WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.040 Does anything about this scene actually matter? And that's the question that I want for you to 00:00:07.040 --> 00:00:15.320 consider this morning. To my understanding, no Old Testament prophecy necessitates an angelic 00:00:15.320 --> 00:00:23.740 appearance to shepherds. No Old Testament prophecy necessitates a shepherd's visit to the place of 00:00:23.739 --> 00:00:30.159 Jesus's birth. If we were to go through the New Testament scriptures, there is no place that I 00:00:30.159 --> 00:00:36.700 can find where the apostles directly reference this particular scene. They don't talk about the 00:00:36.700 --> 00:00:42.539 angels singing to shepherds or making their praise to shepherds or delivering a message to shepherds 00:00:42.539 --> 00:00:49.420 on the night of Jesus's birth. In fact, the apostles talk actually very little about Jesus's birth. 00:00:49.420 --> 00:00:57.400 So what if we took it out? This section that I just read plus the section that we'll cover next 00:00:57.400 --> 00:01:01.579 week, that would take us all the way to verse 20. So if we started at verse 8 and went to verse 20, 00:01:01.620 --> 00:01:06.280 we just decided, you know what, there's not really a lot of significance to this. This is more of a 00:01:06.280 --> 00:01:14.159 gap filler than anything else. Let's just take it out and only leave the things that are significant 00:01:14.159 --> 00:01:22.700 here. If we were to do that, the narrative itself wouldn't really be affected. Look at the flow from 00:01:22.700 --> 00:01:28.039 verse 7 to verse 21. That's where it would read if we took this section out. She gave birth to her 00:01:28.039 --> 00:01:34.239 firstborn son, verse 7, wrapped him in swaddling clothes, laid him in a manger because there was no 00:01:34.239 --> 00:01:39.620 place for them in the end. And then skip to verse 21. There's a great flow here. And at the end of eight 00:01:39.620 --> 00:01:46.740 days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived 00:01:46.740 --> 00:01:53.340 in the womb. You see how easy that would be. We could take this whole thing out. And Luke's the only 00:01:53.340 --> 00:01:58.500 one that mentions it. It doesn't really affect the story at all. It doesn't fulfill any particular 00:01:58.500 --> 00:02:07.020 prophecy directly from the Old Testament. So if we did that, would it alter our faith at all? 00:02:07.019 --> 00:02:13.340 Would our understanding of Jesus in any way be hindered or diverted? 00:02:15.359 --> 00:02:19.879 And of course, the way that we answer that question is directly related to our commitment 00:02:19.879 --> 00:02:28.099 to the doctrine of biblical inspiration. Are we to accept the things that the Bible records 00:02:28.099 --> 00:02:36.460 based on their subjective impact on us? Or are we to accept the things that the Bible says because 00:02:36.460 --> 00:02:45.920 God has providentially chosen to give them to us as his objective truth? So the question is, 00:02:45.960 --> 00:02:51.500 do we come to the Bible and do we decide what's important for us to know? Or do we come to the 00:02:51.500 --> 00:02:59.340 Bible recognizing that God has decided what is important for us to know? Depending on what your 00:02:59.340 --> 00:03:02.900 perspective is, depends on whether or not you think this passage is significant at all. 00:03:02.900 --> 00:03:11.460 Of course, we understand not all Scripture is equally impactful, but all Scripture is equally 00:03:11.460 --> 00:03:21.879 inspired. And therefore, it is equally profitable. Paul made this clear to us in 2 Timothy 3. 00:03:22.159 --> 00:03:27.659 All Scripture is breathed out by God, he says. Breathed out being the way where we get the word 00:03:27.659 --> 00:03:32.460 inspiration. In fact, you may have a translation with you this morning that actually says all Scripture 00:03:32.460 --> 00:03:38.699 is inspired by God, breathed out. It's the same thing. All Scripture is breathed out by God, 00:03:38.800 --> 00:03:45.780 and it is profitable. And he goes on to say that it's profitable for teaching, or it's profitable for 00:03:45.780 --> 00:03:50.599 reproof, or it's profitable for correction, or for training in righteousness. Everything that God has 00:03:50.599 --> 00:03:59.319 given us is profitable for us is profitable for us because it is from him. So the question of this text 00:03:59.319 --> 00:04:08.199 is not, should it be here? The question of this text is, for what purpose did God include it? 00:04:09.560 --> 00:04:17.500 What is it about this kind of bizarre scene of angels and shepherds? What is it that God 00:04:17.500 --> 00:04:24.699 intends for us to understand here? Why is it here? And to discover that answer, I think we have to 00:04:24.699 --> 00:04:30.199 begin with Luke's purpose. We did this a little bit last week, but just turn a page back to chapter 1 00:04:30.199 --> 00:04:35.000 and look at the first four verses. Luke tells us his intention in writing the gospel. 00:04:35.779 --> 00:04:41.060 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished 00:04:41.060 --> 00:04:47.399 among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word, 00:04:47.500 --> 00:04:51.779 have delivered them to us. In other words, all these things have come from eyewitness accounts, 00:04:51.860 --> 00:04:59.000 he says. It seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, 00:04:59.360 --> 00:05:06.680 here's his purpose, to write an orderly account for you, and he names his immediate audience a man 00:05:06.680 --> 00:05:14.160 named Theophilus, to write an orderly account for you that you may have certainty concerning the things 00:05:14.160 --> 00:05:20.040 you've been taught. We have to begin there, right? Why is it that God gave us this? Well, Luke tells us 00:05:20.040 --> 00:05:26.840 that he's writing this book in order to lay out an orderly account, eyewitness accounts, so that we can 00:05:26.840 --> 00:05:34.480 have certainty about the person and the work of Jesus Christ. So based on his stated purpose then, 00:05:35.640 --> 00:05:40.960 Luke didn't include anything in this gospel just to beef up the narrative. 00:05:40.959 --> 00:05:51.299 He didn't include this scene of angels and shepherds just to give us a kind of fantastical view to kind 00:05:51.299 --> 00:05:58.419 of make this story more enticing or entertaining. That's not why he's given it to us. Every part of 00:05:58.419 --> 00:06:05.899 the Bible has a distinct purpose, and under the guiding hand of the Holy Spirit, it is to give us 00:06:05.899 --> 00:06:12.959 certainty concerning the things of Christ as we come to Luke's gospel. Luke wrote about angels and 00:06:12.959 --> 00:06:19.679 shepherds because this event truly occurred, and it had to do with the person of Christ, 00:06:20.239 --> 00:06:25.739 and it contains vital truths that we need to understand as they relate to the gospel. 00:06:27.339 --> 00:06:33.679 He didn't care to provide an inspiring story for our murals that we hang on the wall during the 00:06:33.680 --> 00:06:43.680 Christmas season. He wrote to tell us about the gospel of Jesus. He wrote to tell us that only Jesus has 00:06:43.680 --> 00:06:51.199 the power of God to save all who believe, and this passage is profitable for us to that purpose. 00:06:51.740 --> 00:06:56.280 So let's look at it together. The first thing I want you to see here is the surprising recipients 00:06:56.279 --> 00:07:06.359 of the gospel. The surprising recipients of the gospel. Look at verse 8. In the same region that is the 00:07:06.359 --> 00:07:13.079 region of Bethlehem, there were shepherds out in the field keeping watch over their flock by night, 00:07:13.679 --> 00:07:20.299 and here's what happened. An angel of the Lord appeared to them. Glory of the Lord shone around them, 00:07:20.300 --> 00:07:27.579 and they were filled with great fear. So picture it. You're a shepherd. You are somewhere near 00:07:27.579 --> 00:07:34.000 the town of Bethlehem. You are on the night shift for the evening, and you are tending to the sheep 00:07:34.000 --> 00:07:40.639 as you would any other night. Perhaps there's some shepherd caves that they have discovered somewhere 00:07:40.639 --> 00:07:46.100 near the town of Bethlehem. Perhaps you are hunkered down in one of those caves. Maybe you're out 00:07:46.100 --> 00:07:51.180 underneath the stars. You've got a fire and a couple of your buddies around you, and the sheep are safe, 00:07:51.200 --> 00:07:56.900 and you're just doing your best to stay awake. And then suddenly, a being unlike anything you've ever 00:07:56.900 --> 00:08:04.340 seen appears before you. And not only does the being appear before you, but this unusual light 00:08:04.340 --> 00:08:09.820 shines all the way around you. Now, this is not the only time that we've seen this happen in Scripture. 