Why the Shepherds? | Witness His Majesty
Witness His Majesty
Why the Shepherds?
Luke 2:8-20 (NIV) 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. 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.” 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.” 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.” 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. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 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.
SOUL TATTOO: The Majesty of a God story isn’t because of the story teller, it’s because God is always the hero.
Examples of unexpected, ordinary, even below average people God used:
- Noah – He drank too much, but, God used him to build the ark to save the world. (Genesis 6-9)
- Abraham and Sarah – They were an old, washed-up couple who God used to build a nation. (Genesis 11-25)
- Joseph – He was an entitled teen who went through God’s classroom, training him to save both Egypt and Israel. (Genesis 37-50)
- Moses – He was a stutterer who was God’s spokesman and leader. (Exodus 3-4)
- Rahab – She was a prostitute who God used to help his spies and overtake Jericho. (Joshua 2)
- Jonah – He was the escapist who God brought back to save Nineveh. (Jonah 1-3)
- Esther – She was the adopted orphan who became Queen to save Israel. (Esther 1-8)
- Peter – He was the quitter who God brought back to start the Kingdom. (Matthew 26, John 21, Acts 1-2)
- Paul – He was the enemy who became the most prolific Christian in the New Testament. (Acts 7-9)
Why the Shepherds?
1.) To prove that God is no respecter of persons.
2.) Because He knew he could trust them to tell the true version.
3.) He wanted to draw a parallel between a shepherd and THE SHEPHERD and what this Shepherd would be to mankind.
Luke 2:15-17 (ESV) 15When 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. 16And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child.
SOUL TATTOO: The Majesty of a God story isn’t because of the story teller, it’s because God is always the hero.
Choices to sharing the Good News:
- Trust.
- Luke 2:16 (ESV) 16And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.
- Proverbs 3:5 (ESV) 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
- Sacrifice.
- Romans 12:1 (ESV) 1I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
- Have faith and take a risk.
- Hebrews 11:8 (ESV) 8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.
- Be flexible.
- Philippians 4:12-13 (NLT) 12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
SOUL TATTOO: The Majesty of a God story isn’t because of the story teller, it’s because God is always the hero.