The First Noel
The First Noel Luke 2:8-20
What, do you suppose, the shepherds were discussing that night when the Angel of the LORD appeared to them so long ago? These men had probably chased thieves and wild animals away from their flocks in days gone past. Where they boasting about how their adversaries had taken flight as they were chased away by the shout of their voice, the throwing of stones, or the painful impact of a shepherds crook coming down on them?
Somehow, I just don’t get that kind of image in my mind. What I imagine is a somber and serious, even earnest desire to have a closer relationship with God the Creator. These men were not scholars of the Torah. However, they were, no doubt, believers in God who had been to the temple often and had celebrated the various rites and feasts all other Hebrews observed. I can nearly hear their conversation as they talk with one another about the promise of the Messiah.
They really don’t understand all that is said concerning the coming of the Messiah, The Chosen One. Yet, they believe and trust the some day when the time is right God will fulfill the prophecies concerning Him. Did they recall the passage in Isaiah that indicated:
“Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.”
If they did, I’m not so sure they understood the passage completely the way it would be fulfilled. I wonder if we aren’t like that today ourselves? Some of us are extremely adamant and sure of ourselves when it comes to the prophecies are yet to be fulfilled. We are sure of how and when Christ will return. Some of us are even so sure of ourselves that we seem to be literally demanding God to do it our way.
We should remember that we should stand in awe and see what God will do in these times. I think that some of us will be standing in joyful awe and some of us will be standing in dreadful awe.
To be sure that we are standing in joyful awe we need to take a look at what happened so long ago on that “First Noel.” Let’s ask ourselves what did those humble shepherds do that we should be using for a model for our own spiritual and Christlike behavior?
“The First Noel” was to certain shepherds. Why?
1. These people were hard workers and common people. KID
1. Know who you are.
2. Identify with how you are like others.
3. Never forget, we are all common people in the eyes of God.
2. These people were aware of their own need for a Savior. WIN
1. Be aware of your weaknesses.
2. Be aware of your consistent inconsistencies.
3. Be aware that you need God to make you what you want to be in His eyes.
3. These people would tell everyone they met what they had experienced. PIE
1. Don’t be persuaded by political trends.
2. Don’t be intimidated by someone else’s power.
3. Don’t be enticed by potential or persuasive wealth.
4. These people were obedient.
1. Witness the announcement.
2. Act on what you know.
3. Spread the news.
If this is the first time you have heard the Good News and understood what it meant for you, you can have a new start in you life today.
Come to the Savior, who is Christ the LORD.
He will accept you just as you are. He will make something beautiful of your life today.
He will give you something worth sharing with everyone you meet.
“God is with us” was the announcement the angel gave to the shepherds.
He is still here with us today.
What, do you suppose, the shepherds were discussing that night when the Angel of the LORD appeared to them so long ago? These men had probably chased thieves and wild animals away from their flocks in days gone past. Where they boasting about how their adversaries had taken flight as they were chased away by the shout of their voice, the throwing of stones, or the painful impact of a shepherds crook coming down on them?
Somehow, I just don’t get that kind of image in my mind. What I imagine is a somber and serious, even earnest desire to have a closer relationship with God the Creator. These men were not scholars of the Torah. However, they were, no doubt, believers in God who had been to the temple often and had celebrated the various rites and feasts all other Hebrews observed. I can nearly hear their conversation as they talk with one another about the promise of the Messiah.
They really don’t understand all that is said concerning the coming of the Messiah, The Chosen One. Yet, they believe and trust the some day when the time is right God will fulfill the prophecies concerning Him. Did they recall the passage in Isaiah that indicated:
“Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.”
If they did, I’m not so sure they understood the passage completely the way it would be fulfilled. I wonder if we aren’t like that today ourselves? Some of us are extremely adamant and sure of ourselves when it comes to the prophecies are yet to be fulfilled. We are sure of how and when Christ will return. Some of us are even so sure of ourselves that we seem to be literally demanding God to do it our way.
We should remember that we should stand in awe and see what God will do in these times. I think that some of us will be standing in joyful awe and some of us will be standing in dreadful awe.
To be sure that we are standing in joyful awe we need to take a look at what happened so long ago on that “First Noel.” Let’s ask ourselves what did those humble shepherds do that we should be using for a model for our own spiritual and Christlike behavior?
“The First Noel” was to certain shepherds. Why?
1. These people were hard workers and common people. KID
1. Know who you are.
2. Identify with how you are like others.
3. Never forget, we are all common people in the eyes of God.
2. These people were aware of their own need for a Savior. WIN
1. Be aware of your weaknesses.
2. Be aware of your consistent inconsistencies.
3. Be aware that you need God to make you what you want to be in His eyes.
3. These people would tell everyone they met what they had experienced. PIE
1. Don’t be persuaded by political trends.
2. Don’t be intimidated by someone else’s power.
3. Don’t be enticed by potential or persuasive wealth.
4. These people were obedient.
1. Witness the announcement.
2. Act on what you know.
3. Spread the news.
If this is the first time you have heard the Good News and understood what it meant for you, you can have a new start in you life today.
Come to the Savior, who is Christ the LORD.
He will accept you just as you are. He will make something beautiful of your life today.
He will give you something worth sharing with everyone you meet.
“God is with us” was the announcement the angel gave to the shepherds.
He is still here with us today.
posted by Pastor Al at 11:35 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home