00:08:10.460 --> 00:08:15.740 Do you remember Paul's conversion in Acts chapter 9? When he has this vision of the Lord Jesus, 00:08:15.740 --> 00:08:21.819 and it's the glory of the Lord shines around him, shines in such a way that it actually leaves him 00:08:21.819 --> 00:08:28.400 physically blind. So they're impacted by this. There's this single angel. There's all of this light, 00:08:28.560 --> 00:08:33.279 and what would your reaction be? Your reaction would be exactly what their reaction was. 00:08:33.279 --> 00:08:38.919 They were filled with great fear. One of the classic carols says, 00:08:38.919 --> 00:08:47.759 shepherds quaked, trembled at what they saw, as did everyone who had an angelic encounter. 00:08:48.179 --> 00:08:55.939 So you can imagine this is quite an unusual thing. This was a frightening thing. And what is this angel 00:08:55.939 --> 00:09:04.079 doing? Declaring that the Christ has been born. It's a birth announcement. We're familiar with those. 00:09:04.080 --> 00:09:10.639 These days, with the way information passes through social media on the internet, it's very easy to 00:09:10.639 --> 00:09:16.580 announce the birth of a child. In fact, that's what we all do now, isn't it? Before we had social media, 00:09:17.080 --> 00:09:23.680 maybe if you wanted to, you had some nice greeting cards printed up a few weeks after the birth of your 00:09:23.680 --> 00:09:28.700 child with a nice cute little picture of the baby and all the statistics with their name and how long 00:09:28.700 --> 00:09:33.200 they were and how much they weighed and all those kinds of things. And maybe you sent that in the 00:09:33.200 --> 00:09:38.200 mail so that people could put it on their refrigerators. If you go back before then, 00:09:38.280 --> 00:09:43.220 before you could customize a greeting card, maybe put it in the newspaper. But as you go further back 00:09:43.220 --> 00:09:47.580 in the history, of course, the only way that this kind of birth announcement is going to happen 00:09:47.580 --> 00:09:55.820 is if you're somebody of importance. Maybe you're a royalty in some way. Maybe you're nobility. 00:09:55.820 --> 00:10:03.020 And it would be interesting in popular culture at the time to know that you had a child. And that's 00:10:03.020 --> 00:10:09.140 essentially what's happening here with this angel. The angel is providing a birth announcement that the 00:10:09.140 --> 00:10:15.720 king of kings has been born. And just like a royal herald would announce the birth of a king or of a 00:10:15.720 --> 00:10:23.080 Caesar, so did Jesus have an angelic herald to announce his own birth. That part of it's not surprising, 00:10:23.080 --> 00:10:32.100 that there would be some type of scene or scenario that would announce the Christ is born. That part 00:10:32.100 --> 00:10:38.720 of this is not surprising at all, actually. What's surprising is the people chosen to receive 00:10:38.720 --> 00:10:45.639 the announcement. We would expect that the most important announcement in history would come to 00:10:46.440 --> 00:10:52.740 Caesar Augustus, perhaps, or maybe King Herod, or maybe the high priest in Jerusalem. 00:10:53.080 --> 00:10:59.940 At the time. But that's not where it came. The first announcement of the Messiah's birth 00:10:59.940 --> 00:11:10.980 was to lowly shepherds. Nobodies. Nameless people. Faceless people. In the middle of the field 00:11:10.980 --> 00:11:15.620 or hunkered down in a cave. That's where the angel came. 00:11:15.620 --> 00:11:23.840 Now, shepherds were a necessary facet of Jewish life in that day. That's not difficult for us to 00:11:23.840 --> 00:11:30.379 understand. But that doesn't mean that they were loved and respected either. The opposite actually 00:11:30.379 --> 00:11:37.820 seems to be true if we look at the historical circumstances of Jesus' day. The Mishnah states 00:11:37.820 --> 00:11:45.940 that shepherds were under a religious ban, actually. They were commonly regarded as unclean, meaning that 00:11:45.940 --> 00:11:52.360 they could not regularly go through the worship rituals, ceremonial rituals of the Jewish people. 00:11:52.760 --> 00:11:59.780 They were regarded consistently as thieves. Most people thought of them as kind of the lowest part 00:11:59.779 --> 00:12:09.699 of society. Their job was necessary for Jewish life to flourish. But they themselves, the men who did this, 00:12:09.799 --> 00:12:17.539 were culturally despised and rejected. And at first, it seems like quite an arbitrary choice for God to 00:12:17.539 --> 00:12:25.059 choose these random shepherds to send his angel. But if you think about God's patterns in the scriptures, 00:12:25.059 --> 00:12:35.079 it's really not that surprising at all. Over and over in the Bible, we find God extending his gracious 00:12:35.079 --> 00:12:44.979 work to weak and humble people. Do you remember when God called Moses? He didn't call Moses when he was 00:12:44.979 --> 00:12:52.599 in the royal family in Egypt. He called Moses when he was a nobody shepherd on the backside of the desert, 00:12:52.600 --> 00:12:57.480 and he called to him out of a burning bush. No one would have chosen Moses for that call, 00:12:57.700 --> 00:13:03.680 but that's who God used. We could point to others. Maybe you'd go to Gideon. Gideon, by his own 00:13:03.680 --> 00:13:09.899 admission, was the runt of the least important family in his entire tribe. And yet, he was the one that God 00:13:09.899 --> 00:13:20.399 chose to use to take 300 men to fight the armies of Midian. We look at King David. God sends Samuel to 00:13:20.399 --> 00:13:24.919 the house of Jesse because Jesse has all these sons, and one of them is going to be a king. And 00:13:24.919 --> 00:13:31.159 Samuel comes, and Jesse thinks so little of David that he calls all the brothers to the house except 00:13:31.159 --> 00:13:36.439 David. He leaves David out in the field. He doesn't even think he's important enough to even be looked 00:13:36.439 --> 00:13:41.879 at by the prophet. And Samuel goes through all the brothers, and God chooses none of them. And Samuel 00:13:41.879 --> 00:13:46.579 finally looks at Jesse, and he says, do you have another son? Is there somebody else hiding around here? 00:13:46.580 --> 00:13:54.139 And that's when Jesse sends for David to come. God comes to weak, humble, lowly people. That's his 00:13:54.139 --> 00:14:02.360 pattern. That's how he works. It's a well-established pattern in the Scripture. This is how God fulfills 00:14:02.360 --> 00:14:12.259 his purposes. The announcement to the shepherds reminds us that the saving call of Christ comes to those who are 00:14:12.259 --> 00:14:23.200 lowly in heart. Isn't that the picture here? Jesus' ministry wasn't to the self-righteous Pharisees. 00:14:23.500 --> 00:14:30.639 It wasn't to the self-sufficient nobility of his day. His ministry primarily was to the poor, 00:14:31.299 --> 00:14:40.740 the afflicted, the social outcast of his day. Now, that's not to say that salvation is given to people 00:14:40.740 --> 00:14:48.840 based on their physical or social condition, but it's the poor in spirit that Jesus brings his kingdom 00:14:48.840 --> 00:14:54.659 message. You see, sometimes we can easily get confused about this, and we would come to this idea of 00:14:54.659 --> 00:15:00.600 God coming to the weak and the lowly and the humble in life. And we would say, well, that's what we have 00:15:00.600 --> 00:15:05.759 to be, actually. We just have to be poor and afflicted and suffer, and that's when God will be pleased to 00:15:05.759 --> 00:15:10.600 bless us. Well, no, that's not the picture that he gives either. Salvation doesn't come to those 00:15:10.600 --> 00:15:17.659 based on their physical or social condition. The rich and the powerful often rejected Jesus. 