ABUNDANT GRACE COMMUNITY CHURCH
  • Home
  • Welcome
    • Gallery
  • Statement of Faith
    • Message Blog
  • Directions
  • Contact Us

December 13th, 2015

12/13/2015

0 Comments

 
Luke 2:8-20
Christians today lost the wonder and amazement of the Christmas story completely.
My effort is to recapture that wonder & amazement associated with the supernatural element in every Christmas story.
In the first century, shepherds were generally deemed as dishonest people.
The honesty and integrity of shepherds in those days was so questionable that they were not even allowed to testify in a court of law.
The angel of God came to the most despised of people on earth in Israel. 
He came to the people who were outcasts from all respectable society in Israel.
 
That night was just an ordinary night by any stretch of imagination in and around Bethlehem.
Ordinary winter night in Bethlehem was transformed into an extra-ordinary night because of the supernatural way an angel came to announce the birth of Lord Jesus.

I. THE SUPERNATURAL MESSENGER (8-9)
The supernatural messenger came in the darkness of night.
We know that the Glory of the Lord is always associated with brilliant powerful light.
When people “see” the glory of God, they have heightened acute awareness of the presence & power, the majesty & authority of the holy God.
Manifestation of the ‘glory of God’ reflects the greatness of Almighty God.
God intentionally chose the foolish shepherds to see that Shekinah glory.
Immediate response of these shepherds was nothing but sheer terror & panic.

II. THE SUPERNATURAL MESSAGE (10-12)
In the annals of human history no religious Scriptures ever recorded a message like “good news of great joy for all people”.
First the angel calms the fears of the shepherds, which is foremost in angel’s agenda.
After calming the nerves of the poor shepherds the angel delivers the supernatural message.
It’s good news that will cause great joy for all people.
The emphasis is on the effect on hearer – such good news will have a definite affect.
So what is the good news?  (11-12)
“Savior” in Greek is soter applied to Jesus, is an extension of the Old Testament idea of God saving & delivering His people.
Salvation applies to all areas of life physical & spiritual – God saving the physical life for the eternal existence – saved from sin – fit for eternity.
As Savior Jesus is the Christ or Messiah – the anointed One designated for saving the humankind from their sin.

The supernatural message has the markings of the physical – so the message is authentic.
It’s not making us to believe- it has physical proof to support – not a myth or fairy tale.
III. THE SUPERNATURAL MOMENT (13-14)
Now we have multitude of angels surrounding them and singing.
This is even more terrifying than the first angel.
We don’t know how many angels came to join the first.
A great company of thousands of angels was making it absolutely supernatural.
Just imagine thousands of white robed angels appeared and singing praises to God.
The humble shepherds had a glimpse of heaven for a brief supernatural moment.
Again we hear the echo of “glory to God” – the authority & power of Holy God.
IV. THE SUPERNATURAL MISSION (15-17)
Angels never told them to go and see the baby.
The impact of the visit of angels and the good news was so great on their mind that they left the flock for a brief moment to run to Bethlehem to see the baby.
They found exactly as it was described to them.
The humble shepherds were the first evangelists to go on the supernatural mission to share the good news of a Savior to the whole world.
Today we are given a privilege and great opportunity to share the great news with others.
The good news whoever receives it has great joy of knowing that a Savior is born for them.
Our joy is in sharing the good news of great joy with others about a Savior in Lord Jesus Christ.
This supernatural message will have a great effect on the hearer every time they hear.
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Pastor John Sesham
    Abundant Grace Community Church, Hayward.

    Archives

    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.