This message was delivered at Hillcrest Baptist Church on the morning of December 9, 2012. This message deals with the praise that the angels gave to Christ at His birth, and its significance to who Christ is. This contains an audio recording of my message, along with my sermon notes and a study outline. Please note that the sermon notes are not a full transcript.
AUDIO – Listen Now:
AUDIO – Download Link:
Study Outline:
SERMON NOTES:
Luke 2:13-14 / The Praise of Angels
The angels praised God at Creation
Job 38:7
and now they praised Him at the beginning of the new creation.
They were saying “glory to God” The whole purpose of the plan of salvation is “glory to God”
Eph. 1:4-6
God’s glory had dwelt in the tabernacle Ex. 40:34
and in the temple 2 Chron. 7:1–3
but had departed because of the nation’s sin
1 Sam. 4:21-22
Now God’s glory was returning to earth in the person of His Son
John 1:14
That lowly manger was a holy of holies because Jesus was there!
In fact, he word “dwelt” in greek, is the same word used for tabernacle. Once again, God’s glory would reside in the tabernacle. This time, the tabernacle of Christ!
The glory of God was bringing with it peace. This is not to be taken as a universal declaration of peace to ALL humanity. Rather, peace with God is a product of justification.
Nor is peace on Earth referring to a world peace, but rather a contrast from the previous focus, which was heavenly. Here, the focus shifts to the earthly. . . Men.
This peace is a peace that is only available from Christ, and its dependent upon our placing our faith in Him.
Job 22:21
Jesus is the Prince of Peace
Isaiah 9:6
He brings a type of peace that the world can’t deliver.
John 14:27
John 16:33
Jesus is God’s act of good will toward men. He is the sacrifice for our sins, He is our substitute, the Perfect Lamb of God.
He gave His life an atonement for our sins.
While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
There is a noticeably different translation of this verse in some of the more modern translations.
“on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (ESV)
“on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” (NIV)
Whether God is giving peace and goodwill, or peace to those with whom He is pleased, they are all perfectly valid translations when compared to the Greek manuscripts.
This is a testament to the great depth of meaning in this statement that God made through the angels. Therefore, that wording needs to be addressed as well.
What you will see is that while the two translations appear very different at first, they are really not different at all. Just different ways of stating the same thing.
God’s peace is given only to those who are recipients of God’s good will or favor (“those with whom He is pleased”).
It takes faith to please God.
Hebrews 11:6
We cannot earn God’s favor by any amount of good works, it is a gift of God.
Ephesians 2:8-9
Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. Jesus is the embodiment of the Word of God (John 1:14) and the necessary object of our faith.
There is no other name under heaven by which we are saved, and no other means of salvation.
Acts 4:12
John 14:6
It is the Baby in the manger, the Lamb on the cross, and the glorified Risen Savior – the Messiah, The Lord Jesus Christ whom we can look to for peace and salvation.
And it all began in a manger in Bethlehem.
In Defense: The Blog 
Posted on December 12, 2012
0