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The Shepherd's Example
Places preached:
Bethel Baptist Church (Simcoe) - Dec. 20, 1995
Mississauga International Baptist Church - Dec. 20, 1998
/Text: / Luke 2:8-20
Introduction: We have here an account of */the most wonderful revelation /*to a group of shepherds.
Why were the shepherds chosen by God?
They were lowly, unknown and obscure.
Yet, the angel of the Lord appeared to them, announced the birth of the Saviour, and they, responding in simple faith came to worship the babe, and went on their way telling the good news.
Yet this is more than a heartwarming account of what took place nearly 2000 years ago.
It is an example for each of us today.
Do we look at the birth of Christ as some tradition that is trotted out every Decemeber, or do we sincerely accept the message and true purpose for Christ's coming to earth.
The shepherds lives were changed forever on that night.
And unless the Christmas story changes our lives too we have missed its real meaning and purpose.
Let us notice...
! I.
The Shepherd's Retreat vs.8
/And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night./
It is night time in the hills of Judea.
These hardworking shepherds are looking after their flocks, keeping an eye out for predators and potential dangers for the flock.
It is a time of peace and quiet for the shepherds as well as the sheep.
The labours and physical toil of the day are behind them, it is a reflective and restful time.
And it was in the stillness of the night that God chose to send His messenger to reveal the birth of Christ to this band of shepherds.
A time when He would have their full and undivided attention.
Application - It is often in those times of quiet and stillness that the Lord will come to us.
We may be laid up in a bed of sickness or injury.
Illus: Dad's broken leg in April~/95 - Dad told me how the Lord helped him to realize some important truths during the time he was laid up.
It may be that we need to schedule some quiet time.
On a daily basis.
On certain occasions.
Just as the body needs a time to rest so we need that time of spiritual retreat.
time to get away from the busyness and noise of life and allow God to speak to our hearts.
!
II.
The Angel's Report vs.9-12
/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./
In the stillness and quiet of the night the shepherds watch their sheep, when, without warning they are confronted by a heavenly visitor, an angel of the Lord, and surrounded by the glory (the brightness) of the Lord.
Needless to say, the shepherds were frightened.
What could this heavenly visitor want?
Had they displeased God? Did the Lord have some special mission for them?
Were they dreaming?
The angel immediately put their fears to rest, and their hearts at ease by saying, "/Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people./"
FEAR NOT
What great words of comfort!
Nearly 100 times in the Bible we find the words "Fear not" or "Be not afraid".
*To Mary* – /Luke 2:30/ “....Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
*To Joseph* – /Matthew 1:20/ “....Fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
!! Now to the Shepherds
The Lord knows we have fears.
It might be a financial fear, it may be we have some real enemies, it might have to do with our family or our health, it may be related to our walk with the Lord.
But in every case our fears can be calmed if we will put our confidence in God.
Psalm 118:6/ The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?/
Why did the shepherds have nothing to fear?
Because of.....
GOOD TIDINGS
The angel's announcement is good news.
The good news is the Gospel.
It is explained in vs.11
!! 1.
The Good News is Personal
/For unto you..../
John 3:16 /For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life./
Rom 10:13 /For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved./
I'm so glad that I'm a "whosoever."
!! 2. The Good News is Present
/...is born this day..../
No more waiting, no need to delay, Christ is born today.
What are you waiting for?
!! II Cor.
6:2
!! 3. The Good News is Practical
/A Saviour..../
This is mankind's greatest need, and that need has been met through the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.
!! 4. The Good News is a fulfilment of Prophecy
/...which is Christ the Lord.../
He is the Messiah, the annointed One of Israel.
The Saviour who had been prophesied of in the OT and long awaited.
TO ALL PEOPLE
All nations, all walks of life, all classes.
This announcement came to shepherds.
If it had come to kings, noblemen or dignitaries some might doubt that it really was for all people.
But it came to the blue collar group, these humble shepherds.
!
III.
The Angel's Rejoicing vs.13-14
/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./
As soon as the angel had finished his announcement he was surrounded by a vast multitude of angels, a heavenly choir, and they praised God loudly.
WHY?
!! 1. Jesus birth brought Glory to God.
!! 2. Jesus birth brought Peace to mankind.
Not initially peace between the nations, but peace within the hearts of those who receive Him.
From time of Christ till now (2000 years) the world has only had peace for eighty of those years.
Dozens of wars right now.
There were those in OT Israel.....who proclaimed peace.
Jer.
6:14 /saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace/.
! Just who established the Nobel Peace Prize?
And what brought on the idea?
*Alfred Nobel*, a Swedish scientist, patented 355 inventions, including artificial silk and leather.
To him, "a day without any new idea was a day wasted!"
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