Life Here and There

This article is adapted from my sermon from Luke 2:8-20 from a series on the light of Christmas.

I think most of us can relate to having a “once in a lifetime opportunity.” For me, traveling to Russia on a mission trip was that kind of an opportunity for me. When those moments come along, I wonder how I wound up there, and why it was me.

I think that’s how the shepherds felt the night Jesus was born and the angels showed up by myriads to announce Jesus’ birth to them. Why them? Why there, in the fields? But that was God’s choice. And I really don’t think we fully understand the amazing nature of what happened that night. We’ve heard the story told so many times with the emphasis on the manger scene itself that we don’t realize that the very windows of heaven itself were thrown open with a massive display of the awe-inspiring glory of God.

These ordinary, every day, down-to-earth shepherds were allowed the privilege of beholding the holiest thing anyone has ever seen – the glory of God. When that happens, our lives are changed and our appetites are whet forever!

(more…)

This past week I was privileged to hear Dr. H. B. London, who always speaks right to my heart. He related a conversation he had with Henry Blackaby about the significant turning point in Blackaby’s spiritual life. It was the time God basically said to him, “You’re not going to rush me anymore.” From that point on, Blackaby decided to simply give to God whatever time God wanted each day.

Today, I heard the words of the apostle Paul in writing to the Thessalonians…

(more…)

Christmas Sermon Series: God’s Christmas Messages to You, Part 4
Based on Luke 2:8-20

This is the fourth and final message in a series of Christmas messages based on the angelic appearances of the first Christmas. We’ve learned with Zechariah and Elizabeth to “prepare for the miraculous.” We’ve learned with Mary to “prepare to be God’s instrument.” We’ve learned with Joseph to “prepare to meet the Savior.” Today, we learn with the shepherds to “prepare for history’s greatest news.”

More than the others, God’s message through the angels to the shepherds represents His universal message to all of humanity. It was the only angelic announcement that involved more than one angel (it involved myriads) and it was the only one to more than one person (Elizabeth was not with Zechariah). It was a group of angels giving God’s message to a group of people who were looked at as “common” in Jesus’ day.

Christmas is, at least in part, the story of God sending His message to all of humanity, to you and me.

GOD’S MESSAGE TO THE WORLD…

1. God’s message is for real people living real life.

Notice that the shepherds were living in the fields with their sheep. That was their life and their livelihood. They were real people with real lives doing real things. I want you to understand that the Christian message is not for perfect people, but for real people. Notice that the angels said that the good news would be for all people.

2. God’s message for the world is good news.

There are two elements to be found in the reaction of the shepherds to the message of the angels and these two reactions should be ours today as well.

A. Fear.

Fear because God is holy, because He is great and awesome, and because He will judge sin. Fear because an encounter with the holy God is a reminder that we are ultimately sinful and unable to stand in His presence.

“For our God is a consuming fire.” –Hebrews 12:29

“For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?” –Revelation 6:17

It is very true that the gospel (which means good news) is not such good news until we realize the bad news, that we’ve sinned against and offended a holy God who will punish us for eternity in hell if we do not repent and come to Christ by faith.

B. Joy.

Joy, sweet relief, peace in the soul. That’s what they felt when they realized that the message here on earth was not one of judgment (that will come for the unrepentant in heaven) but rather one of a Savior.

3. God’s message for the world demands a decision.

The shepherds decided to act on the message and go meet the Savior. Every time we hear the message of the gospel, God’s good news, we are called to a crisis of faith, a moment of decision. We must decide what to do with Jesus in this life or perish for eternity.

You see, we are all responsible to respond to the light God gives us. We should know from nature that there is a God and seek Him further. We should hear our conscience telling us that we’ve sinned and we should seek to repent. We should hear the gospel and respond to the light of God’s message, God’s revelation.

The Bible and the gospel preached by preachers across the land is God’s message of warning and consolation to us today and we must respond.

4. God’s message changes lives forever.

Notice the change in the shepherds’ lives. Their newfound faith prompted them to do at least two things:

A. Tell others about Jesus.

B. Offer praise to God.

Their hearts were changed! They had a new message to give and a new song to sing because things were different for them now. They had met the Savior!

What about you? Have you received His message? Have you met the Savior? Are you different now than before? What have you done with Jesus?