BIG Idea: The good news of Jesus’ birth brings unshakable hope and great joy, fulfilling God’s promises to a broken world.
Application: Anchor your life in the hope and joy found in Jesus, trust God’s promises, and share this good news with others.
Luke 2:8-10 (NLT) The Shepherds and Angels
8 That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.
1. God keeps His
God’s promises may take
Isaiah 9:6-7 (NLT)
6 For a child is born to us,
a son is given to us.
The government will rest on his shoulders.
And he will be called:
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 His government and its peace
will never end.
He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David
for all eternity.
The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies
will make this happen!
Luke 1:31-33 (NLT)
31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!”
We must trust in the reliability of God’s promises, even when His timing seems delayed.
2. Hope that
True hope is not found in
Psalm 42:11 (NLT)
11 Why am I discouraged?
Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
I will praise him again—
my Savior and my God!
Romans 15:13 (NLT)
13 I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Luke 2:15 (NLT) 15 When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
Joy flows from the certainty of God’s presence, provision, and promises fulfilled.
3. Hope to
Hope is a
Genesis 12:3 (NLT)
3 “I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.”
Matthew 28:19-20 (NLT)
19 “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Just as the shepherds spread the word, we are called to share the hope and joy of Jesus.