HEARING GOD’s GOOD NEWS-III—Luke 2:8-20
—OR—
DISCOVERING The GOOD NEWS!
Attention:
There is actual Substance to Jesus’ birth even when surrounded by the worldly traditional trappings.
*All those things that comprise the season surrounding Jesus’ birth are fun & exciting!—& nothing is wrong with that! But all those fun & exciting things should be a response to God’s ministry of love to us thru Christ Jesus.
Jesus’ birth is celebrated the world over by Christians because of:
A.)How He came—born of the Spirit, born of a virgin.
B.)Why He came—Our sins condemn us.
—&—
C.)What He would accomplish—
i)Deliver us from the penalty of our sins.
ii)Secure our place in heaven.
iii)Give us a new purpose...His purpose.
iv)Empower us to live for Him(moment-by-moment) by His Spirit.
Shepherds were given an official announcement of Jesus’ birth.
Jesus’ birth has been publicly announced.
BUT...
Who will hear God’s Good News?
4 means of Hearing God’s Good News.
Recently, we found that Those who Hear/Discover God’s Good News are those who...
1. Are HUMBLED In GOD’s PRESENCE(:8-9)
2. Are PREPARED for it(:10-11)
3. SEE IT’s POTENTIAL(:13-14)
4—Those who Hear/Discover God’s Good News...
ACT ACCORDINGLY(:12, 15-20)
Explanation:(:12,15-20) Special Service/Appropriately
:12—“And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”
The shepherds were told of the “sign”/proof of this momentous event.
Once in Bethlehem(near them?) they would find “an” infant(“Babe”) “wrapped in swaddling cloths” & lying in a feed trough.
That the “Babe” would be “wrapped in swaddling cloths” would be an indicator of the “Babe’s” age. It would also imply for them that the baby would be well cared for being “swaddled” by His mother. That the “Babe” would be swaddled ‘might’ also indicate a lower social standing, given that strips of cloth rather than an entire blanket would warm Him.
Yet though the baby would be well-cared for, He would also be found by the shepherds to be “lying in a manger.” How very odd that an infant of such heavenly importance would be laid down to rest/sleep by His mother(parents) within a ‘feeding trough’ for domestic animals!
A “manger” would be very familiar to the shepherds given they were herdsmen. They would have no qualms about approaching such a situation, whereas others may have been hesitant, even though theirs was a largely agricultural(pastoral & agrarian) society.
Thus this angel’s description was technically “a sign” for the shepherds. “The sign” was an unquestionable identifying indicator, which had been revealed for the benefit of the shepherds given their part in the dissemination of the Good News.
Thereby it is heavily implied that the shepherds were expected to visit & see with their own eyes, this baby Savior, who was God’s Anointed Christ & Lord of all(:11).
Would the shepherds more than anybody have know the locations of public &/or private stables in Bethlehem(:11)?--Not necessarily, given their generally ceremonial ‘uncleanness’ & the nomadic nature of their work. However, if even one of them was from Bethlehem(the city of David) or operated out of Bethlehem or the general area, they may have been well aware of such locations.
“Sign”—shmeion—1) A sign, mark, token—1a) That by which a person or a thing is distinguished from others & is known—1b) A sign, prodigy, portent, i.e. An unusual occurrence, transcending the common course of nature—1b1) Of signs portending remarkable events soon to happen, 1b2) Of miracles & wonders by which God authenticates the men sent by him, or by which men prove that the cause they are pleading is God's. Strong—An indication, especially ceremonially or supernaturally.
“Babe”(See :16)—brefov—1) An unborn child, embryo, a fetus; 2) A new-born child, an infant, a babe. Strong—of uncertain affinity; An infant(properly, unborn) literally or figuratively. Used 8X.
“Wrapped in swaddling cloths”(See :7)—sparganow—Verb—1) To wrap in swaddling clothes—1a) Of an infant just born. Strong—from sparganon(a strip; from a derivative of the base of sparassw meaning to strap or wrap with strips); To swathe(an infant after the Oriental custom) Used 2X.
