SF561 - THERE IS STILL A STAR IN THE SKY - S IS FOR THE SHEPHERDS (Luke 2 8-20)
SF561
THERE IS STILL A STAR IN THE SKY
“S” Is For The Shepherds
Luke 2:8‑20
INTRODUCTION
Whose Birthday is it Anyway?
There lived an eight year old boy named Jason. It was his birthday, and so Jason was excited about his birthday but strange things took place. His grandparents came, but instead of stopping at Jason's home, they went up the street and spent their entire stay with a family that Jason and his family did not even know.
Jason's mother baked a birthday cake for Jason but gave it to the mailman. Jason's friends heard about his birthday and they exchanged gifts all over the area but Jason received nothing. Everybody would send birthday cards to one another and even to two dogs and one parakeet but Jason, whose birthday it was, never got a single card.
Until finally, Jason was disgusted with the celebration of his birthday; and, so, he went out and borrowed a cheerleader's megaphone and walked through the land at night saying, "Who's birthday is it, anyway?"
Series Background
(Matthew 2:2) ..."Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."
He is the Star!!!
In Numbers He is the Star of Jacob...
(Numbers 24:17) ".... A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel. He will crush the foreheads of Moab, the skulls of all the sons of Sheth.
In 2 Peter He is the Star that shines in our hearts...
(2 Peter 1:19) ... a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
In Revelation He is the Bright Morning Star...
(Revelation 22:16) "... I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star."
1A. THE GRACE THEY EXPERIENCED (8-14)
1B. They were unlikely choices because of...
Who They Were (v.8)
Outcasts
Considered to be liars ‑ not allowed to be witnesses in court
What They Did (v.8b)
Made them ceremonially unclean
Raising sheep for Passover
2B. They were chosen because...
God knew that they were...
Honest enough to recognize their need for a Savior
Humble enough to receive Jesus as Savior!
2A. THE FAITH THEY EXERCISED
(Hebrews 11:6) And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
1B. They Accepted God’s Word (v.15)
God's Word will always conflict with the World's ways
Isaiah 55:8 (NIV) "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD.
Prov 14:12 (NIV) There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.
2B. They Acted On God's Word (v.16)
(James 2:26) As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
Acting on God's Word always requires that we move from where we are.
"come, follow me..."
You must act on God's Word when He speaks
"hurried..."
3A. THE GRATITUDE THEY EXPRESSED
1B. Notice Their Proclamation (v.17‑18)
Christ-center (17)
Compelling (18)
2B. Notice Their Praise (v.20)
For God's glory!
For God's grace!
APPLICATION
E. Stanley Jones tells about a missionary's son who was in the United States and his parents were in a distant land and it was Christmas.
A teacher went in the boy's room and said, "Son, if you could ask for any gift this Christmas, what would you ask for?"
And that boy looked at his desk, at a framed picture of his father. And he said, "I'd say, Father, step out of that frame."
The need of the world was for God to step out of eternity, to step out of that frame, that dimension, and to visit man and God did it in Jesus.
That is what Christmas is...
You too can experience...God’s grace
When you do you will want to exercise your faith!
And finally you will openly express your gratitude