00:15:18.580 --> 00:15:26.779 So did the poor. The issue was not their social status. It was their pride of heart. 00:15:26.779 --> 00:15:35.659 And in the same sense, the needy often believed Jesus, but so did some people of great wealth and 00:15:35.659 --> 00:15:41.860 stature. The issue wasn't their physical condition. It was their spiritual humility. 00:15:43.079 --> 00:15:48.299 And the announcement to the shepherds here in Luke chapter 2 pictures that glorious truth 00:15:48.299 --> 00:15:52.620 that God's salvation is actually a work of grace. 00:15:52.620 --> 00:16:00.060 It doesn't come to those who think that they deserve it, but to those who know they don't. 00:16:02.120 --> 00:16:07.360 A person's cry for salvation is one that recognizes personal sin, 00:16:09.019 --> 00:16:15.840 recognizes the inability to earn God's favor. It's a cry for mercy that's based on 00:16:15.840 --> 00:16:21.419 God's steadfast love through Christ rather than human merit. 00:16:22.620 --> 00:16:30.360 And their shepherds remind us that it is such a lowly, humble person that God is pleased to bless 00:16:30.360 --> 00:16:32.019 and to redeem. 00:16:34.340 --> 00:16:40.480 If you're a believer here today, are you surprised to be a recipient of the gospel? 00:16:41.840 --> 00:16:45.039 After all, that's the point that we made here at the beginning is that 00:16:45.039 --> 00:16:47.919 there is worth surprising recipients of this announcement. 00:16:47.919 --> 00:16:54.519 Are you surprised that you have been a recipient of the gospel message, that the Lord has extended 00:16:54.519 --> 00:16:56.919 his gracious hand to you? 00:16:59.139 --> 00:17:02.599 Because if you think, well, of course I'm a recipient. 00:17:03.039 --> 00:17:03.659 Look at me. 00:17:04.359 --> 00:17:05.200 I'm an American. 00:17:06.539 --> 00:17:09.099 Why wouldn't God send his grace to me? 00:17:09.180 --> 00:17:11.319 I'm a good, respectable person. 00:17:11.659 --> 00:17:12.700 I'm deeply religious. 00:17:12.700 --> 00:17:15.240 Why wouldn't I be a recipient? 00:17:15.380 --> 00:17:18.259 Of course I'm a recipient of the gospel. 00:17:18.580 --> 00:17:22.440 You see, if that's you, I don't actually think that you understand the message of the gospel. 00:17:25.019 --> 00:17:26.840 Because God doesn't save Americans. 00:17:27.940 --> 00:17:30.900 God doesn't save good, respectable people. 00:17:32.019 --> 00:17:34.019 God doesn't call the deeply religious. 00:17:36.500 --> 00:17:38.700 Christ says, blessed are the poor in spirit. 00:17:38.700 --> 00:17:42.140 But they're the ones who will receive the kingdom. 00:17:43.080 --> 00:17:46.120 So we see the surprising recipients of the gospel. 00:17:46.259 --> 00:17:50.420 Number two, I want you to see the saving message of the gospel. 00:17:50.900 --> 00:17:52.620 The saving message of the gospel. 00:17:53.539 --> 00:17:54.819 Look with me at verse 10. 00:17:57.200 --> 00:17:59.220 The angel said to them, fear not. 00:18:00.580 --> 00:18:05.039 For behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy. 00:18:05.039 --> 00:18:11.460 Now that's the title that we've given to the series as we've studied through this passage these last few weeks. 00:18:12.619 --> 00:18:20.379 After calming the terrified men, the angel declared that he was not there to harm them, but to proclaim good news. 00:18:20.879 --> 00:18:22.319 Good news of great joy. 00:18:23.899 --> 00:18:28.200 Now you may not care about this, but let me just explain something about what's behind this. 00:18:28.319 --> 00:18:33.039 The root word that's behind this phrase, good news, is euangelion. 00:18:33.039 --> 00:18:35.740 It means gospel. 00:18:36.279 --> 00:18:37.240 It means good news. 00:18:37.339 --> 00:18:40.579 In fact, whenever we come and we use that term gospel, that's what we mean. 00:18:40.659 --> 00:18:43.099 Gospel literally means good news. 00:18:43.879 --> 00:18:51.220 And the form that Luke used in the Greek language here in verse 10 is also the term where we get evangelism. 00:18:51.920 --> 00:18:55.619 So evangelism is the act of sharing good news. 00:18:56.259 --> 00:19:00.180 An evangelist is the person who shares good news. 00:19:00.180 --> 00:19:05.279 And the euangelion, the good news, is the gospel itself. 00:19:06.160 --> 00:19:08.400 The good news is declared to us in many ways, right? 00:19:08.480 --> 00:19:10.080 We hear good news all the time. 00:19:10.700 --> 00:19:18.640 But when we use the word gospel as Christians, we're specifically referring to the message of eternal salvation. 00:19:19.000 --> 00:19:20.019 That's what we mean. 00:19:20.019 --> 00:19:29.220 And as it relates to the message that this angel brings to the shepherds, we must understand two critical truths about the gospel message. 00:19:29.500 --> 00:19:30.559 And the first is this. 00:19:31.440 --> 00:19:34.420 The gospel is for all peoples. 00:19:35.420 --> 00:19:38.359 The gospel is for all peoples. 00:19:38.359 --> 00:19:40.579 Look with me again at verse 10. 00:19:40.879 --> 00:19:46.599 The angel said to them, fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy. 00:19:46.899 --> 00:19:50.859 That will be for all the people. 00:19:52.159 --> 00:19:57.459 This message of salvation was not exclusive to religious insiders. 00:19:57.959 --> 00:20:00.859 It wasn't exclusive to wealthy aristocrats. 00:20:01.339 --> 00:20:05.219 It was as much for the lowly shepherds as it was for anyone else. 00:20:05.220 --> 00:20:12.220 But for Luke's first readers, a group of Gentile people, they would have taken particular joy in this statement. 00:20:13.259 --> 00:20:16.640 Salvation was not only for the Jews, the angel is saying. 00:20:16.940 --> 00:20:21.420 It's for every nation, every tribe, every language. 00:20:22.480 --> 00:20:31.960 According to the angel, no person would be excluded from the gospel on the basis of their nationality or on the basis of their cultural background. 00:20:31.960 --> 00:20:36.980 This is good news that will bring great joy to all the people. 00:20:38.059 --> 00:20:40.620 The Old Testament anticipated this. 00:20:41.380 --> 00:20:42.140 Psalm 67. 00:20:43.140 --> 00:20:43.960 The psalmist says, 00:20:44.200 --> 00:20:56.519 May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine on us so that your ways may be known on the earth and your saving power among all the nations. 00:20:56.519 --> 00:20:58.799 And then he goes on to say, 00:20:59.319 --> 00:21:03.359 Let the peoples, plural, let the peoples praise you, O God. 00:21:03.519 --> 00:21:06.139 Let all the peoples praise you. 00:21:06.379 --> 00:21:09.319 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy. 00:21:10.039 --> 00:21:11.920 For you judge the peoples with equity. 00:21:12.720 --> 00:21:15.420 You guide the nations upon the earth. 00:21:16.480 --> 00:21:19.299 You see, the gospel message was always a message for all people. 00:21:19.299 --> 00:21:29.139 And now that the Christ has come, the angel declares to these shepherds that this gospel message of great joy is for all peoples. 00:21:29.919 --> 00:21:34.919 The apostles preached that this gospel is for all peoples as well. 00:21:36.079 --> 00:21:36.940 Acts chapter 10. 00:21:37.039 --> 00:21:38.579 So Peter opened his mouth and said, 00:21:38.579 --> 00:21:55.919 Do you remember when John had his vision of heaven in Revelation chapter 5? 00:21:55.920 --> 00:22:03.400 And he saw the people who were gathered around the throne of God worshiping Jesus Christ the Lamb. 00:22:03.460 --> 00:22:03.960 And he writes, 00:22:04.060 --> 00:22:05.380 And they sang a new song. 00:22:06.620 --> 00:22:11.200 Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals. 00:22:12.220 --> 00:22:14.680 For you were slain by your blood. 00:22:14.800 --> 00:22:21.880 You ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. 00:22:21.880 --> 00:22:26.040 And you have made them a kingdom and priests to God. 00:22:26.320 --> 00:22:28.880 And they shall reign on the earth. 00:22:30.560 --> 00:22:36.220 You see, the angel said that the gospel message he was declaring could bring great joy to all people. 