Isaiah 9:6& 7 (NIV) For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. The increase of his government and peace there will be no end….
Luke 2:1-20 (NIV) 1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world...3 And everyone went to his 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, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 And there were shepherdsliving 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 of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenlya great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men 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.
Why Shepherds? 1. Shepherds tend to lambs 2. Prophetic statement: He is the Shepherd! John 10:11 (NIV) I am the good Shepherd. The good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
A. Shepherds care B. Shepherds lead “Shepherding is not just looking after but leading forward.”
Luke 2:16 (NIV)“Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has “Let’sed, which the Lord has told us about.” 16 So they hurried off….
Bethlehem
“The House of Bread “ John 6:51 (NIV84) I am the living bread that came” down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever.”
Luke 2:17-18 (NIV) 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.
2 Corinthians 5:18-20 (NIV) 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are, therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.
We are shepherds of this Gospel we have encountered!”
As Ambassadors
1. We have encountered this King
2. We live a certain way 1 Peter 2:11–12 (NIV) 11 Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
3. We carry a specific message Romans 10:13-14 (NLT) 13 For “Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be “saved.” 14 But how can they call on him to save them unl” ss they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? “Part of walking the walk is talking the talk.” “Jesus is the best gift we can give others.”
