Luke 2:8-17: Emmanuel Week 4
December 26, 2021
Pastor Ricky Smith
Sermon Notes
I. God Takes Joy in Using the Rejected
Luke 2:8
And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
My Identity and Value Is In Christ and Not In What I Do Or How Others View Me
II. Unexpected Encounters Can Open Doors to Undeserved Grace
Luke 2:9-12
And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”
A. Guidance
B. Reassurance
C. Agent
III. God’s Message of Peace Should Be Our Mission
Luke 2:13-16
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 among those with whom he is pleased!” When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.
Our mission is to reach the world and make Jesus’ name known
Next Steps
- Who will you share Jesus with this week? Write their name down and pray for them by name every day.
- Will you receive this gift of life today by admitting you are a sinner and turning to Jesus as King?
- Where will you be intentional to praise Jesus this week? Home, work, school?
Deep Dive
- Read Luke 2:9-12. How was the message of the angel a Gospel proclamation?
- Read 2 Corinthians 5:19-21. How are we to be like the angels as we point others to Jesus?
- How does fear cripple us from being obedient to the command of sharing the Gospel?
Springboard
- Share a time when someone showed you love. How did they do that?
- Read James 2:14-17 and discuss how our actions demonstrate our love for God.
- What are the negative impacts of actions that do not model God’s love?
