## Good News

## Luke 2:10-11

Everyone likes to receive good news, don't they? I enjoy getting Christmas cards and notes this time of year from friends and relatives. I especially like to hear about all of the things that have been happening in their lives in the past year.

The Bible is a like that. It is good news sent from God to you and I. We can read about God's plan and purpose for our lives. We can find out how much He loves us. That's always good to know isn't it? To know that we are loved!

Sometimes, I receive an announcement of the new birth of a baby. That is good news! The shepherds received a birth announcement on a starry night nearly 2000 years ago. It was sent to announce the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. The word 'gospel' means good tidings or good news. So today, I want us to look at the good news that Luke records for us in chapter 2. What would it mean to them, and what does it mean to us today?

I. It Meant the end of fear ( v. 10)

(Luke 2:10) "And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people."

A. "Fear not."

1. The angelic messengers of God spoke those two words.

2. The shepherds were afraid, but the fear runs deeper than that.

a. The first evidence of the fall was fear of God following Adam's sin. "…I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid…"

b. Fear has been stalking the hearts of men down through the centuries since.

3. Jesus would move through the area He traveled dispelling fear

a. The disciples and the storm

b. Blind Bartimaeus feared he would never see again.

c. Ten lepers feared they would never be with their families again

d. Mary and Martha feared they would never see Lazarus again

B. Fears at Christmas: held by many today.

1. Health

2. Family

3. World conditions (Y2K)

4. Economy

5. Life

C. Faith the opposite of fear: saved by faith and kept by faith

II. It meant the birth of joy (v. 10)

(Luke 2:10) "And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people."

A. "Good tidings of great joy."

1. The songs of Christmas are songs about joy

2. Why this joy?

a. Because the Savior has been born

b. Because the Scripture has been fulfilled

c. Because Christ is Lord

3. When we come to Him, He gives us joy!

B. True joy is shared with others.

(Luke 2:10) "And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people."

1. "Which shall be to all people."

2. All need the joy of knowing Christ as their personal Savior

a. All are sinners (Rom. 3:23)

(Rom 3:23) "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;"

b. Christ died for all (Rom. 5:8)

(Rom 5:8) "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

3. He is available to all people

4. We need to follow the example of the shepherds

a. We also are to be going with the good news

b. Not to sit by as the world goes to hell around us.

c. Heaven is a wonderful place, and we need to let others no about how they can trust Christ and go there with us.

- God Meets Us Where We Are
- Trust Christ Today and Be Saved
- Trade All Our Fears For Joys
- Tell Others The Good News