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Experience the Nativity: "The Joy of the Shepherds"
Sunday, December 17, 2006 - Rev. Greg McKinnon
SCRIPTURE - Luke 2:1-20 NIV
2:1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 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, 7 and 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 shepherds living 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 Suddenly a 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.
OUTLINE
Our culture’s joy or the lack of it
Your joy or the lack of it
What if there really is “good news of great joy” for “all people?”
The Shepherd’s joy or lack of it
The Angel’s message about joy
The shepherds’ response: Let’s Go!
The end result – JOY!
You will never find joy in your circumstances but only in Jesus Christ
What have you been depending on for joy?
How do you perceive God?
You can have joy this Christmas
Will you say with the shepherds: Let’s Go!
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Do you believe it is possible for “all people” to have joy? Why or why not?
2. Is there a difference between joy and happiness? If so, what is the difference?
3. What do you see as some of the major reasons people are not happy?
4. As you look forward to Christmas, do you think it will be a time of joy for you? Why or why not?
5. Has your picture of the shepherds that first Christmas changed any? If so, in what ways?
6. Why do you think that the shepherds were frightened by the angel?
7. What understanding of a savior or deliverer do you think the shepherds had?
8. What do you think was going through the shepherds’ minds when they hurried off?
9. The shepherds returned glorifying and praising God—filled with joy—yet none of their circumstances had changed. How could that have been possible?
10. Having looked at all of this, is there joy available to all people no matter their circumstances? If so, how?
11. What was the main point of this sermon? If this truth becomes a part of your life, what difference would it make for you?
12. How would our homes, our church and our community be different if we all stopped letting circumstances determine our state of mind and found joy in being accepted by Jesus Christ and nothing more?
