Awake
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Series Introduction
Series Introduction
Going overboard with Santa. We know the story, but we want the mystery and excitement. It came back to bite him because that wonder and excitement led to questions and discovery. His kids were disappointed and probably had some serious trust issues.
Curiosity can lead us to truth. So can confusion and fear. We think that confusion and fear is a bad thing for a Christian. Sometimes it is, but God reveals himself to us through our fear and confusion.
The Shepherds. Don’t just look for God through the miraculous - look for God in the common, the regular routines, the boring.
The first people to learn about the newborn Jesus were perplexed, surprised, and even frightened. They asked, “What child is this?” But through their fear and confusion, God increased their faith. He does the same today for us. transformed their livesas they asked the question, “What child is this?”, through their fear and confusion, they were able to What Child is This?
The first people to learn about the newborn Jesus were perplexed, surprised, and even frightened. They asked, “What child is this?” But through their fear and confusion, God increased their faith. He does the same today for us. transformed their livesas they asked the question, “What child is this?”, through their fear and confusion, they were able to What Child is This?
e.g. confusion, fear leads to a search for truth; God uses our fear and confusion to find truth, to change us
Sermon Intro
Sermon Intro
e.g. not being alert; child saying, look at what I did. put this in the oven in 15 minutes; I want this finished at 2pm (basketball scores) not being alert = missing important part of life
A common task.
A common task.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.
describe the task: so important to the economy, yet the people who made it work looked down upon them
separate ourselves from the people who do the work that benefits them
stay awake: God wants to show you something.
barrier: bored with our work; too obsessed with our work;
practicing the presence of God
Common People
Common People
I am so glad that Cindy did not go the extra mile and dress in a 100% historically accurate costume. Don’t bathe all week. Don’t change clothes all week. Maybe spend a few hours in a tanning salon. Maybe even throw in some foul language. They were a rough looking group. Not the sort of person you would want handing out bulletins as people come in. In fact they weren’t welcome at all.
e.g. cigarette company - smell, shame, didn’t come to church
Looking at his disciples, he said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
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“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
isn’t it interesting that Jesus used the word shepherd to describe himself - Jesus the messiah, the king, the son of God had more in common with the poor than with the middle class or rich.
It’s true today.
Looking at his disciples, he said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
think about this - the poor are not the object of pity - they are placed at the top
stay awake: God wants to show you something.
Barriers: You see yourself as common;
You see others as common, that they have nothing to show you.
You see others as common
A Common sign
A Common sign
This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Imagine the search: a group of dirty shepherds, walking around asking, “We’re looking for a baby - born not too long ago - like today or yesterday. Lying in a manger.
Imagine the search: a group of dirty shepherds, walking around asking, “We’re looking for a baby - born not too long ago - like today or yesterday. Lying in a manger.
First, the sign: one would expect that the sign to the frightened shepherds would be some extraordinary proof. For example, as a sign a heavenly host will now appear. Instead, the sign is as common as another baby born to the poor, to be found in a feeding trough.
stay awake: God wants to show you something.
Barrier: You don’t want to be there. You regret coming. You are thinking of where you would rather be. Deciding this will be a waste of time before entering the building. (mission trip, homeless shelter, church)
Barrier: You don’t want to be there. You regret coming. You are thinking of where you would rather be. Deciding this will be a waste of time before entering the building. (mission trip, homeless shelter, church)
Expository Outlines from Luke 5. The Christmas Message (Luke 2:1–20)
II. THE SHEPHERDS—vv. 8–10
1. The working—v. 8. They are busy keeping their sheep.
2. The wonder—v. 9. The glory of God comes down to these humble shepherds. They are fearful.
3. The word—v. 10
a) News—“Fear not: for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy.
b) Nature—“Which shall be to all people.”
Luke The Birth of Jesus (2:1–21)
It was customary in the Roman Empire for poets and orators to declare peace and prosperity at the birth of one who was to become emperor. In that familiar pattern, but from heaven, comes the good news of joy and peace occasioned by the birth, not of an emperor, but of him called Savior, Christ, and Lord (v. 11). And not in palace halls but in the fields, to the poor and lowly, the news comes first.
Luke The Birth of Jesus (2:1–21)
First, the sign: one would expect that the sign to the frightened shepherds would be some extraordinary proof. For example, as a sign a heavenly host will now appear. Instead, the sign is as common as another baby born to the poor, to be found in a feeding trough.
Series Review: Going overboard w Santa, kids noticed, pursued
Confusion, fear - God can speak to us if we pursue answers, not shut
(e.g. roommate - doubts became skepticism his pursuit was wrong
1st people encountering God, messengers about Jesus, What Child?
God spoke to them despite fear, confusion, or through it
What Child is This? What new thing God teach? Read it again!
Sermon Intro: ‘stay awake’ - Shepherds, taught when awake
e.g. no listening (look dad/phone; put in oven/tv; work deadline/ncaa
Missing God because we are not alert: love, truth, presence (walks)
Barriers: lives are routine; or busy; looking for the big or none, self;
stay awake: God wants to show you something.
Common Tasks - v.8n shepherd task
Task: watch; and move and watch; no pokeman, mortal combat
Occasional excitement - animal, lost
e.g. J.Crew; occasional; routines; average task - not tv or phone
Bro andrew- the practice of the presence - God’s love thru dishes,
Luke The Birth of Jesus (2:1–21)
These two, busy with the chores of childbirth under the most difficult of conditions, do not themselves experience heaven’s visit but hear of it from the shepherds. How unusual!
Or obsessed or love; happens outside the 8-10 hours
God is speaking walking clears mind for reception
stay awake: God wants to show you something through your task or breaking from it.
Common People v. 8- Cindy - didn’t go for full authenticity
not exactly religious - e.g. cigarette company
Not a despised occupation- don’t want you to be one, but appreciate
People tended to look down upon them or through them
the object of revelation; poor; (shepherd)
Feel inferior? God wants you first; consider others? God favors them
stay awake: God wants to show you something - common person
Common Signs in Common Places v.12 - Bethlehem
Extraordinary message - common sign in common place
Imagine the search; only? Homeless? Needing hospitality?
Ever gone somewhere you didn’t want to be?
stay awake: God wants to show you something.