LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH
SERMON NOTES FROM SUNDAY 31 DECEMBER 2023 am
LUKE 2 VERSES 15 – 20
These humble and
insignificant shepherds were given the announcement of Jesus’s birth. They were men of holy character. Notice the conduct that demonstrated much faith. There was a respect for God and his Son. One does not need royal robes to behave with
integrity. Integrity is more likely to
be seen in the attitude of the common person such as shepherds. For one to behave with integrity they must
have a true understanding and faith in God’s word and his Son Jesus in their
conduct and reaction. They exposed their
true characters. When the angels
declared the birth the shepherds believed what was said. They did not doubt, believing is as truth in
their search for the truth and proclamation of the truth and through their ongoing
devotion to the truth. They wanted to
see him but when they had seen him they went back to their work proclaiming him
to be the truth.
The believing of the truth – verse 15. The shepherds were not sceptical of the
revelation, they were genuine believers of the divine truth. They were all of one accord in believing the revelation. Those who claim to be followers must be in
one accord in believing the truth revealed through the scriptures. When there is a oneness in believing
the truth then united, will flourish and blessing will occur. Psalm 133 “behold how good and how pleasant
it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.”
Had they failed to believe the revelation they would have missed the
blessing. If one had said ‘I don’t
believe the revelation, I want to stay and watch the sheep but you go on if you
like.” He would have missed out on
everything God wanted to pass onto them and the blessing he had for them. If we want to experience blessing with all earnestness
we need that unity. The quantity of
those who believe the truth today is very small. They are in a minority. That was clearly forecasted by Jesus in his
Sermon on the Mount – Matthew 7 verses 13 and 14 “Enter ye in at the strait gate;
for wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction and many
there be which go in thereat. Because
strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life and few
there be that find it.” Jesus said “many
there be that go thereat” meaning hell.
Then he went on “few there be that find it” meaning heaven. Even when
the Saviour ministered on earth he had many opponents yet so few followers and
disciples as they approached the cross. The
shepherds were among the minority wo believed.
It is worth asking – are you among the minority? Have you believed? Have you entered in through the narrow gate
that leads to eternal life or could it be that you are numbered with the
majority on the broad road that leads to damnation and hell? There was not only a oneness among the
shepherds in believing the truth but also a quickness. They immediately believed. There was no hesitation when they heard the
message from the angels. Most people don’t
believe as quickly and promptly these days.
There are those who hear the word of God repeatedly and are slow to
believe the truth. How many of us were
saved the first time we heard the gospel?
Not too many. Individuals are
generally slow to believe the truth especially the divine truth of the gospel. Could it be that someone here has repeatedly
heard the truth of the gospel but they are slow to believe it? You would quickly believe lies and
superstitions and other nonsense but slow to believe the truth. Don’t believe everything you hear. Believe the revealed truth of God’s
word. There was great evidence that the
shepherds believed the message delivered by the angels. They wanted to see what the angels had
informed them about the Lord Jesus – “and see this thing which is come to pass,
which the Lord hath made known unto us.”
The responsibility was on them to go and see the Saviour. When individuals hear the gospel it is their
responsibility to seek and receive it.
The onus is on them to seek it out for themselves. They were also prompt in receiving the
message – “let us now go” verse 15 and “and they came with haste” verse
16. The shepherds didn’t wait for a more
convenient time. They did not put it off
until daylight. They were determined to
go and see the Saviour that very night.
Could it be for someone that for years you have had the wonderful
privilege of hearing the gospel, its truth has been revealed to you. Your response has not been prompt. You have delayed Don’t put it off to a more convenient
opportunity. That is just waiting too
long. “Behold now is the day of
salvation.” They could have made excuses
for not going. It was night after all
and they were looking after sheep but they made no excuses. “Let us now go even unto Bethlehem and see
this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And
they came with haste.” What excuses are
you using for not coming to the Lord Jesus?
When the shepherds arrived in Bethlehem they saw exactly what the angels
told them – verse 16. They were not
disappointed. When they believed and
sought the scene told by the angels they were not disappointed. When you believe the gospel truth and seek
the Saviour with all your heart you will not be disappointed. Many of us can testify to that. He is not a disappointment. The Lord said through Jeremiah “and you shall
seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart.” (chapter 29
verse 13) The believing of the truth.
Secondly, the
broadcasting of the truth – verses 17.
Seeing the Saviour in Bethlehem was not the end. Not long after they began to proclaim the
good news of the truth after they saw him for themselves. If men and women are going to tell others
about Christ they must seek to come to him first. The shepherds had a personal experience with
the truth which made them fit and ready to proclaim the truth. If anyone wants to be effective they must
have a personal experience with the truth.
