WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.700 If you have your Bibles, look with me to Luke chapter 2. 00:00:05.100 --> 00:00:08.540 Today we end this series called First Christmas, 00:00:09.080 --> 00:00:13.560 obviously getting its name from the first Christmas that was ever experienced. 00:00:14.000 --> 00:00:17.019 We've looked at Mary's story and looked at Joseph's story, 00:00:17.120 --> 00:00:20.660 and this morning we come to look at the story of the shepherds. 00:00:21.240 --> 00:00:24.039 And so if you have your Bible looking to Luke chapter 2, 00:00:24.519 --> 00:00:26.960 let's begin our reading this morning in verse 4. 00:00:26.960 --> 00:00:31.920 For Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea 00:00:31.920 --> 00:00:34.700 to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, 00:00:35.260 --> 00:00:37.700 because he was of the house and family line of David, 00:00:38.140 --> 00:00:41.880 to be registered along with Mary, who was engaged to him and was pregnant. 00:00:42.719 --> 00:00:46.740 While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 00:00:47.519 --> 00:00:50.460 Then she gave birth to her firstborn son, 00:00:50.780 --> 00:00:55.500 and she wrapped him snugly in cloth and laid him in a feeding trough 00:00:55.500 --> 00:00:58.200 because there was no room for them in the inn. 00:00:59.020 --> 00:01:01.640 Well, that's the heart of the Christmas story. 00:01:02.380 --> 00:01:03.600 Jesus is born. 00:01:04.379 --> 00:01:06.879 He's laid in a manger in a feeding trough. 00:01:07.420 --> 00:01:08.939 He's wrapped in cloth. 00:01:09.140 --> 00:01:13.359 There at his side are Mary and Joseph in this little stable. 00:01:13.879 --> 00:01:18.219 But that's not the end of the Christmas story by any means. 00:01:18.219 --> 00:01:22.140 I want you to look at the rest of the story, beginning in verse 8. 00:01:23.140 --> 00:01:27.180 In the same regions, shepherds were staying out in the fields 00:01:27.180 --> 00:01:31.920 and keeping watch at night over their flock. 00:01:32.780 --> 00:01:36.700 Not too far from this scene in the stable in Bethlehem, 00:01:37.120 --> 00:01:41.039 there's a field there on the outskirts of Bethlehem 00:01:41.039 --> 00:01:44.539 where these shepherds were watching their sheep at night. 00:01:44.540 --> 00:01:51.260 Now, if you think about it, that's when shepherds did the bulk of their work at night 00:01:51.260 --> 00:01:56.200 because that's when the sheep they were tending were most vulnerable. 00:01:56.780 --> 00:01:59.160 In the darkness, a predator could come. 00:01:59.740 --> 00:02:03.420 In the darkness, a thief could come and steal the owner's sheep. 00:02:04.040 --> 00:02:08.420 And so that's when they were most alert and doing the hardest part of their job. 00:02:09.020 --> 00:02:13.920 I'm fearful that a lot of times we have a romantic view of those shepherds. 00:02:13.919 --> 00:02:18.759 We know that David went on to be a king and he started as a shepherd. 00:02:19.359 --> 00:02:21.959 And so we think that that position of being a shepherd 00:02:21.959 --> 00:02:26.319 was a very high and lofty place for one to hold. 00:02:26.819 --> 00:02:30.919 But the truth is, exactly the opposite was typically true. 00:02:31.719 --> 00:02:34.599 Being a shepherd was an entry-level job. 00:02:35.259 --> 00:02:40.179 It was one that often was held by those with very little education, 00:02:40.779 --> 00:02:41.959 very few skills. 00:02:41.960 --> 00:02:48.080 They were considered by many to be gossips and a little bit on the superstitious side. 00:02:48.659 --> 00:02:51.600 They weren't folk that folk highly respected. 00:02:52.280 --> 00:02:53.900 In that day and time, folk thought, 00:02:54.180 --> 00:02:58.760 if you can't do anything else, you can kind of be a shepherd, right? 00:02:58.819 --> 00:03:01.140 So it wasn't a job that folk looked to and said, 00:03:01.480 --> 00:03:04.680 man, this is a really, really significant, important job. 00:03:04.780 --> 00:03:06.819 It served an important function. 00:03:07.360 --> 00:03:10.960 Those sheep were necessary for sacrifice at the temple and the synagogues. 00:03:10.960 --> 00:03:13.680 So it served an important function. 00:03:13.920 --> 00:03:18.740 But the role itself of being a shepherd was kind of a lowly role. 00:03:19.420 --> 00:03:20.600 So get this picture. 00:03:21.100 --> 00:03:25.379 If Bethlehem were pickings, somewhere right outside the city limits, 00:03:25.860 --> 00:03:29.219 there's a big field and someone has gathered with these sheep. 00:03:29.640 --> 00:03:31.260 There are probably a number of shepherds. 00:03:31.259 --> 00:03:35.840 They're gathered around a fire in the night trying to warn themselves, 00:03:36.359 --> 00:03:40.280 every once and again looking up to make sure on the horizon that there were no predators, 00:03:40.719 --> 00:03:43.759 there were no thieves about to come and take away their sheep. 00:03:44.179 --> 00:03:49.079 And they're just standing there warming themselves perhaps by a fire. 00:03:49.259 --> 00:03:50.519 Look at the very next verse. 00:03:50.780 --> 00:03:52.120 Things rapidly change. 00:03:52.120 --> 00:03:59.659 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them and the glory of the Lord shone around them. 00:04:00.860 --> 00:04:04.800 And you don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure out this next line. 00:04:05.580 --> 00:04:07.120 They were terrified. 00:04:08.879 --> 00:04:12.319 Now, I asked a couple weeks ago when we were talking about Mary and then later with Joseph, 00:04:12.460 --> 00:04:13.879 how many of you have ever seen angels? 00:04:13.980 --> 00:04:15.439 And so far, no one has come up to me. 00:04:15.500 --> 00:04:18.199 No one has raised a hand and said, I've ever seen an angel. 00:04:18.199 --> 00:04:22.120 We have sometimes wondered maybe we've encountered an angel unaware, 00:04:22.579 --> 00:04:24.060 as the scripture talks about. 00:04:24.719 --> 00:04:26.879 But I've not met anyone yet who said, 00:04:26.979 --> 00:04:30.519 I've had a one-on-one face-to-face conversation with an angel. 00:04:30.879 --> 00:04:33.959 And that's what these shepherds are about to have. 00:04:34.060 --> 00:04:35.740 This angel of the Lord, 00:04:36.199 --> 00:04:41.980 who most scholars suspect because of conversations that we read about in Luke chapter 1, 00:04:42.539 --> 00:04:46.339 where an angel comes and that angel is labeled the angel of the Lord. 00:04:46.339 --> 00:04:48.679 His name is Gabriel when he speaks to Mary. 00:04:49.199 --> 00:04:51.479 And then earlier with Zechariah, 00:04:51.919 --> 00:04:58.060 he encounters an angel as he's in the temple working on his shift as a priest. 