“A Night With The Shepherds”
Luke 2:8-16
Introduction:
Luke 2:8-9 “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.”
Of all the characters in the event of our Saviour’s birth; we can probably best relate with the shepherds.
Common people:
a. Outcasts, unclean (Jewish laws/rules about what, how you could eat, cook things, washing hands 3x’s a day).
b. Shepherds ate what they could get their hands on, their hands were always dirty.
Working People:
They raised sheep (food/clothing) that served as Passover & atonement lambs.
a. Passover: celebrate deliverance from Egyptian bondage
b. Atonement: cleanse/cover sin annually (killed your own sheep!)
Outcast People:
Shepherds raised sheep for the temple, but weren’t allowed in themselves (animals were good enough, they weren’t).
Average people seem to never get the breaks, these guys did
I. The Announcement
Luke 2:10 “And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.”
A. The angel brought "good tidings" (the Gospel) of "great joy" to the shepherds...but the "good news" wasn’t just for them.
1. The "good news" was not when or where the Saviour was born, but rather that the Saviour is born.
a. Christ (Christos): the anointed, the Lord (kurios), Master, owner, Sir is here.
b. Scripture does not tell us what date Jesus was born or crucified.
He was born ... Luke 2:11 “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”
2. The angels told the shepherds they would find the Messiah in Bethlehem.
a. Luke 2:12 “And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”
b. These words were a promise! When God’s word says something, it’s always a promise.
3. The kings, rulers, philosophy, religion couldn’t meet the needs of man’s heart.
a. Taxes/unemployment was high, morals were slipping, then...
b. God sent His Son, His name was Jesus! He brought peace with Him!
B. You must hear the word of God before anything else.
1. He’ll speak, give you a word of revelation, illumination...but you must listen.
2. Ask the Holy Spirit to prepare your heart for His words.
a. Confession of sin, clean hands, pure heart, etc.
b. Be where His Word is spoken, taught, preached...and practiced.
II. The Action
Luke 2:15 “And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.”
A. The shepherds had to go see this Saviour, be in His presence, experience this peace the angel talked about.
1. So they came in a hurry Luke 2:16 “And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.”
“…they came with haste,”
a. "Haste" is a participle which implies that when the angels left the shepherds went to Bethlehem right then.
b. It doesn’t say they got other shepherds to tend, watch their flock.
They could have (maybe), but I believe at that moment the most important thing was doing what they were told.
2. That required them to act on faith & go to where God led them.
a. If they waited until morning, they missed it.
b. If they left, God would watch their sheep
c. Why not?
B. When God gives you clear word, act on it.
1. God’s word is clear, not confusing-rather, it brings clarity
a. Bethlehem, baby, swaddling clothes, manger...go!
CLARITY
If you think God is telling you to leave your husband/ wife, go back to His word.
If you think it’s all right to sleep with your girl/ boyfriend because you’re in love & plan to get married, go back to His word.
If you’re withholding forgiveness because someone’s mean to you, or refuse to fellowship with someone who doesn’t agree with you, go back to the word.
God can do something in lives when they folloow His word.
III. The Acclamation
Luke 2:17&20
Vs. 17 “And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.”
Vs. 20 “And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.”
Acclamation - loud and enthusiastic approval, typically to welcome or honor someone or something:
A In vs. 17, we see that the shepherds just couldn’t say enough about.
1. In vs. 18 they tell Mary & Joseph about everything they heard about Jesus.
a. In vs. 20, they went back to their flocks... “glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen,”
I can just imagine when Luke wrote Acts, he had to think about the shepherds, too!
IV. The Aftermath
Luke 2:20 “And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.”
Do you remember what the angels were doing in v. 13? Praising God
1. In v. 20, the shepherds have taken over the angels’ job!
2. The shepherds could sing a song in a way the angels could not.
a. Angels have never sinned, didn’t understand the necessity of God’s grace personally, and were never made free from sin.
b The shepherds saw a Passover lamb (celebrate freedom from the bondage of sin).
The shepherds praised God because He came to walk with them in a stinky, filthy, unkind world.
God has given us reason to shout to the Lord!
If you experienced His grace first-hand you have a reason to praise.
He’s worthy of our praise
Rev 5:12-13 “Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. 13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.”
Conclusion:
We’ve spent the night with the Shepherds and this should help us to see Jesus not just as a gift under a tree, but rather the gift to all who will call upon His name:
I. The Announcement
II. The Action
III. The Acclamation
IV. The Aftermath
I have never seen a broken promise from God; so He will answer your prayer when you call upon Him for salvation.