“Lying”(See :16)—keimai—Verb—1) To lie—1a) Of an infant, 1b) Of one buried, 1c) Of things that quietly cover some spot—1c1) Of a city situated on a hill, 1d) Of things put or set in any place, in reference to which we often use "to stand”—1d1) Of vessels, of a throne, of the site of a city, of grain & other things laid up together, of a foundation; 2) metaph.--2a) To be(by God's intent) set, i.e. Destined, appointed, 2b) of laws--To be made, laid down, 2c) Lies in the power of the evil one, i.e. Is held in subjection by the devil. Isthmi properly denotes an upright & active position, while keimai is properly reflexive & utterly prostrate). Strong—middle voice of a primary verb; To lie outstretched(literally or figuratively).
“Manger”(See :7)—fatnh—1) A crib, a manger. Strong—from pateomai(to eat); a crib (for fodder):-- Manager, stall.
:15—“So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem & see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.””
The angels left the shepherds. They went “into heaven” from where they had come.
When they left, the shepherds then collected themselves & discussed what had happened among themselves. “Imperfect tense, inchoative, “began to speak,” each to the other. It suggests also repetition, they kept saying.”—RWP
Their conclusion was that they should go unhesitatingly to Bethlehem.(Cf.-:12) Any mission begins this way...with an unhesitating trust in God...God’s call, equipping, & direction.
They wanted to “see” the manifestation of what the angel(s) had proclaimed. It was a visible work of God in their midst!
They knew that the angelic message was a revelation from the Lord Himself(See :9; Cf.-Heb. 1:14 & Ps. 103:17-22 & [Lot’s rescue]—Gen. 18:1-2, 16, 22, 19:1, 12-13, 16-17, 24-25, 29).
Heb. 1:14—[of angels]—Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?”
Ps. 103:17-22—“But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting On those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children’s children, To such as keep His covenant, And to those who remember His commandments to do them. The LORD has established His throne in heaven, And His kingdom rules over all. Bless the LORD, you His angels, Who excel in strength, who do His word, Heeding the voice of His word. Bless the LORD, all you His hosts, You ministers of His, who do His pleasure. Bless the LORD, all His works, In all places of His dominion. Bless the LORD, O my soul!”
Gen. 18:1-2, 16, 22, 19:1, 12-13, 16-17, 24-25, 29—“Then the LORD appeared to him by the terebinth trees of Mamre, as he was sitting in the tent door in the heat of the day. So he lifted his eyes & looked, & behold, three men were standing by him; & when he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them, & bowed himself to the ground,”.....“Then the men rose from there & looked toward Sodom, & Abraham went with them to send them on the way.”.....“Then the men turned away from there & went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the LORD.”.....“Now the two angels came to Sodom in the evening, & Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them, & he bowed himself with his face toward the ground.”.....“Then the men said to Lot, “Have you anyone else here? Son-in-law, your sons, your daughters, & whomever you have in the city--take them out of this place! For we will destroy this place, because the outcry against them has grown great before the face of the LORD, & the LORD has sent us to destroy it.”.....“And while he lingered, the men took hold of his hand, his wife’s hand, & the hands of his two daughters, the LORD being merciful to him, & they brought him out & set him outside the city. So it came to pass, when they had brought them outside, that he said, “Escape for your life! Do not look behind you nor stay anywhere in the plain. Escape to the mountains, lest you be destroyed.”.....“Then the LORD rained brimstone & fire on Sodom & Gomorrah, from the LORD out of the heavens. So He overthrew those cities, all the plain, all the inhabitants of the cities, & what grew on the ground.”.....“And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, & sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when He overthrew the cities in which Lot had dwelt.”
!Likewise...we must act on that which the Lord Himself reveals to us without hesitation!
