ONE NIGHT, THREE MESSAGES, THREE PREACHERS

LUKE 2:1-20

INTRODUCTION

Christmas holiday is one of the most depressing times of the year. In fact, the suicide rate is higher during Christmas and the New Year celebrations than any other time during the year. Christmas is not about gifts, the trees and decorations, it is not families, parties and fun. Christmas is about Jesus Christ and about Him alone! The first Christmas night, God became flesh and dwelt among men. This was one of the greatest moments in human history. It was a night of miracles and great blessing. Today let us go back in time, let us visit the city of Bethlehem and notice Mary who delivered Jesus into this world. In this night, three messages were delivered on this first Christmas night. Let us notice:-

I.  THE HEAVENLY CHOIR PREACHED A MESSAGE OF PEACE (2:10-14)

1. It was a soothing message – “FEAR NOT” (Lk 1:13,30 Matthew 1:20) V.10

• Jesus Christ removes fear.
• We do not need to fear death, hell, Satan, life etc.
• The late Billy Graham preached a message about peace

1. It was a salvation message (V.10-11)
2. Good tiding of great joy to “all people” (universal) “unto you” (Personal).
3. Threefold titles given to Jesus
4. Savior – Deliverer –  it pictures Jesus Christ as a sacrifice on the cross
5. Christ – The anointed one, the son of God. He is the fulfilment of all the promises and prophecies beginning at Eden (Gen. 3:15)
6. The Lord – sovereign God. The one to be worshipped, served and adored.

• Jesus is called savior! Not an example or teacher
• If our greatest need was information, God would have sent us an educator.
• If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent a scientist.
• If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist
• If our greatest need had been pleasure, God would have sent to us an entertainer
• If our greatest need had been military and security, God would have sent to us a military or police general.
• If our greatest need had been justice, God would have sent to us a judge
• But our greatest need was forgiveness, redemption and salvation and therefore God sent a savior!

1. It was a showing message (V.12)

• It pointed the way to Jesus Christ
• God’s word points to Jesus, good preachers point people to Christ, not to themselves or their denominations.
• It pointed them to Bethlehem – House of bread. The “bread of life” was born in the house of bread – Bethlehem

1. It was a shouting message (V.13-14)

• The angels praised their creator – praise to God in the highest and peace to man.
• Rome had given the world peace from war and criminals (PAX ROMANA). Jesus Christ came to give man peace with God and peace within. (John 14:27, Phil.4:7)

II.  THE SHEPHERDS PREACHED A MESSAGE OF PRAISE (2:15-20)

• The shepherds were considered social outcasts, unclean to enter the temple. Jesus chose to come to the shepherds and not the leaders, sages etc. (Luke 19:10, Mark 2:17)
• The shepherds were the first to receive the Lamb of God!

1. It was a message of obedience. They obeyed what they heard from heaven (V.15-16)

• Today obey the message, the gospel in its simplicity. (Acts 16:31, Rom. 10:31, John 6:47)

1. It was a message of opportunity (V.17-18)

• They spread the word about Jesus Christ (Mark 16:15, Matt 28:19-20, Acts 1:8)

1. It was an overwhelming message (V.20)

• As they returned to their sheep, they were still shepherds
• Their circumstances had not changed, they were still outcast- but their hearts had changed (II Cor. 5:17, Eph. 2:8-20)

III. THE INN KEEPER PREACHED A MESSAGE OF REJECTION (V.7)

How many people would turn away a pregnant woman into the night?

1. It was a message of sadness – no room for Jesus Christ.

• Is there any room for Jesus Christ in your heart?

1. It was a message of sorrow

• No Jesus, no hope, know Jesus, Know hope! Without Jesus Christ – there is no hope, no future and no life (John 14:6)

1. It was a message of separation

• The innkeeper slept warm and secure in his bed, while Jesus Christ was lying in a dirty, filthy manger
• The innkeeper’s rejection of Christ prevented him from knowing the joy of the shepherds – his rejections kept him away from eternal life (I John 5:12)

CONCLUSION

• What kind of message is your life preaching today? The Angels preached, pointing people to Christ.
• The shepherd preached praise, glory to God. The innkeeper preached a message “there is no room in my heart for you Christ. Today Is The Day Of Salvation.