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Lesson # 3 THE GOSPEL OF CHRISTMAS TEXT: Luke 2:10-14 INTRODUCTION: What a privilege it was for the angel to announce the Saviour’s birth! It is a greater privilege for us to proclaim the gospel. The angels have never
sinned, we have, and we can speak from personal experience of the saving power of Christ. Our key verses tell us seven reasons why the gospel is good news - I. THE GOSPEL IS GOOD NEWS BECAUSE IT BANISHES FEAR The first words the angel spake were, “Fear not...” (v. 10). We are
told that the shepherds were “sore afraid.” (v. 9). How natural it was for them
to be fearful. There had been no word from the Lord for 400 years, no word until Jesus was born and His birth announced. The antidote to fear is the gospel of Christ. II. THE GOSPEL IS GOOD NEWS BECAUSE IT BRINGS GREAT JOY “Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy...” (v. 10). Where fear reigns there can be no real joy. Fear is the greatest enemy of joy.
Christ brings joy into the lives of all who come to Him and trust Him (John 15:11). III. THE GOSPEL IS GOOD NEWS BECAUSE IT IS FOR ALL PEOPLE “I bring...good tidings...to all people.” (v. 10)
The gospel is adapted to the needs of all mankind. He is rightly described by Haggai as “the Desire of all nations” (Hag. 2:7). All need Him. IV. THE GOSPEL IS GOOD NEWS BECAUSE IT EMPHASIZES THE VALUE OF THE INDIVIDUAL The gospel is for all people, yet it is “unto you” (v. 11). The gospel always emphasizes the value of each individual. Christ preached one of
His greatest sermons to one man, Nicodemus (John 3:1-16). V. THE GOSPEL IS GOOD NEWS BECAUSE IT SAVES “A Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” (v. 11).
The primary reason for the Saviour’s advent was that He might be the Saviour of His people (Matt. 1:21).
He is the Saviour from sin (Heb. 7:25); from self (Rom. 8:2); from Satan (Acts 26:18).
Do you know anything about His saving power? VI. THE GOSPEL IS GOOD NEWS BECAUSE IT GLORIFIES GOD “Glory to God in the highest...” (v. 13, 14). The
gospel is the central theme of Heaven. Nothing glorifies God so much as the gospel of His grace. It proclaims His remedy for sin and His promise of eternal life. Every
time we preach the gospel God is glorified.
VII. THE GOSPEL IS GOOD NEWS BECAUSE IT GIVES REAL AND LASTING PEACE “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” (v. 14). Jesus is our Peace. He alone can make peace.
The angel spoke of “peace on earth.”
How will this be brought about? Not by pacts, agreements,
or treaties, but by the coming of the Prince of Peace Himself.
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