Fear Not! Luke 2:8-12

Delivered during the Sunday morning worship service, 5/2/2021. As we continue to unravel Luke's Nativity narrative, our focus turns from the humble birth of the Christ child to the announcement made by an angel to lowly shepherds abiding in nearby fields. The extraordinary comparisons of the Kingdom continue as the announcement comes not to the powerful in Rome, nor the pious in Jerusalem-- but to a despised and isolated group at the bottom of the social ladder. We will analyze this irony as well as the profound words the angel speaks to the shepherds when he tells them not to be afraid. After discussing the question, "Afraid of what?", we will discover the significance of this encounter in the unveiling of Gods Redemptive Purpose. In the end, we will recognize another beautiful presentation of the Gospel as the messenger from heaven reveals to us the Savior, King and Lord who alone can tell us to "fear not!"