CHRISTMAS DAY 2019 – Isaiah 52:7-10
“THE GOOD NEWS CHRIST BRINGS”
Introduction: Grace be to you and peace, from God our Father, and from our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Our text is the Old Testament Lesson just read, from Isaiah 52. We begin with prayer.
Dear fellow disciples of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ:
- Both the Epistle and Gospel readings make clear to us Who this baby is Who was born in Bethlehem. He is the Lord, the Son of God. “He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature.” He is the Almighty God Who was in the beginning, with God, and God Himself. “All things were made through Him and without Him was not any thing made that was made.” Not only is He Creator, but also Preserver, for “He upholds the universe by His Word of power.”
- We also learn clearly the nature of “THE GOOD NEWS CHRIST BRINGS.” For He made “purification for our sins.” He is “full of grace and truth.” This same blessedness is reflected upon by Isaiah in our text, as he proclaims: “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of Him Who brings good news.” This is the good news that Jesus both establishes and proclaims! It is the source and foundation of all hope, peace, and joy that we have in this life!
- For the good news of Christ, what He brings is:
I. Peace, Happiness, And Salvation
Text: “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of Him Who brings good news, Who publishes peace, Who brings good news of happiness, Who publishes salvation.”
Statement: Without “purification for our sins” there would be no peace, happiness, or salvation, for “the wages of sin is death.” The good news that Jesus brings centers in His suffering and death on the cross as “the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world.” “He is the blood atonement for our sins, and not for our sins only, but also the sins of the whole world.”
Application: Now this is surely a message that brings us peace, happiness, and joy to all of us! What could be more important, more reassuring, more confidence building than to know that God is at peace with us, that He no longer holds our sins against us? Jesus has accomplished this for us – and Jesus Himself proclaims this blessedness to all, far and wide!
Transition: And in this we see that:
II. God Has Returned To Reign Over All Things
Text: “The voice of your watchmen – they lift up their voice; together they sing joy; for eye to eye they see the return of the Lord to Zion. . . . How beautiful are those who say to Zion, ‘You God reigns.’”
Statement: Can you sense what is being described? We watch for family or friends to arrive with great anticipation and joy. But what if we were literally waiting for the Lord to arrive? And then we see Him! What will you reaction be? It is indescribable, the joy and singing that will be ours!
Application: This has already happened, in the birth of Jesus. God has restaked His claim to all of humanity! He has purchased and won you – all people – from sin, death, and the devil. And because of this:
III. Great Comfort Comes To Us
A. He Has Redeemed Us From Our Sins
Text: “The Lord has comforted His people; He has redeemed Jerusalem.”
B. His Salvation Is Publicly Announced – All Shall See It
Text: “The Lord has bared His holy arm before the eyes of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.”
C. How Blessed We Are To Know This Good News And To Be Part Of The Publishing Of It
Text: “How beautiful upon the mountain are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good new of happiness, who publishes salvation.”
Statement: You see how the Lord has covered all the concerns that we might have! Not only are we at peace with God, but the whole world knows about it as well. Those who reject God, who hate God, nonetheless have to acknowledge the blessings that are ours as God’s dear children. And in the end all will see the blessedness and beauty of having the salvation of our God!
Application: So be sure that you receive the fullness of this peace, happiness, joy, comfort, and strength from the LORD our God! You see that this is His purpose,
His will, His great loving desire for you! It is His loving will for all mankind, to the “ends of the earth.”
So also consider that your feet may also be “beautiful upon the mountains, bringing good news, publishing peace.” We may not be the ones who actually proclaim, but within the church, as members of the church, we support this proclaiming, this ministry with our offerings and our prayers. And we do proclaim these glorious blessings – in worship, in Bible classes, Sunday School, and in our casual conversations with one another. Each time we identify as Christians we are proclaiming all that God has done for us in Christ!
Conclusion: And remember Who this great Savior is – the Almighty Son of God! There is nothing beyond His power or scrutiny! He watches over us always! He reigns, now and forever!
And He is our Savior, the foundation of this great good news. So be happy, be comforted, be joyful, be at peace, and give Him all thanks and praise, Amen.
Votum: And the peace of God, which surpasses all human understanding shall keep your hearts and minds in the true faith, which is in Christ Jesus, even unto life everlasting, Amen.