Our texts for December 14 are Luke 1:57-66; Luke 1:67-80; Luke 2:8-20. In 1525 William Tyndale smuggled part of Matthew’s Gospel into England after anti-Lutheran opponents disrupted the production of the full New Testament in Cologne. That fragment of the New Testament contained a Prologue that defined the word gospel and explained salvation from an early Protestant point of view. We considered Tyndale’s definition of the word “gospel” and noted the influence of his translation of Luke 2:10 on future English translations. Then we looked at the birth of John the Baptist and at his father’s prophecy about Jesus, salvation, and John. We considered the proclaimation of the Gospel to the shepherds by the angel and we thought about how we ourselves should respond to the Gospel:

  • believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved;
  • grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus;
  • worship God;

Today’s sermon audio can be found on Castbox at 144 “I Bring You Good News”, Luke 2:8-20.

  1. Introduction: Tyndale’s Gospel
    1.1. Tyndale’s Definition of the Word Gospel
    1.2. Tyndale’s Translation of Luke 2:20
  2. His Name Is John (1:57-66)
    2.1. Gabriel’s Sign
    2.2. The Name John Means “God Is Gracious”
  3. Knowledge of Salvation (1:67-80)
    3.1. Jesus (1:67-75)
    3.2. John (1:76-80)
  4. A Savior Who Is Christ the Lord (2:8-14)
    4.1. The Angel (2:8-9)
    4.2. The Message (2:10-12)
    4.3 The Heavenly Host (2:13-14)
  5. Conclusion: Let Us Go (2:15-20)
    5.1. How the Shepherds Responded (2:15-17)
    5.2. How We Should Respond (2:18-20)

Scripture References: Luke 1:57-66; Luke 1:67-80; Luke 2:8-20;

“But the angel said unto them: Be not afraid. For behold I bring you tidings of great joy that shall come to all the people.” Luke 2:10, from William Tyndale’s 1534 New Testament (spelling modernized).

“Evangelion (that we call the gospel) …” This “is a Greek word and signifieth good, merry, glad and joyful tidings, that maketh a man’s heart glad, and maketh him sing, dance and leap for joy”. William Tyndale, Cologne New Testament Fragment, AD 1525 (from William Tyndale: A Biography by David Daniell).

“… when the gospel is preached to us, he [God] openeth our hearts, and giveth us grace to believe and putteth the spirit of Christ in us, and we know him as our father most merciful … the blood of Christ hath obtained all things for us of god.” (from William Tyndale, Cologne New Testament Fragment, AD 1525 (from William Tyndale: A Biography by David Daniell).