Why Shepherds? Slides, 12/19/10
- 1. Why Shepherds? Luke 2:8-14
- 2. And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.“ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!" Luke 2:8-14 (ESV)
- 3. When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.“ And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. Luke 2:15-20 (ESV)
- 4. Shepherds Show Us: • Let’s go SEE! • …that the LORD has told US about! • They went with HASTE & FOUND Jesus • What they SAW, they made KNOWN • GLORIFY & PRAISE God!
- 5. God As Shepherd • Psalm 23:1 The Lord is my Shepherd… • Psalm 80:1 Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock! • 40:11 He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.
- 6. • Jeremiah 31:10 He who scattered Israel will gather him, and will keep him as a shepherd keeps his flock. • Ezekiel 34:11-13 For thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land. And I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the ravines, and in all the inhabited places of the country.
- 7. • Shepherds connect us to King David
- 8. He chose David his servant and took him from the sheepfolds; from following the nursing ewes he brought him to shepherd Jacob his people, Israel his inheritance. Psalm 78:70-71 (ESV)
- 9. And I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd. Ezekiel 34:23 (ESV)
- 10. • Shepherds connect us to King David • Shepherds connect us to King Jesus
- 11. For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." Revelation 7:17 (ESV)
- 12. She gave birth to a male child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, but her child was caught up to God and to his throne, Revelation 12:5 (ESV)
- 13. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. Revelation 19:15 (ESV)
- 14. • Shepherds connect us to King David • Shepherds connect us to King Jesus • Shepherds connect us to WHY Jesus came to earth
- 15. But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days… And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth. Micah 5:2-4 (ESV)
- 16. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. John 10:11 (ESV)
- 17. • Shepherds connect us to King David • Shepherds connect us to King Jesus • Shepherds connect us to WHY Jesus came to earth • Shepherds of Bethlehem and the Good Shepherd connect us to GOD OUR FATHER!
- 18. Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth! Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the LORD, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Psalm 100:1-3 (ESV)