“It was” & “Come to pass”/“Came to pass” & “Come to pass”/“Came about” & Happened”/“When” & “Happened”2X(See :1, 6)—ginomai—Verb—1)To become, i.e. To come into existence, begin to be, receive being; 2) To become, i.e. To come to pass, happen—2a) Of events; 3) To arise, appear in history, come upon the stage—3a) Of men appearing in public; 4) To be made, finished—4a) of miracles--To be performed, wrought; 5) To become, be made. Strong—a prolongation & middle voice form of a primary verb; To cause to be(“gen”-erate), i.e. reflexively--To become(come into being), used with great latitude(literal, figurative, intensive, etc.).
“Gone Away”—apercomai—Verb—1) To go away, depart—1a) To go away in order to follow any one, go after him, to follow his party, follow him as a leader; 2) To go away—2a) Of departing evils & sufferings, 2b) Of good things taken away from one, 2c) Of an evanescent state of things. Strong—To go off(i.e. depart), aside(i.e. apart) or behind(i.e. follow), literally or figuratively.?From—apo—1) Of separation—“From”. Strong—a primary particle; “Off,” i.e. Away(from something near), in various senses(of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative).—&—ercomai—1) To come; 2) metaph.—To come into being, arise, come forth, Be established, become known, To go, to follow one. Ercomai denotes motion or progress generally, & of any sort, hence to “come” & arrive at, as well as “to go.” Strong— To come or go(in a great variety of applications, literally & figuratively).
“Into”—eiv—Preposition—1) Into, unto, to, towards, for, among.
“Heaven”—ouranov—Noun Masc.—1) The vaulted expanse of the sky with all things visible in it—1a) The universe, the world, 1b) The aerial heavens or sky, the region where the clouds & the tempests gather, & where thunder & lightning are produced, 1c) The sidereal or starry heavens; 2) The region above the sidereal heavens, the seat of order of things eternal & consummately perfect where God dwells & other heavenly beings. Strong—perhaps from the same as orov(through the idea of elevation—Probably from an obsolete orw(to rise or “rear”)); The sky; by extension--Heaven(as the abode of God); by implication--Happiness, power, eternity; specifically, the Gospel(Christianity).
“Shepherds”(See :8, 18, 20)—poimhn—Noun Masc.—1) A herdsman, especially a shepherd—1a) in the parable--He to whose care & control others have committed themselves, & whose precepts they follow; 2) metaph.—2a) The presiding officer, manager, director, of any assembly: so of Christ the Head of the church—2a1) Of the overseers of the Christian assemblies, 2a2) Of kings & princes. Strong—of uncertain affinity; A shepherd(literally or figuratively). Used 18X.
“Go to/Go...Unto”—diercomai—Verb—1) To go through, pass through—1a) To go, walk, journey, pass through a place, 1b) To travel the road which leads through a place, go, pass, travel through a region; 2) To go different places—2a) of people--To go abroad, 2b) of a report--To spread, go abroad. Strong—To traverse(literally).?From—dia—a primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; Through(in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional).—&—ercomai—1) To come; To come into being, arise, come forth, show itself, find place or influence; Be established, become known, to come(fall) into or unto; To go, to follow one. Ercomai denotes motion or progress generally, & of any sort, hence to “come” & arrive at, as well as “to go.”.
“Now/Indeed”—dh—Particle—1) Now, then, verily, in truth, really, surely, certainly; 2) Forthwith, at once. Strong—a particle of emphasis or explicitness; Now, then, etc.. Used 6X.
“To/As Far As”—ewv—Conjunction—1) Till, until. Strong—of uncertain affinity; A conjunction, preposition & adverb of continuance--Until(of time & place).
“See”—eidw/oida—2nd Aorist Active Subjunctive—1) To see—1a) To perceive with the eyes, 1b) To perceive by any of the senses, 1c) To perceive, notice, discern, discover, 1d) To see—1d1) i.e. To turn the eyes, the mind, the attention to anything, 1d2) To pay attention, observe, 1d3) To see about something 1d31) i.e. To ascertain what must be done about it, 1d4) To inspect, examine, 1d5) To look at, behold, 1e) To experience any state or condition, 1f) To see i.e. Have an interview with, to visit; 2) To know—2a) To know of anything, 2b) To know, i.e. get knowledge of, understand, perceive—2b1) of any fact, 2b2) the force & meaning of something which has definite meaning, 2b3) To know how, to be skilled in, 2c) To have regard for one, cherish, pay attention to(1Th 5:12). Eidw/oida denotes to see with the mind's eye, signifies a clear & purely mental perception. Strong—a primary verb; used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent optanomai & oraw; properly--To see(literally or figuratively); by implication(in the perfect only)--To know.
