2003 CHRISTMAS SERIES, MESSAGE 4
THE SHEPHERDS "I’M OPEN TO CHANGE"
Hope Christian Church
December 21, 2003
Dr. David L. Haun
We don’t know when that first Christmas occurred. It’s date is one of God’s mysteries, though man has offered many suggestions. In fact, in the early history of the church, ancient scholars offered over 136 suggestions for the year of the birth (1)
As to the day Jesus was born, early scholars guessed a date for Christmas in every month of the year. It was not for some 300 years that the Pope set the date for December 25. Perhaps this date was chosen because it is in this period of time that the sun begins to move back into the northern tropic, ending the winter, lengthening the short days, and introducing the spring. It may have seemed fitting to illustrate in this way "the rising of the Sun of righteousness on the darkness of this world, and causing the day-spring from on high to visit mankind." (2)
While the date has been hidden by God, the message of the birth has been heralded through the centuries.
Introduction
A. Think of the most joyous time you have experienced. Think of the most joyous time you could imagine. None could compare with the great joy the angels offered. Let’s consider the story as recorded in Luke 2:8-20:
And in that region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, "Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased!"
When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." And they went with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they saw it they made known the saying which had been told them concerning this child; and all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
B. Today, we will consider the Message God has for us by answering a series of questions.
I. TO WHOM ARE GOD’S MESSAGES GIVEN?
A. Anyone God selects
1. Moses
In the eyes of many, he was a failure. He had lost his position of royalty. He had murdered an Egyptian. He was soon living in a basically servant role, working for a father-in-law who didn’t particularly respect him, who cheated him, broke his promise to him, and now had him out with the sheep like any common farm hand. But God had a different plan, and using a burning bush and a speaking flame, God called Moses to become the leader of a chosen nation.
2. Mary
An everyday "average" teenager. We see no indication of advanced education. Her training undoubtedly was to be a housewife. She had no wealth or position. But God’s angel came with a message of choosing and assurance that her name would be remembered through the centuries.
3. You and me.
There were many that God could have chosen,
Brilliant people with gifts all could see.
With above-average skills
and amazing abilities.
But He didn’t. God chose you and me.
There are many that God could be using
To make His world what it should be.
Folk with talent and knowledge and superior strength.
But He didn’t. God used you and me.
When God’s kingdom arrives in its Glory,
And successes of all folk are seen.
When God’s purpose is clear
And His "well done," we hear,
We’ll be glad God picked both you and me.(3)
B. Here were common shepherds.
I believe God purposely selected the Shepherds for his message.
If God had gone to the theologians, they would have felt compelled to check religious commentaries.
Had God visited the elite, they would have checked to see who was watching.
If the successful had been approached, they no doubt would have had to check their Palm Pilot to find an open date.
It was to shepherds that God first visited. They were going about their responsibility, not in a particularly "religious" mode. They were carrying out their secular employment responsibilities. Shepherds were to protect and care for sheep. Often they were hired hands, probably paid less than minimum wage. They weren’t in the synagogue when the call came. They weren’t expecting it. It simply was a night of God’s timing and God’s choice, and God acted.(4)
II.
HOW DO HEAVENLY URGES ARRIVE?
A. Any way God Desires
God can speak to us through a sermon, a friend, an enemy, a neighbor, a stranger, the news media, etc.
The shepherds first heard one angel - In our lives, an idea or thought is born in our minds. And so often we believe we are the only one who has heard it. We feel all alone, and that’s frightening!
But, Then, the shepherds saw many angels. Those new angels didn’t replace the first. They supplemented his message. There was suddenly a multitude of heavenly host - ’an army,’ ... ’celebrating peace!’ who had come down to let it be known here how this great event is regarded in heaven: praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased!" (5)
B. We hear God’s urge. But we feel so alone, so afraid. But,if we are faithful and follow, So often we soon recognize others who also have heard and responded to the same call we did.
In I Kings 18, A prophet, Elijah met on Mt. Carmel the prophets of Baal and through God, defeated them. He later ran in fear and hid in a cave when the queen threatened in death. Elijah sank in despair and cried out to God that He had to see God and know the call was true. In the 19th chapter, God passes by, and then whispers to Elijah that he wasn’t the only one faithful. There are, God said, 7000 whose knees had not bowed to Baal.
So often, the first voice heard telling of God’s glory is a lone voice. But when the message is given, the first thing happening is that other voices join in, and we recognize we’re not alone...
God will not be silent! You start, and others will follow. If you or I don’t respond, God will still succeed, but we’ll miss the blessing of faithfulness. Jesus, on the triumphal entry said that if the crowds were silent, even the stones would cry out.
But remember, the angels left, and then it was up to the shepherds. They decided what to do with the message they had heard. God may give you encouragement and a message, but eventually you are called to stand "along" and act on what has been heard.
III.
