December 22, 2024
Joyful
- Matt Nickoson
Sermon Notes
Luke 2:8-20 NIV
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 that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
What could possibly make all of Heaven stop and rejoice?
Luke 2:8 NIV
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.
Luke 2:9-10 NIV
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 that will cause great joy for all the people.”
Luke 2:11-12 NIV
“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
In Hebrew, “Bethlehem” is 2 Hebrew words “Beth” (house) and “lechem” (bread); making Bethlehem the “House of Bread”.
Genesis 3:19 ESV
“By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread (lechem), till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”
Deuteronomy 8:2-3 NIV
Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread (lechem) alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.
Our bodies need bread, but our souls need every Word that comes from God.
John 1:14 NIV
The Word (Jesus) became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Jesus came to confront our sin (truth), and also to lead us with his favor (grace).
John 6:47 NIV
“Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life.”
John 6:48 NIV
“I am the bread of life.”
"Jesus is the supernatural lechem." – Dustin Herron
Our bodies eat the bread of the earth, only to die. Don’t eat, and you will die. Do eat it, and you will still die.
Our soul must eat the bread of heaven, the Word of God, Jesus, in order to live forever.
John 6:51 NIV
“I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”
Q: What could possibly make all of Heaven stop and rejoice?
- The Holy One of Heaven has come down to bring peace on earth through His life!
Luke 2:13-14 NIV
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
Luke 2:16 NIV
So they (the shepherds) hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.
Luke 2:17-18 NIV
When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
Why Shepherds? Because God is a great shepherd!
Isaiah 40:11 NIV
He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.
Luke 15:4-7 NIV
“Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”
Q: What could possibly make all of Heaven stop and rejoice?
2. One person turning from their sin to receive God’s favor!