00:04:58.399 --> 00:05:00.199 That angel is also Gabriel. 00:05:00.399 --> 00:05:04.759 Many believe that this angel probably by name is the angel Gabriel. 00:05:04.959 --> 00:05:08.279 And he appears suddenly before these shepherds. 00:05:08.739 --> 00:05:09.439 Can you imagine? 00:05:09.599 --> 00:05:10.939 They're standing around. 00:05:11.059 --> 00:05:12.799 They're just making small talk. 00:05:12.899 --> 00:05:14.259 They're warming themselves. 00:05:14.259 --> 00:05:15.939 They're looking out on the field. 00:05:16.379 --> 00:05:18.379 And all of a sudden, right there before them, 00:05:18.920 --> 00:05:20.519 in the night sky, is an angel. 00:05:21.279 --> 00:05:23.319 And he begins to speak to them. 00:05:23.860 --> 00:05:28.719 And not only that, but the glory of the Lord shines all about them. 00:05:28.899 --> 00:05:30.300 Now, we read that phrase, 00:05:30.399 --> 00:05:33.860 and we've seen it rehearsed in Christmas plays with little children. 00:05:34.480 --> 00:05:36.199 But have you ever thought about what that meant? 00:05:36.899 --> 00:05:40.819 The glory of the Lord shone round about them. 00:05:40.819 --> 00:05:45.540 We read about the glory of the Lord back in the book of Exodus. 00:05:45.779 --> 00:05:49.879 If you have your Bibles, turn there with me to Exodus chapter 33. 00:05:50.199 --> 00:05:52.779 Just hold your place here in Luke chapter 2. 00:05:53.259 --> 00:05:56.240 And go back with me to Exodus chapter 33. 00:05:56.379 --> 00:05:59.819 And while you're turning, let me set the stage for what you're about to read. 00:06:01.019 --> 00:06:04.000 Moses has led the children of Israel out of Egypt. 00:06:04.120 --> 00:06:05.240 They come to Sinai. 00:06:05.500 --> 00:06:06.800 They sin against God. 00:06:06.800 --> 00:06:08.340 And you remember what God said? 00:06:08.819 --> 00:06:09.699 He turned to Moses and said, 00:06:09.800 --> 00:06:11.300 Moses, you take them on. 00:06:11.420 --> 00:06:12.220 You lead them on. 00:06:12.340 --> 00:06:13.520 I'll go with you. 00:06:14.139 --> 00:06:16.120 But I'm not going. 00:06:16.360 --> 00:06:19.780 Because if I go with them, I'm fearful I will one day destroy them. 00:06:20.400 --> 00:06:23.519 Moses has a conversation with God where he talks very frankly to God. 00:06:23.580 --> 00:06:26.860 He says, God, I didn't ask for this assignment. 00:06:27.439 --> 00:06:28.480 You've called me. 00:06:28.879 --> 00:06:31.519 I'm not going to go anywhere unless you go with us. 00:06:31.519 --> 00:06:38.659 And then he asked a very bold thing that I suspect many of you have maybe, if you haven't asked it out loud, you've thought it. 00:06:39.079 --> 00:06:40.839 You've been praying it some time or other. 00:06:40.939 --> 00:06:45.120 And you thought to yourself, I wish I could see God. 00:06:46.439 --> 00:06:47.519 Have you ever thought that? 00:06:48.379 --> 00:06:53.919 I mean, it's kind of hard at times to pray to this invisible God that we've never seen with our eyes. 00:06:53.920 --> 00:06:58.800 And so maybe you've thought, I wish I could just see God. 00:06:58.879 --> 00:07:01.759 I wish I could just know he's really and truly there. 00:07:02.100 --> 00:07:06.259 And so Moses says, please, Lord, let me see your glory. 00:07:06.360 --> 00:07:08.340 Look at verse 18 of chapter 33. 00:07:09.220 --> 00:07:12.580 Then Moses said, please, let me see your glory. 00:07:13.639 --> 00:07:14.520 Here's what God said. 00:07:14.519 --> 00:07:21.939 He said, I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim the name Yahweh before you. 00:07:22.099 --> 00:07:27.639 I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 00:07:28.459 --> 00:07:34.680 But he answered him, you cannot see my face, for no one can see me and live. 00:07:35.479 --> 00:07:37.399 The Lord said, here's a place near me. 00:07:37.519 --> 00:07:40.539 You are to stand on the rock, and when my glory passes by, 00:07:40.540 --> 00:07:46.420 I will put you in the crevice of the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. 00:07:46.800 --> 00:07:53.340 Then I will take my hand away, and you will see my back, but my face will not be seen. 00:07:54.220 --> 00:07:55.360 So here's what happens. 00:07:55.439 --> 00:07:58.180 God says, Moses, you can't see my face. 00:07:58.220 --> 00:07:59.160 If you do, you'll die. 00:08:00.040 --> 00:08:03.879 But I'm going to take you, and I'm going to place you because I want you to know me. 00:08:04.100 --> 00:08:08.879 I'm going to place you in this rock, in the crevice of the rock, and I'm going to cover you with my hand. 00:08:08.879 --> 00:08:12.219 That's hard for us to even get our heads around even that part, right? 00:08:12.879 --> 00:08:21.079 And God says, I'm going to pass by, and when I'm passed by you, I will remove my hand, and you'll see my back. 00:08:22.279 --> 00:08:27.560 And the scripture says, the glory of the Lord shone all about Moses. 00:08:27.560 --> 00:08:35.879 Now, we know from this experience reading Luke or reading Exodus 33, Moses was never the same after that. 00:08:35.980 --> 00:08:39.080 He went out with a confidence because he had seen the glory of God. 00:08:39.340 --> 00:08:41.559 He had never had heretofore. 00:08:42.899 --> 00:08:49.580 I'm going to tell you, when these shepherds saw the glory of the Lord, can you imagine what that's like? 00:08:49.700 --> 00:08:51.100 It's pitch black at night. 00:08:51.200 --> 00:08:54.340 They're standing here perhaps by a fire warming themselves. 00:08:54.340 --> 00:08:59.960 Suddenly, this angel appears, and the glory of the Lord shines about them. 00:09:00.460 --> 00:09:03.560 I'm telling you, they were absolutely awestruck. 00:09:04.300 --> 00:09:06.060 Now, how bright was that light? 00:09:06.180 --> 00:09:07.019 Well, consider this. 00:09:07.420 --> 00:09:10.379 Our sun is 93 million miles away. 00:09:11.340 --> 00:09:18.960 Scientists and doctors warn us, never look at the sun directly because if you do, it can do irreparable damage to your eyes, right? 00:09:18.960 --> 00:09:25.860 Can you imagine how bright the glory of the Lord must be if he's the creator of the sun? 00:09:26.220 --> 00:09:34.040 How much greater his glory would be than even the bright shining sun that we see in our skyline each and every day. 00:09:34.400 --> 00:09:42.800 And so, we're not surprised when we come to the conclusion of verse 9, and they were terrified. 