While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks
1) 12-23-07…AM…SBC 2)
“While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks”
Luke 2
Transition:
1) From Nazareth to Bethlehem v1-7
A- The Decree v1-3
1- In the year 27 b.c. the Roman senate conferred on the former Octavian—now Gaius Julius Caesar—the title Augustus (= majestic, sublime, highly revered). From then on he was known as Caesar Augustus.[1]
2- During his climb to power he was ruthless. Once in power, however, he mellowed. He became, in fact, a wise administrator and famous organizer, especially of his military forces and of his bodyguard.[2]
3- By means of the census he unwittingly contributed to the fulfillment of the prophecy of Mic. 5:2.[3]
a- This census was for taxes and not military service, since Jews were exempted from the latter. [4]
b- Many historical holes to this tax and census that cannot be completely resolved. We still must accept this account as accurate because of the veracity of Scripture. No further information discovered will make this information less accurate. (see discussion in NAC – Luke).
4- We are probably justified in saying this about Caesar Augustus: he was certainly better than most Roman emperors and than King Herod I.[5]
5- Jesus’ birth is also tied to Herod the Great in Matt 2:1 and Luke 1:5.[6]
6- Herod the Great was capable, crafty, and cruel. He was the man who, in order that no one would be able to take away from him the designation the king of the Jews, and to appease his wrath, was going to order all the boy babies of Bethlehem and its surroundings to be murdered. [7]
Transition: Among the political temperature of the day we find the account of a simple man and woman and
B- The Delivery v4-8 (Use of Bible Geography Notes- “Hill Country”)
1- The trip from Nazareth (region of Galilee) to Bethlehem (region of the Hill Country)
a- Due to the height of Bethlehem (2,564 feet above sea level), travelers would go up from Nazareth (1,830 feet above sea level) to Bethlehem even though proceeding south.[8]
b- The terrain of Judah is rugged
1. It is made up of a spinal Watershed Ridge (elevation 2-3,000 ft) which runs north and south
2. off this watershed are deep east-west water cut valleys.
3. travel was very difficult due to high mountains and deep, v-shaped valleys.
4. north to south travel was expedited by moving along the top of this Watershed Ridge
2- It was on this route that Mary wanted to travel with her husband to partake in the census
a- remember she was nine months pregnant at the time
b- at best she would have been able to ride on a donkey
c- What strong objections her OBGYN might have had for her at this point in the pregnancy!
d- About a 90 mile trip
3- Upon finally reaching their destination of David’s city of Bethlehem there was no room
a- most likely due to the census and all the other travelers to this region
b- here is it that the best conditions that could be secured by Joseph was stable
c- and in this humble location, oblivious to the rest of the world’s events, a Savior is born.
Transition to Shepherds: From this lowly manger we move with the story line…
2) From a Field to a Stable v8-20
A- They watched v8
1- Shepherds were among the lowest and most despised people groups.[9]
2- They are in the field guarding the Sheep that would be used as sacrifices in the Temple
3- How ironic is it that are the first to know of the Lamb of God
Transition: Not only did they watch, but…
B- They wondered v9-14
1- The shepherds are confused and terrified when the horizon is suddenly filled with God’s glory![10]
2- The reassurance by the angel of the Lord (2:9–10): “Don’t be afraid! I bring you good news of great joy for everyone!”[11]
3- The revelation by the angel of the Lord (2:11–12) is “The Messiah has just been born in Bethlehem!” and “You will find him wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”[12]
Transition: Not only did they wonder in amazement but most importantly…
C- They Worshipped 2:15–16
1- What the shepherds should do had been clearly implied. Will they do it?[13]
2- The minister has delivered his sermon. Will the listeners (including himself) take it to heart?[14]
3- The doctor has prescribed medication. Will the patient follow his prescription?[15]
4- At this point the original contains a couple words that require special attention. One of them is a little word of two letters. Frequently it means indeed; in the present context it can perhaps best be rendered “now” or “at once,” or “without delay.”[16]
5- They heard God’s message for them and their logical response without delay or hesitation is to obey it – Does that characterize you?
Transition: Not only they worship the Messiah but then…
D- They Witnessed about Him v17-20
1- When they leave, they tell everyone what has happened.[17]
Ø The shepherd’s story is a good illustration of the Christian Life.
