Sore Afraid (Luke 2:4-18)
Gary McManus, 12/17/2023Part of the Christmas series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
Look to the angels--the messengers of our God.
The ancient peoples did not have an ancient Facebook page
Through which to send messages. The ancients only had human
Speech. Everyone used speech, including our Lord God.
There are four or five angel appearances in the birth reports
of Jesus. You know these reports in the Bible.
This traditional reading for Christmas Eve is even in the holiday
animated classic, “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” The character
Linus actually recites the King James Version of Luke chapter 2.
This scene of shepherds would not be strange to any of the
ancient peoples reading or hearing this report.
The shepherds weren’t just afraid, they feared a great fear.
Notice not the angels words (we will get back to the angels
words) notice the shepherds words when the shepherds
report everything they saw and heard. See Luke 2:18.
Why were the people amazed? Angels? No.
Two things EVERYONE found amazing:
1. The Messiah has come. . .AND the Messiah has come to
your town. That was amazing to everyone. Matthew 2:4-5 tells
us that not everyone knew.
The Lord Himself was in a feeding stall? (Luke 2:11-12)
That is AMAZING. .
What else was amazing? It wasn’t the angels that were
amazing the people, it’s the people the angels talked to.
That’s amazing.
“A Savior has been born to you! (the Messiah, the Lord)
God was going to save these shepherds?
Nobody EVER said anything like that.
And the angel also said, “good news that will cause
great joy for all the people. “ ALL the people?
Everyone could be saved? They never heard that before.
Truth: most people haven’t rejected Jesus,
they just never accepted Jesus. . .and there is a
big difference.
See 2 Corinthians 5:20-21 (our affirmation): “be
reconciled. . .become the righteousness of God.”
The order of events is Biblical.
Old adage: “Church, you be fishers of people,
Jesus cleans the fish.”
And yet, so many American Christians have expected
people who walk into the church to meet certain standards.
And we Americans, we only want the dramatic; BIG
changes. But, folks, we never know the changes.
Here is a true story from DCC’s own past: passing
The offering plate.
Could we say those doubters were sore afraid?
Just because it is different does not mean that it is wrong.
Pastor’s home church was also an example.
Often American Christians tell people they are not saved
and can’t be saved until they become the Lord’s
righteousness.
The Messiah has come to you and for you.
Look into this God who we claim came in Jesus because
God wants you to live with Him. (now and forever)
This is really great news of a great joy and it is for everybody.
Don’t be afraid, be amazed.
Luke 2:18. Amen.
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