00:09:44.240 --> 00:09:45.900 They were terrified. 00:09:45.899 --> 00:09:50.019 Remember that song that was made popular a number of years ago, I Can Only Imagine? 00:09:50.799 --> 00:09:55.759 And the writer of the song is imagining what it would be to be like in the presence of the Lord. 00:09:55.959 --> 00:09:57.319 And he has some suggestions. 00:09:57.500 --> 00:10:00.199 He said, I'll sing or I'll dance or I'll do this or the other. 00:10:00.740 --> 00:10:01.379 Let me tell you something. 00:10:01.519 --> 00:10:03.179 I do have the answer to that. 00:10:03.840 --> 00:10:10.360 When you see the glory of the Lord, I promise you, you will absolutely be terrified beyond your wildest imagination. 00:10:10.360 --> 00:10:20.480 I can't imagine anybody not doing what John does in Revelation 1 when he fell face down when he saw the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:10:20.639 --> 00:10:24.580 And so, these shepherds encounter the glory of the Lord. 00:10:24.680 --> 00:10:27.139 It must have been a breathtaking sight. 00:10:27.740 --> 00:10:29.100 Look, if you will, at verse 10. 00:10:29.100 --> 00:10:34.100 But the angel said to them, Don't be afraid. 00:10:34.779 --> 00:10:40.580 For look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 00:10:40.980 --> 00:10:43.820 And then we'll read that next part in just a moment. 00:10:44.639 --> 00:10:48.360 So, he says, Don't be afraid. 00:10:49.340 --> 00:10:52.399 How many of you think you would have instantly said, Well, okay, I'm good at this. 00:10:52.399 --> 00:10:52.840 No. 00:10:55.059 --> 00:10:56.919 Their heart's racing. 00:10:57.620 --> 00:11:00.379 Their blood pressure is through the roof. 00:11:01.259 --> 00:11:03.319 They can't believe what they're seeing. 00:11:03.639 --> 00:11:06.740 In fact, probably some of them are wondering, Am I dreaming? 00:11:06.959 --> 00:11:07.939 Is this an illusion? 00:11:08.759 --> 00:11:10.159 Is this a mirage? 00:11:10.519 --> 00:11:14.019 Do I really see this angel as he's speaking to me? 00:11:14.379 --> 00:11:17.779 And he says to them, Don't be afraid. 00:11:18.419 --> 00:11:19.740 I'll promise you they were afraid. 00:11:19.740 --> 00:11:24.860 In fact, they probably imagined, We've done it now. 00:11:25.659 --> 00:11:29.680 I mean, for God to show up like that, they probably, I would think, would have thought, 00:11:30.259 --> 00:11:32.940 Judgment must be about to fall on us. 00:11:33.659 --> 00:11:35.560 But the angel tries to allay their fears. 00:11:35.700 --> 00:11:37.279 He tries to bring down their heart rate. 00:11:37.519 --> 00:11:38.960 Tries to lower their blood pressure. 00:11:39.500 --> 00:11:44.139 Don't be afraid because I bring you good news. 00:11:45.000 --> 00:11:47.419 Don't you like to get good news? 00:11:47.419 --> 00:11:50.319 I mean, that's yes and no. 00:11:50.479 --> 00:11:51.259 Don't you like to get good news? 00:11:51.779 --> 00:11:53.860 I love getting good news. 00:11:53.939 --> 00:11:54.379 Don't you? 00:11:55.199 --> 00:11:56.679 And it's just a wonderful thing. 00:11:56.839 --> 00:11:57.620 And I'll tell you why. 00:11:58.219 --> 00:12:04.740 For 40-something years as a pastor, most of the time when I got news, it wasn't good news. 00:12:05.459 --> 00:12:06.399 It was bad news. 00:12:06.500 --> 00:12:09.539 I don't mean that people were always in the office complaining about something. 00:12:09.620 --> 00:12:10.719 Not that kind of bad news. 00:12:10.720 --> 00:12:15.940 I'm talking about where folks would call your office and say, can I come by and see you, 00:12:16.100 --> 00:12:16.200 Pastor? 00:12:16.440 --> 00:12:17.740 Something's happened in my life. 00:12:18.399 --> 00:12:20.399 And I just got to tell you, most of the time it wasn't good. 00:12:20.500 --> 00:12:24.180 Very few people ever got a raise and said, can I come by and tell you about my raise? 00:12:25.620 --> 00:12:30.060 Can I tell you that I just got promoted and I just want to come share that with you? 00:12:30.379 --> 00:12:33.920 Or, you know, we're expecting a baby and I just want you to be the first. 00:12:34.519 --> 00:12:35.960 Those kind of things just don't happen. 00:12:35.960 --> 00:12:39.580 Most of the time when folks call your office and they're on an appointment, they're coming 00:12:39.580 --> 00:12:42.580 because they've been hit with some bad news. 00:12:43.200 --> 00:12:45.860 Somebody in their family is sick and dying. 00:12:46.519 --> 00:12:50.980 Or somebody in their family has developed some feared disease. 00:12:51.440 --> 00:12:54.220 Or somebody has Alzheimer's in their family. 00:12:54.780 --> 00:12:57.600 Or somebody has been involved in an accident. 00:12:57.700 --> 00:12:59.519 Or somebody has lost a job. 00:12:59.900 --> 00:13:03.379 Or a child has gotten involved with drugs. 00:13:03.379 --> 00:13:06.620 Or they're seeing the wrong person and the parent's fearful. 00:13:06.759 --> 00:13:08.220 They're going to marry that person. 00:13:08.559 --> 00:13:11.759 It's so oftentimes bad news that we get in life. 00:13:11.939 --> 00:13:17.299 And so I can just see the counts of these shepherds kind of change as the angel says, 00:13:17.659 --> 00:13:20.340 hey, I've got good news for you. 00:13:20.559 --> 00:13:22.379 Look back at that verse again, if you will. 00:13:22.379 --> 00:13:30.279 But the angel said to them, don't be afraid for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy 00:13:30.279 --> 00:13:32.620 that will be for all the people. 00:13:33.360 --> 00:13:38.759 I just got to tell you though, when somebody looks at me and they say, I've got good news. 00:13:39.080 --> 00:13:41.460 Boy, I have good news for you and you only. 00:13:42.200 --> 00:13:44.580 Today, it's your lucky day. 00:13:45.159 --> 00:13:47.779 You know how I react to that most times because I'm a little bit skeptical? 00:13:47.779 --> 00:13:49.919 I want to put my hand on my wallet. 00:13:51.179 --> 00:13:53.759 Because I think, okay, you've got good news for me, do you? 00:13:54.480 --> 00:13:57.100 It's going to be good news for you if I'm buying what you're selling. 00:13:57.419 --> 00:14:00.600 But it's not necessarily going to be good news for me, right? 00:14:00.659 --> 00:14:01.879 We're a little bit standoffish. 00:14:01.939 --> 00:14:06.220 We're a little bit skeptical of folks who just say, boy, do I have the deal for you. 00:14:06.259 --> 00:14:08.679 I've got great, great news for you. 00:14:09.259 --> 00:14:12.759 And I'm wondering if that's maybe what those shepherds thought. 