Sunday, December 10, 2023
Dr. John Welborn
A Very Classic Christmas
Jesus’ Birth is Good News
Luke 2:8-21

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”Isaiah 9:6

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”John 1:14

“‘Behold the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel’ (which means, God with us).”Matthew 1:23

Main Idea: The Good News of Jesus’ Birth has Changed the World

“And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 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!’ When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.’ And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.”Luke 2:8-21

I. Receive the Good News - “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.”Luke 2:10-11

“Shepherding had changed from a family business in David’s time to a despised occupation. Many shepherds were accused of robbery and using land they had no rights to. Shepherding was also a lonely occupation, particularly at night, as a shepherd stood his watch, making sure sleeping sheep did not wake up and wander and that prowling predators did not attack and devour the sheep.Only God would visit those in such a low occupation and raise them to witness to his salvation.” Trent C. Butler

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shown. You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil.”Isaiah 9:2-3

“Joy centers not in something you earn or possess. Joy comes from God’s gift, a tiny baby in a feed trough. But what a baby!”Trent C. Butler

II. Respond to the Good News – “When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.’ And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.” Luke 2:15-16

“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” James 1:22

“Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?” Romans 2:4

“We will never know the fullness of the joy that Jesus brings to the soul unless, under the power of the Holy Spirit, we take the Lord our Master to be our all in all, and make him the fountain of our delight! ‘He is my Savior, my Christ, and my Lord.’ Let this be our loudest boast.” Charles H. Spurgeon

III. Share the Good News - “And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.” Luke 2:17-18

“As for us, there’s no question – we can’t keep quiet about what we’ve seen and heard.”Acts 4:20 (The Message)

“A problem shared is a problem halved. A joy shared is a joy doubled.” Swedish Proverb

“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.’”Luke 2:10

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy & find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:15-16

Sources and Further Reading Opportunities:
CSB Study Bible – Trevin Wax, General Editor (2021)
Tony Evans Study Bible – Tony Evans, General Editor (2019)
The Spurgeon Study Bible: Notes – C.H. Spurgeon (2017)
Luke for Everyone – N.T. Wright (2004)
The Bible Exposition Commentary – Warren Wiersbe (1996)
Luke (Volume 3) – Trent C. Butler (2000)
Daily Bible Study Series: The Gospel of Luke – William Barclay (1975)