Unyime Akpan - December 24, 2023

Northbrook Bible Chapel

Why God Informed Shepherds Luke 2:8-20 JESUS SAID “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep. John 10: 11 (NIRv) John 10: 14-16 John 1:29 John 10: 27-30 Sheep Responsibilities: Listen and Follow the shepherd John 10: 27-30 Shepherd's (Jesus) Assurance: Guaranteed Eternal Life Luke 1:34-35 NLT ✓ The Holy Spirit came upon her; the power of the Most High overshadowed her ✓ The Holy Spirit, God the Father (the Most High), the Son of God present at Mary’s conception and during pregnancy ✓ Jesus was conceived and born holy; He came for the greatest rescue mission –salvation of sinners ✓ He lived holy –no sin in him (2 Cor 5:21, 1 Peter 2:22, 1 John 3:5, Hebrews 4:15) ✓ Jesus, the perfect Son of God is the sole, all sufficient sacrifice for sin Luke 2:1-5 ✓ God decreed 700 years earlier that the Messiah will be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2) • Every other person (Ceaser Augustus, Quirinius, Joseph) and event (census) were instruments in the hand of God ✓ God’s words will always be fulfilled; it is best to obey God’s words and not to fight it • What/Who are the heavenly “things” that informed the shepherds about Jesus' birth? ✓ An angel ✓ The Lord’s glory ✓ Multitude of the heavenly army of angels(host) ✓ Brought good news about the Saviour, Christ the Lord birth; gave instruction on where and how to find him. John 1:5 Jewish people had the Glory of God -On and Off-, and finally, Off • On -Moses Tabernacle Dedication (Exodus 40:34-35; Lev 9:22-24); Solomon Temple Dedication (2 Chronicle 7:1-3), Off with repeated sin ✓ God’s glory returned and tabernacled on earth when Jesus was born in Bethlehem 14Andthe Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 ➢ Lessons from the heavenly visit to the shepherds ✓ The Goodness of God ✓ Despised, outcasts, and rejected shepherds were first to receive the news of Jesus’ birth ✓ The Nearness of God ✓ The presence of God was closer than the shepherds knew ✓ The Love of God • God gave the perfect gift that the world needed-a Person who will rescue us from sin ✓ The Faithfulness of God Some Prominent Shepherds in the Old Testament ✓ Abel, a shepherd who laid down his life ✓ Abraham,a shepherd who left home to obey God ✓ Issac, a shepherd who laid down his life in obedience to his father ✓ Jacob,a shepherd who got himself a bride while away from home ✓ Moses,a prince, became a shepherd and delivered Israel from bondage in Egypt ✓ Moses slaughtered some lambs; Israel had an exodus from Egypt ✓ Jesus gave his own blood; believers have an exodus from the power of Satan, and the kingdom of darkness. into the kingdom ofGod ✓ David, a shepherd who brought victory to Israel ✓ Saul has slain his 1000, Davids his 10000s ✓ Jesus Christ, the shepherd is gathering his flock -One Shepherd, One Flock ✓ The Good Shepherd died for the sheep John 10: 14-16 ✓ The Great Shepherd lives for the sheep, gathering and building his flock Hebrews 13:20-21 ✓ The Chief Shepherd is coming to take his sheep home 1 Peter 5:1-5 John 10: 27-30