This is the manuscript of the fourth in a sermon series that will continue through the New Year's Day 2025.
Scripture Reading:
Luke 2:8-14 NIV [8] And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. [9] An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. [10] But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. [11] Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. [12] This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” [13] Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, [14] “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
Introduction
Many people think of Christianity as being good advice for those who want to do good. But there is a great deal of difference between good advice and good news.
Text:
Luke 2:9-10 NIV [9] An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. [10] But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.
The gospel is good news. In fact the word gospel means good news.
The word "gospel" comes from the Old English word "godspell," which means "good story." It's derived from the Greek word "euangelion (Uongalion)," which also translates to "good news."
Benjamin Franklin, one of the founding fathers of the United States was a statesman who offered practical advice on various topics, including morality, wealth, and health. Warren Buffett, the renowned investor and philanthropist, is known for his advice on investing, and business. Oprah Winfrey is known for her inspirational talks and advice on personal growth and empowerment.
These people are known for giving good advice.
On the other hand, the angels, and the shepherds out in the field on the night of Jesus’ birth, and Jesus’ apostles, are known for communicating good news, the good news of what God did and wants to do through Jesus Christ. In fact Jesus Christ, came into the world to communicate good news from God to all people.
I. I want to reiterate that this good news was for all people.
The good news that the angels announced had the potential of producing great joy for all people.
Psalms 96:10 NIV says Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns.” The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity.
This verse calls for all nations to recognize God's supreme authority.
Isaiah 45:21-22 NIV says [21] Declare what is to be, present it— let them take counsel together. Who foretold this long ago, who declared it from the distant past? Was it not I, the Lord? And there is no God apart from me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none but me. [22] “Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other.
This extends God's saving power to all people, regardless of their nationality.
Malachi 1:10-11 NIV say[10] “Oh, that one of you would shut the temple doors, so that you would not light useless fires on my altar! I am not pleased with you,” says the Lord Almighty, “and I will accept no offering from your hands. [11] My name will be great among the nations, from where the sun rises to where it sets. In every place incense and pure offerings will be brought to me, because my name will be great among the nations,” says the Lord Almighty.
These verses prophesy a time when God's name will be honored by all nations.
I just gave you some Old Testament scripture but there is much more evidence in the New Testament which was written after Christ came into the world to communicate good news from God to all people.
Here are just four examples
John 3:16-18 NIV [16] For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. [18] Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
Romans 10:9-13 NIV [9] If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. [10] For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. [11] As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” [12] For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, [13] for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Acts 28:28 NIV “Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!”
1 Timothy 2:1-4 NIV [1] I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— [2] for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. [3] This is good, and pleases God our Savior, [4] who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
Keep this in mind though, while God extends His grace to all, each individual must choose to accept His offer. It is a personal choice that requires faith in Jesus Christ, whose birth we celebrate this month.
II. I Want to again Emphasize that The Good News of Jesus is for all people.
James read from, and our text today is from, Luke. The book of Luke is the gospel for the underdog, the outcast, and the underprivileged. In fact, Luke's Gospel is often referred to as the "Gospel of the Underdog" because it places a strong emphasis on the marginalized and oppressed. Luke’s gospel highlights Jesus' compassion for the poor, the sick, the outcast, and the marginalized, in other words it highlights His compassion for all people.
Luke's Gospel includes numerous stories that focus on the experiences of people who were marginalized in society, like the poor, the sick, the disabled, and women.
Luke portrays Jesus as a friend of sinners and tax collectors, who were often ostracized by society.
Luke's Gospel contains many parables that emphasize the importance of welcoming and including the marginalized,
Luke's Gospel highlights the importance of social justice and caring for the needs of the poor and vulnerable.
Overall, Luke's Gospel presents a powerful message of hope and inclusion for those who feel marginalized or oppressed. It reminds us that God's love is for everyone, regardless of their social status or background.
A. Jesus made a major announcement in his hometown of Nazareth
Luke 4:16-21 NIV [16] He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, [17] and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: [18] “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, [19] to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” [20] Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. [21] He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
B. To the sick Jesus came with health and healing
Luke 4:40 NIV says At sunset, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them.
C. He came to liberate those who were possessed by demonic powers
Luke 4:41 NIV Moreover, demons came out of many people, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew he was the Messiah.