00:22:37.260 --> 00:22:41.640 Which means it can bring you great joy. 00:22:43.160 --> 00:22:45.380 Isn't that the thing that we learn the most here? 00:22:45.800 --> 00:22:50.640 If this is a message for all people, doesn't that mean that it applies to me as well? 00:22:51.880 --> 00:22:58.140 You see, there's no sin that you've committed that's beyond Christ's ability to forgive. 00:22:59.820 --> 00:23:09.080 There's no social or cultural or religious status that you have to reach before you can receive the salvation that he offers. 00:23:10.440 --> 00:23:12.320 It's a global gospel. 00:23:13.280 --> 00:23:15.020 It transcends culture. 00:23:15.660 --> 00:23:19.500 It transcends the nuances of various backgrounds that we have. 00:23:19.580 --> 00:23:21.020 The message never changes. 00:23:21.019 --> 00:23:26.859 And anyone from any nation that believes on the Lord Jesus Christ will be saved through it. 00:23:27.059 --> 00:23:32.720 This is why we regularly bring Val and Angela's letters and read them on a Sunday morning. 00:23:33.019 --> 00:23:37.160 This is why we want to be involved with mission projects in places like Honduras. 00:23:37.420 --> 00:23:43.180 This is why we are motivated to generously give of our finances because of what the angel said. 00:23:43.440 --> 00:23:45.079 This is good news of great joy. 00:23:45.160 --> 00:23:46.160 That's for all people. 00:23:46.440 --> 00:23:47.960 It's not an American gospel. 00:23:48.200 --> 00:23:49.639 It's not even a Jewish gospel. 00:23:49.640 --> 00:23:51.420 It's a global gospel. 00:23:51.420 --> 00:23:55.880 And we want to see this gospel go forth to all peoples. 00:23:56.800 --> 00:23:59.740 But it's not just that it's a gospel for all peoples. 00:24:00.140 --> 00:24:04.660 Notice also that this gospel is all about Jesus. 00:24:05.540 --> 00:24:07.120 It's all about Jesus. 00:24:07.520 --> 00:24:11.700 Now I want you to pay really close attention to the actual message that the angel delivers. 00:24:11.700 --> 00:24:12.880 Look at verse 11. 00:24:12.880 --> 00:24:22.059 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior who is Christ the Lord. 00:24:23.059 --> 00:24:25.059 And this will be a sign for you. 00:24:26.240 --> 00:24:31.019 You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger. 00:24:31.019 --> 00:24:33.000 All right? 00:24:33.299 --> 00:24:34.200 That's the message. 00:24:35.039 --> 00:24:37.180 Now step back and look at the bigger picture here. 00:24:37.759 --> 00:24:38.960 The shepherds are in the field. 00:24:39.259 --> 00:24:40.180 The angel appears. 00:24:40.440 --> 00:24:41.319 The light shines. 00:24:41.559 --> 00:24:42.539 They're greatly afraid. 00:24:42.920 --> 00:24:43.900 Angel calms them down. 00:24:44.319 --> 00:24:44.920 Don't worry. 00:24:45.220 --> 00:24:46.119 I'm not going to hurt you. 00:24:46.400 --> 00:24:47.420 I'm not here to judge you. 00:24:47.980 --> 00:24:49.460 I'm here to deliver a message. 00:24:50.099 --> 00:24:51.079 And it's good news. 00:24:51.539 --> 00:24:52.879 And here's the good news. 00:24:52.880 --> 00:24:55.680 There's a baby. 00:24:57.740 --> 00:24:58.520 Yes, Winnie. 00:24:58.860 --> 00:25:00.380 A baby has been born. 00:25:01.220 --> 00:25:02.240 Good news, men. 00:25:02.700 --> 00:25:08.540 Now you got to think when they first hear this, these perhaps hardened shepherds out in the field are thinking, 00:25:08.700 --> 00:25:10.460 why in the world is that good news for us? 00:25:11.880 --> 00:25:13.440 Unto you is born this day. 00:25:14.020 --> 00:25:15.860 In the city of David, that's significant. 00:25:15.980 --> 00:25:17.400 We've talked about that in weeks past. 00:25:17.400 --> 00:25:21.640 In the city of David is born to you a Savior. 00:25:21.640 --> 00:25:21.800 Savior. 00:25:22.440 --> 00:25:23.720 It's Christ the Lord. 00:25:24.860 --> 00:25:25.960 And he said, I've got a sign. 00:25:26.060 --> 00:25:26.660 This is how you're going to know. 00:25:26.700 --> 00:25:27.759 I'm being honest about this. 00:25:27.960 --> 00:25:32.240 You're going to go to Bethlehem and you're going to find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes. 00:25:32.520 --> 00:25:33.980 That's not the unusual part. 00:25:34.380 --> 00:25:36.560 Every baby would have been wrapped in swaddling clothes. 00:25:36.840 --> 00:25:41.560 The unusual part was this baby was laying in a feeding trough for animals. 00:25:42.259 --> 00:25:46.100 You will find the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger. 00:25:46.280 --> 00:25:49.980 And next week we'll see what the response of these shepherds actually was to that. 00:25:49.980 --> 00:25:51.360 But that's exactly what's happening. 00:25:51.640 --> 00:25:53.660 Notice what the good news was. 00:25:54.820 --> 00:25:56.420 It was all about Jesus. 00:25:57.560 --> 00:25:59.840 It was all about this baby. 00:26:00.440 --> 00:26:04.259 It was all about a Savior, a Christ, a Lord. 00:26:04.820 --> 00:26:08.160 That's the one who was going to bring these shepherds great joy. 00:26:08.540 --> 00:26:11.620 He's the one that was going to bring great joy to the nations. 00:26:11.720 --> 00:26:12.759 It wasn't anything else. 00:26:12.980 --> 00:26:14.640 It was Jesus alone. 00:26:15.080 --> 00:26:18.300 He alone was the content of the angel's message. 00:26:18.299 --> 00:26:21.440 Now, I read a fascinating article this week. 00:26:21.919 --> 00:26:24.720 It's by a historian named Daniel Williams. 00:26:24.859 --> 00:26:26.419 Christianity Today posted it. 00:26:26.559 --> 00:26:28.419 And you can go read it on your own if you like. 00:26:28.460 --> 00:26:29.539 I would encourage you to, actually. 00:26:31.480 --> 00:26:35.740 Williams wrote that among the 17th and 18th century American colonists, 00:26:35.740 --> 00:26:44.220 the Christians who most closely resembled what we would call evangelical Christians or Bible-believing Christians, 00:26:44.599 --> 00:26:46.920 they actually refused to celebrate Christmas. 00:26:47.920 --> 00:26:53.019 They were led, of course, by the Puritans in the northeast part of the United States. 00:26:53.019 --> 00:27:00.900 The Puritans strongly opposed the holiday, not only because of its connection to the Roman Catholic Church, 00:27:01.200 --> 00:27:04.819 but because where they had migrated from England, 00:27:05.019 --> 00:27:12.319 it had really become more of an excuse for excessive drinking and carousing than it was actually a religious observance. 00:27:13.319 --> 00:27:15.259 So the Puritans actually forbade it. 00:27:15.259 --> 00:27:22.099 There were some places in New England that if you were to participate in a Christmas celebration in some way, 00:27:22.180 --> 00:27:26.420 the Puritans would have you arrested and punished for doing so. 00:27:27.259 --> 00:27:31.339 Even after the Puritan influence began to dissipate and fade away, 00:27:31.660 --> 00:27:35.900 the Congregationalists in the United States, 00:27:36.500 --> 00:27:41.099 they didn't begin to really celebrate Christmas in their homes and in their churches 00:27:41.099 --> 00:27:44.240 until the later part of the 19th century. 00:27:45.279 --> 00:27:51.139 So we're talking 16 and 1700s all the way up to about 1860, 1865. 00:27:51.819 --> 00:27:55.480 The most conservative Bible-believing Christians in the United States 00:27:55.480 --> 00:27:57.599 really didn't have much to do with the Christmas holiday. 00:27:58.079 --> 00:28:01.839 But it was during that Civil War time frame or just after the Civil War 00:28:01.839 --> 00:28:07.879 when some of the Congregationalists that would be your Baptist types of people 00:28:07.879 --> 00:28:10.019 began to actually celebrate the holiday. 00:28:10.019 --> 00:28:16.879 So early in American history, it was actually the Unitarians and the Episcopalians 00:28:16.879 --> 00:28:21.339 who were largely responsible for the influence of the Christmas celebration, 00:28:21.980 --> 00:28:24.700 primarily the Unitarians. 00:28:26.160 --> 00:28:31.920 Unitarians believed that moral reform came through human effort, 00:28:32.539 --> 00:28:37.339 and they believed that Christmas was a time to promote love and kindness 00:28:37.339 --> 00:28:39.539 for the betterment of human society. 