The Men You Wouldn't Invite

Luke 2:8-16

Proposition: The gift of salvation is for the unclean, which by our sin we all are.

Introduction: The undeserving who receive.

I. The Invitees

A. Shepherds considered a lowly position, because their work kept them from the work of the temple. By the law they were seen as dishonest and unclean. (Imagine a political

Backroom meeting being interrupted by this message).

In the fields - March through November, However the temple herds could be out in December as the 6 miles between Jerusalem and Bethlehem were the wilderness where the flocks wer kept.

II. The Invitation

Angelic visitations - Come in moments when God is working in salvation history.

Salvation for all people - Luke will advance through the history he records that this gift is for all people, but here the message is to the shepherds that Jesus will be salvation for all Jews, which includes them. The message is that Jesus did not come for the righteous, but the unrighteous.

III. The Response

They went and searched the mangers of Jerusalem immediately. The Lord revealed to them that salvation was available and they went to find it.

Today, the Bible reveals to us the message of the gospel.

Eph 2:8-9

Col 2:10-3:10

Barabara Robinson wrote the wonderful children’s book, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. It is the story of a frazzled woman who has to use the Herdman children to tell the story of Jesus Birth. The Herdman’s were the bad kids, liars who had stolen from the collection plate, and already smoke (even the girl). But the story is one of the transformation of the attitude of both the church and the children. That is the message of Christmas, it is not for the perfect that Christ came, but it is for those who fail and fall to sinful wrong acts. Jesus came not to condemn, but to save. Today be transformed by the Sheepherders and the Herdmans because born for us, died for us and raised for us is our salvation.