Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1924-07-03


JUNIOR TOPIC What the Shepherds
Saw and Heard.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
IC--ghe Greatest Event in the Worlds
! History.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
Great Hopes Centered in the Birth of
+ Christ.
|. Jesus Birth Foretold micah SPY.
This prediction was made some 700
years before. God moved the emperor
to enforce the decree Of taxation just
In TIME to cause Mary to be at Bethle-
hem.
II. Jesus Birth Announced to Mary
and Joseph duke l :26-3S).
The mighty archangel Gabriel was
sent by God to the little town of Naz-
areth to Mary, Jewish maiden, who
was betrothed to a carpenter of that
village by the name of Joseph, solemn
ly announcing that she should give
birth to the Messiah and that this son
should not be Joseph's son but should
be the child of the Holy Ghost (Matt.
1:lS-2D. Later the angel of the Lord
appeared TO Joseph, also, making the
same announcement to him, and added
that the child should be called Jesus,
which means that Jehovah will save
His people from their sins Matt 1
Ply.
III. The Prediction Fulfilled ". y.
This took place at q most propitious
time. The Jews were under the power
Of the Romans. Not only did the birth
of Christ occur when all systems of
religion and morality were tottering
upon their foundations but at time
most suitable for the introduction of
the Gospel. The whole world being
rnder one rule made it possible for
Christs ministers to 60 from city to
city and country to country unmolest-
ed. The Almighty rules in the whole
universe and is never behind in His
administration.
The surroundings of Christ at His
birth were of humble sort. The
Eternal God condescended TO be in
corporated with humanity-to be born
In manger, becoming the poorest of
the poor that none might be hindered
in csning unto Him.
~. christ's Birth Announced wv. s.
s14.
l. BY Whom?- The first Gospel SER
mon was preached by an angel of the
Lord. Thus I'VE see that tine exalted
ministers of God were interested in
men and had part in the announce
ment of Gods plan of salvation.
2. To Whom? His birth was an
nounced to the shepherds who were
keeping watch over their fiocks by
night. The fact that the glorious Cos
pei message was first sounded forth
to them shows that poverty is no bar
r1er to its reception, God does not
reveal Himself primarily to the princes
and great men Of the earth, but often
times lconceals from such and discloses
to the poor. Games 2 80.
g.. The Nature of the Message. 1t
was good tidings of great joy. 1t
was good tidings because the darkness
Of heathendom, which had so long Gov
cred the earth, was beginning to van.
ish The casting out of Satan, the
prince Of this world, was about to
take place. Liberty was soon to be
proclaimed to those who were il bond
age The way of salvation was to be
open to al. No longer was the knowl-
edge Of God to be confined to the
Jews. but offered to the whole world
Glorious news this. so glorious that
q multitude Of the heavenly host al
eompanied this announcement with
their song Of praise. Thus we see that
the. first Gospel Sermon was in the
open air The minister Was the angel
Of God the choir were the angels. the
audience made up Of humble shepherds.
Y. The Shepherds investigating wv.
Is, l6).
They did not stop to argue or raise
questions, though these things were
no doubt passing strange to them.
They went Immediately to Bethlehem.
where they made an investigation and
found everything Just as represented.
They had the privilege Of first gazing
upon the worlds Savior, the very
Lord Of glory. They returned with
gratitude in their. hearts, praising God
for All those wonderful things which
He h9d revealed unto them.
VI. The Shepherds Witnessing wv.
1920.
They found things as announced
When they beheld the Lord Of glory
they could not remain silent. There
fore. they went back praising God.
Those who really hear the Gospel
message cannot be silent. If they
really hear they must tell 1t out to
others
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