“Thing”(See :17—“saying”)—rhma—Noun Neuter—1) That which is or has been uttered by the living voice, thing spoken, word; 2) Subject matter of speech, thing spoken of. Strong—An utterance(individually, collectively or specifically); by implication--A matter or topic(especially of narration, command or dispute); with a negative naught whatever.
*RWP—This is “A Hebraistic & vernacular use of rhma(something said) as something done.”
“Lord”(See :11)—kuriov—Noun Masc.—1) He to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; Master, lord. Kuriov has a wider meaning[than despothv], applicable to the various ranks & relations of life & not suggestive of either property or of absolutism. Strong—from kurov(supremacy); Supreme in authority, i.e. as noun--Controller; by implication--Mr.(as a respectful title).
“Made known”—gnwrizw—Aorist Active Indicative 3rd Sing.—1) To make known—1a) To become known, be recognized; 2) To know, to gain knowledge of, have thorough knowledge of—2a) in earlier Greek it means “To gain a knowledge of” or “have thorough knowledge of.” Strong—To make known; subjectively--To know. Used 24X.?From a derivative of—ginwskw(to “know”(absolutely)).
:16—“And they came with haste & found Mary & Joseph, & the Babe lying in a manger.”
“And they came with haste”
The shepherds “hastily” “came” to where Mary & Joseph were & indeed saw the baby lying in the manger just as the angel had declared & for which they all had praised God.
What did the shepherds do with their sheep? Were they so taken with the revelation that they left their sheep, like the woman at the well had left her waterpot(Jn. 4:7, 28)?
Jn. 4:7, 28-29—“A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.”.....“The woman then left her waterpot, went her way into the city, & said to the men, “Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?””
This is what all who are convicted of the Holy Spirit should do. We should be compelled to “come with haste” to that which God has called us as well as in the manner He calls us!
“& found Mary & Joseph, & the Babe lying in a manger.”
I usually chuckle to myself when I read this segment in English (without the apostrophe). Don’t suppose all three of them were lying in the manger—unless it was an excessively large manger! The Greek assures us that “the Babe” was lying separately.
When we are obedient to the Almighty God, we will always find that no matter the circumstances, God was absolutely right in His determinations & our part in them!
“Came”—ercomai—Verb—1) To come—1a) of persons—1a1) To come from one place to another, & used both of persons arriving & of those returning, 1a2) To appear, make one's appearance, come before the public; 2) metaph.—2a) To come into being, arise, come forth, show itself, find place or influence, 2b) Be established, become known, to come(fall) into or unto; 3) To go, to follow one. Ercomai denotes motion or progress generally, & of any sort, hence to “come” & arrive at, as well as “to go.” Strong—middle voice of a primary verb; To come or go(in a great variety of applications, literally & figuratively).
“With Haste/Hurried off”—speudw—Verb—1) To haste, make haste; 2) To desire earnestly. Strong—To "speed"("study"), i.e. Urge on(diligently or earnestly); by implication--To await eagerly. Used 6X.?Probably strengthened from—pouv—1) A foot, both of men or beast—1a) Often in the orient, one put his foot on vanquished, 1b) Of disciples listening to their teacher's instruction are said to be at his feet. Strong—a primary word; A “foot”(figuratively or literally).
