Bible Text: Luke 2:8-20 | Preacher: Pastor Steve | Series: Abiding in Christmas
Luke 2:8-14 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which will be to all people.
For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!
Luke 2:15-20 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us. And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying, which was told them concerning this Child.
Angels and Shepherds
Are we wiling to ABIDE in Christmas?
Abiding in Christmas is abiding in the TODAY of Christmas!
It Is Kairos Time
It is an appointed time
It is an opportunity
It is a season
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
We were created to abide in the presence of the Lord
And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them.
The angels’ message was now is the appointed time for the Savior Christ the Lord, to born on planet earth
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!
The peace that only the Messiah can bring is a personal, permanent kind of peace—peace between self-centered, willful, sinful people like you and me, and the Holy God.
Romans 12:18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Choose NOW to ABIDE in the Lord and be all that the Lord wants you to be TODAY!
We tend to put so much emphasis spending eternity with God that we can lose sight of the truth that we can ABIDE in the Lord NOW!
Let the Lord of ALL live in your past, present, and future
Peace for Yesterday
Psalm 103:12 …as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
Isaiah 1:18 Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow….
Peace for Today
John 14:27 I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart! And the peace I give isn’t fragile like the peace the world gives. So don’t be troubled or afraid.
We are talking about peace that overcomes circumstances; that allows us to handle the crisis; that allows us to
have a clear head and heart in the midst of the craziness of contemporary life
contentment with a smile
Peace for Tomorrow
Anxiety about the future will rob the peace of today!
John 16:33 I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
The angels’ message was that the Savior was born
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!
Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace
Peace can be found no matter what the circumstances.
As we ABIDE in Christmas our soul is at peace with God, and we will then have the ability to endure any crisis, tragedy, or misfortune.
We are here to not just survive the day but thrive each and every day!