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LUKE 2:10, 11

"GOOD TIDINGS OF GREAT JOY"

I. THE NEED OF THE GOOD TIDINGS.
        A. The history of man was one of failure.
                1. Man had failed to be, to achieve, to attain all God had intended.
                        a. "All had come short of the glory of God."
                2. The cause of the failure.
                        a. Not obeying the Word of God.
                        b. Allowing the flesh to rule over him.
                                1. Greed became tile dominate motivating force rather than
                                   love.
                                2. The fightings and wars were the inevitable consequence.
        B. Men had searched in vain for the answers.
                1. Various forms of government were attempted.
                2. The different philosophic systems arose and failed.
                3. Man had despaired of every finding an answer.
                        a. Those who have rejected God's answer still in despair.
                        b. They conclude that universal truth or good does not exist,
                           everything is relative.

II. THE EFFECT OF THE GOOD TIDINGS.
        A. Great joy.
                1. Man was to be released from his own prison. Freedom to be (No man is free
                   who is still ruled by his flesh..
                2. His ashes to be turned into beauty.
                3. His weeping into rejoicing.
                4. His despair into hope.
                5. Jesus spoke often of fullness of joy.
                        a. God desires your cup to run over.
        B. "Which shall be to all people."
                1. Not just to the Jews.
                2. Not restricted to an age or culture.

III. THE GOOD TIDINGS.
        A. A Savior is born.
                1. Not a reformer.
                        a. Many reformat ions had been attempted.
                2. Not a philosopher.
                3. Not a judge.
                        a. Men were already guilty and condemned.
        B. "The Messiah is born."
                1. The hope of Israel  and the world has come.
                2. He shall lead us forth into new life.
                        a. He shall teach us the ways of God.
                3. He shall bring God and man together.
                        a. Opening the door that all men might have peace with God.
        C. The Lord is born.
                1. God has become flesh-to live, walk and dwell among men.
                2. God is building a bridge to man.
                3. A. new day for mankind is dawning.

As the shepherds rushed toward Bethlehem, 1 am certain they did not fully apprehend all the 
implications of the divine message. With the advantage of 2000 years of hind-sight we do not.

But, they believed and responded in faith and our last view of the shepherds, they are on 
their way back to the flocks glorifying and praising God.