Question
A Savior has been born to you
Luke 2:1-20
Key Verse 2:11
“ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”
Read verses 1-3. What decree does Caesar Augustus issue while Quirinius is the governor of Syria? (1, 2) What was everyone required to do? (3) How do you think Caesar’s decree promoted the fruition of God’s plan to save all people? (Micah 5:2)
Read verses 4-7. Why did Joseph go from Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, Bethlehem? (4) Who was with him on his journey? (5) What happened when they were in Bethlehem? (6) Why did she place her child in a manger? (7) What do you think about the way Jesus came into this world?
Read verses 8-12. Who were in the fields nearby? (8) What happened to these men? (9) What is the angel’s message to the shepherds? (10-11) What is the good news of great joy to all people? (11) What sign will be given to the shepherds to prove the angel’s message is true? (12)
Read verses 13-20. What suddenly appears with the angel? (13) What are they saying? (14) What do you think is the meaning of their praise? What do the shepherds do when the angels left them? (15) What did the shepherds do after the angel departed? (16-18) What does Mary do while all of these things are happening? (19) What did the shepherds do when they returned to the fields? (20)
Manuscript
Message
A Savior has been born to you
Luke 2:1-20
Key Verse 2:11
“Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”
There are many good and bad news. We hear a lot of bad news around us because the world is full of bad news. We hear about a Malaysian airline shot down by a missile, war between Israel and Hamas, war among Iraq, ISIS, and Iran, and war in Afghanistan. There are some good news too. A week ago I got more than $1,000.00 waiver from my mechanic for labor and parts because he could not fix Maria’s car. I was happy for a few days. But come to think of it, it was not a good news to him. The good news for a person can be a bad new to another because of the conflict of interests. But today’s passage talks about ‘good news that causes great joy for all the people.’ And it says “A Savior has been born to you” is such good news. So today we want to find out why ‘A Savior has been born you’ is such good news.
Part I. “A Savior has been born to you” is good news because it is the demonstration of God’s faithfulness to keep his promises. (v.1-7)
Look at verses 1-7.
“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.”
When God sent the Savior it was around when Caesar Augustus was the Roman Emperor and Quirinius was the governor of Syria. They were worldly rulers. Caesar issued a decree for census for his entire Roman world. He did it probably for taxes and soldiers. So Joseph and Mary had to move from Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem in Judea in order to obey the decree. They were just two helpless colonial people. How could they disobey Caesar’s decree? So despite Mary’s full pregnancy she had to travel about 80 miles. Caesar’s decree did not care about individual’s inconvenience or suffering. While they were there the time came for a baby to be born. And Mary gave birth to her first born, a son. She wrapped in cloths and placed him in a manger because there was no guest room available for them.
This seemingly insignificant event from human point of view has a big implication spiritually because God fulfilled his promise to send the Savior to Bethlehem.
Let’s read
Matthew 2:1-6.
”After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: 6 “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’”
These verses show God’s faithfulness to keep his promises. “A Savior has been born to you” is good news because it demonstrates God’s faithfulness to fulfill his promises.
We want to live a very secured life. But the world we live in is changing fast, and we cannot control what is happening in the world, and we cannot control what is happening in our lives. So how can we live a very secured life? It is by believing the promises in the bible because God will surely fulfill his promises.
What is one of the greatest future promises in the bible for us? (Someone in the audience says) “Jesus’ second coming.” That’s right. Jesus’ second coming.
Let’s read
Matthew 16:27.
“For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.”
When Jesus comes again he will come with the Father’s glory, and he will reward each person according to what they have done. He will establish perfect justice. These days we may not be fully rewarded by our employers or college professors or even by our own brothers and sisters. But there will be a time when we are fully and perfectly rewarded and there will be a perfect justice.
Jesus’ second coming also has another wonderful promise.
Let’s read
1 Corinthians 15:50-57
50 I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. 54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” 55 “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
We will be victorious when Jesus comes again. We will all be changed and we will receive our resurrection body. At that time we shout in joy, ““Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” God will give us victory over death through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Now we see many wicked people prosperous and successful. So sometimes we think that we are not doing right or we are making a mistake. But what will happen to them?
Let’s read
Psalm 1:4-6
“4 Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. 5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. 6 For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.”
The wicked people will be blown away like chaff that the wind blows away. They will not have any trace on the ground at all after they are gone.
Pslam 37:9-10
“For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land. 10 A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found.”
Right now we do not need to look for wicked people. There are many bad people right here. But at that time even if we look for them and search for them we cannot find them. They will go away. This is the promise of God. And God will fulfill his promises because of his faithfulness.
“A Savior has been born to you” is such good news because it demonstrates God’s faithfulness to his promises.