00:14:13.379 --> 00:14:15.759 But then he goes on to say something else. 00:14:15.759 --> 00:14:18.080 It will be for all the people. 00:14:18.460 --> 00:14:20.100 And then he tells them why in verse 11. 00:14:20.379 --> 00:14:21.200 Look at verse 11. 00:14:21.759 --> 00:14:29.399 Today, a Savior who is Messiah, the Lord, was born for you in the city of David. 00:14:31.379 --> 00:14:34.939 Now look up and I want you to listen and think about something you may have never thought about. 00:14:35.039 --> 00:14:38.179 Maybe you have, but maybe you've never thought about in this perspective. 00:14:39.179 --> 00:14:41.960 To you and I, this side of the cross, 00:14:41.960 --> 00:14:46.420 if an angel appeared to us today, just a few days before Christmas and said, 00:14:46.660 --> 00:14:49.180 hey, I just want to come and confirm what happened many years ago. 00:14:49.460 --> 00:14:50.800 I've got good news for you. 00:14:50.860 --> 00:14:55.580 A Savior has been born and he rehearsed that same message he gave to those shepherds. 00:14:56.000 --> 00:14:59.100 It would be good news for all of us because we know the whole story. 00:14:59.100 --> 00:15:05.700 But to those shepherds, when they were thinking about a Messiah coming, 00:15:06.580 --> 00:15:09.580 they weren't thinking about a Messiah the way you and I think about a Messiah. 00:15:10.240 --> 00:15:13.340 We think about one sin to save us from our sins. 00:15:13.879 --> 00:15:18.480 But when they thought about a Messiah, they thought about a political military leader 00:15:18.480 --> 00:15:21.700 who would come and oust the Romans. 00:15:21.700 --> 00:15:28.120 The Greeks had first taken control of Judah and later the Romans had overthrown the Greeks 00:15:28.120 --> 00:15:32.080 and they had been an occupied country for a couple hundred years. 00:15:32.759 --> 00:15:37.420 And so in a way it's good news if the Romans are cast out 00:15:37.420 --> 00:15:41.180 and the Hebrew people take control of their own country again. 00:15:41.940 --> 00:15:43.580 But remember what I said about those shepherds? 00:15:44.140 --> 00:15:46.140 They're not big shots in the community. 00:15:46.139 --> 00:15:52.019 They're not bankers or doctors or lawyers or folks of means in the community. 00:15:52.500 --> 00:15:54.879 They're the lowly ones in the community. 00:15:55.519 --> 00:15:58.759 And I've got news for you and you probably have difficulty 00:15:58.759 --> 00:16:01.439 unless that's the category of life you find yourself. 00:16:02.759 --> 00:16:08.080 If a political body changes from one government to another, to the little guy, 00:16:09.080 --> 00:16:10.620 it just don't make a whole lot of difference. 00:16:11.500 --> 00:16:12.220 You understand that? 00:16:12.220 --> 00:16:16.379 I'm going to be paying my taxes just a matter of if I pay my taxes to the Romans 00:16:16.379 --> 00:16:19.300 or if I pay my tax to the Hebrew people. 00:16:20.300 --> 00:16:25.000 But life for me may be grand for you, may mean new opportunities for you, 00:16:25.379 --> 00:16:28.740 but for me, a little guy, not such a big deal. 00:16:30.180 --> 00:16:35.379 Unless, unless this Messiah was going to be something different 00:16:35.379 --> 00:16:38.860 than they had ever anticipated in the past. 00:16:38.860 --> 00:16:44.320 And that's exactly the case here in verse 11 and verse 12. 00:16:44.419 --> 00:16:45.840 Look with me again to the scripture. 00:16:47.060 --> 00:16:52.039 Today a Savior who is Messiah, the Lord, was born for you in the city of David. 00:16:52.539 --> 00:16:58.060 And the Messiah this angel was talking about was not a political soldier type 00:16:58.060 --> 00:16:59.440 who was going to overthrow the Romans. 00:16:59.899 --> 00:17:02.100 He was rather a spiritual Savior. 00:17:02.620 --> 00:17:04.579 And look at what verse 12 says. 00:17:04.579 --> 00:17:06.460 This will be a sign for you. 00:17:06.839 --> 00:17:12.839 You will find a baby wrapped snugly in cloth and lying in a manger. 00:17:14.199 --> 00:17:19.259 Now the angel gives him a means of affirming everything he said. 00:17:19.359 --> 00:17:23.519 Because I got to tell you, these shepherds, they had to be skeptical. 00:17:24.199 --> 00:17:25.220 I mean, are we dreaming this? 00:17:25.279 --> 00:17:25.899 Is this real? 00:17:26.379 --> 00:17:27.439 Is this really happening? 00:17:27.779 --> 00:17:28.879 Is this message true? 00:17:28.960 --> 00:17:31.619 The Messiah has come and he's been born. 00:17:31.619 --> 00:17:34.799 And so they're wondering about all these things. 00:17:35.239 --> 00:17:37.639 And the angel suddenly says, this will be a sign for you. 00:17:37.759 --> 00:17:43.119 And he tells them exactly how to confirm everything he said. 00:17:44.099 --> 00:17:46.119 Now I'm not an FBI agent. 00:17:46.539 --> 00:17:47.779 And I'm not a tracker. 00:17:48.939 --> 00:17:52.059 But I'm going to tell you, Bethlehem is a little bitty town. 00:17:52.139 --> 00:17:52.619 I've been to Bethlehem. 00:17:53.779 --> 00:17:55.839 It's a bedroom community of Jerusalem. 00:17:55.839 --> 00:18:02.720 And Ralph, without being a tracker, without knowing how to find folk necessarily the way the FBI do, 00:18:03.259 --> 00:18:04.299 I could have found that baby. 00:18:05.159 --> 00:18:07.299 Because they've just given me a road map. 00:18:08.059 --> 00:18:10.039 They say you go to this little town over here. 00:18:10.119 --> 00:18:11.519 You're not far from it at all. 00:18:12.199 --> 00:18:13.659 And you find a stable. 00:18:14.699 --> 00:18:18.539 And there in the stable you'll find a lady who's given birth to a baby. 00:18:18.899 --> 00:18:21.619 And they even tell you how the baby's clothed. 00:18:22.179 --> 00:18:23.679 They've wrapped him in cloth. 00:18:23.680 --> 00:18:25.160 He's not going to be in a onesie. 00:18:25.700 --> 00:18:31.180 He's not in one of those cute little outfits that women dress their babies in to bring them home from the hospital. 00:18:31.400 --> 00:18:33.799 He won't have on pink or blue or any of that. 00:18:34.519 --> 00:18:35.380 But you'll know it. 00:18:36.080 --> 00:18:40.240 He'll be wrapped in cloth and he's lying in a feeding trough. 00:18:41.500 --> 00:18:45.600 Now, this baby's just been born a few minutes probably ago. 00:18:46.660 --> 00:18:50.920 Who takes a newborn baby and puts them in a dirty feeding trough? 00:18:50.920 --> 00:18:53.039 But that's where you're going to find this baby. 00:18:53.680 --> 00:18:57.140 And so what he's doing is he's giving them a road map. 00:18:57.240 --> 00:19:01.720 He's telling them, if you want to affirm what I'm telling you to make sure what I'm telling you is true, 00:19:02.140 --> 00:19:03.000 here's how you do it. 00:19:03.180 --> 00:19:05.560 Here's the sign I'm giving you. 00:19:05.960 --> 00:19:07.080 Look back at 13. 