Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

This morning’s text brings us back to Luke 2 and the Christmas story.

Last week, we considered Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem.

Their journey was one of useful service unto God.

Others also made the journey to Bethlehem.

As we know, God revealed to a group of shepherds that His Son, the Messiah, was born there.

As for these shepherds, their journey did not start in some far town or village.

In fact, Bethlehem was their home.

No, their journey began with them heading out of town on the morning of the Savior’s birth.

I imagine their day started as it always did.

They gathered their sheep and led them down some dirt path they only knew existed.

Their way led them and their sheep to soft grassy plains where they could graze.

Later, as the sun began to set, they kept a watchful and guarded eye on their sheep.

Perhaps they were conversing about whatever significant events were happening in their village affecting their families.

I imagine the enormous throng of people coming into Bethlehem was a considerable part of their conversation.

Perhaps, their discussion turned to the taxes and how unfair it seemed to be paying taxes to some distant Roman Emperor.

As the evening wore on, they probably started a fire on which they could prepare their food.

Then, shortly after dark, and as the sheep settled in for the night, they sat around that fire listening to the familiar sounds of the sheep.

These were tired men who spent an enormous amount of energy keeping sheep.

Slowly the toil of the day, the warmth of the fire, and the calm sounds of the outdoors settled them as they gazed into the night sky, ready for another night of watching sheep.

There was nothing different about this night than any the night as they relaxed around their campfire.

They were simple men doing a simple job seeking to provide for their families.

They were not kings.

They were not warriors.

They owned no great wealth.

As for spiritual things, they left those things to the priests and scholars.

No, they were just shepherds going about their business of watching sheep.

That night turned out to be a far different one than they had ever known or experienced.

For just as they were settling in for the night, Scripture records that without warning...

Luke 2:9KJV 1900

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.

How could they not be afraid?

In an instant, their usual settling in for the night suddenly becomes a very tense situation.

Out of nowhere, an angel shows up, and the night sky glows with God’s glory.

These men are sitting by a fire under a night sky, and unexpectedly this angel appears with light shining all around them.

I have been camping many times.

I have even spent time hunting deer in the woods, coming out only after it is dark.

If such an event happened to me, I can assure you that I would have to change my clothes afterward.

However, that is not all that happened.

We know that the angel gives them a special message.

Luke 2:10–12KJV 1900

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.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

Now, remember, this has already been quite startling and very unsettling.

These shepherds listen to this beautiful message the angel is giving them from God. Perhaps, they are starting to settle down a bit when...

Luke 2:13–14KJV 1900

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, Good will toward men.

Now there is a whole multitude of angels all around them praising God.

Wow, talk about your rollercoaster of emotions.

A huge part of me wishes I could have seen all those angels praising God.

As we know, they receive the message from the angel, other angels join him, and then we see the shepherds’ reaction.

Luke 2:15KJV 1900

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 Beth-lehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

There is no doubt that all this got their attention.

Remember, they are one minute listening to the sheep and staring into the night sky.

Perhaps their minds were already on the tasks of the next day.

There was nothing different.

It was the usual “ho-hum” average day.

Then, in the next minute, everything changed for them.

The angel’s message launched them on a journey back to Bethlehem.

We do not know when they left Bethlehem.

They could have left that morning or earlier in the week.

Here is what we do know.

They were headed back to Bethlehem, and it mattered not what time it was.

Something unique had taken place in their home village, and they were going to check it.

Thus, they were on a journey that altered their life.

How do I know this?

Look at Luke 2:16-17

Luke 2:16–17KJV 1900

16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

This incredible moment was a watershed moment for all of these shepherds.

A watershed moment is a turning point, the exact moment that changes the direction of an activity or situation.

It is a dividing point from which things are never again the same.From this moment on, nothing was the same for these shepherds and the rest of the world.

I want us to see some key elements of this life-altering moment that propelled them on a journey back to Bethlehem.

I believe these same vital elements can create a watershed in your life if you allow them.

For you see, Christ’s birth leads to Christ’s death.

When we consider His life, mission, and ultimate sacrifice, it was a watershed moment and still remains.

In fact, all who will believe and accept what He has done for them will also have their life changed.

Here is the first element.

They Were Given a Profound Message of Good Tidings

Luke 2:8–12KJV 1900

8 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.

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.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

Note that the angel proclaims that his message is full of “good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.”

What make the birth of Christ a profound message of “good tiding of great joy?”

The answer is found in John 1.

John 1:1–5KJV 1900

1 Inthe beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

2 The same was in the beginning with God.

3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

Just a few verse later in that same chapter, we read...

John 1:9–10KJV 1900