Sermon Notes - Fear Not! Good News of Great Joy: Shepherds
The Theme of Christmas: Faith
Christmas is all about faith. Every event leading up to and surrounding the birth of Jesus centers on this theme. But what is faith? Hebrews 11:1
What is faith? It is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead.
Faith is a powerful spiritual force. It operates on a principle—a law. Hebrews 11:3 (TLB) tells us that God used faith-filled words to create the world. That’s how powerful faith is!
In the Christmas story, everyone faced a choice: to act in faith or give in to fear. God has always used faith to accomplish His plans, and the events of Christmas teach us to strengthen our faith and trust in Him.
One phrase keeps showing up throughout the story: “Fear not.” It’s a reminder from God through the angels that faith, not fear, should guide us.
Let’s look at some examples of how this faith was demonstrated by individuals who played key roles in the story.”
Examples of Faith in the Christmas Story
Zechariah’s Faith
Zechariah was told by an angel that he and his wife, Elizabeth, would have a son, John, even though they were too old. Zechariah had to choose whether to believe this incredible news.
Mary’s Faith
Mary was told by an angel that she would give birth to Jesus, the Savior of the world. Even though this seemed impossible, she chose to trust God’s plan.
The Wise Men’s Faith
The Wise Men saw a star in the sky and believed it signaled the birth of a great King. By faith, they journeyed for months, bringing gifts to honor Jesus.
Joseph’s Faith
In a dream, Joseph was told not to fear taking Mary as his wife because her child was from God. Joseph could have doubted the dream, but he chose to trust and obey.
The Shepherds’ Faith
The angels appeared to the shepherds, announcing Jesus’ birth and telling them to go see the baby. By faith, they left their flocks and went to find Him.
The Message for Us Today
God is still searching for people who will believe in Him and act in faith. Just as He called those in the Christmas story to trust Him, He calls us today.
He was actively looking for people who would believe what was coming, who would align and agree with what He was doing, who would take the right cause of action, looking for people who would respond to His call by faith. God is still doing the same today-searching for those who would be foolish enough to believe in Him and act on His instructions. John 1:12 AMP
John 1:12 (AMP) says:
But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the right [the authority, the privilege] to become children of God, that is, to those who BELIEVE in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name.
This Christmas, let’s remember the theme of faith. Let’s choose to trust God and say “yes” to His plans, just as the people in the Christmas story did.
Good News Delivered to Shepherds
Luke 2:7-20
In ancient Israel, shepherds were considered among the lowest members of society, viewed as dirty and unclean due to their work with sheep. Despite this lowly status, Jesus referred to himself as the “great Shepherd,” symbolizing his willingness to engage in the difficult work of purification in people’s lives. The text highlights how God often visits people unexpectedly, as illustrated by the angel’s appearance to shepherds in the night.
Jewish laws dictated that only sheep designated for temple sacrifices could graze within Israel, primarily from Bethlehem, where specially trained shepherds, known as Levitical shepherds, ensured these lambs were perfect for Passover sacrifices. The appearance of angels to these shepherds announcing the birth of Jesus, the ultimate sacrifice who would end the need for animal sacrifices, is noted as significant irony. The message concludes with a call to approach the Christmas season with a sense of fearlessness, drawing lessons from this biblical narrative.
Fear Not - Hold On To His Words
The Bible we hold in our hands is no ordinary book. It was delivered to us by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to men who were moved by God to write down the truths we now have. 2 Timothy 3:16.
Some of them literally had astounding visions and wrote what they had heard from God for our learning. Romans 15:4NKJV. reminds us that everything written in the past was for our instruction, and through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope. What a gift the Bible is to us.
So lets talk a little bit more on this, we’ll divide this into two lessons:
The Messenger Does Not Change the Importance of the Message
God’s word is powerful, regardless of the messenger. Ordinary men delivered extraordinary news, highlighting that the message matters more than the messenger. We may feel we need a specific person or experience to hear from God, but even shepherds were ordinary individuals. The Bible’s power isn’t diminished by its appearance. God seeks those who treasure His word, like Mary, who cherished the shepherds’ message. Are we valuing God’s word or distracted by the messenger’s appearance? How much do you treasure and engage with the Bible? Hebrews 2:2-3.
