The Shepherd’s message of Joy and Hope
Luke chapter 2:8-20
Introduction- Good Morning to you this morning, we are glad that you are here.
Pray that as we move into the second week of Advent that you are preparing your heart for His arrival.
That you would have a tender heart for the things of God.
He would be able to speak into your life… changing truths with life changing power.
Prayer
We have been in a series called Holding onto Christmas. Today looking at the shepherds proclaimed message of Joy and Hope. Two things badly needed.
We can get so busy that we could miss Christmas if we are not careful.
Last week, we looked at the Christmas story through the eyes of the innkeeper.
The person who would not have room for Jesus. Pre-occupied with life that they miss life
This morning I want to look at the shepherds…
Luke chapter 2:8-20
Let me tell you about the shepherds!
They were the last people on earth that you would expect the God of the universe to tell and show the plan of God.
They were religious outcasts.
They were unclean and un-kept.
They did not smell good.
Somebody had to keep the sheep and they were the ones that drew the short stick.
They were uneducated
One commentary said that they would be like modern day truck drivers (no offense) who were not able to be in church often because of their job of long hours and being away from home so much.
Because they didn’t get to know many people because of their traveling, they were often looked upon with suspicion, like a carnival worker or a gypsy that was always traveling.
There job in a nut shell was to watch the sheep.
They were watchmen! This past Wednesday small group we talked a lot about watchmen-
Scriptural watchmen were to be a look out, spy, one who could peer into the distance and spot an enemy, who could wait well, follow directions. This sounds like what this group of guys but they only had to worry about the sheep who were entrusted to them to watch!
There job was to protect sheep- one of the dumbest of animals- secure them, make sure they don’t hurt themselves, do not let any unauthorized people or animals in that could harm them, investigate unusual conditions and prevent damage to them or property.
Do not let anything happen to them. KEEP AWAKE AND KEEP EYES OPEN FOR DANGER
That was a hard job because sheep are not the sharpest tool in the shed being led by not the smartest of people.
Sheep would follow each other into danger if they were not looked after.
Think about it, if your God,(don’t think too long on that)
Would you really want to announce the most terrific news imaginable, and use a group of social outcasts?
God has a plan.
The shepherds were keeping watch over their flocks, and the Lord shows up right where they are at.
They were terrified- But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
“Today (right now) in the town of David a savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord.” And you will find him wrapped up in Bethlehem in a manger.”
I am sure there are many reasons for God to use shepherds, but one that I thought of was because who better can relate to those people that feel overlooked, counted out,, or one that felt they have no more chances in life.
“I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people! The shepherds were included in the all people and they were used by God to bring a message for everyone- what better group of people could have brought that great news!
Isaiah the prophet told God’s people that a savior of Israel would be a shepherd to God’s people.
See you can say what you want about the cleanliness and status of the shepherds but they took watching the sheep seriously.
Jesus called himself the good shepherd.
One that would lay down his life for the sheep.
One that would not run when the wolf comes to destroy.
Who better to understand that then shepherds.
Jesus coming mission among men, Jesus identified himself as the Good Shepherd: “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11.) In the Savior's time and place, a shepherd not only loved them but would risk his life for them.
God is no stranger to shepherds!
King David was a shepherd boy before he was anointed King of Israel.
Moses was called of God while shepherding the flock of his father-in law Jethro. (Moses experienced God’s presence in a burning bush)
You know that Christmas is going to mean different things to different people.
What does Christmas mean to a missionary in a foreign land and his whole family is far away?
Negatively-
What does Christmas mean to a kid who has been given everything and the only thing he/she knows about Christmas is the receiving of presents. (Stuff they really don’t need.)
God came to those shepherds, and he desires to come to us today.
No matter where you are on the social ladder, God has a message for you today.
You feel forgotten?
You overwhelmed?
You feel left out?
Maybe you’re here today, you say I don’t feel that way, I feel blessed! He says to us all, I’ve got a message for you today and the shepherd is bringing it.
Illustration-
Ever feel like the folks who decided to throw a party to honor very important guest. They sent out invitations, decorated the hall, and had the food catered. All the people came together at the designated time, but to their surprise, the guest of honor was not there. They made the embarrassing discovery that no one invited the guest of honor.
You cannot do Christmas without Jesus.
Christ is in Christmas for a reason.
You can X him out of Christmas, but I guarantee you will miss the meaning and blessing of Christmas when you do.
Here is a point I want you to write down-
You matter to God!
God knows you and He loves you! (Say that out loud this morning- I matter to God. Again.
No matter how insignificant you think of yourself- you are important to God.
The shepherds weren’t respected by the people, but God used them to bring each one of us a personal message this morning.
“Unto you (and me) is born this day in the city of David, a savior who is Christ, the Lord.”
Unto us was born a savior- Amen!
Illustration-
Do you remember Bubba Smith? He was a professional football player that played for the Colts. He played for the Baltimore Colts in the 70’s. Maybe you remember him as the man that made beer commercials who tore the top off the cans and engaged in the agreement of weather it was less filling or taste great. Bubba Smith said years later that he has never drank beer, and that he did it for the money. He went back to his college alma matter Michigan State and all the kids would shout was taste great, less filling. He realized then what a mistake he had made and he never renewed his contract.
I told you before about the man named Nobel, the man that invented dynamite. By mistake, his obituary was printed in the paper and he had not died. They went on to say how it impacted the war to help kill the enemy. This bothered him so much that he did not want to be remembered as a killer of people. He developed a prize for the ones who made a positive impact with people. He started the Nobel peace prize.
It is never too late- as long as you have breath to breathe.
That baby Jesus can change the world, and that same Jesus can change you. And He wants too.
“Unto you (personal) is born this day in the city of David, a savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
Listen to me as I bring this home to the heart this morning.
They were terrified. But the angel said to them “Don’t be afraid, I bring you good news! A savior has been born to us. What are you going to do with that good news this morning?
1 Corinthians 1:20-21
“Where is the wise man? Where is the Scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believed.”
1 Corinthians 1:26-29-
“Brothers, think of what you were when you were called, not many of you were wise by human standards. Not many influential, not many were of noble birth. But God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose lowly things of this world and the despised things and the things that are not, to notify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.”
I have a high respect for education and the educated. But I like simple!
The world thinks that noble people come from noble homes.
The royal family of Brittan
The Entertainment world.
I don’t think I will get a invitation to the white house Christmas party, or sit down with directors for movie reviews, but the most noble and important person of all time came into the world to tell me, and to tell you that today, in Bethlehem a savior is available for you.
Commoners, the social outcasts, and he has a important message for you to respond too.
You did not get your message in the field like the shepherds, but it is in His word.
He did send me to you this morning to remind you of his invitation.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whosoever believes in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Whoever! That is you and me- “Whoever comes to me I will never drive away.” John 6:37
Closing
Question-
What did the shepherds do with the news?
They received it into their hearts!
They investigated the truths of God and they spread the Good News.!
That sounds like the gospel in action to me!
“Let’s go to Bethlehem and see the thing that has happened.”
One time Becky and I were in a store and a young man that was mentally challenged was greeting people up in front of us, we watched as people turned away, pretended they didn’t see him or heard him. He said hello to Becky, announced that his name was David, he asked her what her name was. I came up and he asked my name. I said Tony, said hi to him. He told us merry Christmas and to have a good night.
People have no time for each other.
People do not want to be inconvenienced.
A wise man’s journey is one of faith and love.
“let’s go to Bethlehem and see the thing that has happened.
Embrace like the shepherds, the calling of God this Christmas.
Embrace the things that matter!
Don’t leave here this morning without receiving it from the Lord.
Altar Call.
