The Shepherd’s Story: A Testimony of Joy

Introduction:

We had our church staff Christmas party on Saturday. In my mind it not Christmas until you are able to fight over a white elephant gift exchange. This year we chose to do a white elephant coffee mug exchange. I like to get quality white elephant gifts and since it’s 2020 I went out looking for this Mug (picture). 2020/one star/broke after two months. Would not recommend. It’s funny but this is also true of how we approach the world. We complain. We give bad reviews on the

Christians are called to be people of JOY. The Spirit of God grows this fruit in our hearts and it overflows with thanksgiving.

The Christmas story reminds us that our roots are found in joy. They anchor us deep in the soil of turmoil of this life.

Christians need to be a people of Joy.

Rejoice in the Work of God (Luke 2:8-9)

We are reminded in this passage that our God is an active God. He is at work

Reminders in the text that God is at work

God is active in Rome (verse 1) prompted a degree that sent a pregnant Mary to Bethlehem. The prophesied place where the Messiah was to be born

He was at work in Bethlehem where a baby was born to a virgin

He was at work in the field of Judea. Where he sends his messengers to announce the Good news

(encouraging) God is at work in the mundane

God did not send his messengers to Kings in palaces or Priests in temples but shepherds in a field

protect sheep from predators, both those with two legs and 4

They had a difficult and cold shift - graveyard

It wasn’t a job that people respected - they were considered unclean, unreliable (couldn’t give testimony in court) and

There is more than likely more majestic in your mundane that you realize.

since these shepherds were so close to Bethlehem and Jerusalem many scholars believe that the sheep that they watched were destined to be used for sacrifice in Temple worship.

without the shepherds the necessary elements of worship would come to a screeching halt

It was a humble job, it was a job without appreciation, it was a job that was absolutely necessary.

You struggle in finding value in pushing papers, making a route, changing a diaper, formulating a powerpoint, swinging a hammer

there is honor in anything that is necessary

there is worship in work done for the glory of God

Sometimes humble work results in a humble heart

(engaging) God is at work in the hearts of the humble

Think of shepherds in the Bible. It was a job for a homeless Abraham, A fugitive Moses, The forgotten David.

They were chosen not because of their but their humble hearts

Mary’s song 1:52

APPLICATION: Do you realize that God is at work in your life and world?

you can’t say

I’m not important enough

My work doesn’t have value

I’m not good enough

We have reason to rejoice because God has chosen the detestable (reference)

Rejoice in the Good News (Luke 2:10-14)

Good news that a Savior was born

Saviors brought deliverance

Good news that the newly born baby was the Messiah

Hope that the messiah would be a king - rule with justice, (Isaiah 9)

Good news that the newly born baby was Lord

Application: REJOICE

Universal - God’s glory and his work leads to fear and praise

Be Moved by Joy (Luke 2:15-20)

Moved to investigate, to experience

As the fisherman turned disciples left the catch of their life on the shores of the sea of Galilee so the shepherds went straight to Bethlehem to see what the Lord has made known.

APPLICATION:

Moved to share

This is our holiday! Use it to honor our

Moved to wonder

meditate on the word of God