Boldly Sharing the Extraordinary News of Jesus
Summary
In this Christmas season, we are reminded of the power of sharing extraordinary news, just as the shepherds did on the night of Jesus's birth. These ordinary shepherds, marginalized and often overlooked, were chosen by God to receive and share the most significant news in history: the birth of the Savior, Jesus Christ. This story challenges us to consider our own availability and willingness to share the good news of Jesus with those around us. The shepherds' story is a testament to the fact that God often chooses the unlikely to do the extraordinary. Despite their lowly status, the shepherds were available and responded with urgency and boldness, leaving us with a powerful example to follow.
The shepherds' encounter with the angels and their subsequent actions highlight the importance of being available and responsive to God's call. They were not hindered by their societal status or personal insecurities; instead, they hurried to witness the miracle and shared the news with everyone they encountered. This narrative encourages us to examine our own lives and ask if we have the margin to respond to God's nudges. Are we available to declare the greatest news in history? The urgency of the shepherds' response is a call to action for us to overcome our hesitations and boldly share the transformative news of Jesus.
As we reflect on the shepherds' story, we are reminded that the world is in desperate need of hope, and we have the privilege and responsibility to share it. The ripple effects of a single bold moment can be profound, impacting generations to come. Just as the shepherds' boldness has echoed through history, our willingness to share the good news can change lives today. We are called to be the mouthpiece of God's love and grace, sharing the extraordinary news of Jesus with a world that is lost and searching for hope.
Key Takeaways:
1. Availability to God's Call: The shepherds were chosen not because of their status but because they were available. This challenges us to create space in our lives to respond to God's call, recognizing that He often uses the unlikely to accomplish extraordinary things. [13:15]
2. Urgency in Sharing the Good News: The shepherds' immediate response to the angel's message exemplifies the urgency with which we should share the gospel. Their story encourages us to overcome hesitation and boldly proclaim the hope found in Jesus. [17:46]
3. The Power of Boldness: A single bold moment can have a lasting impact. The shepherds' willingness to share the news of Jesus's birth reminds us that our boldness in sharing our faith can transform lives and create ripple effects for generations. [28:42]
4. God's Choice of the Unlikely: God chose shepherds, the marginalized and untrustworthy, to announce the birth of Jesus. This demonstrates that no one is too low for God's love or too great for His grace, and He often uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things. [26:33]
5. The Transformative Power of the Gospel: The shepherds' story illustrates the life-changing power of encountering Jesus. When we experience His grace and mercy, we are compelled to share it with others, knowing that the good news of Jesus has the power to astonish and transform. [24:52]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[08:54] - The Shepherds' Encounter
[10:00] - Good News for All People
[11:19] - The Marginalized Shepherds
[12:16] - Why Shepherds?
[13:15] - Availability to God's Call
[15:31] - Are We Available?
[16:23] - Urgency in the Shepherds' Response
[17:46] - Spiritual Urgency
[19:22] - Overcoming Hesitation
[20:09] - The Shepherds Share the News
[21:05] - The Power of Sharing
[22:09] - Boldness in Sharing
[24:52] - Astonishment at the Good News
[26:33] - God's Choice of the Unlikely
[28:42] - Ripple Effects of Boldness
[30:17] - The Savior is Born
[32:13] - The Transformative Power of the Gospel
[33:19] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Luke 2:8-18
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Observation Questions:
1. What was the initial reaction of the shepherds when the angel appeared to them, and how did the angel reassure them? [08:54]
2. According to the sermon, why were shepherds chosen to receive the news of Jesus's birth instead of more prominent figures? [12:16]
3. How did the shepherds respond after hearing the news from the angel, and what actions did they take immediately afterward? [16:23]
4. What was the reaction of the people who heard the shepherds' story about Jesus's birth? [24:52]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What does the choice of shepherds as the first recipients of the news about Jesus's birth suggest about God's values and priorities? [12:16]
2. How does the urgency shown by the shepherds in sharing the news of Jesus challenge our own approach to sharing our faith? [17:46]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that boldness in sharing the gospel can have a lasting impact on others? [28:42]
4. How does the story of the shepherds illustrate the transformative power of encountering Jesus, according to the sermon? [24:52]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own availability to respond to God's call. Are there specific areas in your life where you need to create more space to be available for God's nudges? [15:31]
2. The shepherds responded with urgency to the angel's message. What are some practical steps you can take to overcome hesitation and share the good news of Jesus with others? [17:46]
3. Consider a time when you hesitated to share your faith. What were the reasons for your hesitation, and how can the example of the shepherds inspire you to be bolder in the future? [22:09]
4. Identify someone in your life who might be searching for hope. How can you be a mouthpiece of God's love and grace to them this week? [24:52]
5. The sermon emphasizes the ripple effects of a single bold moment. Can you think of a bold action you can take this week that might have a lasting impact on someone else's life? [28:42]
6. How can you use your current relationships to share the good news of Jesus, rather than feeling the need to reach out to strangers? [27:41]
7. Reflect on the transformative power of the gospel in your own life. How can you share your personal story of encountering Jesus with someone who might benefit from hearing it? [32:13]
Devotional
Day 1: Availability to God's Call
The shepherds were chosen not because of their status but because they were available. This challenges us to create space in our lives to respond to God's call, recognizing that He often uses the unlikely to accomplish extraordinary things. The shepherds' story is a powerful reminder that God values availability over ability. Despite their lowly status, the shepherds were open and ready to receive the divine message. Their willingness to respond to God's call without hesitation is a testament to the importance of being spiritually available. In our busy lives, it's easy to overlook the subtle nudges from God, but the shepherds' example encourages us to make room for these divine interruptions. By doing so, we open ourselves to being used by God in ways we might never have imagined. [13:15]
"Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, 'Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me.' But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord." (Jonah 1:1-3 ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you can create more space to be available for God's call? How can you practically make room for divine interruptions this week?