00:28:40.019 --> 00:28:46.500 And perhaps the greatest example of this, as far as Christmas is concerned, 00:28:46.559 --> 00:28:50.660 doesn't actually come from an American, but from an Englishman named Charles Dickens 00:28:50.660 --> 00:28:53.779 who wrote a famous novel called A Christmas Carol. 00:28:54.440 --> 00:28:58.440 You remember from the movies and from reading the novel yourself, 00:28:59.019 --> 00:29:02.920 The Christmas Carol is basically about Ebenezer Scrooge 00:29:02.920 --> 00:29:10.000 discovering that true joy comes from unrestrained generosity to fellow men. 00:29:10.000 --> 00:29:11.640 That's the moral of the story. 00:29:11.640 --> 00:29:16.539 He's visited by the spirit of Christmas past and present and future, 00:29:16.539 --> 00:29:19.660 and he is confronted with the reality of his own mortality, 00:29:19.960 --> 00:29:25.539 and that does something for him that immediately he begins to take all of the money that he's hoarded up 00:29:25.539 --> 00:29:29.299 and all of the curmudgeoning spirit that he had. 00:29:29.299 --> 00:29:35.639 He suddenly transforms into tremendous generosity and of the, quote, 00:29:35.640 --> 00:29:42.480 Christmas spirit and Ebenezer Scrooge becomes the ideal candidate for a Unitarian conversion. 00:29:43.620 --> 00:29:46.100 In fact, that's exactly what Daniel Williams says. 00:29:46.460 --> 00:29:50.780 Scrooge experiences what amounts to a Unitarian Christmas conversion. 00:29:51.280 --> 00:29:53.080 He becomes a better man. 00:29:53.079 --> 00:29:58.339 And for them, if Jesus is necessary for such a conversion, 00:29:59.059 --> 00:30:04.740 he's needed only as an inspiring moral example of human possibility, 00:30:05.259 --> 00:30:07.399 not as an atoning Savior. 00:30:09.019 --> 00:30:12.299 You see, Unitarians didn't believe that Jesus was divine. 00:30:13.119 --> 00:30:15.859 Neither did they believe in his substitutionary atonement. 00:30:16.500 --> 00:30:22.179 They believed and continue to believe that, in opposition to Trinitarianism, 00:30:22.180 --> 00:30:25.940 that there is one God, that Jesus is our elder brother, 00:30:26.080 --> 00:30:27.940 would be the language that they use in that, 00:30:28.080 --> 00:30:32.440 and that he serves as the ultimate moral example of what we are to become. 00:30:32.700 --> 00:30:36.120 And if we become like him in our moral pursuits, 00:30:36.400 --> 00:30:38.600 then God will be pleased with us, 00:30:38.660 --> 00:30:43.600 that that's the way we receive favor from God is through moral reform. 00:30:45.480 --> 00:30:50.019 A lot of attention this year is being put on Henry Wadsworth Longfellow 00:30:50.019 --> 00:30:52.440 and his poem, Christmas Bells, 00:30:52.480 --> 00:30:55.099 that was eventually transformed into the hymn, 00:30:55.200 --> 00:30:56.559 I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day. 00:30:57.599 --> 00:30:59.839 Amy mentioned that there's a movie out about it, 00:30:59.900 --> 00:31:02.119 and I actually am eager to see it. 00:31:02.920 --> 00:31:05.779 But Longfellow was an American Unitarian. 00:31:06.819 --> 00:31:08.879 He was not a Bible-believing Christian. 00:31:09.879 --> 00:31:13.299 In fact, he didn't intend for his poem to actually become a hymn. 00:31:13.599 --> 00:31:14.779 It became a hymn later. 00:31:14.859 --> 00:31:16.299 He didn't even attend church himself. 00:31:16.299 --> 00:31:18.519 He didn't believe in Jesus. 00:31:18.720 --> 00:31:20.619 He didn't follow Jesus as a disciple. 00:31:22.899 --> 00:31:26.619 He latched on to the phrase here at the end of verse 14 00:31:26.619 --> 00:31:28.859 from the King James translation that says, 00:31:29.579 --> 00:31:31.200 Peace on earth, goodwill toward men. 00:31:32.180 --> 00:31:33.940 He latched on to that, 00:31:34.759 --> 00:31:37.180 and he proposed that, 00:31:37.720 --> 00:31:41.000 as he was writing during the tumultuous years of the Civil War, 00:31:41.000 --> 00:31:45.640 that man's hope was not in the saving work of Christ. 00:31:46.220 --> 00:31:52.420 Man's hope is in an attitude of peace and goodwill toward one another. 00:31:53.900 --> 00:31:56.359 And this errant theology, it comes through in the lyric. 00:31:56.900 --> 00:31:58.660 I don't mean to ruin the hymn for you, 00:31:58.920 --> 00:32:00.400 but it comes through in the lyric. 00:32:01.000 --> 00:32:01.579 Think about this. 00:32:01.779 --> 00:32:03.519 I heard the bells on Christmas Day, 00:32:03.519 --> 00:32:05.819 their old familiar carols play, 00:32:05.819 --> 00:32:09.279 and wild and sweet the words repeat. 00:32:10.039 --> 00:32:15.359 Not of, unto you is born this day a Savior who is Christ the Lord. 00:32:16.220 --> 00:32:20.819 No, for long fellow, the bells repeated of peace on earth, 00:32:21.439 --> 00:32:23.119 goodwill toward your fellow men. 00:32:24.220 --> 00:32:25.240 He goes on to say, 00:32:25.240 --> 00:32:27.940 Then pealed the bells more loud and deep. 00:32:28.519 --> 00:32:30.839 God is not dead, nor doth he sleep. 00:32:31.200 --> 00:32:34.259 The wrong shall fail, the right prevail. 00:32:35.380 --> 00:32:38.480 Not in the saving work of Christ on the cross. 00:32:39.079 --> 00:32:41.880 The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, 00:32:42.279 --> 00:32:46.400 with, he says, peace on earth, goodwill toward men. 00:32:47.359 --> 00:32:48.859 I'm not saying you can't sing the hymn. 00:32:49.120 --> 00:32:49.839 I actually love it. 00:32:49.880 --> 00:32:51.740 It's actually an enjoyable hymn to sing. 00:32:51.740 --> 00:32:55.079 But it helps me to understand what long fellow meant when he wrote those words. 00:32:56.079 --> 00:32:59.740 What long fellow meant was that really the way to God is a way through moral reform. 00:32:59.960 --> 00:33:04.400 That if we want to hope for any good news of great joy in this life, 00:33:04.460 --> 00:33:07.420 it will come when we live with peace and peace with one another. 00:33:07.579 --> 00:33:10.620 It will come when we finally demonstrate goodwill, 00:33:10.940 --> 00:33:14.880 the quote unquote Christmas spirit to one another. 00:33:15.740 --> 00:33:17.500 That was long fellow's gospel. 00:33:18.500 --> 00:33:20.299 Other Unitarians used other hymns. 00:33:20.299 --> 00:33:22.000 I won't ruin all of them for you. 00:33:22.400 --> 00:33:24.359 Well, one of them was O Holy Night. 00:33:24.359 --> 00:33:26.699 It was translated, it's a French carol. 00:33:26.759 --> 00:33:32.559 It was translated into English by a Unitarian that used it to promote their beliefs on abolitionism 00:33:32.559 --> 00:33:34.299 from the slave trade. 00:33:34.619 --> 00:33:36.659 Of course, we are proponents of that. 00:33:37.439 --> 00:33:40.479 But think about the second verse of O Holy Night. 00:33:40.480 --> 00:33:43.819 Truly, he taught us to love one another. 00:33:44.400 --> 00:33:49.779 His law is love and his gospel is peace, it says. 00:33:50.720 --> 00:33:54.039 Chains shall he break for the slave is our brother. 00:33:54.039 --> 00:34:00.799 And in his name, through his actions toward slaves, all oppression shall cease. 00:34:00.799 --> 00:34:03.740 That was the intent on singing that hymn for those people. 00:34:05.500 --> 00:34:07.559 It was not a gospel about Jesus. 00:34:08.519 --> 00:34:10.820 It was a gospel about the Christmas spirit. 00:34:12.019 --> 00:34:12.639 Now don't get me wrong. 00:34:12.759 --> 00:34:15.900 Peace, goodwill toward men, that is a biblical trait. 00:34:17.099 --> 00:34:21.739 And of course, Jesus embodied in perfection everything that peace means, 00:34:21.940 --> 00:34:24.619 everything that goodness means and kindness means. 00:34:24.619 --> 00:34:26.279 Jesus was all of that. 00:34:26.519 --> 00:34:30.219 But peace and love and goodwill are not the gospel. 00:34:31.779 --> 00:34:35.900 The gospel is not be nice to people and God will love you. 00:34:36.440 --> 00:34:41.039 The gospel is not be at peace with people and God will bless you. 00:34:41.279 --> 00:34:42.659 That's not the gospel. 00:34:44.420 --> 00:34:48.819 The good news of great joy from the angel was all about Jesus. 00:34:49.199 --> 00:34:52.799 His identity as the Messiah, as the Son of God, 00:34:52.800 --> 00:34:55.900 and his purpose to save us from our sins. 00:34:56.800 --> 00:35:00.660 And if the gospel that you subscribe to or anybody you know subscribe to 00:35:00.660 --> 00:35:04.539 is about anything other than the person and work of Jesus Christ, 00:35:04.740 --> 00:35:07.039 it is a false gospel. 