
Luke 2:8-20 (ESV)
And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 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. 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. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
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.”
And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
Why Did the Shepherds Feel Distant from God
Reason #1: Shepherds did not measure up socially.
Reason #2: Shepherds did not measure up spiritually.
Reason #3: Shepherds did not measure up emotionally.
Luke 2:10-11
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. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
What the Coming of the Savior Means:
1. The Savior shows our greatest need.
Luke 2:11
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
Romans 3:20
For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.
2. The Savior meets our greatest need.
Luke 2:12
And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”
Romans 3:21-25
But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it—the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith.
3. The Savior fills us with great joy!
Luke 2:20
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
For this week’s sermon application guide, click this URL: https://storage2.snappages.site/QG8D8X/assets/files/sermon-application-guide-12-17-23.docx