THE BIRTH OF OUR SAVIOR

Text: Luke 2: 1-20

Intro:
Cesar Augustus was ruling, but God was in charge, for He used Caesar’s decree
to move Joseph and Mary eighty miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem to fulfill His
Word.
Rome took a census every fourteen years for both military and tax purposes, and
each Jewish male had to return to the city of his fathers to record his:
(1) Name
(2) Occupation
(3) Property
(4) Family
When Mary said in (Luke 1:38) “Be it unto me according to Thy word” she meant
that from then on, her life would be part of the fulfillment of divine prophecy.
God had promised that the Savior would be a:
(1) human not angel – (Gen. 3:15; Heb. 2:16)
(2) Jew not Gentile – (Gen. 12:1-3; Numbers 24:17)
(3) He would be from the tribe of Judah – (Gen. 49:10)
(4) Family of David – (2 Sam. 7:1-17)
(5) Born of a Virgin – (Isa. 7:14)
(6) In Bethlehem, the city of David (Mic. 5:2)

All of this happened just as the Scriptures said, and Ceasar unknowingly played
an important part.
A.T. Pierson always say, “History is His (Jesus) story,”
President James A. Garfield called history “the unrolled scroll of prophecy.”
Now, listen, if God’s Word controls our lives, then the events of history only help
us fulfill the will of God.
In (Jer. 1:12) the Lord said “I am watching over My Word to perform it.”
Mary and Joseph were already husband and wife but since they did not
consummate the marriage until after Jesus was born, she is called his “espoused
wife” (Matt. 1: 18-25).
The Journey must have been challenging for Mary, but she rejoiced in doing the
will of God.

I. HIS BIRTH MOVE THE ANGELS FROM HEAVEN

(vv. 8-14)

The angels amazed when they saw the Creator born as a creature.

(1 Tim. 3:16) says, Great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest
in the flesh. And the best response from our hearts is wonder and
worship. (Luke 2: 13-14)

The first announcement of our Savio’s birth was given by an angel to

shepherds.

Question why shepherd? Why not priest or scribes?

Answer:

(a) By visiting the shepherds, the angel revealed the grace of God
toward mankind.

Shepherds were really outcast in Israel. Their work not only made
them ceremonially unclean, but it kept them away from the temple
for weeks at a time so that they could not be made clean.

Remember what the Bible says, God does not call the rich and
mighty; He calls the poor and the lowly.

(Luke 1: 51-53; 1 Cor. 1: 26-29)

Our Savior came to be both the Good Shepherd and the Lamb of God
sacrificed for the sin of the world.

(Jn. 10:11; Jn. 1:29)

The flocks that were used to sacrifice in the temple services was
taking care by the shepherds. Therefore, it is fitting that the good
news about Good Shepherd and Lamb be given first to the humble
shepherd.

(b) Shepherds are not easily fooled.

They were practical men of the world who have little to do with
fantasy. Now, if they said that they saw angels and went and found
the savior, then you could believe them.

You see, God selected hard working men to be the first witness
that His Son had come into the world.

Angel Gabriel made the glad announcement; and then a chorus of

angels joined him and gave an anthem of praise. For the first time
in centuries, the glory of God returned to earth.

Now, if the brave shepherds were afraid at what they saw and
heard, then you can be sure it was real.

The word fear not! Is one of the key themes of Christmas story.

(Luke 1:13, 30, 74; Matt. 1:20)

 Literally the angel said, “I announce to you good news, a great joy
which shall be to all people.” The angel used the word which means
“to preach Good News.”

We see here Luke’s emphasis on a world-wide Gospel: The Good

News is for everybody, not just the Jews.

Question: What was the Good News?

Answer: God sent a Savior to meet man’s greatest need. (Salvation)

II. HIS BIRTH MOVE THE SHEPHERDS FROM THE FIELD

(vv. 15-20)

The phrase even unto Bethlehem suggest that these men were
located some distance away, but they were willing to make the trip in
order to see the newborn Savior.

The verb found in (v.16) means, found after a search. The shepherds
knew what they look for: a newborn Baby wrapped in swaddling clothes
and lying in a manger. And they found Him! They worshiped Him and
marveled at God’s grace and goodness and the miracle He had formed
for them.

These shepherds are good example for us to imitate today.

(1) They received by faith the message God sent them

(2) They responded with immediate obedience
(3) After finding the Baby, they proclaim the good news to others
(4) They glorified and praised God
(5) They took the place of angels, then they humble returned to their
duties new men going back to the same old job.
 Conclusion:
For some reason, shepherds were not permitted to testify in court, but
God used some humble shepherds to be the first human witnesses that
prophecy had been fulfilled and the Savior had been born.
The angels have never experienced the grace of God, so they can’t bear
witness as we can. Telling others about the savior is a solemn obligation
as well as a great privilege, and we who are believers must be faithful.