00:35:08.460 --> 00:35:10.740 Notice the three terms the angel uses. 00:35:11.580 --> 00:35:14.460 Savior, Christ, Lord. 00:35:14.920 --> 00:35:17.700 Unto you is born this day in the city of David. 00:35:17.880 --> 00:35:19.860 Not a moral reformer. 00:35:20.320 --> 00:35:22.460 No, it is a Savior. 00:35:22.800 --> 00:35:24.360 It is a Messiah. 00:35:24.840 --> 00:35:27.180 It is the Lord God. 00:35:28.360 --> 00:35:30.160 And if Jesus is a Savior, 00:35:30.539 --> 00:35:33.300 what is it that he's supposed to be saving us from? 00:35:33.900 --> 00:35:37.080 The answer is not disease and poverty. 00:35:37.480 --> 00:35:41.680 The answer is sin and hell and damnation. 00:35:41.679 --> 00:35:45.879 Matthew 1.21, the angel told Joseph, 00:35:46.419 --> 00:35:49.339 she will bear a son and you shall call his name Jesus, 00:35:49.739 --> 00:35:53.639 for he will save his people from their sins. 00:35:53.639 --> 00:35:56.879 MacArthur said, 00:35:56.879 --> 00:36:04.000 too often Jesus is presented as the one who will rescue people from unfulfillment in their marriages 00:36:04.000 --> 00:36:07.739 or unfulfillment in their families or their jobs, 00:36:08.099 --> 00:36:11.659 from a debilitating habit they cannot overcome, 00:36:11.659 --> 00:36:12.659 or from a sense of purpose. 00:36:12.659 --> 00:36:15.139 From a sense of purposelessness in life. 00:36:15.899 --> 00:36:20.359 But while relief in those areas may be a byproduct of salvation, 00:36:21.039 --> 00:36:23.799 it is not its primary intent. 00:36:23.800 --> 00:36:28.720 mankind's true problem is sin. 00:36:28.720 --> 00:36:32.300 And whether you realize it or not this morning, 00:36:32.620 --> 00:36:38.500 your greatest problem is your sin and rebellion toward God. 00:36:38.500 --> 00:36:41.780 And because God is holy, 00:36:42.320 --> 00:36:44.340 because he is just, 00:36:45.340 --> 00:36:48.059 we are eternally condemned. 00:36:49.500 --> 00:36:53.039 Condemned to hell because of our sin. 00:36:54.500 --> 00:36:57.980 The Christmas message is good news of great joy 00:36:57.980 --> 00:37:02.739 because it proclaims that this baby in Bethlehem 00:37:02.739 --> 00:37:08.759 is a Savior who has come to redeem us from God's wrath. 00:37:09.939 --> 00:37:13.639 We live from birth under God's wrath. 00:37:14.099 --> 00:37:16.779 The Savior comes to take that away. 00:37:18.139 --> 00:37:22.000 And his death on the cross is how it was accomplished. 00:37:23.379 --> 00:37:25.439 He bore our penalty 00:37:25.439 --> 00:37:30.459 so that we could be reconciled to God in peace. 00:37:30.460 --> 00:37:34.199 That's the intention of the angel's statement in their praise. 00:37:34.639 --> 00:37:35.940 Peace on earth. 00:37:37.659 --> 00:37:39.599 Not peace with one another, 00:37:39.800 --> 00:37:40.800 though that comes. 00:37:41.579 --> 00:37:43.500 The initial intent of their praise 00:37:43.500 --> 00:37:45.920 was peace with God. 00:37:47.579 --> 00:37:49.599 And how does this peace achieve? 00:37:51.240 --> 00:37:53.139 Not through your best efforts. 00:37:54.539 --> 00:37:57.300 It's not achieved through moral reform. 00:37:58.000 --> 00:37:59.960 It's not achieved through your church attendance. 00:38:00.460 --> 00:38:02.380 It's not achieved through your Americanism. 00:38:02.380 --> 00:38:06.840 It is achieved through the person of Christ alone. 00:38:08.400 --> 00:38:09.500 Colossians 1. 00:38:10.579 --> 00:38:12.900 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness, 00:38:14.099 --> 00:38:16.860 transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 00:38:17.840 --> 00:38:19.820 in whom we have redemption, 00:38:20.920 --> 00:38:22.099 the forgiveness of sins. 00:38:23.139 --> 00:38:25.619 God doesn't promise you health, wealth, and prosperity. 00:38:25.619 --> 00:38:28.579 He promises you forgiveness of sins 00:38:28.579 --> 00:38:30.339 through the person of Christ. 00:38:31.299 --> 00:38:32.779 That's the gospel message. 00:38:33.839 --> 00:38:35.279 It's the only gospel. 00:38:36.679 --> 00:38:39.159 Make sure that that's the gospel you believe 00:38:39.159 --> 00:38:41.519 and the gospel that you preach. 00:38:42.579 --> 00:38:46.039 Thirdly, we see the chief purpose of the gospel. 00:38:46.039 --> 00:38:48.659 We've seen surprising recipients. 00:38:48.880 --> 00:38:50.960 That's the lowly, humble shepherds. 00:38:52.000 --> 00:38:54.500 We've seen the saving message. 00:38:54.960 --> 00:38:57.239 It's all about Jesus, and it's for all peoples. 00:38:58.099 --> 00:39:00.079 Now we see the purpose in all of this. 00:39:00.320 --> 00:39:00.940 Verse 13. 00:39:02.440 --> 00:39:03.940 Suddenly there was with the angel 00:39:03.940 --> 00:39:06.480 a multitude of the heavenly host 00:39:06.480 --> 00:39:08.179 praising God and saying, 00:39:08.639 --> 00:39:10.059 glory to God in the highest, 00:39:10.059 --> 00:39:11.699 Christ and on earth, 00:39:12.380 --> 00:39:14.619 peace among those with whom he is pleased. 00:39:16.980 --> 00:39:18.820 You know, what a sight this must have been, right? 00:39:20.380 --> 00:39:22.840 It was enough to have one angel appear 00:39:22.840 --> 00:39:26.239 to have the light and to hear the message. 00:39:26.820 --> 00:39:28.000 But now all of a sudden, 00:39:28.159 --> 00:39:29.779 perhaps the skies break open 00:39:29.779 --> 00:39:31.860 or this vision is presented to them, 00:39:32.099 --> 00:39:34.159 and it's an innumerable amount of angels. 00:39:34.500 --> 00:39:37.460 Perhaps it doesn't specifically designate angels only. 00:39:37.699 --> 00:39:39.400 Perhaps this is a vision of heaven 00:39:39.400 --> 00:39:40.440 that they see 00:39:40.440 --> 00:39:43.920 that is combined with both angels and believers 00:39:43.920 --> 00:39:45.599 who have gone on. 00:39:46.320 --> 00:39:47.780 And what is it that they do? 00:39:48.280 --> 00:39:50.320 They do not sing to the shepherds. 00:39:50.480 --> 00:39:53.440 They lift up their praise to the one true God. 00:39:53.840 --> 00:39:55.940 And what is the dynamic of their praise? 00:39:56.400 --> 00:39:58.019 Glory to God in the highest 00:39:58.019 --> 00:40:00.660 and honor or peace among those 00:40:00.660 --> 00:40:02.160 with whom he is pleased. 00:40:02.599 --> 00:40:04.539 And what is the motivation of their praise? 00:40:05.300 --> 00:40:07.920 This little baby in Bethlehem 00:40:07.920 --> 00:40:10.900 born as the Savior, Christ and Lord. 00:40:11.700 --> 00:40:12.539 Interesting, isn't it? 00:40:13.139 --> 00:40:14.659 I think these shepherds were getting 00:40:14.659 --> 00:40:16.599 a brief glimpse of eternity. 00:40:18.559 --> 00:40:20.639 The first question in the Westminster 00:40:20.639 --> 00:40:22.180 shorter catechism 00:40:22.180 --> 00:40:25.740 is what is the chief end of man? 00:40:26.320 --> 00:40:27.240 Anybody know the answer? 00:40:29.500 --> 00:40:31.740 To glorify God and enjoy him forever. 00:40:32.039 --> 00:40:33.500 That's the answer in the catechism. 00:40:33.500 --> 00:40:37.840 The praise of the angels in verse 14 00:40:37.840 --> 00:40:40.760 tells us the chief end of the incarnation 00:40:40.760 --> 00:40:43.820 and thus the chief end of the gospel. 00:40:45.539 --> 00:40:47.280 It is to glorify God 00:40:47.280 --> 00:40:50.139 by making peace with sinners 00:40:50.139 --> 00:40:53.059 so that they can enjoy him forever. 00:40:54.599 --> 00:40:55.820 Isn't that what they say? 00:40:55.820 --> 00:40:58.940 The ultimate purpose of the gospel 00:40:58.940 --> 00:41:00.600 is the glory of God. 00:41:02.480 --> 00:41:04.240 He doesn't provide it reluctantly. 00:41:05.420 --> 00:41:07.140 He's pleased and glorified 00:41:07.140 --> 00:41:08.120 by giving his son 00:41:08.120 --> 00:41:09.860 as a payment for our sins. 00:41:11.039 --> 00:41:12.800 Paul says this in Ephesians 1. 00:41:15.400 --> 00:41:18.180 He says that the gospel work in us 00:41:18.180 --> 00:41:20.100 is so that we who first hope in Christ 00:41:20.100 --> 00:41:22.460 might be to the praise of his glory. 00:41:22.460 --> 00:41:24.659 And then he says, 00:41:24.920 --> 00:41:26.559 so it is with you also 00:41:26.559 --> 00:41:29.340 that in receiving the seal of the Holy Spirit 00:41:29.340 --> 00:41:33.039 you also might be to the praise of his glory. 