ANGELS AND SHEPHERDS #4/4

#1 · January 20, 2009, 10:36 am

Quote from Forum Archives on January 20, 2009, 10:36 am
Posted by: bhfbc <bhfbc@...>
ANGELS AND SHEPHERDS #4/4

ANGELS AND SHEPHERDS

December 24, 2008

TEXT: Luke 2:13-15

This Advent and Christmas season, I have been taking my messages from two specific groups of witnesses of the birth of Christ: angels and shepherds. At first glance, it would appear that these two groups have nothing in common. Indeed, there is a lot that they do not have in common. After all, shepherds are mortal while angels are already eternal. Shepherds were typically uneducated and simple; angels were privileged to be in the presence of God. Shepherds lived a tough existence, exposed to many hazards coming from both man and nature; angels are free from such exposures. Shepherds are this world; angles are other worldly. One could easily think that these two groups would not have anything to do with one another.

Except, of course, through Gods divine plan, they were brought together for the common purpose of announcing the birth of the Christ child. As we well know, an angel of the Lord appeared to them. The them in this instance are shepherds in fields near Bethlehem. Here, the announcement is given to them about the birth of the Savior in the town of David. The setting and the pronouncement of the birth provide the perfect application of the manner in which John begins his gospel. The Christmas story is told quite differently by John, but it is no less amazing truth than Luke or Matthew. Johns focus is on the Word, light, and darkness. Turn to John 1, where we read, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In his was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. (John 1:1-5)

There in those fields were gathered a group of shepherds. I can easily imagine that it is fairly quiet the sound of some sheep and the talk of the shepherds. If they were close enough to Bethlehem, perhaps there was some noise of the town that reached them. Overall, probably quiet. Certainly not an unusual night. Maybe they were gathered around a fire; maybe they were bedded down except for the one or ones actually on watch. Regardless, it was dark, and the shepherds were limited by it. In the dark, we lose our ability to see. The human eye requires light reflecting off of objects in order to function. No light, no reflection. No reflection, no sight. I know that there are those who can see better in the dark than others, but the truth is that in the complete absence of light, we are all blind. Interesting that while teaching about the futility of judging others, Jesus asked, Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? (Luke 6:39) With regard to eternal, spiritual matters, those shepherds were blind men. Nor were they alone. All of humanity has been and is blind to eternal, spiritual matters.

Except. Except that God breaks into our darkness with His holy light. He broke into the darkness surrounding those shepherds. Through His angels first the announcing angel and then the heavenly host the shepherds night was shattered. Into their common, normal night came the praising of the heavenly host, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests. Like John was to later write, The light shines in the darkness.

At this point, angels and shepherds are given their common ground. Yes, they remain very different in terms of their being, but in terms of their obedience to God, they become remarkably alike. Shepherds have been shown a wonderful light the glory of the Lord. From that light, they have received the message that has been in preparation for ages. The Hope of Israel, messages of prophet after prophet, was made real to them in the blink of an eye. Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. (Luke 2:10)

In that moment, the shepherds are given the message that had been given to the angels. The Savior the Deliverer of Israel had come. And after the angels deliver the message and leave, the shepherds decide to go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened. What else could they do? How could they ignore what they had been told as if it had never happened? They couldnt. They went; they saw; they worshiped. And then, like the angels, they became messengers. They became the ones telling others what they had been told and what they had seen. They became the messengers through whom Gods light was shared with others.

Angels and shepherds. In the context of announcing and welcoming the Christ child into his world, they really are not all that different. Whether they approached a manger or a throne, shepherds and angels worship and praise the Lord. So do we. When gods light shines into our lives, then we see. Not only do our eyes bring us sight. Our souls, too, respond to light. But not candle lights or electric lights or even sunlight. Our souls our lives respond to the Creator of light the Word the Lord.

Lights are a part of Christmas. For many, they are a part because they are pretty. There are a lot of magnificent light displays this time of the year. No reason why we cannot enjoy them. But the reality is that all of them dim in comparison to the light of the Lord. The shepherds were startled by the light that invaded their darkness when the angel appeared. But that was nothing compared to the light that they saw when they saw the Light of the world in his little manger. This is why lights are a part of Christmas. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.