“Found”—aneuriskw—1) To find out by search. Strong—To find out:-- Find. “The compound ana suggests a search before finding.”—RWP Used 2X.?From—ana—a primary preposition & adverb; properly--Up; but by extension, used distributively--Severally, or locally--At(etc.)—&—euriskw—1) To come upon, hit upon, to meet with—1a) after searching, To find a thing sought, 1b) without previous search, To find(by chance); 2) To find by enquiry, thought, examination, scrutiny, observation, to find out by practice & experience; 3) To find out for one's self, to acquire, get, obtain, procure. Strong—To find(literally or figuratively).
“Lying”(See :12)—keimai—Verb—1) To lie—1a) Of an infant, 1b) Of one buried, 1c) Of things that quietly cover some spot—1c1) Of a city situated on a hill, 1d) Of things put or set in any place, in reference to which we often use "to stand”—1d1) Of vessels, of a throne, of the site of a city, of grain & other things laid up together, of a foundation; 2) metaph.--2a) To be(by God's intent) set, i.e. Destined, appointed, 2b) of laws--To be made, laid down, 2c) Lies in the power of the evil one, i.e. Is held in subjection by the devil. Isthmi properly denotes an upright & active position, while keimai is properly reflexive & utterly prostrate). Strong—middle voice of a primary verb; To lie outstretched(literally or figuratively).
“In”—en—
“Manger”—fatnh—Noun Fem.—1) A crib, a manger. Strong—from pateomai(to eat); A crib(for fodder). Used 4X.
:17—“Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child.”
When the shepherds had witnessed the “sign”, the shepherds publicized the word/statement(“a Savior who is Christ the Lord”) about the “child” that was given them by the angel. This was possibly to recall the prophecy of Isa. 9:6 for them...
Isa. 9:6—“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
This would also have confirmed what would have been heard previously thru Mary & Joseph regarding Gabriel’s visit(1:28-38).
The shepherds had been told & thereby they told others of God’s “good tidings of great joy” in the arrival of their Savior.
?How can you/I/we “make widely known the saying which was told them”?
!When you become convinced of God’s truths regarding Christ/Messiah...Then you will tell & share with others these same truths, in your own God-ordained way!
!Your audience may be hardened to God’s truth...OR...They may be open to it...That’s God’s business. But tell them anyway!
“Made widely known”[TR/Byz]—diagnwrizw—1) To publish abroad, make known thoroughly; 2) To discriminate. Strong—To tell abroad. Used 1X.?From—graptov—Inscribed(figuratively)—&—gnwrizw—To make known; subjectively--To know.
*NU—gnwrizw—1) To make known—1a) To become known, be recognized; 2) To know, to gain knowledge of, have thorough knowledge of. Strong—To make known; subjectively, to know.
“Saying” (See :15—“saying”)—rhma—1) That which is or has been uttered by the living voice, thing spoken, word; 2) Subject matter of speech, thing spoken of. Strong—An utterance (individually, collectively or specifically); by implication, A matter or topic (especially of narration, command or dispute); with a negative naught whatever.?“A Hebraistic & vernacular use of rhma(something said) as something done.”—RWP
“Child”—paidion—Noun Neuter—1) A young child, a little boy, a little girl—1a) Infants, 1b) Children, little ones, 1c) An infant—1c1) Af a (male)child just recently born, 1d) Of a more advanced child; of a mature child; 1e) metaph.--Children(like children) in intellect. Paidion refers exclusively to little children. Paidion denotes a child in respect to ‘descent’ rather than ‘age.’ Paidion is a neuter diminutive of paiv, with paidion & paidarion being used without appreciable difference to denote a young child. Strong—A childling(of either sex), i.e. properly--An infant, or by extension--A half-grown boy or girl; figuratively, an immature Christian.
:18—“And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.”
All who heard the shepherd’s declaration wondered at the significance of the events.
!Once you share the Good News of God’s Savior & His salvation, some will indeed “marvel” & “wonder” at it’s meaning for them!
Some will reject it but some will be changed due to it!
Mat. 13:18-23—“Therefore hear the parable of the sower: “When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, & does not understand it, then the wicked one comes & snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word & immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, & the cares of this world & the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, & he becomes unfruitful. But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word & understands it, who indeed bears fruit & produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”
“Marveled/Wondered/Amazed”—yaumazw—Verb—1) To wonder, wonder at, marvel; 2) To be wondered at, to be had in admiration. Strong—from yauma[Wonder, or admiration]; by implication--To admire.
