THE ANGELS OF CHRISTMAS--PART IV

SERMON TITLE: THIS WILL BE A SIGN

SERMON THEME: MORE LOVE

THE UNASSUMING SHEPERDS WERE GOD'S MESSENGERS, THE FIRST EVANGELIST, ENTRUSTED WITH A MESSAGE THAT WOULD CHANGE THE WORLD.

LUKE 2:15

¹⁵ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

· THE SHEPERDS WERE UNEXPECTED GUEST WHO CAME TO SEE THE CHRIST CHILD.

LUKE 2:16-18

¹⁶ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷ When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

· WHAT LESSONS DID THESE UNEXPECTED SHEPERDS HAVE TO SHARE IN GOD'S MESSAGE TO THE WORLD?

I) THE SHEPERDS TEACH US HUMILITY.

LUKE 2:8-9

⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

· ANGELS ARE MESSENGERS FROM GOD AND ONLY THOSE WITH EYES OF FAITH CAN SEE THEM, AND ONLY THOSE WITH EARS OF FAITH CAN HEAR THEM, AND ONLY THOSE WITH HEARTS OF FAITH CAN SENSE THEIR PRESENCE.

JAMES 4:10

¹⁰ Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

· WHEN THE SHEPERDS RECEIVED THE MESSAGE OF HOPE, THEY DROPPED EVERYTHING TO SEE THIS NEW BORN BABY, AND THEY COULD NOT WAIT TO TELL ANYONE WHO WOULD LISTEN.

II) THE SHEPERDS TEACH US TO RISK.

LUKE 2:10-12

¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

· GO AND SEE THE BABY IN THE MANGER THAT WILL BE A SIGN TO YOU THAT GOD HAS SENT YOU A SAVIOR.

LUKE 14: 26-27

²⁶ “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. ²⁷ And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

"IF YOU LOOK FOR TRUTH, YOU MAY FIND COMFORT IN THE END; IF YOU LOOK FOR COMFORT YOU WILL NOT GET EITHER COMFORT OR TRUTH ONLY SOFT SOAP AND WISHFUL THINKING TO BEGIN, AND IN THE END DESPAIR." C.S. LEWIS

III) THE SHEPERDS TEACH US TO SHARE THE GOOD NEWS OF CHRISTMAS.

LUKE 2:13-14

¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

· IF THE CHRIST CHILD IS BORN IN YOUR HEART, NO ONE CAN STEAL YOUR CHRISTMAS.

JOHN 1:1-5

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was with God in the beginning. ³ Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. ⁴ In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. ⁵ The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

· DO NOT BE AFRAID GOD IS WITH US AND HE IS DOING SOMETHING NEW, EVEN THOUGH WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SEE OR UNDERSTAND, BECAUSE GOD BRINGS GOOD NEWS TO ALL PEOPLE.

LUKE 2:20

²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

WHEN WE LET GOD'S LOVE WORK THROUGH US ON BEHALF OF OTHERS, THEN WE TOO CAN BE TRANSFORMED BY THE LOVE OF JESUS.

JOHN 8:12

¹² When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”