Rev. Charles A. Layne

First Baptist Church

PO Box 515

179 W. Broadway

Bunker Hill, IN 46914

765-689-7987

bhfbc@bhfirstbaptist.com

www.bhfirstbaptist.com
-- To unsubscribe, send ANY message to: abesermons-unsubscribe@welovegod.org   

Posted by: bhfbc <bhfbc@...>

ANGELS AND SHEPHERDS

December 24, 2008

TEXT: Luke 2:13-15

This Advent and Christmas season, I have been taking my messages from two specific groups of witnesses of the birth of Christ: angels and shepherds. At first glance, it would appear that these two groups have nothing in common. Indeed, there is a lot that they do not have in common. After all, shepherds are mortal while angels are already eternal. Shepherds were typically uneducated and simple; angels were privileged to be in the presence of God. Shepherds lived a tough existence, exposed to many hazards coming from both man and nature; angels are free from such exposures. Shepherds are this world; angles are other worldly. One could easily think that these two groups would not have anything to do with one another.

Except, of course, through Gods divine plan, they were brought together for the common purpose of announcing the birth of the Christ child. As we well know, an angel of the Lord appeared to them. The them in this instance are shepherds in fields near Bethlehem. Here, the announcement is given to them about the birth of the Savior in the town of David. The setting and the pronouncement of the birth provide the perfect application of the manner in which John begins his gospel. The Christmas story is told quite differently by John, but it is no less amazing truth than Luke or Matthew. Johns focus is on the Word, light, and darkness. Turn to John 1, where we read, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In his was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. (John 1:1-5)

There in those fields were gathered a group of shepherds. I can easily imagine that it is fairly quiet the sound of some sheep and the talk of the shepherds. If they were close enough to Bethlehem, perhaps there was some noise of the town that reached them. Overall, probably quiet. Certainly not an unusual night. Maybe they were gathered around a fire; maybe they were bedded down except for the one or ones actually on watch. Regardless, it was dark, and the shepherds were limited by it. In the dark, we lose our ability to see. The human eye requires light reflecting off of objects in order to function. No light, no reflection. No reflection, no sight. I know that there are those who can see better in the dark than others, but the truth is that in the complete absence of light, we are all blind. Interesting that while teaching about the futility of judging others, Jesus asked, Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? (Luke 6:39) With regard to eternal, spiritual matters, those shepherds were blind men. Nor were they alone. All of humanity has been and is blind to eternal, spiritual matters.

Except. Except that God breaks into our darkness with His holy light. He broke into the darkness surrounding those shepherds. Through His angels first the announcing angel and then the heavenly host the shepherds night was shattered. Into their common, normal night came the praising of the heavenly host, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests. Like John was to later write, The light shines in the darkness.

At this point, angels and shepherds are given their common ground. Yes, they remain very different in terms of their being, but in terms of their obedience to God, they become remarkably alike. Shepherds have been shown a wonderful light the glory of the Lord. From that light, they have received the message that has been in preparation for ages. The Hope of Israel, messages of prophet after prophet, was made real to them in the blink of an eye. Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. (Luke 2:10)

In that moment, the shepherds are given the message that had been given to the angels. The Savior the Deliverer of Israel had come. And after the angels deliver the message and leave, the shepherds decide to go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened. What else could they do? How could they ignore what they had been told as if it had never happened? They couldnt. They went; they saw; they worshiped. And then, like the angels, they became messengers. They became the ones telling others what they had been told and what they had seen. They became the messengers through whom Gods light was shared with others.

Angels and shepherds. In the context of announcing and welcoming the Christ child into his world, they really are not all that different. Whether they approached a manger or a throne, shepherds and angels worship and praise the Lord. So do we. When gods light shines into our lives, then we see. Not only do our eyes bring us sight. Our souls, too, respond to light. But not candle lights or electric lights or even sunlight. Our souls our lives respond to the Creator of light the Word the Lord.

Lights are a part of Christmas. For many, they are a part because they are pretty. There are a lot of magnificent light displays this time of the year. No reason why we cannot enjoy them. But the reality is that all of them dim in comparison to the light of the Lord. The shepherds were startled by the light that invaded their darkness when the angel appeared. But that was nothing compared to the light that they saw when they saw the Light of the world in his little manger. This is why lights are a part of Christmas. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.

Rev. Charles A. Layne

First Baptist Church

PO Box 515

179 W. Broadway

Bunker Hill, IN 46914

765-689-7987

bhfbc@bhfirstbaptist.com

http://www.bhfirstbaptist.com

-- To unsubscribe, send ANY message to: abesermons-unsubscribe@welovegod.org