Shepherds, Angels, and You

Luke 2:8–20 NKJV

8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, 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, goodwill toward men!” 15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

There are Angels

There are numerous accounts of angels in the bible

There were multiple accounts of Angles surrounding the birth of Jesus:

There was the appearance of an angel to Zacharias

The appearance to Mary

The appearance to Joseph (in a dream)

And here, to the shepherds in a field

These angels are spirituals beings with great power

they exist to serve and glorify God

their mission is to help us (ministering Spirits, as the book of Hebrews calls them)

You may have met angels yourself without even knowing it.

many people have met angels and been helped by them

Hebrews 13:1–2 NKJV

1 Let brotherly love continue. 2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.

Notice that the bible says “unwittingly”

the angels are not there to make a name for themselves and do not require, or want acknowledgement.

it is likely you would not even know all the times you have been helped by them

The Shepherds Watching Over Their Flock

There was nothing particularly special about these shepherds

They were not holier than other shepherds

the bible doesn’t even mention their names

The only thing that can really be said about them is that they were doing what they were supposed to do - they were awake - tending their flock

If they would have been asleep, the would have missed this wonder

many Christians today are sleeping when they should be watching

Many are missing the miracles and signs right in front of them

These shepherds did not do anything special -

it was not anything they did that made them stand out, or be remembered

it was what they experienced that made them special - what God did

You have no idea the wonders you can experience if you just be found doing what you should be doing while serving and believing God.

The Message

The message the angels shared was personal and more

First, the angels spoke to their need - they were afraid

The angel said “fear not” - he calmed their fears

Many of us are afraid when God begins to move in our lives

He is not likely to call us to what we can do

He does not usually call us to where we are comfortable

He is not interested in limiting himself to our abilities - instead, He will raise us far beyond them.

How many people are “afraid” when God begins to call to them? When He begins to reveal the future, or the present.

God meets us where we are -

in the fields

You can serve God where you are

in their tasks

You can serve God while you do you job and take care of your family, or school

In their fears

You can serve God even while you are afraid, and facing dangers and pressures and trials

“Unto You” is born a savior -

this is great news to all people - “good tidings of great joy to all people”

It is also great news to you - personally -

both for them, and for you today - it is personal

He was near top them - in the city - available to them

He was the all sufficient - omnipotent - and caring Christ - The Lord

It was for them personally

it was for them to share -

It was for all people - those beyond that City

It was for us today

And it is just as personal for each of us today.

A Message of Praise

An entire host of angels began joining in with the praise

Saying Glory to God in the highest

Peace, Goodwill toward men

That is God’s desire for you and us

These angels were not knew to praising God

they had done so at the creation of the world

Isaiah had seen them in a vision saying Holy, Holy, Holy....

The whole earth is full of His glory!

A message of salvation:

Jesus said there was more joy in heaven over 1 sinner who repents

Jesus came to save His people from their sin

A message of peace -

there has been enmity between us

we were, by nature, children of wrath

but now have peace through Him

To Whom is the Message Revealed?

These shepherds were the first people to whom God revealed that The Christ child had been born

It was not to the Emperor in Rome

It was not the Governor in Jerusalem

It was not to King Herod

Not to the Sadducees or the Pharisees

Not to the noble or the wise

Not to the wealthy or the mighty

They were simply ordinary, and faithful

1 Corinthians 1:25–29 NKJV

25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence.

These shepherds were ordinary people - like you or I

Who Is God Speaking To Today?

He is the same, yesterday, today, and forever.

He is speaking to people like you - are you listening

The eyes of the Lord are running to and fro through the whole earth --

that isn;t necessary of you are only searching palaces and mansions

When God sends angels to reveal His awesome works today:

it is not likely to be Donald Trump or Joe Biden to receive the message first

It is also not likely to be the pope, or some other famous preacher

But He will reveal -

He does nothing without revealing it to His prophets

He is likely to speak to you- if you are faithful and humble

What great things might God do in your life?

Perhaps He will not reveal the time of His coming, or some worldwide event s(but He might), but He certainly has a message for you - If you are listening

What the Shepherds Learned from the Angels:

They could know the Savior personally

They could have a walk with Him that would glorify God

They could have personal peace

Would you Like to Have What the Shepherds Found at the Manger?

The same Christ invites you to Himself today

Respond to His love