolve to go and see (v15)
• Many discount the Christian message without reading the Bible
• We should learn from the shepherds who went to investigate with haste
• They told everyone (v20)
  • They shared the message they had heard from the angels
  • Did people listen to the message?
  • Yes they marveled (v18)
  • Do you marvel at God's message?
  • Consider Mary's response (v19)
  • The shepherds returned glorifying God
• We shall go back to our everyday jobs
• Will we go back rejoicing?