00:41:34.880 --> 00:41:38.039 You see, we were created for God's glory 00:41:38.039 --> 00:41:39.740 and for God's pleasure. 00:41:42.139 --> 00:41:43.380 Because of our sin, 00:41:43.740 --> 00:41:45.699 we fall short of that purpose. 00:41:46.460 --> 00:41:47.599 That's what Romans 3 tells us. 00:41:47.679 --> 00:41:48.900 All have sinned and fallen short 00:41:48.900 --> 00:41:50.619 of the glory of God. 00:41:50.699 --> 00:41:51.380 What does that mean? 00:41:51.380 --> 00:41:53.519 That means you were created to give him glory. 00:41:53.940 --> 00:41:56.440 Your sin mars that image in you 00:41:56.440 --> 00:41:58.320 and it causes you to fall short 00:41:58.320 --> 00:42:01.099 of the glory for which you were created to give him. 00:42:02.200 --> 00:42:03.360 Our sin does that. 00:42:03.500 --> 00:42:04.920 That's why it's the problem. 00:42:06.260 --> 00:42:07.760 Now God receives glory 00:42:07.760 --> 00:42:10.860 by the dispensation of all of his attributes. 00:42:11.840 --> 00:42:13.840 He's glorified in the display 00:42:13.840 --> 00:42:16.019 of his holiness and justice 00:42:16.019 --> 00:42:17.480 in condemning sinners. 00:42:17.840 --> 00:42:19.260 God receives glory from that 00:42:19.260 --> 00:42:20.560 because God is holy 00:42:20.560 --> 00:42:21.820 and God is just 00:42:21.820 --> 00:42:22.600 and he's righteous. 00:42:23.460 --> 00:42:25.300 But he also receives glory 00:42:25.300 --> 00:42:28.260 in the display of his grace 00:42:28.260 --> 00:42:29.820 and mercy 00:42:29.820 --> 00:42:32.180 when he forgives sinners. 00:42:32.179 --> 00:42:35.519 Now in the incarnation of Jesus 00:42:35.519 --> 00:42:36.259 and hang with me 00:42:36.259 --> 00:42:38.639 and particularly on the cross, 00:42:39.359 --> 00:42:40.399 God's justice 00:42:40.399 --> 00:42:42.480 and God's mercy 00:42:42.480 --> 00:42:44.559 finally meet together 00:42:44.559 --> 00:42:46.599 in a perfect display 00:42:46.599 --> 00:42:47.919 of the glory of God. 00:42:48.019 --> 00:42:49.480 There is no greater display 00:42:49.480 --> 00:42:50.039 of his glory 00:42:50.039 --> 00:42:52.359 than Jesus hanging on that tree 00:42:52.359 --> 00:42:54.359 because it's in that moment 00:42:54.359 --> 00:42:55.440 that we see the fullness 00:42:55.440 --> 00:42:56.599 of his justice 00:42:56.599 --> 00:43:00.039 as God's wrath against sin 00:43:00.039 --> 00:43:01.900 is poured on his own son 00:43:01.900 --> 00:43:03.820 and it's at the same moment 00:43:03.820 --> 00:43:04.940 that we see the fullness 00:43:04.940 --> 00:43:05.860 of his mercy 00:43:05.860 --> 00:43:07.840 as his perfect son 00:43:07.840 --> 00:43:10.659 receives our punishment. 00:43:12.000 --> 00:43:15.340 And so we then receive his mercy. 00:43:16.079 --> 00:43:17.639 That's why the angels, 00:43:17.820 --> 00:43:19.440 when the shepherds get this vision 00:43:19.440 --> 00:43:20.440 of this host of angels, 00:43:20.619 --> 00:43:22.159 that's why what they're saying 00:43:22.159 --> 00:43:23.679 in response to the birth of Christ 00:43:23.679 --> 00:43:25.639 is glory to God. 00:43:26.179 --> 00:43:27.980 Glory to God in the highest. 00:43:28.639 --> 00:43:29.480 And on earth, 00:43:29.659 --> 00:43:32.399 peace among all who he has pleased. 00:43:32.819 --> 00:43:34.480 All who he will bring to faith. 00:43:34.859 --> 00:43:36.259 All who will trust him 00:43:36.259 --> 00:43:37.619 and follow him 00:43:37.619 --> 00:43:39.039 will receive peace 00:43:39.039 --> 00:43:40.399 for the glory of God. 00:43:40.659 --> 00:43:41.440 You see, the purpose 00:43:41.440 --> 00:43:43.159 in all of this is not you. 00:43:44.500 --> 00:43:45.519 The purpose in all of this 00:43:45.519 --> 00:43:46.099 is not me. 00:43:46.319 --> 00:43:48.000 We get this very man-centric 00:43:48.000 --> 00:43:48.879 view of life 00:43:48.879 --> 00:43:50.739 where we think that God's role 00:43:50.739 --> 00:43:52.079 and God's purpose 00:43:52.079 --> 00:43:54.019 is to exist for us. 00:43:55.460 --> 00:43:56.860 We pray that way. 00:43:57.400 --> 00:43:58.579 We pray demands 00:43:58.579 --> 00:44:00.420 because God is there 00:44:00.420 --> 00:44:01.719 to serve us. 00:44:03.279 --> 00:44:05.739 We expect him to show mercy 00:44:05.739 --> 00:44:07.299 because who wouldn't want 00:44:07.299 --> 00:44:08.019 to show mercy 00:44:08.019 --> 00:44:09.799 to someone as wonderful as us? 00:44:10.860 --> 00:44:12.440 We have this very man-centric 00:44:12.440 --> 00:44:14.440 view of God. 00:44:14.599 --> 00:44:16.199 That is not the view of God 00:44:16.199 --> 00:44:17.159 that the Bible teaches. 00:44:17.639 --> 00:44:18.980 It's a very God-centric view. 00:44:18.980 --> 00:44:21.440 God's primary concern 00:44:21.440 --> 00:44:22.119 is not you. 00:44:22.740 --> 00:44:23.820 God's primary concern 00:44:23.820 --> 00:44:24.800 is his own glory. 00:44:25.400 --> 00:44:26.519 God receives glory 00:44:26.519 --> 00:44:28.199 by providing his son 00:44:28.199 --> 00:44:29.039 for salvation. 00:44:29.400 --> 00:44:30.480 He receives glory 00:44:30.480 --> 00:44:31.360 and pleasure 00:44:31.360 --> 00:44:32.539 when we follow 00:44:32.539 --> 00:44:33.800 and believe his son 00:44:33.800 --> 00:44:36.539 and receive his mercy. 00:44:37.300 --> 00:44:39.400 Glory to God, 00:44:40.159 --> 00:44:41.380 the angels say. 00:44:41.380 --> 00:44:47.000 We started by asking the question, 00:44:48.000 --> 00:44:49.519 why did God include 00:44:49.519 --> 00:44:50.599 this episode of angels 00:44:50.599 --> 00:44:51.280 and shepherds 00:44:51.280 --> 00:44:51.800 in the Bible? 00:44:53.360 --> 00:44:54.460 And I hope that you 00:44:54.460 --> 00:44:55.300 maybe have some more 00:44:55.300 --> 00:44:55.980 clarity of that. 00:44:56.079 --> 00:44:57.240 Maybe I messed it up for you, 00:44:57.760 --> 00:44:58.640 but hopefully you got 00:44:58.640 --> 00:44:59.140 some clarity. 00:44:59.139 --> 00:45:03.319 Very simply, 00:45:03.559 --> 00:45:05.639 this passage teaches us 00:45:05.639 --> 00:45:06.440 that God calls 00:45:06.440 --> 00:45:07.400 the lowliest of people 00:45:07.400 --> 00:45:08.099 to salvation, 00:45:08.559 --> 00:45:09.599 that the gospel message 00:45:09.599 --> 00:45:10.639 is about the person 00:45:10.639 --> 00:45:11.400 and work of Jesus, 00:45:11.679 --> 00:45:12.799 and that all of this 00:45:12.799 --> 00:45:13.339 is ultimately 00:45:13.339 --> 00:45:14.279 for his own glory. 00:45:14.879 --> 00:45:15.900 But maybe you're wondering, 00:45:16.019 --> 00:45:16.519 what am I supposed 00:45:16.519 --> 00:45:17.319 to do with that? 00:45:18.519 --> 00:45:19.199 Let me give you 00:45:19.199 --> 00:45:19.779 a couple of things 00:45:19.779 --> 00:45:20.500 before we finish. 00:45:22.099 --> 00:45:22.500 First, 00:45:22.599 --> 00:45:23.139 you need to come 00:45:23.139 --> 00:45:24.039 to Christ alone 00:45:24.039 --> 00:45:25.159 for salvation. 00:45:25.159 --> 00:45:28.579 It's impossible 00:45:28.579 --> 00:45:29.519 to come to Christ 00:45:29.519 --> 00:45:30.940 alone for salvation 00:45:30.940 --> 00:45:34.119 if you are not 00:45:34.119 --> 00:45:34.920 poor in spirit, 00:45:35.000 --> 00:45:35.839 as Jesus said. 00:45:38.239 --> 00:45:39.579 You can come to Christ, 00:45:39.739 --> 00:45:40.920 but if you come to Christ 00:45:40.920 --> 00:45:42.179 bringing with him 00:45:42.179 --> 00:45:43.739 your merits 00:45:43.739 --> 00:45:44.960 or all the things 00:45:44.960 --> 00:45:45.460 that you think 00:45:45.460 --> 00:45:46.319 are true about you 00:45:46.319 --> 00:45:47.440 that deserve 00:45:47.440 --> 00:45:49.379 his mercy and grace, 00:45:49.659 --> 00:45:50.460 then you are not 00:45:50.460 --> 00:45:51.579 coming to Christ alone. 00:45:52.799 --> 00:45:53.819 You come to Christ 00:45:53.819 --> 00:45:54.920 alone for salvation. 00:45:54.920 --> 00:45:56.680 That's response 00:45:56.680 --> 00:45:57.280 number one. 00:45:58.740 --> 00:45:59.680 He invites you 00:45:59.680 --> 00:46:00.320 to do this. 00:46:03.400 --> 00:46:04.500 What is the purpose? 00:46:05.159 --> 00:46:05.960 At this point, 00:46:06.460 --> 00:46:07.380 all of you know 00:46:07.380 --> 00:46:08.280 the truth of this. 00:46:08.320 --> 00:46:08.920 I know that. 00:46:09.780 --> 00:46:10.740 But I feel compelled 00:46:10.740 --> 00:46:11.559 to say it anyways. 