“And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was
told them concerning this child.” What
did they proclaim? The shepherds
proclaimed the saying which was told them by the Lord. A heavenly revelation. The word of God. It was not their message, they did not make
it up. 3 times there is a reference to
divine revelation – verse 15 “which the Lord hath made known unto us”, verse 17
“which was told them concerning this child” and verse 20 “as it was told unto
them.” God’s revelation to them and this
is what we are to teach and preach today.
Teach and preach the word of God.
His revealed word to mankind. Not
what we think, not what others want to hear but what God has said through his
word. The subject of the message the
shepherds proclaimed – “concerning this child”.
The central theme and point of their message was the Lord Jesus Christ. They didn’t preach Mary which is
Catholicism. The didn’t preach Joseph
which is the cults. The didn’t preach the
manger which is socialism. No the
subject matter was Christ. They preached
Christ. There are many who like to
sermonise the manger and ignore the man in the manger. People need to hear about the Lord more than
anything else. The shepherds had it
right. The Son of God was the central
theme. If they had excluded the Saviour
from their message it wouldn’t have been worth broadcasting or listening
to. What was the response to this great
revelation? Verse 18 “And all they that
heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.” The word “wondered” is the Greek word meaning
to marvel, to be amazed. All who heard
the message of the shepherds marvelled at what they heard but there was a
problem – they marvelled but never enquired anything further about the Lord. Could you be standing in awe and amazement at
who the Lord is and all he has done and all he is able to do? You marvel at his mighty works but you
inquire no further about the friend of sinners?
You come to church and hear the gospel message but enquire no further
about the man of Calvary? It is sad that
there are many who know about the Saviour but are not willing to go any
further. Will you not make further enquiries
and allow it to lead to amazement but also repentance and acquaintance with
Christ? “Aquaint now thyself with him
and be at peace; thereby good shall come unto thee.” (Job 22 verse 21) We notice the shepherds reaction but Mary’s
reaction was different – verse 19 “But Mary kept all these things, and pondered
them in her heart.” That word “kept” means
to preserve or keep it. She treasured it
and thought it all through. She would go
through and compare what the angel and the shepherds said to her, thinking it
all through. She had a great depth when
considering spiritual matters. We need
great depth when thinking of the spiritual.
She knowingly pondered them in her heart. She placed great value on every event and
every word. Do we value the things of
God? We are good at talking when we come
into church. We talk about everything we
have done or are going to do, we crack jokes but what about sitting and
pondering the things of God? We can talk
for ourselves. Do we think long about
the truths we have been taught and the experiences we have enjoyed or just
dismiss them from our minds? Philippians
4 verse “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest,
whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are
lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue and if
there be any praise, think on these things.”
The believing of the truth. The
broadcasting of the truth.
The behaving of the truth. The behaviour of the shepherds is very
commendable and worth note – verse 20 “And the shepherds returned, glorifying
and praising God for all the things that the had heard and seen, as it was told
unto them.” The shepherds behaved
according to the truth revealed unto them.
They saw the Saviour and proclaimed it to the world but they returned
quickly to their duties. They did not
let it cause them to forsake their duties.
The true child of God will be faithful to his duties in life. Faithful with the right attitude and
integrity. Our testimonial to the Saviour will be more valuable and effective
as a result. The experience greatly
helped the shepherds to do their job better.
When you come to the Saviour you will not be granted a better job or an
easier life but he will change your life and help you to do your job. They not only returned to their duties but
returned to them with devotion, glorifying and praising God. It did not stop them honouring the Lord when
they returned. It was not a flash in the
pan devotion to the Saviour, it was ongoing.
It affected their whole way of life.
It was not Sunday only kind of praise.
They were continually praising and glorifying God every single day of
the week. When a man or woman has an
encounter with the Saviour they will return praising an glorifying the
Lord. Can you praise and glorify the
Saviour today? Does your heart overflow
with gratitude and joy at the encounter you had with him? The work of the Saviour in the heart and life
of an individual causes their life to glorify and honour God. 1 Corinthians 10 verse 31 “whatsoever ye do,
do all to the glory of God.”
The shepherds were genuine
believers of divine truth. They were all
in one accord in believing the truth. A
personal revelation of truth was made to them.
They were fit and ready to proclaim the truth. The central point and theme was Jesus. When they saw the Saviour they quickly
returned to their duties. It did not
cause them to forsake their duties, they returned with great devotion. When a man or woman has an encounter with the
Saviour they will return praising and glorifying the Lord.
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