The Shepherds & The Good News | Pastor Ben Kellert
The Shepherds & The Good News | Pastor Ben Kellert
Sunday, December 14th, 2025
Luke 2:8-20
"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told."
THE SHEPHERDS:
- Jesus is "The Good Shepherd" - He shepherds (leads, takes care of) us...the lost sheep
- Shepherds were classfied very low... just above lepers in the social classes (considered ceremonially "unclean" because of the nature of what they did) - their witness was not considered to be reliable in court either!
- Tough/rough group of people - such a hard job...often had to fight off wild animals to protect their sheep!
- ... and knowing all of this, God still chose these outcasts to be the first to worship His birth and announce it to others!
- The Angels that appeared to the Shepherds made these "tough guys" cower in fear!
THE GOOD NEWS:
- Even though we are sinners, God sent His son into the world to save us and set us free!
- A message of Acceptance, Forgiveness and Hope
- God wants a relationship with You!
- He LOVES You!!
- Today in the town of David, A Saviour has been born... for you!
- This is a story of Hope!
Believe it... but then remember, Faith without Action is Dead!
- This Good News should propel you to Move...
- Do Something...
- It should transform your life and then you should share it!
- We should be people of Action!
- The Good News of Christ's Birth should move us to action too!
The Shepherds responded by:
- Sharing the good news
- All who heard the news were amazed
- The Shepherds were the first missionaries in a sense
- People need to hear this message now more than ever!
- Like the Shepherds, we should be sharing the Good News
The Shepherds didn't return the same...
- They were changed
- A spiritual transformation because of the encounter with Jesus
- They had been in the presence of God and will never be the same
Praise/Celebrate - we can't do that silently
Jesus is the Lamb of God... The Shepherds came to the Lamb...
Thank you, Jesus, for coming to Earth as a baby over 2000 years ago and dying on the cross for us to save us from the penalty of sin!