WHAT SIGN DOES GOD GIVE OF HIS ANNOUNCEMENT?
A. Any sign God Desires
God says, "You will find the Messiah by this token: he is lying in a manger, where surely no newborn infant was laid before." The shepherds might have expected to hear "you will find the Messiah dressed in robes, laying in state in the best home in town. You will see a crowd of attendants, dressed in appropriate garb. But that’s not what the angel said. In all of Christ’s life on earth, nothing portrayed so well his divine royalty as his insistence on total humility.
Sometimes God’s signs are spectacular. However, more often they are common things that could be missed if one is not prayerfully attentive to God’s presence.
Sometimes we pray, God, if you want me to ... make the sun rise in the west, save my marriage, give me a raise at work, let me win the lottary, etc. God does confirm His will, but so often in such common ways.
IV.
EACH OF US FACES A DECISION WHEN GOD CALLS.
Be ready for God to speak to and use you. God may call in a moment of "spiritual" involvement. He may speak today in our worship. He may call through the words of a friend - or even an enemy. Our decision is how to respond.
We had an experience just this week of God stepping in when a call is given. The miracle started about two weeks ago when I "accidentally" came across an account of a new movie showing in selected theaters. The movie was reviewed as one of the best in recent years and was titled "The Gospel of John." We were going to be at Disney World this past week, and a theater was listed in Orlando showing the movie.
When we arrived at our hotel I called the theater to see the times of showing. The recorded message didn’t list the film. I bought a paper to see where else it might be. I could find nothing. I had said to Twylah, "well, it looks as if we won’t see it." One thing we do at Disney each year is go around checking out the decorations at the different hotels. We were at the Grand Floridian, sitting in chairs enjoying all the beauty. Twylah said, "Why don’t you go ask the concierge if they can find the movie. My first reaction was to say, "Oh, they won’t help me." And then I heard her quietly say, "If you don’t ask, you’ll never know. So, I went to the desk. There were a couple of open people, so I said a quick "OK God, who’s best?" I walked up to a woman and said, "I don’t know if you can help me or not, but I’m looking for a movie that was here in town about Jesus."
Imagine my surprise when she said, "Funny you should ask. I know that movie. In fact, I’m a brand new Christian, and my preacher took me to see it a few weeks ago. Excuse me a minute, I’ve got a card about it in the back, and I’ll get it." She brought back a post card about the film.
Then she said, "Let’s call the theater I visited and find out when it’s playing." She called, and the film had left the theater. That started a thirty minute search by this lady - and two men sharing the desk who came over with suggestions and helon the phone and the internet. She finally found a theater in a nearby town that where it was playing. She called the theater and reserved us tickets. When I asked how to get to that town and that theater, a man standing nearby said, "I live there. Take I 40 to this particular exit, turn right, turn right again, look for a mall on the left, and the theater’s in the mall."
Now, when Twylah suggested, "Why don’t you go ask the concierge..." I could have replied, "Oh, there’s no possibility." "don’t want to be a bother." "I’m too embarrassed." If I had said any of those, we would have missed "The Gospel of John" --which is an outstanding portrayal of Christ’s life. But more importantly, we would have missed the chance to see God at work. When God calls, we decide whether to change and what to do.
V.
WHAT IS THE OUTCOME WHEN GOD ACTS?
A. Some wonder about it, but it may make little difference in their lives. That’s what happened in today’s scripture.
Think of this: Everyone "celebrates" the birth at Christmas, of which the date is only a guess. But so many ignore the Easter resurrection, which we can fairly accurately date.
Some ponder about it, and the planted messages grows into a life change. Mary had this experience
Some are changed in everything they do from that moment on, like the shepherds were.
The shepherds went to find the baby.
The shepherds told everyone what God had done in their lives.
The shepherds returned to their daily responsibilities praising God.
Conclusion
We already have shared the angel’s proclamation of this "good tidings of great joy. As one pastor, preaching in the late 1800’s writes: "Earth’s joy is small, her mirth is trivial, but heaven has sent us immeasurable joy, fit for immortal minds. In as much as no note of time is [included], and no [suggestion] is given that the message will ever be reversed, we may say that it is a lasting joy, a joy which will ring all down the ages, the echoes of which shall be heard until the trumpet brings the resurrection; aye, and onward for ever and for ever" (6)
Christmas is coming in a few days. We will share presents, food and fellowship. It is the shepherd’s message and my prayer that this year, we will truly recognize the message that it is Jesus who has come, and that his call to us still remain. Are we open to change?
Let us pray.....
Footnotes
(1) Spurgeon’s Sermons, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1997 by Biblesoft)
(2) Adam Clarke’s Commentary, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1996 by Biblesoft)
(3) David L. Haun
(4) Adam Clarke’s Commentary, Op. Cit.
(4) Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1997 by Biblesoft)
(6) Spurgeons Sermons, Op. Cit.