00:19:07.880 --> 00:19:09.700 This is where the story really changes. 00:19:09.700 --> 00:19:14.120 Suddenly, there was a multitude of the heavenly hosts with the angel, 00:19:14.680 --> 00:19:17.980 praising God and saying glory to God in the highest heaven, 00:19:17.980 --> 00:19:22.160 and peace on earth to people he favors. 00:19:22.160 --> 00:19:25.380 So here's the shepherd. 00:19:25.720 --> 00:19:26.400 Get this picture. 00:19:27.900 --> 00:19:30.360 And you're warming yourself by the fire, 00:19:30.840 --> 00:19:35.660 and poof, out of nowhere, unexpectedly, unannounced, here's an angel. 00:19:36.480 --> 00:19:40.160 And suddenly, the darkness turns to brilliant light. 00:19:40.160 --> 00:19:43.460 And the angel says to you, don't be afraid. 00:19:43.620 --> 00:19:44.800 I've got good news for you. 00:19:44.920 --> 00:19:48.779 Today in the city of Bethlehem, not far from here, there's a Savior been born. 00:19:49.000 --> 00:19:50.160 Here's how you're going to find him. 00:19:50.360 --> 00:19:51.620 You'll go find a stable. 00:19:52.019 --> 00:19:52.820 Look in the barn. 00:19:53.560 --> 00:19:56.540 There in a feeding trough is going to be this little baby. 00:19:56.539 --> 00:20:04.220 And just about that time, there is now not one angel or two angels or ten angels, 00:20:04.500 --> 00:20:08.099 but a multitude of angels. 00:20:09.119 --> 00:20:12.399 You're these four or five shepherds sitting here by the fire. 00:20:13.139 --> 00:20:17.899 And there is a multitude of an army of angels. 00:20:18.259 --> 00:20:20.279 They're to your left and they're to the right, 00:20:20.339 --> 00:20:22.079 and they're behind you and they're in front of you. 00:20:22.079 --> 00:20:26.480 They're everywhere, and they're all praising God. 00:20:26.539 --> 00:20:28.559 It's saying, glory to God in the eyes. 00:20:28.619 --> 00:20:33.899 In other words, may God receive the glory that he rightfully deserves. 00:20:35.079 --> 00:20:37.440 The world has never done that. 00:20:38.240 --> 00:20:44.319 Given God his due, paid him the respect and the tribute he rightfully deserves. 00:20:44.639 --> 00:20:47.799 But these angels, that's exactly what they're doing. 00:20:47.799 --> 00:20:50.059 They're declaring the glory of God in God. 00:20:50.519 --> 00:20:53.539 Here's the glory that you rightfully do deserve. 00:20:53.940 --> 00:20:56.220 Have you ever thought about he's the creator of everything? 00:20:56.539 --> 00:20:57.960 We have ever seen. 00:20:58.319 --> 00:21:01.119 All humanity needs to praise the Lord. 00:21:01.480 --> 00:21:04.779 And the created order needs to praise the Lord. 00:21:04.899 --> 00:21:08.940 And even the rock should cry out in praise to the Lord. 00:21:09.839 --> 00:21:13.920 And so these angels, they began praising God. 00:21:13.920 --> 00:21:18.579 Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth to people he favors. 00:21:18.579 --> 00:21:25.039 Now this peace that these angels declare is coming to these shepherds and to all humanity. 00:21:26.000 --> 00:21:28.259 It's not the kind of peace they've enjoyed in the past. 00:21:28.319 --> 00:21:29.299 They've enjoyed a peace. 00:21:29.779 --> 00:21:33.139 Those of you who've had Western civilization in college, you know this. 00:21:33.460 --> 00:21:35.240 They talk about Pax Romana. 00:21:35.599 --> 00:21:36.740 That's Roman peace. 00:21:36.859 --> 00:21:39.460 It was the peace the Romans afforded many nations. 00:21:39.460 --> 00:21:44.900 And so a lot of people liked to be occupied by the Romans because it meant they could travel unharmed. 00:21:45.039 --> 00:21:47.559 They were protected in their businesses. 00:21:48.319 --> 00:21:51.120 But that protection and that peace came at a price. 00:21:51.740 --> 00:21:53.480 They were heavily taxed by the Romans. 00:21:53.620 --> 00:21:56.579 And those soldiers would sometimes abuse their power. 00:21:56.579 --> 00:22:04.899 But that's not the kind of peace that the angels are declaring that these shepherds and others are one day going to know. 00:22:05.399 --> 00:22:13.159 The kind of peace they're talking about is a peace that is not brought to us by soldiers who take away our enemies. 00:22:13.960 --> 00:22:18.599 But rather a peace that comes to us when we come into right relationship with God. 00:22:19.339 --> 00:22:24.259 That peace that allows us to be at peace with God and not at enmity with God. 00:22:24.259 --> 00:22:32.279 And you know right here in the room with this many people, I know as sure as I'm standing here, there's some of you this morning that you know what that's about. 00:22:32.420 --> 00:22:36.559 You know what it's about this morning to not be at peace with God. 00:22:37.019 --> 00:22:41.859 Some of you have difficulty with God this very moment while I stand here preaching to you. 00:22:42.359 --> 00:22:47.579 Some of you are angry with God or you're on the outs with God or you've sinned in your life. 00:22:47.640 --> 00:22:53.640 Instead of coming clean with God and confessing that sin, you've allowed a barrier to be erected between you and God. 00:22:53.640 --> 00:22:57.480 And you pray and you feel as though your prayers don't get any higher than the sea. 00:22:58.259 --> 00:23:01.420 And what this angel is saying, what these angels are saying is this. 00:23:01.920 --> 00:23:07.259 He has been born today that you could really end this cold war between you and God. 00:23:07.940 --> 00:23:15.140 He's come that you could have real lasting peace in a right relationship with God the Father. 00:23:16.180 --> 00:23:17.820 Look, if you will, again at the Scripture. 00:23:17.819 --> 00:23:19.480 Verse 15, 00:23:19.819 --> 00:23:23.240 When the angels had left them, they returned to heaven. 00:23:23.379 --> 00:23:24.740 And the shepherds said to one another, 00:23:25.079 --> 00:23:27.759 Let's go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, 00:23:28.200 --> 00:23:34.599 which the Lord has made known, underscore that, has made known to us. 00:23:35.379 --> 00:23:36.399 So here's what happens. 00:23:37.099 --> 00:23:37.939 They're standing there. 00:23:38.019 --> 00:23:39.839 I can see they look like a deer in headlights. 00:23:40.059 --> 00:23:40.659 Don't you think? 00:23:41.279 --> 00:23:43.139 They're just trying to take all this in. 00:23:43.720 --> 00:23:44.779 They're stuplified. 