Good Tiding of Great Joy

 

Luke 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

In this time of the year churches celebrate the birth of Christ, oftentimes called: Christmas. As we get started into this season it is important to keep focused on Jesus rather than the distractions of the world.

Colossians 2:16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:

Whether you celebrate the time of Christmas or not… it is important to not become the Grinch for those who choose to…

God Sends a Message

When God announces that He has moved forward in the sending of His son to the world for the forgiveness of sin… It is interesting to see that He did not isolate it to one group of people.

In Matthew we see that God appeared to the Kings, in the book of Luke, He appeared to the Shepherds.

The Wise Men

Matthew 2:1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

These Wise men followed on a journey to come and find Jesus. The came, as rulers would; to the leader of the land and made inquiry. They did not know Herod’s attitude toward Jesus… but they soon learned.

The Shepherds

Luke 2:8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

We see 2 groups of people from different walks of life.

These wise men traveled when they saw the star leaving behind their families and businesses to seek out Jesus.

The Shepherds left the fields and made haste to go and see Jesus.

Luke 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

This was the beginning of something special. In Mark and John we jump to the ministry of Christ where we see the purpose of Jesus coming to earth…

John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

God did this because:

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

God’s “gift” to us was His only Son (love in action)

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Gift: Is something you receive that you didn’t earn.

Wage: A payment for something you do or earn.

Romans 6:23  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

  • For something to be a gift it has to be given and received

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: