Dr. Montia Setzler, Senior Pastor
December 20, 2015
Series: The Wonder of Christmas
The Wonder of His First Visitor
Luke 2:15–20 (HCSB)
15 When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the feeding trough. 17 After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had seen and heard, just as they had been told.
- THE SHEPHERDS OVERCAME THEIR FEARS.
v 15 When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”
- They did not allow limited vision to paralyze them.
- They listened to the message from God.
- They acted by faith and not by sight.
- THE SHEPHERDS ACTED
v 16 They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the feeding trough.
- When they knew God had spoken, they responded.
- They did not wait around for a debate.
- They knew what they needed to do.
- THE SHEPHERDS SHARED THE GOOD NEWS.
vv 17-18 After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
- The gospel was entrusted to them by the angels.
- They spread the word immediately.
- They could not contain what had happened to them.
- THE SHEPHERDS GAVE GOD THE GLORY.
v 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had seen and heard, just as they had been told.
- They did not hold on to the glory of God.
- They responded to God’s activity with praise.
- They returned to work forever changed.
Observations to Consider:
- When the door of opportunity opens we must walk through.
- Timing is everything.
- God gives us certain great moments and we must seize them.
- People are hungry for some good news.
- Jesus is the best news the world has ever known.