Celebrate With The Shepherds & Angels Series

“CELEBRATE WITH THE SHEPHERDS & ANGELS” Luke 2:8-20

FBCF – 12/17/23

Jon Daniels

INTRO – We’re getting pretty good at this “Come Celebrate Jesus!” thing around here!

- Last Sunday night – “His Name Shall Be Praised” – Adult choir – children’s choir – packed house here in sanctuary – UNBELIEVABLE!

- Wed night – “Worthy of it All” – Refuge Christmas service – Refuge band & singers – children’s choir again – packed house in CLC – UNBELIEVABLE!

So, let’s keep on celebrating Jesus!

- This morning – “Celebrate w/ the Shepherds & Angels”

- Tonight – Carols & Candlelight Service – 6 PM here in Sanctuary

- Next Sunday – Christmas Eve service – 10 AM in CLC – Lord’s Supper

- Last Sunday – New Year’s Eve – 10 AM in CLC – “Come, Lord Jesus!”

The reason we are doing all this celebrating is simply b/c Jesus is worthy of our worship!

- Paul David Tripp – “This season, in the midst of all the celebrations & gift-giving, be careful to remember that at the center of what we celebrate is one game-changing, life-altering, hope-giving reality: GRACE is a person & His name is Jesus!”

EXPLANATION – Luke 2:8-20

This was an unbelievable appearance of real angels to real shepherds who were really keeping watch over their flock by night.

Shepherds:

- Too dirty to be accepted.

o They were ceremonially unclean b/c of their constant contact w/ the animals.

o Unacceptable for them to “come as they are” to church.

o Many people feel this way about the Church today. Feel like they’re too “dirty” to be accepted.

- Too common to be noticed.

o Their reputation was lowly at best, & the religious people snubbed & ignored them.

o Do we ever do the same thing?

- Too busy to worship – Their flocks kept them too busy to attend worship services.

o Sound familiar?

o If you’re too busy to go to church to worship Jesus, you’re too busy.

o If you’re too busy to spend time in His Word, you’re too busy.

o If you’re too busy to pray, you’re too busy.

o If you’re too busy this time of year to stop & experience the wonder & awe of “Immanuel -God w/ us”, you’re too busy.

Angels – Heavenly messengers – Heaven’s army – Not chubby little baby-looking beings w/ tiny little wings & a tiny little harp.

- Heavenly messengers in heaven’s army appearing full of the shekinah glory of God.

o Shekinah glory – “…a divine visitation of the presence or dwelling of the Lord God on this earth.” (https://www.gotquestions.org/shekinah-glory.html)

o Matthew 17:5-6 – “[Jesus] was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified.”

- Their message was full of the message of salvation.

o “Good News” – the Gospel

o “great joy” – the only lasting joy comes from knowing Jesus!

o “for all people” – the Gospel is for EVERYONE in the world!

- Their praise was full of the peace that passes all understanding.

o “Peace on earth” – Not brought by laws of governments or by military might, but ONLY by the coming of the Christ-child into the world.

What a beautiful picture of the salvation that had come: God gave the first announcement of His Son to these common shepherds, these who were outcasts & sinners! That’s GOOD NEWS for us!

APPLICATION – Don’t let the life-changing truth of CHRISTmas pass you by this year!

5 simple statements:

DON’T BE AFRAID – v. 8-12 – Straight from the mouth of God through the mouth of the angel – “DO NOT BE AFRAID!”

Different schools of thought here, but most counselors/psychologists – Top 3 fundamental fears:

- Fear of death

- Fear of abandonment (rejection, loneliness)

- Fear of failure

Jesus gives you the strength & ability to overcome all 3 of those.

DON’T QUENCH THE JOY – v. 13-14 – Mentioned it earlier, but dissect it a little more.

Joy is not just happiness. Happiness is an emotion that comes & goes. Joy is a component of your relationship w/ Jesus. If you have a lack of joy, something is clearly wrong at the very heart of your relationship w/ Christ!

- Either you’re out of fellowship w/ Him,

- Or you don’t know Him at all.

J.O.Y. – Jesus – Others – You – Before you come to know Christ, you live your life for yourself. May be nice & kind to others, & certainly don’t care about Jesus.

- But when Christ comes into your life, your priorities change.