00:46:14.559 --> 00:46:15.260 What do you think 00:46:15.260 --> 00:46:15.920 the point of all 00:46:15.920 --> 00:46:16.519 of this is? 00:46:18.619 --> 00:46:19.940 If in any way 00:46:19.940 --> 00:46:21.579 it was possible 00:46:21.579 --> 00:46:22.860 for us to be 00:46:22.860 --> 00:46:23.700 good enough for him, 00:46:23.699 --> 00:46:27.139 there would be 00:46:27.139 --> 00:46:27.639 no purpose 00:46:27.639 --> 00:46:28.439 in any of this. 00:46:30.879 --> 00:46:32.079 The reason Christ 00:46:32.079 --> 00:46:33.179 came is because 00:46:33.179 --> 00:46:34.019 you are not good 00:46:34.019 --> 00:46:34.359 enough 00:46:34.359 --> 00:46:36.059 and you never 00:46:36.059 --> 00:46:36.960 will be good enough. 00:46:37.799 --> 00:46:38.579 You will never 00:46:38.579 --> 00:46:39.559 be attractive enough. 00:46:40.519 --> 00:46:41.239 You will never 00:46:41.239 --> 00:46:42.239 be wealthy enough. 00:46:42.939 --> 00:46:43.679 You will never 00:46:43.679 --> 00:46:44.859 be courageous enough. 00:46:45.659 --> 00:46:46.419 You will never 00:46:46.419 --> 00:46:47.279 be good enough. 00:46:47.699 --> 00:46:48.460 Nothing about you 00:46:48.460 --> 00:46:49.819 will ever reach 00:46:49.819 --> 00:46:50.579 his standard. 00:46:50.579 --> 00:46:51.579 God is not good enough. 00:46:51.579 --> 00:46:51.579 00:46:51.579 --> 00:46:51.579 00:46:51.579 --> 00:46:52.139 You will never 00:46:52.139 --> 00:46:52.579 be good enough. 00:46:52.579 --> 00:46:53.019 That's why he came. 00:46:53.840 --> 00:46:55.159 That's why he invites you 00:46:55.159 --> 00:46:55.940 to come to him 00:46:55.940 --> 00:46:58.019 not as you are 00:46:58.019 --> 00:47:00.739 but in spite of who you are. 00:47:02.299 --> 00:47:03.860 And our first response 00:47:03.860 --> 00:47:05.880 is to come to him alone 00:47:05.880 --> 00:47:07.920 recognizing, 00:47:07.920 --> 00:47:10.099 God, I'm not worthy 00:47:10.099 --> 00:47:10.639 of this. 00:47:12.059 --> 00:47:13.280 I need your mercy. 00:47:16.559 --> 00:47:17.500 But you also need 00:47:17.500 --> 00:47:17.980 to be sure 00:47:17.980 --> 00:47:18.700 that the gospel 00:47:18.700 --> 00:47:19.460 you trust 00:47:19.460 --> 00:47:20.539 begins and ends 00:47:20.539 --> 00:47:21.079 with Jesus. 00:47:22.180 --> 00:47:22.980 Nothing added. 00:47:23.940 --> 00:47:24.980 Nothing taken away. 00:47:27.180 --> 00:47:28.159 Reject these worldly 00:47:28.159 --> 00:47:29.200 ideas of 00:47:29.200 --> 00:47:30.039 quote, 00:47:30.200 --> 00:47:31.019 Christmas spirit. 00:47:33.019 --> 00:47:34.099 Rest in the finished 00:47:34.099 --> 00:47:34.900 work of Christ. 00:47:34.900 --> 00:47:36.680 not in your ability 00:47:36.680 --> 00:47:37.440 to be happy 00:47:37.440 --> 00:47:39.460 or to be giving 00:47:39.460 --> 00:47:41.079 or anything else. 00:47:42.220 --> 00:47:43.039 Christmas is not about 00:47:43.039 --> 00:47:43.880 being nice to people. 00:47:44.220 --> 00:47:44.680 God wants you 00:47:44.680 --> 00:47:45.500 to be nice to people. 00:47:46.340 --> 00:47:47.139 Don't get me wrong. 00:47:48.400 --> 00:47:49.340 It's a very God-like 00:47:49.340 --> 00:47:49.940 thing to do. 00:47:50.539 --> 00:47:50.980 But that's not 00:47:50.980 --> 00:47:52.000 what Christmas is about. 00:47:55.119 --> 00:47:56.000 Christmas is about 00:47:56.000 --> 00:47:56.539 the Savior. 00:47:57.599 --> 00:47:58.400 The Christ. 00:47:58.780 --> 00:47:59.180 The Lord. 00:48:00.220 --> 00:48:01.200 Keep it about him. 00:48:02.740 --> 00:48:02.960 You know, 00:48:02.980 --> 00:48:03.340 that's why we're going 00:48:03.340 --> 00:48:04.320 to worship next Sunday. 00:48:05.740 --> 00:48:06.760 Because this is not 00:48:06.760 --> 00:48:07.400 about us. 00:48:09.019 --> 00:48:09.940 This is not about 00:48:09.940 --> 00:48:10.400 presence. 00:48:10.880 --> 00:48:12.000 I can't wait to open 00:48:12.000 --> 00:48:12.480 up presence. 00:48:12.760 --> 00:48:13.720 I hope there's a solo 00:48:13.720 --> 00:48:14.700 stove under my tree. 00:48:17.119 --> 00:48:18.099 But next Sunday 00:48:18.099 --> 00:48:19.119 we'll gather for worship 00:48:19.119 --> 00:48:20.160 because this is about 00:48:20.160 --> 00:48:20.579 him. 00:48:21.700 --> 00:48:22.740 This is not about us. 00:48:25.039 --> 00:48:25.480 Finally, 00:48:26.200 --> 00:48:28.000 you need to join 00:48:28.000 --> 00:48:28.980 the heavenly host 00:48:28.980 --> 00:48:32.019 living your life 00:48:32.019 --> 00:48:32.639 for the praise 00:48:32.639 --> 00:48:33.579 and glory of God. 00:48:33.579 --> 00:48:38.179 sometimes we get 00:48:38.179 --> 00:48:38.539 lost. 00:48:38.719 --> 00:48:39.460 For some reason, 00:48:39.559 --> 00:48:40.340 Julie and I have 00:48:40.340 --> 00:48:41.980 been watching shows 00:48:41.980 --> 00:48:42.799 lately on midlife 00:48:42.799 --> 00:48:43.199 crisis. 00:48:43.440 --> 00:48:44.119 I don't know if that 00:48:44.119 --> 00:48:44.860 means that I'm getting 00:48:44.860 --> 00:48:45.559 close to one. 00:48:46.119 --> 00:48:46.199 But, 00:48:47.199 --> 00:48:49.000 you know, 00:48:49.179 --> 00:48:50.139 we go through 00:48:50.139 --> 00:48:50.799 those seasons 00:48:50.799 --> 00:48:51.519 where we wonder 00:48:51.519 --> 00:48:52.219 what is really 00:48:52.219 --> 00:48:52.739 the purpose? 00:48:52.960 --> 00:48:53.860 What is our purpose 00:48:53.860 --> 00:48:54.139 here? 00:48:54.500 --> 00:48:55.239 What are we actually 00:48:55.239 --> 00:48:56.059 supposed to be doing? 00:48:56.360 --> 00:48:57.059 What significance 00:48:57.059 --> 00:48:57.799 do we serve 00:48:57.799 --> 00:48:58.739 for anybody 00:48:58.739 --> 00:48:59.799 or for anything? 00:49:00.339 --> 00:49:00.879 And some of us 00:49:00.879 --> 00:49:01.419 are very good 00:49:01.419 --> 00:49:01.859 at coming up 00:49:01.859 --> 00:49:02.519 with solutions 00:49:02.519 --> 00:49:02.919 to that 00:49:02.919 --> 00:49:03.500 because we think 00:49:03.500 --> 00:49:04.199 much of ourselves. 00:49:04.699 --> 00:49:05.599 But some of us 00:49:05.599 --> 00:49:06.439 actually legitimately 00:49:06.439 --> 00:49:07.119 go through seasons 00:49:07.119 --> 00:49:07.579 where we're like, 00:49:07.659 --> 00:49:08.839 what am I actually 00:49:08.839 --> 00:49:09.319 doing here? 00:49:10.439 --> 00:49:11.099 What's the purpose 00:49:11.099 --> 00:49:11.379 of all this? 00:49:11.500 --> 00:49:11.899 Let me tell you 00:49:11.899 --> 00:49:12.679 what your purpose is. 00:49:12.959 --> 00:49:13.579 Your purpose 00:49:13.579 --> 00:49:14.679 is to give God 00:49:14.679 --> 00:49:15.679 glory to reflect 00:49:15.679 --> 00:49:16.299 his image in 00:49:16.299 --> 00:49:17.139 everything that you do. 00:49:17.299 --> 00:49:18.079 That begins with 00:49:18.079 --> 00:49:18.899 your faith in Christ. 00:49:19.279 --> 00:49:20.059 Join the heavenly 00:49:20.059 --> 00:49:20.819 choir here. 00:49:22.199 --> 00:49:23.079 Daily think. 00:49:23.419 --> 00:49:24.179 Are the decisions 00:49:24.179 --> 00:49:24.719 I'm making 00:49:24.719 --> 00:49:25.299 and the things 00:49:25.299 --> 00:49:26.000 that I'm doing 00:49:26.000 --> 00:49:26.619 and the places 00:49:26.619 --> 00:49:27.139 I'm going 00:49:27.139 --> 00:49:27.819 and the people 00:49:27.819 --> 00:49:28.440 that I'm speaking 00:49:28.440 --> 00:49:29.119 to and the way 00:49:29.119 --> 00:49:29.960 that I'm speaking 00:49:29.960 --> 00:49:30.920 to them? 00:49:31.079 --> 00:49:32.400 Is all of this 00:49:32.400 --> 00:49:33.960 glorifying my Lord? 00:49:35.500 --> 00:49:36.699 Are these things, 00:49:36.839 --> 00:49:37.960 is my life 00:49:37.960 --> 00:49:39.599 bringing him glory 00:49:39.599 --> 00:49:40.920 or is actually 00:49:40.920 --> 00:49:41.359 he kind of 00:49:41.359 --> 00:49:42.099 on the back burner 00:49:42.099 --> 00:49:42.460 here? 00:49:43.599 --> 00:49:44.420 Because believe it 00:49:44.420 --> 00:49:44.699 or not, 00:49:44.739 --> 00:49:45.420 even as Christians 00:49:45.420 --> 00:49:46.019 we are tempted 00:49:46.019 --> 00:49:47.059 to live for ourselves 00:49:47.059 --> 00:49:47.839 rather than him. 00:49:48.799 --> 00:49:49.420 What does this 00:49:49.420 --> 00:49:50.219 passage teach us? 00:49:50.460 --> 00:49:51.400 Join the heavenly 00:49:51.400 --> 00:49:51.940 chorus. 00:49:53.400 --> 00:49:54.319 Live for his glory 00:49:54.319 --> 00:49:56.159 and his glory alone.