The Shepherds...

1. Received a special invitation

- From God through an angel - Luke 2:9 - And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.

- To meet Jesus - Luke 2:12 - And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.

2. Ran with Urgency

- To see Jesus - Luke 2:16 - And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.

- They Were not ashamed of Jesus - Luke 2:17 - Then the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child.

3. Responded with Praise

- God was faithful - Luke 2:20…and because they has seen the child, just as the angel had said.

- They were changed - Luke 2:20 - The shepherds went back to their fields and flocks, glorifying God for what the angels had told them, …

The Shepherds reminds us that…

God has invited us to have a relationship with him through Jesus - Romans 10:9-10 - because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

We must share Jesus with others - Matthew 28:18-20 - Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Romans 10:14-15 - How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard?And how are they to hear without someone preaching?And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”

Know and Praise the Lord for all He has done - Psalm 105:1-2 - Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works!

Gospel risks are never wasted.