Part II. “A Savior has been born to you” is good news because it is demonstration of God’s love. (v.8-14)
Let’s read verses 8-14.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
We have many troubles, and the Savior would not save us from our life troubles. Jesus even said, “In this world you will have trouble.” Jesus taught his disciples that they would have troubles. Israel people also had a trouble even when they were led by the pillar of cloud by day and pillar of fire by night after they left Egypt. Even though they were led by the Lord perfectly they still had troubles such as no drinking water for 3 days. So obviously the Savior does not save us from our troubles. So from what does he save us? “Sin” (someone said among audience). Yes, you are right. Then, what’s wrong with the sin? What does sin bring? “Death” (someone in the audience), and another said, “broken relationship”. Yes, “broken relationship with God.” Compared to this problem of broken relationship with God all other troubles are not troubles at all. Why? It is because God is our source of life and foundation of life.
Who is God?
Ephesians 1:3
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.”
God can give us every spiritual blessing.
Ephesians 1:18-19a
“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe.”
God has all the hope, the riches of his inheritance, and his incomparably great power.
Ephesians 3:20
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us”
Our imagination does not have limit. But God has power to do even more than all we ask or imagine.
1 Timothy 6:16
“Who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.”
God lives in unapproachable light, and no one has seen or can see.
Romans 4:17b
“The God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not.”
God has such power to give life to the dead and calls into being things that were not.
So when we have broken relationship with God we have real problem. Compare to the broken relationship with God all other problems are not problems at all.
Now “A Savior has been born to you” is such good news because it is the demonstration of God’s love. We heard special song today. The end sentence is ‘He made a way.’ Jesus made a way to God. Imagine, in front of you, you have a bright way opened to you and God is waiting for you there with all of his blessings.
Now when we think about “A Savior has been born to you” it shows the love of God and the love of Christ for us. When we are filled with the love of God we are free from all fear of men and all fear of pain and suffering. God sacrificed his own son. Christ gave up his own life. If you are parents, you understand what it means to sacrifice your children. If you are unmarried probably it could mean to sacrifice your own brother or sister or parents. Indeed “A Savior has been born to you” is such good news because it demonstrates the love of God.
Apostle Paul was moved by the love of God and the love of Christ in this way.
Let’s read
Romans 8:31-39.
31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Again, when we believe the love of God and the love of Christ, nothing is a problem. We will be free from all worries and fears.
Now let’s go back to good news again.
11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Now why do you think God sent his son in a manger rather than a palace or luxurious hospital or fancy facility? Charles, can you try to answer? (He says) ‘In a manger’ so everyone can approach him easily. That’s right. The humility of Christ is what makes people approach him easily. His humility shows we have one huge problem. Do you know what is it? (Msn Petra says) Pride. How did you know? There is a rumor that says that newly wed couple went to spend their first honeymoon night but came out to divorce because they did not want to turn out light. “Honey, can you turn off the light?” “Why can’t you do it?” I also could have a big problem with Maria if I did not curve my pride many times.
The Savior in a manger helps us to overcome our pride. The devil, in fact, was the most beautiful and glorious angel. But then he became so proud that he became the most wicked one. In the Garden of Eden, it said to Eve, “When you eat of it (tree of the knowledge of good and evil) you will be like God, knowing good and evil”. “To be like God” was in fact its desire. The devil was a creature but he wanted to be like the Creator. Jesus is the Creator but he humbled himself so much that he was born in a manger as a man.
Look at verses
Verses 15-20.
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
When shepherds saw the baby they spread the word about the baby. They were privileged to hear the good news first. But now they shared it with others. Now those of us who hear the good news also have a divine obligation to spread the news.
Let’s read
Isaiah 52:7
“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”
In conclusion, today we thought about why “A Savior has been born to you” is such good news? It is good news because it demonstrates God’s faithfulness to fulfill his promise. It is good news because it demonstrates God’s love for us. Most of all, we can overcome our pride through Christ who was born in a manger.
One word: A Savior has been born to you.
Manuscript
Biblenote
A Savior has been born to you
Luke 2:1-20
Key Verse 2:11
“ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”
Introduction)
This is a story regarding the birth of Jesus written by Luke. We have studied this almost every Christmas and are very familiar with it, but hopefully that this passage has a new meaning to each of us.
1. Read verses 1-3. What decree does Caesar Augustus issue while Quirinius is the governor of Syria? (1, 2) What was everyone required to do? (3) How do you think Caesar’s decree promoted the fruition of God’s plan to save all people? (Micah 5:2)
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Read verses 1-3.
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.)3 And everyone went to their own town to register.
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What decree does Caesar Augustus issue while Quirinius is the governor of Syria? (1, 2)
“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.)”
Caesar Augustus’ decree issued that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.
Caesar Augustus: (63 BC –14 AD) was the founder of the Roman Empire and its first Emperor, ruling from 27 BC until his death in 14 AD. He was born Gaius Octavius. Following the assassination of his maternal great-uncle Julius Caesar in 44 BC, Caesar's will named Octavian as his adopted son and heir. He defeated all his rivals including the last rival, Mark Antony and Cleopatra, who committed suicide following his defeat at the Battle of Actium Battle by Augustus in 31 BC. Jesus was born during his reign.
