As long as you have breath you’ll need Jesus to rescue you from your sins. When we realize that, the meaning of Christmas becomes real. No one here is un-savable because of this child.
Luke 2: 8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
The first gospel message is usually attributed to Peter at Pentecost. That’s true in one respect but here is the first gospel message to the world at large. The angel Gabriel came to Mary, Joseph, and Zacharias in a personal way. Here he came to the world at large. A one-on-one experience with Jesus is how the gospel is received. Gabriel told Mary, Joseph and Zacharias not to be afraid—the Savior was on the way. He’s on the way today and we need to receive him. The world needs him, but we need him as individuals too.
Shepherds were caring for their sheep at night. All of a sudden the night lit up. For 400 years there had been nothing; no public moving from heaven had occurred since the closing of the book of Malachi. When the time came, God sent his son to redeem. Thank God for a redeemer who can bring us out of our sins and a burning hell. I couldn’t save myself. I can’t save you. Shame on us for not believing. The best thing we can do is call on our Savior.
Gabriel’s message was good news. That’s what the word gospel means—good news. The shepherds were scared but they got good news. We hear and see enough bad in the world today. We’ve got good news! There is never a time the devil isn’t working on us. He’ll make enemies in families and churches. You can sin in a thousand ways but you can only be forgiven one way. This news was for everyone. We have a Savior.
A multitude of heavenly hosts joined him saying Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. When you call on the name of the Lord, there is help. You may not be saved. You may be backslidden or on the way to it. You may have a little of this or a little of that in your heart. Jesus is near. Being saved and asking God for forgiveness of sins is the only way to have peace and good will. Washington D.C. needs it. Smyth County needs it. We need it. Until we talk to Jesus and ask for help we’ll never be pleasing in the sight of God.
The new commandment was to love one another; it’s how others will know we’re disciples of God. We need a whole lot of saving to show peace instead of variance, hate and bitterness. We don’t need that in our heart. We can experience the joy of the coming Savior. Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 