“Told”—lalew—Verb—1) To utter a voice or emit a sound; 2) To speak—2a) To use the tongue or the faculty of speech, 2b) To utter articulate sounds; 3) To talk; 4) To utter, tell; 5) To use words in order to declare one's mind & disclose one's thoughts—5a) To speak. Strong—a prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; To talk, i.e. Utter words.?Lalew means an extended or random harangue, while legw means to relate, in words[usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas epw & fhmi generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while rew is properly, to break silence merely].
“Shepherds”(See :8, 15, 20)—poimhn—Noun Masc.—1) A herdsman, especially a shepherd—1a) in the parable--He to whose care & control others have committed themselves, & whose precepts they follow; 2) metaph.—2a) The presiding officer, manager, director, of any assembly: so of Christ the Head of the church—2a1) Of the overseers of the Christian assemblies, 2a2) Of kings & princes. Strong—of uncertain affinity; A shepherd(literally or figuratively). Used 18X.?*The tasks of a Near Eastern shepherd were:?—to watch for enemies trying to attack the sheep?—to defend the sheep from attackers?—to heal the wounded & sick sheep?—to find & save lost or trapped sheep?—to love them, sharing their lives & so earning their trust.?*During World War II, a shepherd was a pilot who guided another pilot whose plane was partially disabled back to the base or carrier by flying alongside him to maintain visual contact.
:19—“But Mary kept all these things & pondered them in her heart.”
However, Mary herself took to heart the statement adding them to her personal knowledge of the birth. She pondered the significance of her circumstances, having been charged with such a fantastic motherhood.
Mary deeply considered all she had been confronted with, & all she had believed all her life, piecing them together in order to properly regard her new circumstances.
“Kept”—“Imperfect active. She kept on keeping together(sun-) all these things. They were meat & drink to her. She was not astonished, but filled with holy awe.” “She could not forget.”—RWP
*“Mary would go over each detail in the words of Gabriel & of the shepherds & compare the sayings with the facts so far developed & brood over it all with a mother's high hopes & joy.”—RWP
“Notice that everyone hears the same thing but they have 2 very different responses.
A. The crowd is IMPRESSED, but Mary is IMPACTED.
B. The crowd LISTENS, but Mary LINGERS.”—Lance Witt—‘How to Enjoy Christmas as a Pastor’—Dec. 19, 2016 @ SermonCentral.com
Martha’s sister Mary had the same response as Mary the mother of Jesus.
Lk. 10:38-42—“Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; & a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet & heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, & she approached Him & said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.” And Jesus answered & said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried & troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, & Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”
“...The richness of your holiday season is directly related to your ability to linger over God-moments.” “Lingering helps me to slow down, to savor, to deeply experience.”—Lance Witt
“But”(See :6—“So/And”)—de—Conjunction—1) But, moreover, and, etc.. Strong—a primary particle(adversative or continuative); But, and, etc..
“Kept/Treasuring Up”—sunthrew—Imperfect Active Indicative 3rd Sing.—1) To preserve(a thing from perishing or being lost); 2) To keep within one's self, keep in mind(a thing, lest it be forgotten). Strong—To keep closely together, i.e. by implication--To conserve(from ruin); mentally--To remember(& obey). Used 4X.?From—sun—1) With. Strong—a primary preposition denoting union; With or together(but much closer than meta or para), i.e. By association, companionship, process, resemblance, possession, instrumentality, addition, etc.—&—threw—1) To attend to carefully, take care of. Threw expresses watchful care & is suggestive of present possession. Strong—To guard(from loss or injury, properly, by keeping the eye upon;), i.e. To note; To detain(in custody; figuratively--To maintain); To withhold(for personal ends; figuratively--To keep unmarried).