God Values the Heart that Treasures His Word. God is looking for people who will treasure His word. Isa 66:1-2NIV
::Do you tremble and reverence his word?::
God Speaks using the most mundane and simple Ways
The shepherds experienced an encounter unlike anything most of us will ever experience—a direct supernatural visitation, a glorious revelation message of the Savior from the lips of angels. Thats indeed awesome.
But here’s the key point: while the shepherds had this extraordinary encounter, the message they received(the birth of the Savior, Jesus Christ) was the same message that other people heard (which was also God speaking to them) but through ordinary shepherds, without any angelic visitations.
You see, in our lives we often long for God to speak to us in dramatic or spectacular ways~~.~~
This reminds us that God doesn’t always speak through the spectacular. In fact, He often chooses to reveal Himself in the quiet, simple, and everyday mundane moments of our lives.
Whether through a Bible verse that seems to leap off the page as you read,
- a sermon
- a word of encouragement from a friend
- a word in your devotional time,
- a conversation with a friend,
- or a moment of stillness in prayer,
God is still speaking to us today. Many people say God doesn’t speak to me.
The thing he is speaking, we just didn’t recognize him or we weren’t sensitive enough to His leading.
::Once we hear God’s Word, what we do next is crucial—acting on it which is what these shepherds did.
Fear Not - Act on His word
Luke 2:15-16
::15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.”::
::16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.::
We remember from the story that the shepherds were terrified when the angel appeared.
Yet, they didn’t let their fear paralyze them.
Instead, they chose faith, deciding to act on the message they received. How often does fear hold us back from following God’s instructions or trusting His promises? The shepherds remind us that trusting God often requires stepping out in faith, even when the path ahead isn’t fully clear.
Their obedience was immediate—they “came with haste” to see the fulfillment of God’s Word. This urgency is an important lesson for us: faith isn’t passive. It compels us to move, to act, to pursue God’s will with diligence.
When the shepherds witnessed the reality of what the angel had proclaimed, their faith didn’t stop there. It overflowed into action. They went to see this child/Savior who had just been born.
Fear Not - Share the Good News(We are Gods Ambassadors)
Luke 2:17-18
::17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child.::
::18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.::
After meeting Jesus, the shepherds couldn’t keep the news to themselves. They became the first evangelists, sharing the good news with everyone they encountered.
Story of Going out for evangelism during the revival meeting last weekend.
There is Power in your Testimony(share your story): The testimony of the shepherds amazed people—not because they were theologians or scholars, but because they spoke from their own personal experience.
We, too, are called to share the good news. You don’t need to have all the answers; Some might say, but I am not a Pastor, I don’t know what to say. Simply share what you’ve experienced of God’s love and grace.
2 Corinthians 5:19-20, tells us that we have been given a message of reconciliation, and that we are ambassadors of Jesus. Represent the Lord everyday, with how you live, what you say, how you act around those you meet. Because you are a representative of Jesus. Pray for them.
Romans 10:14 challenges us: “How can they hear without someone preaching to them?” Who in your life needs to hear the message of Jesus?
Conclusion: Embracing Faith This Christmas
The Christmas story emphasizes faith in God’s promises and His plan for salvation through Jesus Christ. Key figures like Zechariah, Mary, Joseph, the Wise Men, and shepherds all exemplified faith in responding to God’s message. This Christmas, we are encouraged to listen to God’s Word, trust Him through action, and share the good news with others. The shepherds exemplify that God values willing hearts over status or perfection, transforming them from overlooked outsiders to the first evangelists of Christ’s birth. We are called to act on our faith by trusting in God’s promises, obeying His Word, and spreading the message of Jesus. Christmas reminds us of Emmanuel, God with us, urging us to walk in faith, rejoice in salvation, and joyfully share the Savior’s birth with others.
Life Group Questions
The sermon emphasizes acting on God’s Word with urgency and courage. What are some practical ways we can act in faith during this Christmas season? e.g. showing love to others, being thoughtful of others etc.
God often speaks through ordinary means, such as Scripture or a simple conversation. How can we become more sensitive to recognizing His voice in our daily lives?
In what ways can you actively share the good news of Jesus with those around you during this Christmas season?