The Shepherd's Story: When You Realize God Loves You

The Shepherd’s Story: When You Realize God Loves You Luke 2:8-20 December 8, 2019 The Big Idea: The best news in the world is that God sent a Savior, born for you, who is Christ the Lord. The inclusion of the Shepherds in the announcement of Christ was a surprising expression of God’s concern and love for them. You are not beyond the reach of God’s love. “Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, Vindicated by the Spirit, Seen by angels, Proclaimed among the nations, Believed on in the world, Taken up in glory.” 1 Timothy 3:16 (ESV) 1. The Gospel is Good News For All People 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. 3 Things We Need to Know about Jesus • Savior • Christ • Lord How is God Pleased by Us? • When we put faith in Him. [Hebrews 11:6] • Be spiritually minded. [Romans 8:6-8} • Do God’s will. [Hebrews 13:21] • Offer the sacrifices of your life God is seeking. [Hebrews 13:15-16] 3. The Gospel of Christmas Demands a Personal Response When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 15 8 2. The Gospel is For Our Joy and God’s Glory 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. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and 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 among those with whom he is pleased!” 10 Isaiah 53:2 Salvation is not automatic for any of us. The Gospel calls for a personal and individual response. Have you repented of sin and turned to Jesus, trusting Him as Christ, Savior, Lord? 4. The Gospel of Christmas Will Be Shared With Others And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. 17