*“Imperfect active. She kept on keeping together(sun-) all these things. They were meat & drink to her. She was not astonished, but filled with holy awe. The verb occurs from Aristotle on. She could not forget.”—RWP
“Pondered/Meditating”—sumballw—Present Active Participle-Nominative Singular Fem.—1) To throw together, to bring together. Strong—To combine, i.e. in speaking--To converse, consult, dispute, mentally--To consider, by implication--To aid, personally--To join, attack. Used 6X.
“Heart”—kardia—Noun Fem.—1) The heart—1a) That organ in the animal body which is the centre of the circulation of the blood, & hence was regarded as the seat of physical life, 1b) Denotes the center of all physical & spiritual life—1b1) The vigor & sense of physical life, 1b2) The centre & seat of spiritual life—1b2a) The soul or mind, as it is the fountain & seat of the thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, affections, purposes, endeavors, 1b2b) Of the understanding, the faculty & seat of the intelligence, 1b2c) Of the will & character, 1b2d) Of the soul so far as it is affected & stirred in a bad way or good, or of the soul as the seat of the sensibilities, affections, emotions, desires, appetites, passions, 1c) Of the middle or central or inmost part of anything, even though inanimate. Strong—prolonged from a primary kar(Latin, cor, "heart"); The heart, i.e. figuratively--The thoughts or feelings(mind); also by analogy--The middle.
:20—“Then the shepherds returned, glorifying & praising God for all the things that they had heard & seen, as it was told them.”
The shepherds went back to their work with the sheep.
They returned glorifying & praising God for all they had heard & seen. The angels themselves ascribed glory to God & the shepherds did likewise!
What does it mean to “glorify” God?...
...To ascribe to God all the goodness that is inherently His & that is from Him alone! To give God “glory” is to point out the greatness of God as it relates to any particular manifestation. To give God “glory” is to make much of His perfect character, & His design, inclusive of everything that that design touches!
They “glorified & praised” God because everything occurred just as the angel(s) had told them, for they were told of a great joy(:10) & God’s glory(:14) in bringing it about!
*’Lowly’ Shepherds became God’s special emissaries, ambassadors, & witnesses.
What is your excuse for not doing as the shepherds?
When God speaks we are to Listen/Obey!
“Returned”—epistrefw—1) transitively—1a) To turn to—1a1) To the worship of the true God, 1b) To cause to return, to bring back—1b1) To the love & obedience of God, 1b2) To the love for the children, 1b3) To love wisdom & righteousness; 2) intransitively—2a) To turn to one's self, 2b) To turn one's self about, turn back, 2c) To return, turn back, come back. Strong—To revert (literally, figuratively or morally):-- Come (go) again, convert, (re-)turn (about, again).
“Glorifying”(See :14)—doxazw—Verb—1) To think, suppose, be of opinion; 2) To praise, extol, magnify, celebrate; 3) To honor, do honor to, hold in honor; 4) To make glorious, adorn with luster, clothe with splendor. Strong—To render (or esteem) glorious (in a wide application):-- (make) Glorify(-ious), full of (have) glory, honor, magnify.
“Praising”(See :13)—ainew—Verb plural—1) To praise, extol, to sing praises in honor to God; 2) To allow, recommend; 3) To promise or vow.
Argumentation:
1Cor. 1:26-29—“God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise”
Rom. 11:29—“the gifts & the calling of God are irrevocable.”
Amos 7:10-16—“Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel[a false prophet] sent to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying, “Amos has conspired against you in the midst of the house of Israel. The land is not able to bear all his words. For thus Amos has said: ‘Jeroboam shall die by the sword, And Israel shall surely be led away captive From their own land.’” Then Amaziah said to Amos[a true prophet]: “Go, you seer! Flee to the land of Judah. There eat bread, And there prophesy. But never again prophesy at Bethel, For it is the king’s sanctuary, And it is the royal residence.” Then Amos answered, & said to Amaziah: “I was no prophet, Nor was I a son of a prophet, But I was a sheepbreeder And a tender of sycamore fruit. Then the LORD took me as I followed the flock, And the LORD said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to My people Israel.’ Now therefore, hear the word of the LORD:...”