00:23:44.779 --> 00:23:48.759 Their minds just blown by everything they've seen and heard. 00:23:49.379 --> 00:23:51.259 Suddenly, the light is gone. 00:23:51.599 --> 00:23:52.879 The angels have disappeared. 00:23:53.539 --> 00:23:55.759 It's just these lowly shepherds standing here. 00:23:55.879 --> 00:23:57.079 Now, what do you think they're thinking? 00:23:57.539 --> 00:23:58.660 You know what I think they'd be thinking? 00:23:59.160 --> 00:24:00.339 I think they're thinking, 00:24:00.779 --> 00:24:03.240 I wonder if he just saw what I saw. 00:24:06.660 --> 00:24:07.440 Did you? 00:24:07.660 --> 00:24:08.240 Yeah, I did. 00:24:08.859 --> 00:24:09.599 I did. 00:24:09.599 --> 00:24:12.879 What do you make of that? 00:24:14.319 --> 00:24:15.539 Pretty soon, one of them says, 00:24:15.759 --> 00:24:16.359 You know what? 00:24:17.159 --> 00:24:18.819 Why are we standing here? 00:24:20.099 --> 00:24:21.980 Let's go see for ourselves. 00:24:23.119 --> 00:24:24.740 And they drop what they're doing. 00:24:24.839 --> 00:24:25.980 They forget those sheep. 00:24:27.179 --> 00:24:30.500 And they're off lickety split to Bethlehem. 00:24:30.500 --> 00:24:33.720 Now, when they get to Bethlehem, 00:24:34.380 --> 00:24:35.960 what are they going to find? 00:24:36.339 --> 00:24:37.640 Well, the Scripture tells us. 00:24:38.420 --> 00:24:40.359 Look again at the very next verse. 00:24:41.880 --> 00:24:42.839 After seeing them, 00:24:43.160 --> 00:24:44.859 excuse me, verse 16, 00:24:45.319 --> 00:24:47.579 they hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph 00:24:47.579 --> 00:24:48.440 and the baby 00:24:48.440 --> 00:24:52.240 who was lying in the feeding trough. 00:24:53.880 --> 00:24:55.539 They get to Bethlehem. 00:24:56.359 --> 00:24:58.480 They go perhaps to one stable, 00:24:58.599 --> 00:24:59.539 maybe two stables. 00:24:59.539 --> 00:25:00.339 They open the door. 00:25:00.440 --> 00:25:01.180 It's dark inside. 00:25:01.279 --> 00:25:02.039 There's no movement. 00:25:02.500 --> 00:25:03.059 Shut the door. 00:25:03.159 --> 00:25:04.000 Go to the next stable. 00:25:04.740 --> 00:25:06.039 Finally, they come to this stable. 00:25:06.420 --> 00:25:07.180 They open the door. 00:25:08.019 --> 00:25:09.119 It's dark inside. 00:25:09.599 --> 00:25:10.379 Nothing moving. 00:25:11.399 --> 00:25:12.159 But somebody says, 00:25:12.440 --> 00:25:14.599 Looks like there's a faint light back there 00:25:14.599 --> 00:25:15.839 in that last stall. 00:25:17.159 --> 00:25:18.460 So they walk in. 00:25:19.180 --> 00:25:20.740 And the closer they get to the light, 00:25:21.420 --> 00:25:22.960 the softer they walk, 00:25:23.019 --> 00:25:24.299 the more gingerly they walk 00:25:24.299 --> 00:25:25.740 until finally they're here 00:25:25.740 --> 00:25:27.039 at the opening of the stall. 00:25:27.539 --> 00:25:29.399 And they get to the edge of the stall 00:25:29.400 --> 00:25:30.700 and I can see one of them 00:25:30.700 --> 00:25:32.420 just kind of look around the edge. 00:25:33.680 --> 00:25:35.800 And there it is by that torch. 00:25:37.240 --> 00:25:38.340 There's a young woman 00:25:38.340 --> 00:25:39.460 and her husband 00:25:39.460 --> 00:25:41.700 and a feeding trough 00:25:41.700 --> 00:25:45.000 and a brand-newborn baby 00:25:45.000 --> 00:25:47.860 wrapped in cloths. 00:25:47.859 --> 00:25:51.819 Boy, can you imagine the excitement they found? 00:25:53.500 --> 00:25:55.159 Can you put yourself in their place and say, 00:25:55.319 --> 00:25:57.099 What would that have been like? 00:25:58.159 --> 00:25:59.419 I'm sure every one of them 00:25:59.419 --> 00:26:00.500 gathered around that baby, 00:26:01.339 --> 00:26:02.879 maybe reached down and touched that. 00:26:02.979 --> 00:26:04.079 Can we touch your baby? 00:26:04.939 --> 00:26:06.419 Don't you imagine that's what they'd say? 00:26:07.279 --> 00:26:08.879 Somebody might have been bold enough to say, 00:26:08.880 --> 00:26:11.580 Could I hold your baby? 00:26:13.000 --> 00:26:14.780 They just marvel at this baby. 00:26:14.860 --> 00:26:16.200 They've never seen anything like this. 00:26:16.520 --> 00:26:17.440 But the big thing is this. 00:26:17.560 --> 00:26:19.960 This is an answer to prayer. 00:26:20.440 --> 00:26:23.280 This is an answer to what they have hoped for 00:26:23.280 --> 00:26:25.940 when those angels came and announced 00:26:25.940 --> 00:26:28.060 that all this would be the case. 00:26:28.500 --> 00:26:31.100 Look, if you will, at verse 17 and 18. 00:26:31.500 --> 00:26:32.640 After seeing them, 00:26:32.740 --> 00:26:33.880 they reported the message 00:26:33.880 --> 00:26:35.560 they were told about this child. 00:26:35.559 --> 00:26:37.579 And all who heard it were amazed 00:26:37.579 --> 00:26:40.379 at what the shepherds said to them. 00:26:41.379 --> 00:26:42.740 You know what's amazing to me about that? 00:26:43.960 --> 00:26:45.119 These shepherds were guys 00:26:45.119 --> 00:26:47.339 who I guarantee you most folk didn't go to 00:26:47.339 --> 00:26:48.679 to get the latest news. 00:26:49.960 --> 00:26:51.859 They were considered gossips. 00:26:52.720 --> 00:26:54.899 They were considered a little bit superstitious. 00:26:55.839 --> 00:26:58.220 They were in an entry-level job. 00:26:58.960 --> 00:27:01.440 Nobody turned to shepherds for their news. 00:27:01.440 --> 00:27:03.259 But this day, 00:27:03.259 --> 00:27:05.259 they were all ears. 00:27:05.900 --> 00:27:07.180 Because when the shepherds came 00:27:07.180 --> 00:27:08.220 and began telling them 00:27:08.220 --> 00:27:09.379 about what they'd found 00:27:09.379 --> 00:27:10.799 in that stable 00:27:10.799 --> 00:27:12.680 and all that had happened with those angels, 00:27:13.259 --> 00:27:14.839 people believed them. 00:27:15.960 --> 00:27:16.420 You know why? 00:27:16.480 --> 00:27:18.359 Because they said it with an enthusiasm 00:27:18.359 --> 00:27:21.720 that they'd never seen before. 00:27:23.539 --> 00:27:25.240 Have you ever had somebody tell you something 00:27:25.240 --> 00:27:27.059 that was just absolutely so incredible 00:27:27.059 --> 00:27:29.700 that seemed it couldn't possibly be true? 00:27:29.700 --> 00:27:33.420 But the way they said it 00:27:33.420 --> 00:27:36.319 and the way they looked 00:27:36.319 --> 00:27:39.240 and the conviction in their voice 00:27:39.240 --> 00:27:40.100 just said to you, 00:27:40.220 --> 00:27:42.180 boy, I don't get that. 00:27:43.700 --> 00:27:45.420 But I believe they believed that 00:27:45.420 --> 00:27:46.299 with all their heart. 