LUKE 2:10-11 | FOR UNTO YOU
Notes
Transcript
TEXT: Luke 2:10-11 | FOR UNTO YOU
TEXT: Luke 2:10-11 | FOR UNTO YOU
INTRO
INTRO
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
ILLUSTRATION: We all like “good news”
ILLUSTRATION: We all like “good news”
“You got a raise”
“You won an award”
I remember when Tressa told me that I was going to be a dad for the first time
I wanted to finish the movie preview before looking.
EXPLANATION: Around 2000 years ago, a group of men were out in a field doing their jobs.
EXPLANATION: Around 2000 years ago, a group of men were out in a field doing their jobs.
They were tending to their sheep
The shepherds were the lowest of society.
It was a job so low that often it was assigned to the youngest in the family.
That’s why David was given the job of shepherd.
When Samuel came looking for God’s next anointed, Jesse didn’t even think of bringing David off of the field.
Why would he… David was a shepherd… a worthless one.
If you couldn’t do anything else, you would resort yourself to being a shepherd.
Shepherds were looked down upon.
They were considered to be dishonest and unclean according to the standard of the law.
Because of that they weren’t even allowed to be a witness in a trial.
Their word counted for nothing.
And yet, on this star filled night in Bethlehem, it was to these humble shepherds in a field that the message of Christ’s birth was proclaimed.
What a stunning scene it was.
Just like any other night, they were attending to their job, taking care of the sheep.
They were just punching the clock
It’s interesting that such lowly people would be put over such an important job.
While normally shepherding sheep wouldn’t have been seen as important, these shepherds in Bethlehem didn’t watch over just any sheep.
This flock of sheep had the lambs that were to be used for the ceremonial passover sacrifice.
These were the spotless lambs that carried such great importance to the nation of Isreal.
And they were being cared for by the scum of society… the shepherds.
But on this night this despised, destitute group would be intrusted with the most wonderful message.
Message that the angel described as “good tidings”… “good news”
APPLICATION: Over these next few weeks, we are going to pull back the veil and dive into the message that these Shepherd received on this night.
APPLICATION: Over these next few weeks, we are going to pull back the veil and dive into the message that these Shepherd received on this night.
It’s a wonderful message with incredible truth to be gleaned.
The message: Luke 2:11
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
Each week will be an early gift from the Word of God, so can I encourage you, don’t miss that gift!
Come with anticipation to hear the “good tidings” that changed the lives of those shepherds and the lives of every person before and since that night!
EXPLANATION: On that night, those shepherds were undoubtedly shocked when they heard those words from the angel… “For unto you”
EXPLANATION: On that night, those shepherds were undoubtedly shocked when they heard those words from the angel… “For unto you”
Yes this was a message to the whole world!
Praise God there was no one being left out!
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
APPLICATION: God didn’t not send His Son for a chosen few.
APPLICATION: God didn’t not send His Son for a chosen few.
He didn’t send His Son just for specific ones who had been elected to eternal life with Him!
No, this message excluded no one.
In a world trying to divide and alienate more and more along social, economic, and cultural lines, God has not assigned His message to a select few!
No one has been left out.
EXPLANATION: And these shepherds were grateful for that, because if there was one group that would have gotten left out of the good news in society, it would have been them.
EXPLANATION: And these shepherds were grateful for that, because if there was one group that would have gotten left out of the good news in society, it would have been them.
But what the shepherds discovered was something even more precious than good news to the whole world.
No the angel didn’t say “for unto the whole world”
No the angel said, “For unto you!”
This was a personal message to each one of those shepherds!
APPLICATION: Friend, Jesus wasn’t just born on this earth for the whole world, He was born for you!
APPLICATION: Friend, Jesus wasn’t just born on this earth for the whole world, He was born for you!
We can learn some lessons from this message to the shepherds that is still just a true today.
V.11a, THEY WERE VALUABLE TO GOD
V.11a, THEY WERE VALUABLE TO GOD
EXPLANATION: The angels sent from God could have appeared to anyone
EXPLANATION: The angels sent from God could have appeared to anyone
They could have appeared to the politicians and the presidents
They could have appeared to the scribes and the Pharisees
They could have appeared to the wealthy business men of the day who had influence
But they appeared to the lowest of lowly of society.
They appeared to the ones whom society had deemed as worthless and unworthy.
They appeared to the ones who came from poverty and broken backgrounds.
And while the rest of the world deemed them as a waste… they had value to God!
APPLICATION: Friend, we live in a world that tells people that the only value you have is what you can add to society through your job.
APPLICATION: Friend, we live in a world that tells people that the only value you have is what you can add to society through your job.
So what happens when that is taken away?
What happens when the sickness takes over and you can fulfill your duty.
What happens when the boss says there just isn’t enough to go around and they have to let you go.
What happens when you disappoint your family and your friends
What happens when the system seems stacked against you and you seem to have lost your worth
The time of year with the highest suicide rate is during the holiday season.
Depression runs rampant because things aren’t going the way you thought they would.
And the money isn’t there, and the family isn’t happy, and work isn’t going the way you hoped it would, and it seems that your value has diminished.
Can I remind you this morning, you are valuable to God!
14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: Marvellous are thy works; And that my soul knoweth right well.
3 The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: Therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.
When everything seems to be falling apart in your life, or maybe you just find that you “have it all” and you’re still empty, it’s then that you can discover God is enough!
And God still values you!
Find your identity not in what you do with your job, or who you are as a parent or spouse, because in those roles you will fail.
