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8 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. 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!” 15 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. 17 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.
Luke 2:8-20 ESV
I. Two Departures
A. The angels depart paving the way for the shepherds to go find the sign the angels gave them.
B. The sign was the manger, the planned humble beginning of our Lord, which hinted at His humiliating ending as well.
II. Two Messengers
A. Angels are messengers of God, who in this case are evangelists, too, because they share the good news of Jesus.
B. The shepherds hear the good news and run to share it, making them evangelists, too.
III. The Shepherds as Witnesses
A. The shepherds run to share the good news because their lives now have a whole new meaning and purpose.
B. The shepherds may or may not have been good witnesses but that didn’t matter because they were God’switnesses.
C. Evangelism is repeating, to everyone you can, an old story you have heard, not writing a new story never hear before.
IV. The Two Reactions
A. Everyone has a response to Jesus, be it positive or negative.
B. Some hear the Gospel or Christmas story and creates in them a sense of wonder and curiosity about Jesus.
C. Mary and the shepherds heard the message of God and believed demonstrating a commitment to Jesus.
NEXT STEPS:
- Commitment to Jesus will leave its mark on us and although we are the same people, we are never the same again.
Next Week: The Tabernacle Part 1 Exodus 25:1-22