D. To the leper who was unclean and untouchable Jesus brought cleansing, health, and wholeness
Luke 5:12-13 NIV [12] While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” [13] Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him.
E. To the paralytic Jesus forgave his sins and then enabled him to walk
Luke 5:17-26 NIV [17] One day Jesus was teaching, and Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there. They had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with Jesus to heal the sick. [18] Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. [19] When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus. [20] When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.” [21] The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, “Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” [22] Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? [23] Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? [24] But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” [25] Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. [26] Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, “We have seen remarkable things today.”
F. To Levi, a hated tax collector, Jesus extended a gracious invitation to follow Him, that lifted him from obscurity to significance and prominence.
Luke 5:27-28 NIV [27] After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. “Follow me,” Jesus said to him, [28] and Levi got up, left everything and followed him.
Jesus’ actions were very controversial especially wiith the Jewish religious leaders because Jews during the time of the Roman Empire often viewed tax collectors with disdain and distrust for several reasons:
Tax collectors were seen as collaborators with the Roman Empire, which was considered an occupying force. By working for the Romans, they were perceived as aiding in the oppression of the Jewish people.
Tax collectors were often accused of corruption and extortion. They were known to overcharge people and keep the excess for themselves, making them unpopular among the populace.
Some Jewish religious laws considered tax collectors to be ritually impure due to their association with Gentiles and their potential involvement in dishonest practices.
G. To a woman who was considered a great sinner, by the religious community, Jesus granted the gift of forgiveness and cleansing. Let’s read the story
Luke 7:36-48 NIV[36] When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. [37] A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. [38] As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. [39] When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.” [40] Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.” “Tell me, teacher,” he said. [41] “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. [42] Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?” [43] Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.” “You have judged correctly,” Jesus said. [44] Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. [45] You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. [46] You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. [47] Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” [48] Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
H. One more example of Jesus’ compassion for those ostracized by society. To the demoniac who was possessed by a legion of demons, Jesus brought liberation and peace and then commissioned him to go home and to give testimony concerning what God had done for him.
Luke 8:26-33, 38-39 NIV [26] They sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, which is across the lake from Galilee. [27] When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs. [28] When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don’t torture me!” [29] For Jesus had commanded the impure spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was chained hand and foot and kept under guard, he had broken his chains and had been driven by the demon into solitary places. [30] Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” “Legion,” he replied, because many demons had gone into him. [31] And they begged Jesus repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss. [32] A large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside. The demons begged Jesus to let them go into the pigs, and he gave them permission. [33] When the demons came out of the man, they went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.
[38] The man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, [39] “Return home and tell how much God has done for you.” So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him.
III. Jesus brought good news for the cleansing of the heart and soul from sin.
Traumatic events, failures, or mistakes can lead to feelings of shame and unworthiness. Deep in the heart of people there is a feeling of being unclean, unworthy, and unprepared to enter into the presence of a holy God. and made it possible for us to experience righteousness and grace through him.
God sent Jesus Jesus came so that we might be clean and acceptable to a holy God.
2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV [21] God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
2 Corinthians 8:9 NIV For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
B. Jesus brought good news of acceptance into God’s family.
John 1:9-13 NIV [9] The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. [10] He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. [11] He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. [12] Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— [13] children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
On the day of our spiritual birth, we became the sons and daughters of the eternal God.
1 John 3:1 NIV says See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
C. Jesus brings good news about all the spiritual resources God gives us for living.
Through faith in Christ we receive the gift of a new nature,
2 Corinthians 5:17: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"
We receive the gift of the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, the gift of the spiritual power we need for coping with life, and the good news of an eternal home at the end of this life.
Ephesians 1:13-14: "In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory."
And we receive the fruit of the Spirit
Galatians 5:16-25 NIV [16] So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. [17] For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. [18] But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. [19] The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; [20] idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions [21] and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. [22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. [24] Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. [25] Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Conclusion
The gospel is good news for all people. Through this good news we receive the offer of forgiveness, the offer of life, the offer of acceptance into God’s family, and the assurance of God’s help and friendship.
Let’s pray
Dear Lord, may Your good news of great joy ignite our hearts, inspiring us to share Your love and salvation with the world, bringing hope and joy to all people, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