00:27:47.819 --> 00:27:49.059 I think that's how 00:27:49.059 --> 00:27:50.900 those people they went and told 00:27:50.900 --> 00:27:52.700 responded to those shepherds. 00:27:52.799 --> 00:27:53.140 They just, 00:27:53.559 --> 00:27:54.660 the look in their face, 00:27:54.660 --> 00:27:56.980 the sound of their voice, 00:27:57.640 --> 00:27:59.019 the excitement 00:27:59.019 --> 00:28:00.640 with which they told that, 00:28:01.519 --> 00:28:02.240 all who heard it, 00:28:02.279 --> 00:28:02.600 they thought, 00:28:02.700 --> 00:28:02.880 man, 00:28:03.420 --> 00:28:04.600 they saw that baby. 00:28:05.759 --> 00:28:06.160 Today, 00:28:06.279 --> 00:28:07.420 the Messiah has been born. 00:28:07.500 --> 00:28:08.080 I want you to see 00:28:08.080 --> 00:28:09.000 this little short video. 00:28:09.140 --> 00:28:09.740 It's my favorite 00:28:09.740 --> 00:28:10.640 of all the videos 00:28:10.640 --> 00:28:11.560 we've shown. 00:28:12.480 --> 00:28:13.160 And then I want to say 00:28:13.160 --> 00:28:13.740 just a word 00:28:13.740 --> 00:28:14.480 and we're closed. 00:28:14.480 --> 00:28:19.180 It was a night 00:28:19.180 --> 00:28:20.319 like any other night 00:28:20.319 --> 00:28:22.920 except for that angel. 00:28:23.819 --> 00:28:24.960 Ain't seen nothing like it 00:28:24.960 --> 00:28:26.319 before or since. 00:28:26.759 --> 00:28:27.339 Us shepherds, 00:28:27.440 --> 00:28:28.900 we don't get a lot of excitement 00:28:28.900 --> 00:28:29.860 out there on the pasture. 00:28:30.620 --> 00:28:31.660 But that angel, 00:28:32.500 --> 00:28:34.579 it was so bright, 00:28:35.220 --> 00:28:36.299 so beautiful. 00:28:37.460 --> 00:28:38.259 I know what you're thinking. 00:28:38.360 --> 00:28:38.740 You're thinking, 00:28:38.940 --> 00:28:39.200 Sam, 00:28:39.259 --> 00:28:40.259 you've been out in that pasture 00:28:40.259 --> 00:28:41.319 just a little bit too long. 00:28:41.660 --> 00:28:42.799 And you'd be correct. 00:28:42.799 --> 00:28:45.259 But that all changed 00:28:45.259 --> 00:28:46.159 when that angel 00:28:46.159 --> 00:28:48.339 came right up to us. 00:28:48.919 --> 00:28:49.879 And the angel said, 00:28:49.980 --> 00:28:51.039 don't be afraid. 00:28:51.579 --> 00:28:52.220 I was like, 00:28:52.279 --> 00:28:52.839 too late. 00:28:54.399 --> 00:28:55.759 And then the angel said, 00:28:55.940 --> 00:28:56.200 no, 00:28:56.299 --> 00:28:56.899 I wrote it down. 00:28:57.099 --> 00:28:58.079 I need to get this right. 00:28:58.200 --> 00:28:58.639 Hold on. 00:28:59.859 --> 00:29:00.339 Okay. 00:29:00.720 --> 00:29:01.639 The angel said, 00:29:02.220 --> 00:29:03.500 milk, 00:29:03.940 --> 00:29:04.139 bread, 00:29:04.279 --> 00:29:04.460 no, 00:29:04.899 --> 00:29:06.139 that's my grocery list. 00:29:06.639 --> 00:29:07.759 Then the angel said, 00:29:08.079 --> 00:29:09.079 I have good news 00:29:09.079 --> 00:29:10.480 of a great joy 00:29:10.480 --> 00:29:11.259 that should be 00:29:11.259 --> 00:29:12.119 for all the people 00:29:12.119 --> 00:29:13.119 for unto you 00:29:13.119 --> 00:29:14.059 is born this day 00:29:14.059 --> 00:29:15.419 in the city of David 00:29:15.419 --> 00:29:16.279 a Savior, 00:29:16.500 --> 00:29:17.699 which is Christ the Lord. 00:29:19.479 --> 00:29:20.799 And then the angel said, 00:29:21.419 --> 00:29:22.539 he's lying in a manger 00:29:22.539 --> 00:29:23.459 wrapped in cloth. 00:29:23.639 --> 00:29:24.299 Go find him. 00:29:25.479 --> 00:29:26.179 Okie dokie. 00:29:26.819 --> 00:29:28.059 So we're all sitting around 00:29:28.059 --> 00:29:29.459 and then one of the shepherds, 00:29:29.579 --> 00:29:30.219 the thing was Steve, 00:29:30.579 --> 00:29:30.979 he's like, 00:29:31.019 --> 00:29:31.119 hey, 00:29:31.139 --> 00:29:31.739 what are we doing? 00:29:31.859 --> 00:29:32.579 Let's get out of here. 00:29:32.599 --> 00:29:33.519 Let's go to Bethlehem. 00:29:33.739 --> 00:29:35.299 So we hightailed it out of there 00:29:35.299 --> 00:29:37.740 and we found 00:29:37.740 --> 00:29:40.639 that beautiful baby. 00:29:43.859 --> 00:29:44.639 I'll tell you, 00:29:44.899 --> 00:29:46.740 I was a different man 00:29:46.740 --> 00:29:47.299 after that. 00:29:49.980 --> 00:29:51.019 God chose me. 00:29:55.339 --> 00:29:56.460 Nobody's ever chosen me 00:29:56.460 --> 00:29:56.940 for anything. 00:29:56.940 --> 00:30:00.860 I'll never forget 00:30:00.860 --> 00:30:01.680 what that angel said, 00:30:01.740 --> 00:30:01.960 though. 00:30:02.120 --> 00:30:02.820 The angel said, 00:30:03.320 --> 00:30:06.080 I bring good news 00:30:06.080 --> 00:30:07.160 to all people. 00:30:09.820 --> 00:30:10.860 That means you too. 00:30:10.859 --> 00:30:19.740 Part of that video, 00:30:19.859 --> 00:30:20.519 and I can't tell you 00:30:20.519 --> 00:30:21.099 how many times 00:30:21.099 --> 00:30:21.879 I've seen that video. 00:30:22.559 --> 00:30:23.159 Part of the video 00:30:23.159 --> 00:30:24.000 I like the most 00:30:24.000 --> 00:30:24.919 is when he looks 00:30:24.919 --> 00:30:25.679 in the camera 00:30:25.679 --> 00:30:26.199 and he says, 00:30:26.500 --> 00:30:28.259 God chose us. 00:30:28.399 --> 00:30:29.319 He chose me. 00:30:30.000 --> 00:30:31.019 And nobody's ever 00:30:31.019 --> 00:30:31.919 chosen me before. 00:30:33.059 --> 00:30:33.919 Does that move your heart 00:30:33.919 --> 00:30:35.039 the way it does mine? 00:30:35.939 --> 00:30:36.839 When I was 00:30:36.839 --> 00:30:39.119 a young pastor 00:30:39.119 --> 00:30:40.839 at Brushy Creek Baptist Church, 00:30:41.159 --> 00:30:42.259 my next door neighbor 00:30:42.259 --> 00:30:43.279 was a doctor, 00:30:43.699 --> 00:30:44.279 Lynn Hammond. 00:30:44.379 --> 00:30:45.399 He's recently retired. 00:30:45.779 --> 00:30:46.599 He had two little kids 00:30:46.599 --> 00:30:47.119 at the time. 00:30:48.439 --> 00:30:48.839 Lindsey, 00:30:49.019 --> 00:30:50.199 his daughter was about five, 00:30:50.259 --> 00:30:50.639 I think, 00:30:50.839 --> 00:30:52.219 and his little boy 00:30:52.219 --> 00:30:53.559 was about three years old. 00:30:54.179 --> 00:30:55.500 We became fast friends. 00:30:56.179 --> 00:30:56.419 I mean, 00:30:56.459 --> 00:30:57.500 I can just tell you stories 00:30:57.500 --> 00:30:58.359 of me and Austin, 00:30:58.539 --> 00:30:59.359 especially when he was 00:30:59.359 --> 00:30:59.919 growing up. 00:31:01.000 --> 00:31:02.219 He would come to the house. 00:31:02.259 --> 00:31:03.399 I've always liked the outdoors, 00:31:03.539 --> 00:31:04.219 and so I took him 00:31:04.219 --> 00:31:05.419 the first time he went fishing. 00:31:06.039 --> 00:31:06.500 Took him hunting 00:31:06.500 --> 00:31:06.959 the first time 00:31:06.959 --> 00:31:07.679 he ever went hunting. 