Father God, we thank You that when we open up Your Word, You speak to us. We hear Your words written down many years ago, but no less relevant, no less piercing as they were back then. Lord, we pray that as we hear your words, as I preach and proclaim this, that you would speak to our hearts, that you would move us to trust in you, to depend not on ourselves but on you, and to see the glory that we can find in Jesus and only him. We pray these things in his name. Amen. What are you afraid of? What do you worry about late at night? And what is it that you fear losing most? Well, what news are you waiting on to give you relief from those fears? I don't really look like a fearful person, I don't think. And you probably think I've got it all together. Because after all, I'm up the front here and you're sitting down there. Isn't that how it's meant to be? Well, not quite. Far from it, in fact. My wife and I recently had nine months to prepare for a certain event. But of course, we were still worried as the day drew near. Would Elissa and the baby be okay? What if there were complications? How would I handle the whole situation? To cut a long story short, we were waiting on the news of a safe arrival. It's a girl, followed by a baby crying. In this situation, that good news drove out my pressing fears. But worry soon sets in, as I found myself thinking, what do we do now? We've all got fears. Maybe you minimise them. Maybe you magnify them. Some are common, like worrying about money. Others not so much, like being in constant fear of a meteor strike. We need to hear good news, not just short-term situational answers, but a deep, lasting message of joy and peace that's able to drive out all our fears. As you're no doubt aware, it's getting close to Christmas, and we're in a series at the moment called Something to Celebrate. At this time of year, we often sing certain songs, Christmas carols, celebrating an event that took place many years ago. And this week, we've sort of already highlighted it, we're going to be thinking about one of my favorites, Joy to the World, and how that good news of joy can drive out fear. We're going to be looking at Luke 2, and particularly verses 10-12. But first, let me set some background if you're new to this story or to these things. At this point in the events, John the Baptist and Jesus had both been born in fairly unusual circumstances. John was born to an elderly couple, well beyond the childbearing age, and Jesus was born to a virgin, Mary, How are these things possible? Well, the God of the impossible was at work. So we get to chapter 2, verse 8, and we meet some shepherds, ordinary, everyday blokes at work, minding their own business, when out of nowhere an angel, a messenger sent from God, appears. Now you're probably thinking, that's ridiculous. Angels. That could never happen. Well, that's exactly what the shepherds here are thinking too. They're shocked, terrified. They definitely weren't expecting to meet an angel in the field that night, I can tell you. And this isn't just an everyday event. Here is an extraordinary encounter with a messenger from God. The angel brings them news. a message of joy. This news even leads to heaven breaking into song, a cosmic display of praise. And we're going to look at this message. And even though we're not faced with the same situation of meeting an angel, as terrifying as that would be, God's words speak to us now just as much as they did back then. This morning we're going to think about how this Good News drives out our fears. I want us to see three ways we're told not to fear in this passage. Firstly, that this Good News is for all, joy to the world. Secondly, what the Good News is about, a Saviour, Christ the Lord, reigning. And thirdly, that the evidence is there if you look and see. The first way we're told not to fear is very direct, fairly blunt. It's just said, fear not. Straight up. There's more than that. Don't fear for good news for all people is here. In verse 10, the angel says to the shepherds, Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Have you ever wondered why God tells us not to fear so often? It's actually one of the most common commands in the whole Bible. Do not fear. Do not be afraid. Do not despair. Do not be anxious. You can find it all over the place. I think it's because we do fear and we need to be reminded not to. Put yourselves in the shepherd's shoes. They've just seen a supernatural event and then told, don't be afraid, it's alright. I don't know if that would be enough to ease my concerns. Hopefully there's more substance to this message than that. Hopefully there's more to this good news of great joy that's going to drive out all fear. But the message isn't just to those who were expecting it, like the Jewish scholars who'd read about this for ages, long ago in the Old Testament. In previous times, God spoke primarily to His chosen people, the Jews. But now the whole world would be given the chance to receive this Good News. Whatever background, language, culture, family history, tradition or social status, you're invited to listen, hear this message of joy. And it's not just for the people in this room on a Sunday, is it? Or those with a Christian background? The first people to hear and spread this message were shepherds. Farmers, the religious elite, weren't even notified. Christianity isn't about fitting in, looking the same, conforming to a new subculture. But what is it about? I've been talking a lot about this good news, this message of joy, but what is that message exactly? Firstly, we've been told not to fear. There's good news for all people. Which leads us on to our second point. Expanding our reasons not to be anxious. Don't fear. A saviour, Christ the Lord, has come near. The angel continues with this message to the shepherds. