The Witnesses
Text: Luke.2:8-21 ESV
Advent means “coming” and during this season, Christians around the world are celebrating the birth of Jesus. Last week we talked about Jesus the Shepherd according to the Old Testament prophet Micah. Micah prophetically proclaimed the birth of Jesus and defined the roles and what Jesus the Shepherd will.
Jesus the Shepherd will:
Will stand tall and shepherd the flock in the strength of the Lord. (Micah.5:4)
Create a secure place for the flock to dwell. (Micah.5:4)
Be great to the ends of the earth. (Micah.5:4)
lead, nurture, and protect his flock. (Isaiah 40:11)
Correct and direct you
Exemplify the fear of the Lord.
Exemplify righteousness, and justice for poor and meek.
Demonstrate faithfulness.
Have dominion.
10.Was Pierced for Our Transgressions
11.Shall be high and lifted up and shall be exalted.
12.Be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will
give to him the throne of his father David
Because of scripture throughout Advent, we will continue to recognize four virtues of Jesus: hope, love, joy, and peace.
Today is the third Sunday of advent and the scriptures will point us to the witness account of the coming Messiah. In the text Luke proclaims the birth of Jesus and tells the story of the witnesses. My hope is that you will be empowered by the gospel and that the name of Jesus will be great in your life enabling you to make a proclamation of the coming and the good news of Jesus!
*Scripture is king*
The Advent story according to Luke
Verse 8-10
8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
1- The gospel is for all people
There are no exemptions...
Luke 8:1 “Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him,”
The gospel leads people to salvation in Jesus
Witness: The shepherds encountered an angel and received good news. It is our job to proclaim the gospel based on our encounters with God the father and His messengers.
Because of the gospel you will experience LOVE... JOY... HOPE... PEACE...
Verse 11-12
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”
2- The coming Christ was and is the definition of humility
Witness: It is our job first to believe in Jesus as our savior and learn about the
humility that was displayed from the crib to the cross!
Verse 13-14
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 among those with whom he is pleased!”[d]
3- The coming Christ caused the multitude in heaven to give God glory Witness: It is our duty as believers to give God glory. Because of His coming we
should echo his praise on earth. Your life should reflect and proclaim his glory.
Verse 15-17
15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child.
4- The coming of Christ will motivate you to make known His assignment to man
Witness: They witnessed the coming... then confessing faith begins in the life of a person
Six remarkable witness confessions of faith in Christ: Peter
Matthew 16:16
English Standard Version
16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Nathaniel
John 1:49
English Standard Version
49 Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!”
The woman of Samaria
John 4:29
English Standard Version
29 “Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?” Peters second confession
John 6:69
English Standard Version
69 and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”
Martha
John 11:27
English Standard Version
27 She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”
Thomas
John 20:28
English Standard Version
28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”
Verse 18-21
18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
21 And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
5- Proclaim his name Jesus!
Witness: As a witness share the word of God with all men, treasure God's word in
your heart, glorify God for all you hear and see, and proclaim the name of Jesus! Prayer for those who gather in response to the Gospel...