00:31:08.699 --> 00:31:09.500 Showed him how to 00:31:09.500 --> 00:31:10.539 clean the turkey. 00:31:10.539 --> 00:31:12.019 We just had a great time together. 00:31:12.559 --> 00:31:13.379 Always been close. 00:31:13.500 --> 00:31:14.559 Asked me to do his wedding 00:31:14.559 --> 00:31:15.779 a couple years 00:31:15.779 --> 00:31:16.559 before I retired. 00:31:16.700 --> 00:31:17.619 Went up to a pretty place 00:31:17.619 --> 00:31:18.279 and did his wedding. 00:31:19.099 --> 00:31:22.039 And after I retired 00:31:22.039 --> 00:31:23.399 about two years, 00:31:23.940 --> 00:31:25.099 he calls me one day 00:31:25.099 --> 00:31:27.039 and he says, 00:31:27.240 --> 00:31:27.519 Pastor, 00:31:27.639 --> 00:31:28.279 this is Austin. 00:31:29.059 --> 00:31:30.220 I got some good news 00:31:30.220 --> 00:31:30.639 for you. 00:31:31.279 --> 00:31:32.420 And it's something 00:31:32.420 --> 00:31:33.200 though you can't tell 00:31:33.200 --> 00:31:33.779 anybody. 00:31:34.299 --> 00:31:34.960 You just got to keep 00:31:34.960 --> 00:31:35.399 it to yourself. 00:31:35.400 --> 00:31:35.960 but I want you 00:31:35.960 --> 00:31:37.019 to be the first to know. 00:31:37.640 --> 00:31:37.940 And I said, 00:31:38.000 --> 00:31:38.340 what's that? 00:31:38.380 --> 00:31:38.820 And he says, 00:31:39.340 --> 00:31:40.380 me and my wife Jessica, 00:31:40.540 --> 00:31:41.280 we're going to have a baby. 00:31:42.280 --> 00:31:42.800 He says, 00:31:42.860 --> 00:31:43.940 but I've told most of my family, 00:31:44.019 --> 00:31:44.900 all my family doesn't know yet, 00:31:44.960 --> 00:31:45.759 but you just got to 00:31:45.759 --> 00:31:46.680 keep that under your hat, 00:31:46.759 --> 00:31:47.000 will you? 00:31:47.600 --> 00:31:48.380 Well, I felt like me. 00:31:48.460 --> 00:31:49.600 It's great to be the first 00:31:49.600 --> 00:31:50.140 to know something, 00:31:50.259 --> 00:31:50.480 isn't it? 00:31:51.340 --> 00:31:51.880 Don't we all, 00:31:51.960 --> 00:31:52.600 I know you women 00:31:52.600 --> 00:31:53.360 like that, right? 00:31:53.359 --> 00:31:55.939 Everybody likes to be 00:31:55.939 --> 00:31:57.039 the first to know 00:31:57.039 --> 00:31:58.419 something good. 00:31:58.500 --> 00:31:59.379 It gives you power. 00:31:59.899 --> 00:32:00.179 It's like, 00:32:00.599 --> 00:32:01.219 boy, I know something 00:32:01.219 --> 00:32:01.919 you don't know. 00:32:03.219 --> 00:32:04.679 I still want to tell you, 00:32:05.740 --> 00:32:07.219 and I can see those shepherds 00:32:07.219 --> 00:32:07.899 when they heard 00:32:07.899 --> 00:32:08.679 that good news, 00:32:09.639 --> 00:32:10.439 they confirmed it 00:32:10.439 --> 00:32:11.219 by seeing the baby. 00:32:12.099 --> 00:32:12.779 You know what they thought 00:32:12.779 --> 00:32:13.359 to themselves, 00:32:13.459 --> 00:32:14.000 I believe? 00:32:15.879 --> 00:32:17.000 And come to the 00:32:17.000 --> 00:32:18.500 banker of the first union, 00:32:19.599 --> 00:32:20.500 then come to the 00:32:20.500 --> 00:32:22.899 renowned surgeon here in 00:32:22.900 --> 00:32:25.040 Bethlehem, 00:32:26.080 --> 00:32:27.140 then come to the 00:32:27.140 --> 00:32:28.740 leading salesman 00:32:28.740 --> 00:32:29.740 for the real estate company, 00:32:31.040 --> 00:32:32.400 came to me. 00:32:33.700 --> 00:32:34.820 He came and told me, 00:32:35.400 --> 00:32:35.840 a shepherd, 00:32:36.120 --> 00:32:37.120 who would have ever guessed? 00:32:37.500 --> 00:32:38.620 Who would have ever guessed? 00:32:39.540 --> 00:32:40.019 And it's not how 00:32:40.019 --> 00:32:40.960 we do it today, right? 00:32:41.340 --> 00:32:42.500 You get some big celebrity 00:32:42.500 --> 00:32:42.800 saying, 00:32:42.860 --> 00:32:44.960 my son has been born 00:32:44.960 --> 00:32:45.560 to the world. 00:32:46.900 --> 00:32:48.000 But God in his infinite wisdom 00:32:48.000 --> 00:32:48.540 says, no, 00:32:49.380 --> 00:32:50.420 let's let those shepherds 00:32:50.420 --> 00:32:51.259 be the first to know. 00:32:51.259 --> 00:32:53.339 Let's let them go 00:32:53.339 --> 00:32:54.839 and tell the world 00:32:54.839 --> 00:32:55.940 that a Savior 00:32:55.940 --> 00:32:56.579 has been born. 00:32:57.799 --> 00:32:59.240 I close by telling you this, 00:32:59.859 --> 00:33:01.019 you've been chosen too. 00:33:01.960 --> 00:33:02.879 When you came to faith 00:33:02.879 --> 00:33:03.519 in Christ, 00:33:04.079 --> 00:33:05.240 he chose you 00:33:05.240 --> 00:33:06.660 to be his child. 00:33:07.319 --> 00:33:08.180 And he chose you 00:33:08.180 --> 00:33:09.019 to be a messenger 00:33:09.019 --> 00:33:09.980 of this good news 00:33:09.980 --> 00:33:10.799 to go and tell the world. 00:33:11.799 --> 00:33:12.879 What bugs me a little bit 00:33:12.879 --> 00:33:13.519 about Christians, 00:33:14.119 --> 00:33:15.379 and it's true of me as well, 00:33:15.380 --> 00:33:17.200 we're the ones 00:33:17.200 --> 00:33:18.260 who harp all the time. 00:33:20.240 --> 00:33:21.380 Jesus is the reason 00:33:21.380 --> 00:33:22.000 for the season. 00:33:23.000 --> 00:33:24.360 Keep Christ in Christmas. 00:33:26.080 --> 00:33:26.780 But how many people 00:33:26.780 --> 00:33:27.300 have you told 00:33:27.300 --> 00:33:28.240 this Christmas season 00:33:28.240 --> 00:33:30.060 about the fact 00:33:30.060 --> 00:33:31.340 that they have hope 00:33:31.340 --> 00:33:32.560 and they have peace 00:33:32.560 --> 00:33:34.220 and they have a Savior 00:33:34.220 --> 00:33:35.620 in the Lord Jesus Christ? 00:33:37.620 --> 00:33:38.340 So today, 00:33:38.460 --> 00:33:39.040 when you leave, 00:33:40.040 --> 00:33:42.500 leave in your mind 00:33:42.500 --> 00:33:44.660 just resolved. 00:33:45.720 --> 00:33:46.579 Before Christmas, 00:33:46.920 --> 00:33:48.180 I'm going to share 00:33:48.180 --> 00:33:49.180 with some folk out there 00:33:49.180 --> 00:33:50.980 who may not know Jesus 00:33:50.980 --> 00:33:52.819 that he's what 00:33:52.819 --> 00:33:53.660 this is all about 00:33:53.660 --> 00:33:54.920 and through him, 00:33:55.180 --> 00:33:55.980 they can have peace 00:33:55.980 --> 00:33:56.480 with God. 00:33:56.579 --> 00:33:57.960 They can be at peace 00:33:57.960 --> 00:33:58.440 with God. 00:33:58.519 --> 00:33:59.140 Would you do that? 00:34:00.140 --> 00:34:00.720 Let's stand 00:34:00.720 --> 00:34:01.680 and Brian's going 00:34:01.680 --> 00:34:02.400 to lead us in a hymn. 00:34:03.120 --> 00:34:04.019 Amen. 00:34:04.380 --> 00:34:05.220 Albanian 00:34:05.220 --> 00:34:06.160 ENDY 00:34:06.160 --> 00:34:17.260 FELI?"