The Glory of the King

Sermon Title: The Glory of the King
Scripture Text: Luke 2:8-20

1. Key Scriptures

• Luke 2:8-20

• Exodus 12:29-30

• Psalm 42:3

• Luke 22:53

• Ezekiel 10

• Isaiah 9:6

• Micah 5:5

• Habakkuk 2:14

• Romans 3:23

• Colossians 1:20

• Romans 5:1

• Ephesians 2:8-9

2. Sermon Flow & Takeaways

I. Introduction: Longing for Glory, Fearing Glory
Luke slows the story to focus on shepherds in the night because we long for glory but instinctively shrink back from it.

• We want transcendence, but only on our terms.

• This text forces the question: will we run from God’s glory or receive it?

II. Glory in the Darkness (vv. 8-9)
God’s glory breaks into the night, startling the lowly shepherds. Their fear reflects our human condition, made for glory, but estranged from it.

• Cultural substitutes for glory (achievement, power, technology) cannot satisfy.

• When God’s majesty breaks in, fig leaves of busyness, self-reliance, or cynicism cannot cover us.

III. Good News of Great Joy (vv. 10-12)
The angel declares joy for all people: a Savior, Christ the Lord. Greatness is revealed in weakness, glory veiled in humility.

• Earthly joy runs thin; heaven’s joy is given, not earned.

• True joy is not in possessions or performance, but in the Child given to us.

IV. Glory in Heaven, Peace on Earth (vv. 13-14)
The heavenly host erupts in praise: glory to God, peace on earth. Peace flows from rightly ordered worship.

• Human visions of peace collapse without reconciliation to God.

• True peace begins in heaven, secured by the cross.

V. Witness and Wonder (vv. 15-20)
The shepherds respond with haste, proclaim the news, and return transformed. Mary treasures and ponders.

• Real encounters with glory lead to action: witness and worship.

• Wonder is not escape but reorientation; ordinary life looks different after encountering glory.

VI. Conclusion: The Glory That Saves
The glory that terrifies is the glory that transforms. God is holy, we have sinned, yet Christ was born, lived, died, and rose to give us peace with God.

• To the religious: you need a Savior, not a résumé.

• To the secular: you need a Lord, not another self-project.

• Like the shepherds, hear the announcement, see the sign, and return glorifying God.

3. Primary Sources (cited)

• John Calvin, Commentary on a Harmony of the Evangelists, Matthew, Mark, and Luke

• Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible

• Charles Spurgeon, Sermons (esp. on Luke 2:11 and the shepherds’ response)

• Augustine, Confessions (esp. Book I: “Our heart is unquiet until it rests in You”)

• John Chrysostom, Homilies on the Gospel of Matthew (parallels on angelic praise and glory)

4. Additional Resources

• D.A. Carson, The Gagging of God: Christianity Confronts Pluralism (Chapter on incarnation and glory)

• Timothy Keller, Hidden Christmas: The Surprising Truth Behind the Birth of Christ

• R.C. Sproul, The Glory of Christ (Ligonier teaching series)

• “Christmas Eve and the Glory of God”: John Piper, Desiring God sermon (available at desiringgod.org)

• The Bible Project video: “The Gospel of Luke 1-2” (overview of the infancy narratives)