In those roles you will be left unfulfilled.
No, find your identity in Christ!
ILLUSTRATION: Job lost everything in his life.
ILLUSTRATION: Job lost everything in his life.
His job, his family, his wealth… everything that most people find their identity in.
And in the midst of his sorrow and brokenness Job made a statement that it would be good for everyone in this room to take note of.
15 Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: But I will maintain mine own ways before him.
If everything was taken away, including his very life, Job chose to trust God through it!
Why, because his identity was not in any of those other things… his identity was in God!
APPLICATION: Friend, you have value this morning, not because of what you do or the family roles you play.
APPLICATION: Friend, you have value this morning, not because of what you do or the family roles you play.
You have value this morning because you are loved by God regardless of any of those things.
We celebrate this time of year because Jesus was born on this earth, and so we say, “Jesus is the reason for the season.”
For you and I, Jesus is the reason for the season… but for Jesus, you and I are His reason for the season!
Just like the shepherds discovered… you are valuable to God!
V.12, THEY HAD A PURPOSE FROM GOD
V.12, THEY HAD A PURPOSE FROM GOD
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
EXPLANATION: In the midst of this shocking moment for these lowly shepherds, they discovered God had a purpose for them!
EXPLANATION: In the midst of this shocking moment for these lowly shepherds, they discovered God had a purpose for them!
He said, “YOU are going to go and find this baby wrapped in grave clothes, and laid in a manger.”
But don’t miss this… there purpose was more than going to find this baby lying in a manger.
No, their purpose began long before that… God gave them the purpose to be a shepherd.
You see if they hadn’t been faithful to the seemingly meaningless task, they never would have been given the purpose to be the first to see and proclaim the birth of the Messiah.
Faithfulness isn’t just found in the extraordinary moments of life… faithfulness is found in the consistent daily actions of our life.
Can you imagine if one of the shepherds had called in sick on that day?
Can you imagine if there was a shepherd who walked away from his job just a few days before?
Can you imagine if there was a shepherd who had decided he was too important for this job and left to make something of himself?
One of my favorite parts of the story of the birth of Jesus is all the names we don’t know.
Sure we know Joseph and Mary
We know Elisabeth and Zacarias
We even know Simeon and Anna who saw Jesus in the temple shortly after his birth.
But we don’t know the names of the magi from the east.
We don’t know the name of the innkeeper
Wouldn’t want to be that guy
And we don’t know the names of these shepherds
We know there were 3 of them, because that’s what every children’s play says.
But we know that while they were faithful fulfilling their purpose as a shepherd, God gave them the honor to be at the birth of Christ, and to be there first people on earth to proclaim the Messiah’s birth
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
APPLICATION: Friend, God has given you a purpose.
APPLICATION: Friend, God has given you a purpose.
He has given you abilities and talents unique to you.
Some of you can play an instrument and it’s incredible!
Some of you can sing.
Some of you have the ability to connect with anyone and everyone
Some of you have the ability to build and work with your hands… it just comes natural to you.
God has given every person in this room abilities that are unique to you.
I guess we could say it this way… He’s given you unique gifts!
ILLUSTRATION: Christmas morning is always an exciting time.
ILLUSTRATION: Christmas morning is always an exciting time.
God put’s opposites together in marriage, and I am the gift giver in our family.
I love giving gifts, I love getting gifts!
There’s a special excitement when our kids open up a gift and they are so excited about it!
I love it.
But if you’re a parent this morning, you know what is soon to follow...
The kids begin playing with their toys and then one looks over at the others and wants to play with their toy.
And when that child makes their way over to usually take the toy… what is the response of the child who received the toy?
“It’s mine”
“I’m playing with it!”
“It’s my gift”
APPLICATION: You know we are a lot like my kids when it comes to our gifts God has given us.
APPLICATION: You know we are a lot like my kids when it comes to our gifts God has given us.
They’re mine!
And we only use the gifts that God has given us to make ourselves money and to serve out ourselves.
All the while God is saying “I gave you those gifts for a purpose.”
“I have a purpose for you”
God has given you a purpose and that purpose is the glorify Him.
To serve Him with the gifts and abilities He has given you.
Ultimately, He has given you your gifts that you might tell others about Him.
Friend, are you using your gifts to serve God… or are you saying “they’re mine” to Him?
You say my gift is just teaching kids, it’s such a menial thing… but what about when God opens the door for you to give the Gospel to one of those kids?
Your gift is just working on cars or building, it doesn’t really seem that important… but what about when God gives you the opportunity to share the Gospel?
You see, we are all just shepherds, that’s the purpose God has given us.
But as we are faithful doing the things we deem unimportant, God opens doors to the greatest purpose… giving the Gospel.
You see, before you are whatever it is your do… you are a Christian!
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
Whatever you are doing in your daily life, be faithful to fulfill your purpose, and looks for those opportunities to fulfill the greatest purpose… sharing the Gospel!
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSION
This morning there is great news: Luke 2:11
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
It’s a message to you and to me.
It’s a message of hope… because you have value to God!
Don’t fall to the lies of the world that would tell you anything less.
It’s a message of purpose… fulfill God’s purpose for your life today.
Use your gifts for God’s glory!
And maybe at the end of my life, while no one on this earth may remember my name, I’ll stand before a Savior Who loves me so much that He gave His life for me… And He’ll say, “You were the reason I came. You were My reason for the season”
“And you were faithful to your purpose… well done thou good and faithful servant.”
May that be all of our prayers this morning!