
Welcome to Worship
December 12, 2021
8:30am
The Third Sunday of Advent
The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. —(Luke 2:20)
Lighting of the Advent Wreath: Bobby and Linda Rivas
The Shepherd’s Candle: Joy
Scripture Reading: Luke 2:8-12, 15
Worship Song: Joy to the World (Unspeakable Joy)
Christmas Offering for International Missions: West Africa
Prayer: Rev. Peggy Peek
Redland Happenings and Welcome: Rev. Peggy Peek
Worship Song: O Come, All You Unfaithful
Worship Meditation: Good Christian Friends, Rejoice
Celebration Bells
Scripture: Luke 2:1-20
Sermon Series: Christmas Through the Eyes…
Sermon Title: The Shepherds
Rev. Mark Adams
Sermon Notes:
1 - In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.
2 - (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)
3 - And everyone went to their own town to register.
4 - So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.
5 - He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a Child.
6 - While they were there, the time came for the Baby to be born,
7 - and she gave birth to her firstborn, a Son. She wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
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. —Luke 2:1-20
What can we learn from the Shepherd’s perspective on Jesus’ birth?
1.) The Gospel is
.
“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord.” —Luke 2:10-11
“God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” —Romans 5:8
“God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” —John 3:17
2.) The Gospel is good news for
.
“I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall BE TO ALL PEOPLE.” —Luke 2:10
Two implications:
a. This “good tidings of great joy” includes
.
b. It includes
.
“Whether you’re a shepherd boy or a sheik, whether you live in the first-world or the third-world whether you work in the mail room or the board room, we’re all the same to God.” —Steve May
3.) The Gospel calls for a
.
“So, they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the Baby, Who was lying in the manger.” —Luke 2:16
4.) The Gospel is meant to be
.
“When they had seen Him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this Child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.” —Luke 2:17-18
Time of Decision and Commitment: Hope is Dawning
Benediction: Rev. Mark Adams