Christmas Consolation
Introduction
The English words, "fear" and "phobia" come from the Greek word phobos. A phobia is an irrational, excessive fear of something. Think about some of the phobias.
acrophobia - An abnormal fear of high places. aerophobia - An abnormal fear of air, especially drafts.
agoraphobia - An abnormal fear of open or public places.
claustrophobia - An abnormal fear of being in narrow or enclosed spaces. ailurophobia - An abnormal fear of cats.
algophobia - An abnormal fear of pain. arachnophobia - An abnormal fear of spiders.
astraphobia - An abnormal fear of lightning and thunder. bathophobia - An abnormal fear of depths.
hydrophobia - An abnormal fear of water. cainotophobia - An abnormal fear of newness. ergophobia - An abnormal fear of work. hypnophobia - An abnormal fear of falling asleep. monophobia - An abnormal fear of being alone. ochlophobia - An abnormal fear of crowds.
nyctophobia - An abnormal fear of the night or darkness. photophobia - An abnormal or irrational fear of light. reuthophobia - An abnormal fear of blushing. triskaidekaphobia - An abnormal fear of the number 13. zoophobia - An abnormal fear of animals.
But for all our fears and phobias, God has just the right word: "Fear not." (Paul Lee Tan # 3735)
We never find Adam afraid of God, nor of any manifestation of Deity while he was in Paradise an obedient creature, but no sooner had he touched the fatal fruit than he found that he was naked, and hid himself. When he heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, Adam was afraid and hid himself from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden. Sin makes miserable cowards of us all. (Spurgeon)
But Christ had come to conquer the power of sin; and the first result of sin's power in Adam was fear.
I. There Was Consolation For A Solitary Heart Luke 1:26- 35
A. Mary Was Told of a Present Favour vs. 28-30
1. She Had A Special Honor vs. 28
favoured (vs. 28) - charitoo, khar-ee-to'-o; to grace, i.e. indue with special honor:--make accepted, be highly favoured.
2. She Had A Spiritual Heart vs. 30
favour (vs. 30) - charis, khar'-ece; graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstr. or concr.; lit., fig. or spiritual; espec. the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude):--acceptable, benefit, favour, gift, grace (-ious), joy liberality, pleasure, thank (-s, -worthy).
B. Mary Was Told of a Powerful Future vs. 31-32
1. She Was Told of a Son vs. 31
2. She Was Told of a Sovereign vs. 32
II. There Was Consolation For A Struggling Household Matt 1:18-25
A. Let's Notice The Domestic Dilemma vs. 18-19
As he brooded over the matter alone, in the stillness of the night, his domestic prospects darkened and his happiness blasted for life. (From Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary)
1. His Crumbling Hopes vs. 18
2. His Crushed Heart vs. 19
B. Let's Notice The Divine Directive vs. 20-21
1. God Seems To Say,
[Fear not] Do not hesitate, or have any apprehensions about her virtue and purity. Do not fear that she will be unworthy of you, or will disgrace you. (From Albert Barnes' Notes)
2. God Seems To Say,
III. There Was Consolation For The Sum Of Humanity Luke 2:8-20
A. In The Exciting Message of Evangelism To All People
good tidings - euaggelizo, ( yoo-ang-ghel-id'-zo ); to announce good news ("evangelize") espec. the gospel:--declare, bring (declare, show) glad (good) tidings, preach (the gospel).
great - megas, meg'-as
1. A Saviour Luke 2:11
2. A Sign Luke 2:12
B. In The Explicit Message of Ease On Earth Toward Men
peace - eirene, i-ray'-nay; prob. from a prim. verb eiro (to join); peace (lit. or fig.); by impl. prosperity:-- one, peace, quietness, rest, + set at one again.
good will - eudokia, yoo-dok-ee'-ah; satisfaction, i.e. (subj.) delight, or (obj.) kindness, wish, purpose:--desire, good pleasure (will), X seem good.
Conclusion
As we stand on the brink of a new year and a new era, when so many are consumed with fear and worry about the uncertainty of the future, Mr. Spurgeon said, "There is no antidote for fear more excellent than the subject of that midnight song, the first and best of Christmas chorales, which from its first word to its last note chimes out the sweet message, which begins with, 'Fear not.'"
(2 Timothy 1:7) For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power (Mary), and of love (Joseph), and of a sound mind (The Shepherds).