You Are Not Overlooked Shepherds, God Sees You

Context. Cesar Augustus had declared a census be done so they were traveling to Bethlehem because that was where Joseph’s family was from. Read story Luke 2:6-20

Luke 2:6–20 HCSB

While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. Then she gave birth to her firstborn Son, and she wrapped Him snugly in cloth and laid Him in a feeding trough—because there was no room for them at the lodging place. In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David. This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in cloth and lying in a feeding trough.” Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people He favors! When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the feeding trough. After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had seen and heard, just as they had been told.

Pray

Have you ever felt overlooked?

Job promotion Crush you had Picked last for gym

Illustration: I wanted to be a jockey

Growing up I was always in sports and I worked at a horse stable for a while. So you can imagine my disappointment when I found out that even at 6’ 5” 225 lbs. I was never going to be a horse jockey.

It’s embarrassing feeling overlooked, unqualified or not good enough for something. Deep down we feel a shamed- maybe if I had put in more effort things would be different. Then insecurities rise up... Genesis in the Garden ashamed Illustration: One of the things I love about God is how he used regular people who were not all-stars to write the Bible. (help kids see this point)

I were to write the Bible to convince people of my self-developed religion I would use famous, influential types t boost my religion and grow a fan base.

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelsey in stead of Adam and Eve.

Lovable casts members like Friends or those from the Office would be disciples

I’d only choose good looking- influential people. I’d hire songwriters to pen my words instead of speech writers. I would avoid taking a political stance at all for popularity’s sake. And I would discourage talking about any cultural issues of the day especially taboo ones.

God always chooses the overlooked, marginalized or underprivileged.

Did you know that in Jesus’ day women where seen as second class citizens?

They were not allowed to testify in a court of law.

However The Bible focuses on Jesus’ Mother in the Christmas story way more than Joseph.

Jesus defended women. Women were close to Jesus, were chosen to bear witness of the resurrection and where very involved in the First church.

Shepherds: Where seen as thieving liars. Their testimonies were also not heard in a court of law. They often robbed people in the desert who traveled from town to town. They carried big sticks but when it came down to a wolf coming after the sheep the hired shepherds would just leave the sheep to die.

If you are writing a story to try and influence the world the last two groups you’d want to entrust to cary the story through word of mouth at that time would have been women and shepherds.

But that is exactly who God used.

Principle 1 God sees you no matter who you are or where you are in life. He sees you and you matter to God

it doesn’t matter if you are picked first or last.

popular or not

treated like an

outsider.

God sees you and He would love for you to know Him. Luke 2:8-9

Luke 2:8–9 HCSB

In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

I think given who they are and what is happening that is an appropriate response.

Luke 2:10–14 HCSB

But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David. This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in cloth and lying in a feeding trough.” Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people He favors!

The shepherds were afraid because of God’s holiness (Shone).

The situation itself would be terrifying. This is before electricity, before helicopters with spotlights.

This word is used in another part of the Bible and it said the glory of God shone brighter than the sun.

Let me go a little further here. Keep in mind we have bright lights we have all seen the alien lights suddenly appear in movies. Their “terror” has a morale, social, and ethical impact.

Lexham Theological Wordbook (φοβέω)

The NT range of meaning for phobeō covers the full spectrum of expected contexts such as fearing physical danger (Matt 14:30), fearing social ramifications (Matt 1:20), being afraid of causing an uprising (Matt 14:5), feeling awe at witnessing extraordinary events (Matt 9:8; Mark 4:41), fearing the wrath of God (Luke 12:4–5), or feeling reverence and respect for God (Luke 18:2, 4; 23:40; Acts 10:2).

God’s presence made them afraid because they knew His power, holiness, and presence was greater than them. They felt afraid in every area of their life physically, socially, even morally. In some way the light is also a metaphor of how God illuminates all the things in your life and compares it to His holiness.

Illustration

TYRO light illustration

We can try to put God out ,but we are always on God’s mind.

so…

God’s angel declares peace through a savior!

Illustration: Israel and Humas peace!

Their sense of conviction, fear and guilt is hardwired in us for a reason. It’s meant to lead us to God, but like warning lights on the dash of a car, we tend to just ignore them or try to cover them up.

Take the shepherds, they were suddenly made aware of a war they didn’t even understand.

“Yet in their fear the angel said, fear not! Listen to God, go to Jesus and he will change your life.” Then God will use you- the least of all- to do the greatest work of all bring others to Jesus as well.

Principle 2 We all need Jesus as our savior in order to be at peace with God.

God wanted a way for people to have a personal relationship with Him where fear, shame, anxiety, and guilt was removed and only peace, joy and the sense of belonging remained. So God made a way. He sent Jesus who was both fully God and fully man (through Mary) to come into the world, dwell among us, teach us how to live and love others like God then to remove sin between us and God bring peace to all mankind who believe. Jesus is the one-size fits all gift, that never get returned because his peace is for anyone -regardless of who you are- and when you experience God’s presence

His peace forever changes you and you never want to give it back.

Luke 2:15–20 HCSB

When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the feeding trough. After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had seen and heard, just as they had been told.

Application

(Worship team come up)

What can we learn from a story that long ago today?

God sees us and His desire for us is to hear His words,

Go to Jesus for Peace and allow God to do mighty things through you.

The shepherds lived a life opposite of God’s desire and they were rejected by society.

His holiness made them. aware of their wrong choices and they listened to God’s words and went looking for Jesus.

Realizing the angel was right about God allowing them to have peace through Jesus they began to worship Him

They left glorifying God which is to say they were thankful for God making peace between them and Himself.

Have you ever felt overlooked or rejected?

God has chosen the poor, rejected, marginalized and overlooked to give peace through Jesus.

He didn’t do it like I would have, He’s chosen the least to be great and humble not the proud.

but, If I am honest,

I wouldn’t make my own list or who’s who if I were creating my own religion. And if Your honest with

yourself, you wouldn’t

make your list either.

Romans 3:23 HCSB

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

If you’re looking for peace this Christmas listen to advice the angel gave the shepherds

Hear God’s word. Read the Bible. Start with Luke 1 today 2…

Go to Jesus

Keep reading Lk it’s ab JC

As you read, ask God to give you true understanding of peace.

Prayer

How Many Kings

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