Augustus restored the peace of Roman world after long internal civil war and his reign of Augustus initiated an era of relative peace known as the Pax Romana (The Roman Peace). Despite continuous wars of imperial expansion on the Empire's frontiers, the Roman world was largely free from large-scale conflict for more than two centuries. Augustus died in 14 AD at the age of 75. He was succeeded as Emperor by his adopted son (also stepson and former son-in-law), Tiberius.
Quirinius was appointed as governor of Syria and he supervised and implemented the census.
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What was everyone required to do? (3)
“And everyone went to their own town to register.” Everyone without exception must have gone to their own original home town to register.
This census probably sought to produce a registration list for taxes. A journey to the ancestral home would have fit Jewish practice, according to the Jewish custom. This was important, since the tax itself would have been a painful reminder of Israel's position before Rome.
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How do you think Caesar’s decree promoted the fruition of God’s plan to save all people? (Micah 5:2)
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me. one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” (Micah 5:2)
God gave the Israelites the message through Prophet Micah, who lived around 737-696 BC in Judah that the messiah would be born from Bethlehem, Judah. Caesar Augustus’ decree enabled this prophecy to be fulfilled by forcing Mary and Joseph to travel to Joseph’s home town to register, while they were there, Jesus was born at Bethlehem.
2. Read verses 4-7. Why did Joseph go from Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, Bethlehem? (4) Who was with him on his journey? (5) What happened when they were in Bethlehem? (6) Why did she place her child in a manger? (7) What do you think about the way Jesus came into this world?
2-1. Read verses 4-7.
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
2-2. Why did Joseph go from Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, Bethlehem? (4)
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.
It is approximately 90 miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem (3 days journey), assuming that Samaria was bypassed.
2-3. Who was with him on his journey? (5)
5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.
Apparently, Mary had to register as her pledged wife, though she was pregnant and heavy.
2-4. What happened when they were in Bethlehem? (6)
6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born,
Mary gave birth to a son while they were in Bethlehem, which was fulfillment of God’s promise through Prophet Micah.
2-5. Why did she place her child in a manger? (7)
7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
2-6. What do you think about the way Jesus came into this world?
We can think about many things to everyone:
According to the Philippians 2:5-8,
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!
Jesus, though He is God in very nature, He came in this world as a human form in a manger. It is a great mystery of our Lord, Jesus.
3. Read verses 8-12. Who were in the fields nearby? (8) What happened to these men? (9) What is the angel’s message to the shepherds? (10-11) What is the good news of great joy to all people? (11) What sign will be given to the shepherds to prove the angel’s message is true? (12)
3-1. Read verses 8-12.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
3-2. Who were in the fields nearby? (8)
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.
Shepherds who kept watching over their flocks at night. They were awake and alert even at night when everybody was sleeping.
3-3. What happened to these men? (9)
9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
3-4. What is the angel’s message to the shepherds? (10-11)
10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.
They were the ones who received this great message directly from the angel.
3-5. What is the good news of great joy to all people? (11)
11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.
After Adam’s fall, sin has been pervasive in the world and all men commit to sin and separated from God’s holiness and his glory. However, a savior who saves all people who believe as He has promised; This is a great hope in the hopeless, sinful world.
3-6. What sign will be given to the shepherds to prove the angel’s message is true? (12)
12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
The angel gave a sign to the shepherds so that they could believe.
4. Read verses 13-20. What suddenly appears with the angel? (13) What are they saying? (14) What do you think is the meaning of their praise? What do the shepherds do when the angels left them? (15) What did the shepherds do after the angel departed? (16-18) What does Mary do while all of these things are happening? (19) What did the shepherds do when they returned to the fields? (20)
4-1. Read verses 13-20.
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
4-2. What suddenly appears with the angel? (13)
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
4-3. What are they saying? (14)
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
4-4. What do you think is the meaning of their praise?
God fulfilled his long promises and finally sent his son as the messiah; God is faithful and in the highest heaven, all creatures glorify God for his goodness and faithfulness. On earth real peace to those on whom his favor rests and believe the work of God and his name in the midst of turmoil.
4-5. What do the shepherds do when the angels left them? (15)
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
Just like Mary who was hurried to visit Elizabeth after the angel’s message (1:39), the shepherds also wanted to confirm the angels’ message.
4-6. What did the shepherds do after the angel departed? (16-18)
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
4-7. What does Mary do while all of these things are happening? (19)
19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.”
Mary treasured up all these things and became an eyewitness and participant of the events.
4-8. What did the shepherds do when they returned to the fields? (20)
20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
In conclusion)
God had promised that He would send the messiah. In his own time, God had sent His one and only son, Jesus in a manger in the town of David, Bethlehem as he’d promised. It is a good news of great joy to all people on earth who believe, but it is a terrible news to those who do not believe. Augustus, Joseph, Mary and Shepherds were used as a God’s instrument to fulfill his promise. Amen
One word: Good news of great joy