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a saviour who is Christ the Lord. This is the content of the Good News. A Saviour has been born, who is Christ, which means the Chosen One of God, and the Lord, which means King. Why is this good news? How does this ease our fears? Let's see now as we briefly look at each of the titles that are given to Jesus here. To start off with, don't fear, you have a Saviour. Jesus is the Saving One. He's come to save you from the grip of darkness and death that hangs over us all. Are you afraid of death? For yourself or your loved one? Worried about how or when your life might end? Well, it's surely a respectable concern to have, isn't it? But what does Jesus say to this? He shows deliverance from death in raising Lazarus. You can look this up in John 11. Jairus' daughter in Mark 5. The widow's son in Luke 7. Jesus speaks peace to our fearful hearts. Death does not have to have the last word anymore. We see this in his triumphant resurrection from a gruesome crucifixion as He died in our place where we should have. And while we're not promised a pain-free life, if we trust in Jesus' death in our place, we're reassured that He will save us from death's final say over us. We will be raised to new life with Him. Next, don't fear, you have Christ, the Messiah. As we heard about last week in Matthew 1, Israel had been waiting centuries for the Christ, God's chosen one, to appear. And you can read about that. Matthew 1 recounts the family history of Jesus, warts and all. Many people have spent their whole lives waiting longing for this Messiah to come. And no doubt many have thought that God had forgotten His plan to save His people. What was He doing? But having the Christ shows you that God always has a plan. I so often get worried or anxious because I don't know what's ahead, wondering if we'll have enough money for this or that, or getting frustrated when my Seemingly small plans don't even come through how I want. Even when we can't see what God's doing in our lives, we can be sure that He will come through. Because Jesus promises you that He is your shepherd and that no one can snatch you out of His hand in John 10.28 if you'll trust in Him. Lastly, don't fear, you have a Lord, a King. Jesus comes to earth and in doing so embodies the Kingdom of God. As the King of this new Kingdom, He displays His authority over all nature, sickness, death and material need. But we might not think about this Kingdom because we can't really see it, can we? It's in the spiritual realm. In everything we do, we're spiritual beings. We're either coming under the authority of God's kingdom or the kingdom of this world. Both are spiritual. One is ruled by fear, the other by mercy and grace, forgiveness. As subjects of God's kingdom, you're promised protection and peace, not as worldly kingdoms show us, where selfish or oppressive rulers lord it over their subjects. But having a king who humbles himself lower than a servant, will you respond to this king with your allegiance? Faith isn't about a blind trust in someone. but about choosing sides. When you're tempted to build your own kingdom, trying to control all the variables of your life, worrying and fearful of the prospects of your own failings, are you doubting Jesus at his word? Thinking you know better? Or will you trust in Jesus as your king and come under his kingdom? knowing the security of a relationship with the Lord of Lords and King of Kings. First, we were told not to fear that good news is here. And second, we looked at the substance of this news and saw three reasons we have not to fear. Finally, let's see how this message is trustworthy. Don't fear, the proof is there and it's clear. This final point is that we can trust these events that this message refers to. The angel concludes the good news by saying, and this will be a sign for you, you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger. Well, what could this little verse have to say to our fears, you might be thinking? I don't know about you, but I'm not too keen to believe in something without any evidence. Just as well we've got Google for that quick fact check now. Maybe you're new to the whole Christianity thing. Thanks for sticking with me this far. You're probably wondering how this all applies to you. This verse and many others are here to show us that this message is trustworthy. When the shepherds got to where Jesus was born, it was just as they had been told. They could have confidence in this Good News that was told to them because it wasn't just a nice story. It really happened. Here today you'll find many different people who are also convinced that this Good News is true. that Jesus is who He said He is. And they could tell you how this news has changed their life. For the shepherds, maybe they weren't sure whether they could trust this message. But here is a sign. Go over and see for yourself. The evidence is there. If you aren't sure where you sit with Jesus, can I encourage you to look into it? Knowing that Jesus is a historical person who walked and lived and breathed, and that the Bible is trustworthy, it's not just a fairy tale. This is a great balm to ease your fears. When you read the promises given in these pages, When you hear Jesus speak words of love and life to you, when you see the unfolding plan of God's faithfulness over the ages, and when you receive this message for yourself, you can't help but be thankful, giving praise and worship to God. Look at the shepherds, how it changed them. This is an active expression of your identity as a subject of King Jesus, turning your focus away from yourself towards the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. As you join with the Angel Chorus and sing glory to God, you will know the peace that battles against the anxieties of this world, a peace that is flourishing of life, and a renewed relationship with your perfect Father in heaven. Joy to the world, the Lord is come. Don't fear, good news for all is here. A saviour, Christ the Lord, has come near. The proof is there and it's clear. Do you know the really good news of Christmas? that drives out fear and worry. Or maybe it doesn't drive it out all at once in a big fanfare. I'm pretty sure it doesn't. But little by little, as you trust in God's Saviour, Jesus Christ, this King, Jesus, is making us into a people not shaped by fear, but growing together in grace mercy and truth, love and forgiveness. As we speak this message of good news to ourselves, to each other and to those around us, pointing away from this short-term worldly kingdom towards the eternal, magnificent Kingdom of God, that will truly bring joy to your world. Let's give God thanks and pray. Father God, we thank You for this great news that You have sent to us. Lord, we thank You that it is not just news, but that these things really happened. Lord, that these events that the message is about can change our life. Lord, we thank You that You have sent Jesus to drive out all fear, Lord, that we can know You through Him and have a peace that lasts. Father, we do pray that You would keep us from turning to the Kingdom of this world, that we would keep looking and trusting in Christ and little by little, Lord, that you would be making us more like you. Lord, that this community would be a light of your love and your faithfulness to us as we show that to one another and to those that are not yet part of this community as well. Lord, we thank you so much for this message. We pray that it would really be joy to our world As we take it on, as we sing it to ourselves, Lord, may we remember these things and trust not in ourselves, but trust in Jesus who died for us. We pray this in His name. Amen.