The Shepherds and the Angels

Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me! O Lord, make haste to help me! Let those be put to shame and disappointed altogether who seek to snatch away my life; let those be turned back and brought to dishonor who delight in my hurt! Let those be appalled because of their shame who say to me, “Aha, Aha!”

Prayer

Teen Talk

Hymn - 1278 - O Church arise, and put your amour on

Notices

Prayer Meeting - 7:30pm

Friday 7pm - Online

Sunday Morning 11am

Tithes & Offerings - £ 220.00

Main Prayer

Prayer Items

Jedidiah

If God permit, I can join a football team soon. Also help my sisters in their studies.

Jemima

Praying Judy is OK, I haven’t seen her in a while.

Remi

Pray for all of us to spread the Gospel and to help everyone that needs help and the people who are sick in the hospital.

Extra Prayer Item

The funeral for Catherine Hodge, Joan’s sister, will take place at Chingford Mount Cemetery on Tuesday 22 March at 1:00pm

Hymn - 1308 - May the Grace of Christ, Our Saviour

Sermon Search

Why do people join demonic groups, for example to get rich?

Why do people be Christian and convert to an atheist?

Why will Putin want start war?

In R.E. we learn about literal and metaphorical view of Genesis. Does that mean a metaphorical view is wrong? Or is believing there are random gaps in between?

Reading

Luke 2:8–21 ESV

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 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. 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. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” 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.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Sermon

Jesus - The Son of Man

Shepherds visited by Angels

Luke 2:8 ESV

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

Shepherds were generally dispised and poor

These shepherds likely to be those looking after the sheep ready for passover (Exodus 12 - a year old sheep/goat, mutton)

Lambing season is Nov-March in Israel (rainy season)

They were devout men, Levite Shepherds

Luke 2:9 ESV

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.

Angel of the Lord Appeared (abrupt, not seen approaching)

Glory of the Lord - Bright Light

Filled with Great Fear

Luke 2:10–12 ESV

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. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”

Stop being afraid

I bring Good News

Of great Joy

For all the people (God’s People/Followers - those who believe)

…because born to you this day - the great promise

city of David - Bethlehem

“The Saviour” who is Christ the Lord

Sign - wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger

Glory to God in the Highest

Luke 2:13–14 ESV

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

Suddenly a multitude of heavenly host

Praising God

Saying - utter (pronounce)

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

Those that God has graciously chosen

Shepherds visit Jesus

Luke 2:15 ESV

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.”

Once the Angels had departed

The Shepherds affirmed to each other the need & desire to go to Bethlehem

implied distance

Luke 2:16–17 ESV

And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child.

Went with haste

Tower of the Flock?

Upper floor living accomodation, ground floor “stable” where lambing would take place.

Staying with Levite Shepherds? or picture form?

After leaving told everyone what had been told them, and had seen

Luke 2:18 ESV

And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.

People marvelled (amazement)

Luke 2:19 ESV

But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.

Mary treasured & pondered

Luke 2:20 ESV

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Shepherds glorifying & praising God

Luke 2:21 ESV

And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Circumcision

Sign of the Covenant

Submisison & Obedience to God the Father

The emphasis is however on being named, Jesus (The Saviour)

Conclusion

What is our response?

Amazement?

Treasure & Pondering

Glorifying and Praising God

Hymn - 359 - Hark! The herald Angels sing

Closing Prayer

Doxology(read) –

NOT TO US BE GLORY GIVEN but to him who reigns above: Glory to the God of heaven for his faithfulness and love! What though unbelieving voices hear no word and see no sign, still in God my heart rejoices, working out his will divine.

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