The Simplicity of Worship

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.

These shepherds believed what the angels had told them and they dropped everything to worship.

They left their sheep. That would seem to be a pretty big “no-no”

This reminds me of Mary who sat at the feet of Jesus worshipping while Martha was running around from this to that.

Observation: If we are not careful we can run from this party to that event to the point that we can miss WORSHIP.

Let’s go back to the word in my Title.... Simplicity. We have to keep our priorities fixed so that worship is top..

Now some astute person may say “Well they didn’t go to a church house to worship!” And that would be right… but they did it together… corporately. There is just something about gathering together to adore and make much of Jesus. I’m glad you are here together. That we are here together to worship.

But let’s face it.

Worship is an Unusual Proposition

Luke 2:20 HCSB

The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had seen and heard, just as they had been told.

glorifying- praise honor magnify exalt doxa- doxology

praising- express approval

all seen, heard.... just as they were told… confirmation.. They had experienced what had been preached by angels.

But notice I called worship and unusual proposition.. why? Look at

Luke 2:12 HCSB

This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in cloth and lying in a feeding trough.”

then

Luke 2:16 HCSB

They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the feeding trough.

How strange. Christ… Savior.. Lord.. Baby. .. Swaddling… feeding trough ..

What a paradox. You will find Christ.. Savior Lord

He’s a baby..

Wrapped in swaddling--- one Greek Word. Bundled up tight like a baby should be.

feeding trough- simple, rough, rustic. a borrowed bed that would lead to a borrowed tomb. This same baby who slept in a borrowed “bed” would one day lie dead in a borrowed tomb. For your sins and my sins he died.

Such an unusual sign…

But worshipping God is an unusual proposition anyway. why? Because or sinful bent is to worship anything but God. We can worship family, our job, sports, recreation, sex, entertainment, busyness, money, science, or even ourselves. The devil will put a million idols in our path to keep us from worship.

Even at Christmas, we can fill our calendars with dozens of things that keep us away from worship.

Today, I want to simply call you to prioritize your lives so that you worship God for HIS INDESCRIBABLE GIFT. Eternal life in Jesus.