WHY SHEPHERDS? WHY US?
By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
TEXT: LUKE 2: 7---20
I. IF I WERE GOD?
If I were God I think I would have sent the most important message of the birth of my son
into hands that were not the rough. I would not have called uneducated, lowly shepherd.
A. GOD, WHY NOT ANNOUNCE THE MESSAGE TO THE KING!
If I were God I would have made my announcement to the Governmental authority or the head of state of the day.
The King could make a proclamation. The Queen could have a baby shower.
The King had the communication lines that would pass the information of the Baby Jesus to all the unknown political systems known.
But God knew the rotten, mean King would be jealous and protective to guard His Kingdom.
The logic of the great influential political leaders would not be wise.
B. GOD, WHY NOT THE STARS OF THAT DAY?
If I were God I would use the pretty people that had great fame and great name.
These Stars would be the highly published and known of their day. These men and women had
great talents, their great fame could help spread the news God’s son is born!
Maybe the stars would not want to share their prominent important roles with God’s son.
C. IF I WERE GOD I WOULD TAP THE MILITARY POWERS OF THE AREA.
If I were God I would surely call about the military generals that have earned their honor from great military battles. These men of superior rank and military force could propagate the announcement of this precious babe in Bethlehem.
Maybe it would be dangerous because this new babe does not want a Kingdom of force.
D. IF I WERE GOD I WOULD PLUG INTO THE FINANCIAL POWER OF THE WEALTHY.
These rich people would have an abundance of materialistic resources to be dispersed to make the announcement far and wide the Savior is born.
God knew the greed and selfishness of the money people, profit is their goal, not the little prophet that would walk among the common people.
E. WELL, GOD AT LEAST SPEAK THE MESSAGE TO THE WHO’S WHO?
Seems who’s who is bent on applause and records?
F. GOD, I KNOW --- SPEAK TO THE EDUCATED SCRIBES.
The educated men could used their schooling and train and instruct all students about God’s
Only son. The mentally developed and all their polished, fancy words could launch God’s message.
But, God knew the scholars of the day would reason and lecture away the Divine little boy.
G. I KNOW, I KNOW, IF IT IS GOD’S SON, THEN LET’S MAKE THE ANNOUNCEMENT TO GOD’S PREACHERS AND PRIEST? LET’S FIND THE HIGH PRIEST, HE KNOWS ALL THE SCRIPTURES, THIS IS THE LOGICAL ANSWER.
God’s men should be the great announcer for God’s son!
Yet, God knew the religious crowd was so burdened by tradition and ceremony, that they
argued and fussed, and excluded people, and hated people, that God could not use
the religious leaders from the temple.
II. GOD DOES NOT LOOK AT PEOPLE LIKE PEOPLE LOOK AT PEOPLE!
A. THERE MUST BE A REASON GOD CAME TO LOWLY SHEPHERDS IN THE FIELD!
God loves poor people as much as he loves rich people! God loves low class people as much as the high class!
I am always amazed at why God entrusted and spoke the greatest news ever told to lowly shepherds. The men that served as shepherds in Jesus day were often uneducated and often times not very polished men. Shepherds were lonely people, spending days and weeks away
from other people and their families.
While shepherds were tending their flocks they often missed religious traditions and
by today’s standard we probably would not consider them very holy leaders.
Shepherds were wanderers and lived in tents, and often times they never had a tent,
they slept in the open air with their sheep. They were not always bathed and clean.
B. GOD DOES NOT LOOK TO THE EXTERNALS!
God does not look at gender, race, age, or any other man developed system to call who he chooses to call.
God can use failures to bring His Greatness.
It is not the shepherds that are so important, it is the message that must be told.
III. LET’S SEE WHY GOD CHOSE SHEPHERDS!
A. THEY WERE WORKERS.
The shepherds were not lazy, idle, pleasure seekers.
Luke 2:8 shepherds abiding in the field.
B. THE SHEPHERDS WERE KEEPING WATCH...
They were not all asleep, they had their eyes open, Luke 2:8.
C. THE SHEPHERDS WERE LISTENING WITH THEIR EARS...
Luke 2:10 -- 12, And the angels said...
How blessed we are when we have ears that hear the word of God!
These words the angels spoke were hallowed words, these were the Promise of the Father.
Can you hear the Promise today?
D. THE SHEPHERDS TOOK ACTION RIGHT NOW! THEY DID NOT PROCRASTINATE.
Luke 2: 15 Let us NOW GO
Luke 2:16 they made haste
E. THE SHEPHERDS WERE DOERS -- NOT FORGETFUL HEARERS.
James 1:22, 25
F. THE SHEPHERDS WERE TELLERS AND SHARERS
Luke 2:17 they made known abroud ... the saying which was told them.
The shepherds never enlarged the message, nor did they shrink the message, they shared what the angels told them.
Will we share our testimonies? Great test make great testimonies.
G. THEY WERE ABLE TO RETURN TO THEIR LOWLY -- - MENIAL SHEPHERD’S TASK AFTER THEY HAD ACCOMPLISHED WHAT GOD HAD FOR THEM TO DO.
Luke 2: 20 the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God...
Many people do not want to shine where they are, they are always wishing for something they do not have.
It would not be easy to return to the sheep and all their duties after spreading the good news, but God needs a people serving Him in their daily menial duties.
IV. THE GIFT GOES ON AND ON AND ON...
God gave His Only Son.
Mary gave her body and reputation.
Joseph gave his pride.
Shepherds gave their time and testimony.
Wise men gave gold, frankincense, myrrh.
Jesus gave the Holy Spirit.
Jesus gives us rest, Mat. 11:28;
Jesus gives us the Keys , Mat. 16:19;
He gives Living water John 4:14;
How about the gift of Eternal life John 10:28;
We need His Peace John 14:27.
WHAT WILL WE GIVE?
God knew what He was doing when he chose shepherds and the manger in the barn.
Sure, God could have chose the Holiday Inn or the strip in Las Vegas, but God in His Great Wisdom chose shepherds.
Are we carrying the message to the lost and dying world? God chose you!
Are we teaching others to proclaim the truth?
Are we supporting the church, missions, and each other by encouraging the lowly and down?
NOT ONLY ARE WE TELLING --- ARE WE PRAISING GOD?
DOES YOUR DAILY WALK GLORIFY GOD? OR ARE YOU OFFERING EXCUSES?
Why shepherds? Why you? Because God trusts us to proclaim the good news, His Son walks in our midst! The world’s best is not always God’s best. God is counting on you to spread
the good news, Jesus saves, Jesus delivers. Jesus can.
Will you tell the story?
His servant, Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
Help me, pass this on to others!
