Good news of Great joy: Oct 27 sermon summary
This weekend, we studied Luke 2:8-20. The sermon was all about Good News of Great Joy!
We learned about the transformation of the Roman Republic to the Roman Empire under Caesar Augustus and how this context affected much of the early reception of Jesus’ message. In Roman society, Augustus was seen as a “savior” and “god,” a parallel that complicated the Christian narrative of Jesus as the true Savior and Lord. As mentioned in previous sermons, it was not a ‘good’ time for the new King, Jesus, to arrive on scene - but God being God - makes a way for the seemingly politically impossible to become a reality.
Jason talked about the comparisons between the Roman world’s idolization of their leader Augustus and our modern tendencies to place faith and hope in “idols” - anything we trust and celebrate - whether this is power, money, acceptance of others, etc. - the list goes on and on. What do you ‘need’ to be ok/happy/at rest? That’s maybe where you’ve turned a good thing into an idol. Unfortunately, these idols shape our lives, often filling us with anxiety, fear, and dissatisfaction. They will never truly satisfy.
In the sermon, three main ideas were discussed:
Fearing Good News: The shepherds’ fear at the appearance of angels is compared to Adam’s fear after the Fall. This fear, rooted in mistrust and misperception, is tied to the idols people turn to in hopes of security and control, which ultimately leave them unfulfilled.
Hearing Good News: The angel’s announcement of Jesus’ birth offers a message of universal joy, contrasting with the limited and self-serving “good news” of worldly idols. Jesus’ message of joy, belonging, and salvation is presented as an inclusive, transformative alternative to idols that cannot fulfill humanity’s deeper needs.
Treasuring the Good News: The shepherds’ response to the angels’ news—seeking, verifying, and then sharing what they witnessed—serves as a model for today. Like the shepherds, we are called to act despite fear, to ponder, and to rejoice in the good news of Jesus. This calls for a departure from worldly idols toward true, lasting joy and liberation in Jesus Christ.
While Jesus’ message might seem threatening to those devoted to worldly values, his “light” is ultimately one of hope, life, and transformation. Friends, this message of Jesus as the true source of life and liberation is THE “good news” , and it is most certainly worth treasuring.
