Serving With Shepherds
By Senior Pastor Dr. Bill Rains | December 15, 2024
Open your Bibles to Luke 2:7-20. Today’s message, “Serving With Shepherds,” follows last week’s Christmas sermon; next week’s is “A Baby Changes Everything.” A baby alters all—raise your hand if you’ve lived that! Luke 2:7-20 says: “And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, 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, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, 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, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.” Let’s pray: Father, we’re overjoyed to know You, saved by trusting Jesus boldly. Thank You for this service—singing, choir, souls saved this week. If anyone here can’t pinpoint trusting Christ, make this their moment. Encourage us through this text, in Jesus’ name, amen.
Close Proximity to Christ
I love the Christmas story—exciting, instructive, wondrous. Picture the shepherds near Bethlehem, guarding sheep in the dark from beasts and thieves. Suddenly, God’s glory pierces the night; an angel appears, calming their fear with, “Fear not… I bring you good tidings of great joy… a Saviour is born.” A heavenly choir joins, singing, “Glory to God… peace on earth.” They vanish, and the shepherds haste to Bethlehem, finding Jesus. Verse 8 notes they were “in the same country,” not far—maybe an hour away—unlike the wise men’s long trek. They never imagined this night would turn extraordinary, yet they were so close to Christ. Romans 10:8 says, “The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach.” God places us all near Jesus. This week, I saw two ladies—ordinary lives lit by gospel truth—trust Him. Like Nicodemus in John 3, religious yet lost, they seized proximity to be born again. Jesus is near you—don’t delay, go in haste!
Carrying On With Professions
The shepherds were just working—normal life, minding sheep, watching for wolves or bandits. Then God broke through! The extraordinary interrupted the ordinary. In Matthew 4:18-20, fishermen cast nets until Jesus said, “Follow me,” and they left all. Matthew 9:9 shows Levi taxing—normal—until Jesus called, and he rose. Acts 9 tells of Saul, arresting Christians, until a light outshone the noon sun, knocking him down to cry, “What must I do?” God interrupts our daily grind—work, school, family—with His call. This week, a friend said, “I’m living the dream,” but God’s dream is bigger. When light pierces your soul, don’t hesitate—run to Jesus!
A Chorus of Heavenly Praise
The heavenly host’s chorus—“Glory to God”—stirred the shepherds. I get riled preaching this! Once, a liberal Presbyterian disliked my hollering and jumping from Ezekiel’s sword-waving style. He never returned, but God’s Word makes you glad or mad. The angels left, yet the shepherds became a chorus of praise. Yesterday, I wept with a lady in a nursing home as she trusted Christ—His love demands praise! First Peter 2:9 says we’re “to shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.” Knowing Jesus turns us into praisers—unashamed, joyful.
A Commission to Serve
Proximity, professions, praise led to purpose. Verse 17 says, “When they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.” Shepherds became servants, spreading, “A Saviour is born!” Our message—Christianity’s—is the greatest: salvation for all, no matter the sin. Some think, “I’m too mean,” or “I doubt,” but there’s a Savior for you! Online listeners, join me—tell everyone! Shame stops many—fear of altars, Bibles, prayer—but lay it aside. Step boldly to Jesus, join God’s family, and say, “I’m glad I trusted Him—come with me!”
A Call to Respond
God’s near, breaking through your normal with light and voice. Hear it, haste to Jesus, praise Him, serve by sharing. Don’t let shame hold you—step over the line. Stand—will you cross it today?