- You first hear the revelation of the Gospel and believe it (Romans 10:9-10)
- Then you pursue and embrace Christ
- And having become a witness to you own glorious conversion, you begin to tell others about it
Transition to Application: Now, how might these words impact us more than just at Christmas time?
1) It must impact our own evangelism efforts
a- If your response to the conversion Christ brought to your life isn’t the same as the shepherds then something is seriously wrong
Matthew 5:13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. [18]
b- “Unless salt gets poured out of the shaker, it remains a mere table ornament”(Becky Pippert)
c- How are you sharing your biblical worldview amongst conversations with the unsaved
Illustration:
1- Someone at work takes the Lord’s Name in vain and you turn and respond with, Hey I know Him!
2- Someone is speaking of a TV program that you have some strong convictions against and you proceed to tell them that you have never seen an episode and why you won’t ever watch one
3- Someone is boasting of the good time they are having partying and getting drunk and you respond with a statement about how you believe that no matter how little one drinks you believe they are being affected by it
Ø these are ways to be a salt in the world – look for ways to proclaim your faith, the shepherds did!
2- Earnestly contend for the faith
A- Is it possible that there are Christian people in this world who attack the very notion of truth?
B- Emerging Church – a popular name for an informal affiliation of Christian communities worldwide who want to revamp church and the way we think about the truth itself
C- Read from The Truth War – introduction story about Rob and Kristen Bell, p.ix
D- Truth in this new movement is categorized as hazy and ultimately unknowable
Ø A genuine love for the knowable truth, absolute truth of God’s word must be hardwired into us
Ø Be ready to do battle for the truth and to go to “war” over it and whatever you do don’t ever forget Solomon’s admonition to his son…
Proverbs 23:23 Buy the truth and do not sell it;
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[1]William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, vol. 11, New Testament Commentary : Exposition of the Gospel According to Luke, Accompanying Biblical Text Is Author's Translation., New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953-2001), 137.
[2]William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, vol. 11, New Testament Commentary : Exposition of the Gospel According to Luke, Accompanying Biblical Text Is Author's Translation., New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953-2001), 137.
[3]William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, vol. 11, New Testament Commentary : Exposition of the Gospel According to Luke, Accompanying Biblical Text Is Author's Translation., New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953-2001), 137.
[4]Robert H. Stein, vol. 24, Luke, electronic ed., Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2001, c1992), 105.
[5]William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, vol. 11, New Testament Commentary : Exposition of the Gospel According to Luke, Accompanying Biblical Text Is Author's Translation., New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953-2001), 138.
[6]Robert H. Stein, vol. 24, Luke, electronic ed., Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2001, c1992), 73.
[7]William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, vol. 11, New Testament Commentary : Exposition of the Gospel According to Luke, Accompanying Biblical Text Is Author's Translation., New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953-2001), 65.
[8]Robert H. Stein, vol. 24, Luke, electronic ed., Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2001, c1992), 106.
[9] MacArthur: “God’s Gift of Christmas”, p73
[10]H. L. Willmington, The Outline Bible (Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers, 1999), Lk 2:9-14.
[11]H. L. Willmington, The Outline Bible (Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers, 1999), Lk 2:9-10.
[12]H. L. Willmington, The Outline Bible (Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers, 1999), Lk 2:12.
[13]William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, vol. 11, New Testament Commentary : Exposition of the Gospel According to Luke, Accompanying Biblical Text Is Author's Translation., New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953-2001), 156.
[14]William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, vol. 11, New Testament Commentary : Exposition of the Gospel According to Luke, Accompanying Biblical Text Is Author's Translation., New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953-2001), 156.
[15]William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, vol. 11, New Testament Commentary : Exposition of the Gospel According to Luke, Accompanying Biblical Text Is Author's Translation., New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953-2001), 156.
[16]William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, vol. 11, New Testament Commentary : Exposition of the Gospel According to Luke, Accompanying Biblical Text Is Author's Translation., New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953-2001), 157.
[17]H. L. Willmington, The Outline Bible (Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers, 1999), Lk 2:17-18.
[18]The Holy Bible : New International Version, electronic ed. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996, c1984), Mt 5:13.