It came to pass - The power of responding

Luke 2:8–20 (ESV)

8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 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. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” 15 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.” 16And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

There is so much power in the gospel! It’s work in my life depends on my response - Let’s look at the shepherds and how they responded to the good news of Jesus.

The setting: The shepherds were in their fields, doing their thing and all of a sudden the skies light up with the glory of the Lord and presence of angels.

The hear an announcement that the son of God - the savior of the world - is born!

Here’s how they respond:

1. They respond to the gospel by moving toward the gospel

When they heard the gospel, they knew that they had to see the gospel

Now, we need to make a distinction between their initial experience with the gospel, and their RESPONSE to the gospel

• In their initial experience - the gospel comes to them

  • The angel of the Lord showed up where they were and announced the good news of Jesus

• In their RESPONSE - they go to Jesus

We can't make the mistake of thinking that the gospel always comes all the way to me -

• Sometimes I have to move toward Him

• This idea will revolutionize your devotional time

Jesus in Matthew 6:33 -

Matthew 6:33 (ESV)

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

"Seek First" the Kingdom

• Sometimes we "leave room" for the kingdom, but are we SEEKING the kingdom

If I'm seeking the kingdom, I'm not stagnant:

Because - You can’t stay where you are and go with God

• I serve a God who builds things

• I serve a God who blesses things

• I serve a God who is healing broken marriages

  • He is guiding me

  • He is helping me

  • He is promoting me

  • He is correcting me

That's why I am seeking Him - because without Him, this is as good as it will ever get!

The shepherds had an amazing experience in that field - they saw and heard angels!

• But when they started seeking, they found the Son of God!

If you are going to see the gospel in your life, you will have to seek the gospel!

2. They respond to the gospel by sharing the gospel

When they saw the gospel, they spoke the gospel

Verse 17: They told the things that they had seen and heard concerning Jesus

• One of the most important aspects of the church is our sharing with one another what God is doing in us and around us

  • This is why community is important!

  • Micro-church is important!

Sometimes we believe that because we don't have a lot of religious training that our experience doesn't matter!

• There is nobody in this story less "religiously qualified" than these shepherds

  • You don't have to have a title to make a difference!

  • Share your story!

Let me remind you: Your story is vital in the kingdom

• Your experience matters

• The other people of this story (including Mary!) were impacted by what the shepherds were saying!

3. They respond to the gospel with worship and praise

There is a necessary response to the gospel - and it is that we give him the glory and praise him for the gift that he gave us!

• They "returned" to their fields, but something had changed inside them and they were living lives that reflected thankfulness and gratitude over the blessings of God in their lives.

When I allow this gift of Christmas to really shape who I am - it will produce fruitfulness in my life that demonstrates his goodness to me!

• We talk about making the goodness of Jesus unavoidable in our city - it has to start when I'm at!

  • I want to return home today - changed by Him

  • I want to return to work next week - changed by Him

  • I want to return to my daily activities - giving him glory and praising Him for all that he has done in my life.

This morning, as we celebrate Christmas, let us be careful not to think that the gospel came to be relegated to December 25th where we give a head-nod to little baby Jesus

I want to challenge you to respond to the gospel by:

• Seeking the gospel

• Sharing the gospel

• Making worship part of your lifestyle