North Anderson Baptist Church
On Mission In Anderson & Beyond
December 24, 2023
Locations & Times
North Anderson Baptist Church
2308 N Main St, Anderson, SC 29621, USA
Sunday 10:00 AM
1. THE MESSAGE OF CHRISTMAS WAS MUCH ANTICIPATED
Luke 2:8-9“In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified”
Verse 10
“But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people”
“DON’T BE AFRAID…fear not…I’ve got great news for you!”
Keep in mind – this isn’t the angels news…he’s only a messenger…new straight from the throne of God. He knew exactly what these shepherds needed to hear – they needed encouragement.
These Shepherds Were Outcast
NT times – the shepherds were the most despised and rejected people around. This was not the case In The OT.
In the OT the shepherd was revered – NT the shepherd was rejected – WHY? What happened?
Religion Happened – religion is mans attempt at establishing righteousness // man made rules and regulations
Again – God gave the Law to show man his inability to keep it and his need for a perfect Savior who could do what he could not
The shepherd – because of occupation – couldn’t keep the rules as his job – the job of the very men in our story (graze his flock of lambs there in the meadows of Bethlehem until the priest would come and select the ones that would be used for sacrifices there in the Temple) would declare them to be ceremonially unclean. They were not even allowed in the Temple precinct.
HOW POWERFUL is it that God chose the very people that were despised and rejected to be the recipients of that great news that THE LAMB that all of the lambs they were watching over pointed to had been born!
These shepherds needed an encouraging message and they got one directly from Heaven.
2. THE MESSAGE OF CHRISTMAS WAS DEEPLY PERSONAL
11 “Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord”
Born for WHO? - “born for YOU”
Not born for the elites only. The noblemen only. The religiously affiliated only – YOU. It was a personal message
That’s The Passion of this story
Verse 12“This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.”
3. THE MESSAGE OF CHRISTMAS PRODUCES WORSHIP
Verse 13-14 “Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people he favors!”
Christmas: should prompt in us the same response – Worship!
GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST!
Isaiah 7:14 “Therefore, the Lord Himself shall give you a sign. A virgin shall conceive , and have a son and shall call His name Emmanuel”
EMMANUEL! – More than a name…a revelation
God with us – not wonder why the Angels broke out into song!
a. WITH US – because we needed a friend
b. WITH US – because we needed a guide
c. WITH US – because we needed a Savior
Luke 2:8-9“In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified”
Verse 10
“But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people”
“DON’T BE AFRAID…fear not…I’ve got great news for you!”
Keep in mind – this isn’t the angels news…he’s only a messenger…new straight from the throne of God. He knew exactly what these shepherds needed to hear – they needed encouragement.
These Shepherds Were Outcast
NT times – the shepherds were the most despised and rejected people around. This was not the case In The OT.
In the OT the shepherd was revered – NT the shepherd was rejected – WHY? What happened?
Religion Happened – religion is mans attempt at establishing righteousness // man made rules and regulations
Again – God gave the Law to show man his inability to keep it and his need for a perfect Savior who could do what he could not
The shepherd – because of occupation – couldn’t keep the rules as his job – the job of the very men in our story (graze his flock of lambs there in the meadows of Bethlehem until the priest would come and select the ones that would be used for sacrifices there in the Temple) would declare them to be ceremonially unclean. They were not even allowed in the Temple precinct.
HOW POWERFUL is it that God chose the very people that were despised and rejected to be the recipients of that great news that THE LAMB that all of the lambs they were watching over pointed to had been born!
These shepherds needed an encouraging message and they got one directly from Heaven.
2. THE MESSAGE OF CHRISTMAS WAS DEEPLY PERSONAL
11 “Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord”
Born for WHO? - “born for YOU”
Not born for the elites only. The noblemen only. The religiously affiliated only – YOU. It was a personal message
That’s The Passion of this story
Verse 12“This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.”
3. THE MESSAGE OF CHRISTMAS PRODUCES WORSHIP
Verse 13-14 “Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people he favors!”
Christmas: should prompt in us the same response – Worship!
GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST!
Isaiah 7:14 “Therefore, the Lord Himself shall give you a sign. A virgin shall conceive , and have a son and shall call His name Emmanuel”
EMMANUEL! – More than a name…a revelation
God with us – not wonder why the Angels broke out into song!
a. WITH US – because we needed a friend
b. WITH US – because we needed a guide
c. WITH US – because we needed a Savior