WHEN THEY MET THE SAVIOUR

Luke 2:1–21 ESV

1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. 8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 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. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 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 among those with whom he is pleased!” 15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. 21 And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Luke 2:1-

Introduction

Beside new year’s eve, Christmas is the most celebrated event in our modern Christian world. Nevertheless, still many people were preoccupied of the celebration than the reason and essence of the celebration.

Historically Christmas was originated from a pagan Roman festival called “Saturnalia”.

They celebrate the holiday by:

a public banquet, followed

by private gift-giving,

continual partying, and

a carnival atmosphere that overturned Roman social norms:

gambling was permitted, and

masters provided table service for their slaves as it was seen as a time of liberty for both slaves and freedmen alike.

Yes, this season might have been rooted in a wrong way, but I believe that the word of God is true, and Christmas, the birth of Christ, had really happened, yes, not in December as many have claim, we don’t know when it happened exactly. But one thing we are sure, Christ has been born in Bethlehem more than 2000+ years ago and since then had changed many lives when they met Jesus, our Saviour.

My question for you is: Have you met the Saviour?

One of them are the S

In our study today we will be looking back on the first gathering right after Jesus was born.

When the Shepherds met the Saviour.

The Shepherd’s State

Luke 2:8 ESV

8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

Lowly Occupation

Least people in the society

From the highest throne in heaven to the lowest of lowest on earth.

The Angel’s Announcement

Luke 2:9 ESV

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.

Luke 2:9

Exodus 33:18–20 ESV

18 Moses said, “Please show me your glory.” 19 And he said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The Lord.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. 20 But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live.”

It brings Grace

Context: After God gave the ten commandments in Mount Sinai and the people of Israel was found worshiping the Golden Calf. Moses was making an intercession with God to spare the people of Israel from His judgement.

Exodus 33:18–20 ESV

18 Moses said, “Please show me your glory.” 19 And he said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The Lord.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. 20 But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live.”

God’s glory brings to us two (2) things:

Grace

Judgement - because of God’s glory is God’s holiness.

Grace - God is gracious.

It brings Joy

Luke 2:10 ESV

10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

Luke 2:

Why does the good news brings us great joy?

What is the good news?

It brings Peace

Luke 2:14 ESV

14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

It brings Joy

It is an inner peace within His people.

The perfect peace will be in the presence of God in heaven.

The Shepherd’s Response

They Seek the LORD

Luke 2:15 ESV

15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”

They Share the LORD

Luke 2:17–18 ESV

17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.

Luke 2:17 ESV

17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child.

Luke 2:

They Worship the LORD

Luke 2:20 ESV

20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Luke 2:

Luke 2:20

CONCLUSION AND CHALLENGE

Have you met the Saviour? How did you respond?

Yes, there might be no more angelic singing over us, no more manger, but we have His word that is true and infallible. His word that is faithful throughout generations and a testimony of what God has done in the past and what He will be done into your life once you committed your life to Him like how did the Shepherds did when they met the Saviour, Jesus.

When They Met the Saviour

The Shepherd’s State

They have “Lowly” Occupation

They were “Least” people in the society

The Angel’s Announcement

It brings Grace

It brings Joy

It brings Peace

The Shepherd’s Response

They Seek the LORD

They Share the LORD

They Worship the LORD