God’s strategy is to give Joy, Hope, Unity, Compassion, Reverent fear of God, Life, Abundant life.
Not just at Christmas! But thruout our lives.
Acts 20:35—[Paul to the Elders of the Ephesian Church]“I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
Ex 40:35—And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, & the glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD.
Isa 6:1-3—“In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high & lifted up, & the train of His robe filled the temple. Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, & with two he flew. And one cried to another & said: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!”
Matt. 25:31-46—“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, & all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. “All the nations will be gathered before Him, & He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry & you gave Me food; I was thirsty & you gave Me drink; I was a stranger & you took Me in; I was naked & you clothed Me; I was sick & you visited Me; I was in prison & you came to Me.’ “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry & feed You, or thirsty & give You drink? When did we see You a stranger & take You in, or naked & clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, & come to You?’ “And the King will answer & say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil & his angels: for I was hungry & you gave Me no food; I was thirsty & you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger & you did not take Me in, naked & you did not clothe Me, sick & in prison & you did not visit Me.’ “Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, & did not minister to You?’ “Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ “And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
2Tim. 1:8-14— “But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully, knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless & insubordinate, for the ungodly & for sinners, for the unholy & profane, for murderers of fathers & murderers of mothers, for manslayers, for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, & if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine, according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust. And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, & an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith & love which are in Christ Jesus.”
Heb. 11:1—“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
1Pet. 2:11-16—“Beloved, I beg you as sojourners & pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation. Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers & for the praise of those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men-- as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God.”
Eph. 2:4-9—“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), & raised us up together, & made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, & that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”
Jn. 20:26-29—“And after eight days His disciples were again inside, & Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, & stood in the midst, & said, “Peace to you!” Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, & look at My hands; & reach your hand here, & put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” And Thomas answered & said to Him, “My Lord & my God!” Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen & yet have believed.”
Illustration:
Traffic Signal: When our oldest son, Matthew was a young toddler riding in a car seat—We would be sitting at a red light waiting for it to turn green so we could go/Too many times to count on two hands, Matthew would inevitably shout out “Go!”—Nothing wrong with making sure Daddy’s(the driver) paying attention, but such a command is dangerous & life-threatening when the light is still red!/Signals--AKA Signs—are important to follow!/ACT ACCORDINGLY
When our children were in the house, Sausage Balls became the family’s traditional Christmas Day breakfast/My wife began buying everything needed to make Sausage Balls!/The Christmas season motivates us to buy Bisquick, cheddar cheese, & fresh pork sausage in certain proportions & make Sausage Balls!/ACT ACCORDINGLY
Horseback cavalry—Trumpet sound is a Call to arms!/ACT ACCORDINGLY
Boss to employee/Present your work on the Smith account by Tuesday/ACT ACCORDINGLY
Alex(our dog while living in Cordele, GA) was barking at something outside the window/He had intercepted a ‘possum’ in the bushes, which was now ‘playing dead’/I told kids so they could see it/Stopped what they were doing & came to look/ACT ACCORDINGLY
Application:
?Are You ACTing ACCORDINGLY regarding God’s Good News?
Called to celebrate the Savior. ?Will you make the move?
CONCLUSION:
Visualization:
What’s the world’s strategy in the Christmas season?
Holiday? Vacation? Family? Friends? Hunting? Gifts? Party?--ANYTHING BUT God’s truth in Jesus!
?Replaced Christmas w/Worldly Traditional Trappings?
Action:
Those who Hear/Discover God’s Good News are those who...
4. ACT ACCORDINGLY(:12, 15-20)
1. Are HUMBLED In GOD’s PRESENCE(:8-9)
2. Are PREPARED for it(:10-11)
3. SEE IT’s POTENTIAL(:13-14)
Pt. 4 only! presented 01/07/2017am-END SERIES- to:
FBC Cbelle
206 Storrs Ave. SE(SE Ave. A)
Carrabelle, FL 32322
