Don't Be Afraid of Being Overlooked by God

“Don’t Be Afraid of Being Overlooked by God” Luke 2:8-11 December 17, 2017 The Big Idea: Many people feel overlooked in their lives – insignificant and unimportant to anyone. That was the life and experience of the shepherd families. It is profound that God chose those who were the least important in the community to announce the Good News of a Savior and the invitation to come and know Him and go and tell others about Him. You are invited by God! 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. Luke 2:8-11 But now we are seeing the righteousness of God declared quite apart from the Law (though amply testified to by both Law and Prophets)— 22 it is a righteousness imparted to, and operating in, all who have faith in Jesus Christ. Romans 3:20-22 (Phillips) 21 1. I CANNOT EARN GOD’S ACCEPTANCE BY OBSERVING THE LAW. For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands … Romans. 3:20 NLT 20 8 THREE REASONS THE SHEPHERDS FELT DISTANT FROM GOD • THEY FELT UNWORTHY. • THEY FELT INADEQUATE. • THEY FELT UNLOVED. 2. THE PURPOSE OF THE LAW IS TO SHOW ME MY NEED FOR A SAVIOR. For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are. Romans 3:20 NLT “…indeed it is the straight-edge of the Law that shows us how crooked we are, (Phillips) 3. RIGHTEOUSNESS WITH GOD COMES BY FAITH IN CHRIST ALONE. We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. Romans. 3:22 NLT WHY DID GOD COME TO THE SHEPHERDS? ü To shame the religious leaders (1 Corinthians 1:27-28) ü To bring them joy (Luke 2:10-11) ü For the sake of Joseph and Mary (Luke 2:19) ü For His own sake – for His own Glory (Luke 2:18, 20; Ephesians 1:12, 14) WHAT IS THE GOOD NEWS? No man can justify himself before God by a perfect performance of the Law’s demands— indeed it is the straight-edge of the Law that shows us how crooked we are. 20 GOD’S CHRISTMAS GIFT OFFERED TO US: ü A Savior ü Who is Christ ü The Lord