Day 2: Urgency in Sharing the Good News
The shepherds' immediate response to the angel's message exemplifies the urgency with which we should share the gospel. Their story encourages us to overcome hesitation and boldly proclaim the hope found in Jesus. The shepherds did not delay in sharing the extraordinary news of Jesus's birth. Their urgency reflects a deep understanding of the significance of the message they received. In a world that often prioritizes convenience and comfort, the shepherds' actions challenge us to prioritize the sharing of the gospel. The urgency with which they spread the news serves as a call to action for us to overcome our fears and hesitations, recognizing that the message of Jesus is too important to keep to ourselves. [17:46]
"And he said to them, 'Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.'" (Mark 16:15 ESV)
Reflection: Who is one person in your life that you feel God is prompting you to share the good news with? What steps can you take this week to share the hope of Jesus with them?
Day 3: The Power of Boldness
A single bold moment can have a lasting impact. The shepherds' willingness to share the news of Jesus's birth reminds us that our boldness in sharing our faith can transform lives and create ripple effects for generations. The shepherds' boldness in proclaiming the birth of Jesus is a powerful example of how one courageous act can influence countless others. Their story illustrates that boldness in faith is not about having all the answers or being free from fear, but about stepping out in faith despite uncertainties. When we choose to be bold in sharing our faith, we open the door for God to work through us in ways that can have a profound impact on those around us. [28:42]
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9 ESV)
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you feel called to be bold in your faith? How can you take a step of boldness this week, trusting that God is with you?
Day 4: God's Choice of the Unlikely
God chose shepherds, the marginalized and untrustworthy, to announce the birth of Jesus. This demonstrates that no one is too low for God's love or too great for His grace, and He often uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things. The choice of the shepherds to be the first to hear and share the news of Jesus's birth is a profound reminder of God's upside-down kingdom. It challenges societal norms and expectations, showing that God values the heart over status. This narrative encourages us to see ourselves and others through God's eyes, recognizing that He often chooses the unlikely to accomplish His purposes. [26:33]
"But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong." (1 Corinthians 1:27 ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt unlikely or unworthy. How can you embrace God's perspective of using the unlikely for His purposes in your life today?
Day 5: The Transformative Power of the Gospel
The shepherds' story illustrates the life-changing power of encountering Jesus. When we experience His grace and mercy, we are compelled to share it with others, knowing that the good news of Jesus has the power to astonish and transform. The shepherds' encounter with the angels and their subsequent actions highlight the transformative nature of the gospel. Their lives were forever changed by the news of Jesus's birth, and they couldn't help but share it with others. This transformation is a testament to the power of the gospel to change hearts and lives. As we reflect on the shepherds' story, we are reminded of the privilege and responsibility we have to share this life-changing message with a world in need of hope. [24:52]
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." (Romans 1:16 ESV)
Reflection: How has the gospel transformed your life? In what ways can you share your testimony of transformation with someone who needs to hear it this week?
Quotes
Sure, here are 12 quotes from the transcript that align with the key takeaways:
1. "These shepherds that we're going to look at today, they know a couple of things about what it means to be bold and to push through the hesitation and to go and to share the extraordinary news that they've been given. And so my hope and my prayer is that by the end of our time together this morning that we would have a renewed boldness, a desire to boldly step out and to push through the hesitation that when God prompts us to share the good news with other people to share who he is the birth story with other people to share what he has done in our lives that we would pray and that we would respond boldly because with God I believe that you never know how a bold moment could change someone's life." [00:01:19]
2. "And we're gonna pick up in Luke chapter two. And so if you brought your Bible or if you have the Bible app on your phone, feel free to take that out. The words will be on the screen as well. But we're gonna pick up in verse eight. And this is what it says. That night, there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby. Guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared among them and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them." [00:08:43] (29 seconds)
3. "Don't be afraid, he said. I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior, yes, the Messiah, the Lord has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David. Now, we talked a little bit last week about the silence, the 400 years of silence that had been happening. And this is the moment that the angels have appeared to the public and have said, there is great news of great joy that our God has come. The Savior has come. Yes, the Messiah has come." [00:09:12] (37 seconds)
4. "Why are the shepherds living in the fields nearby? Notice they were living there. They weren't just passing through. They weren't just camping. They weren't just going out for the night. They were living in the fields nearby. You see, in culture, contextually, shepherds were the lowest of the low. They were the most marginalized people. They lived on the outside of town because they weren't welcomed in town." [00:11:19] (27 seconds)
5. "Well, what I would argue is is that what God is trying to do is he's trying to find somebody who is available. You see, these kings and queens and the elite and the people who are super duper, super busy, they're not available. They're so busy working on what they've got going on that they're not available to go and to share the good news in Jesus. God is trying to create this movement about who he is. And so he appears to these shepherds because they're available." [00:12:43] (32 seconds)
6. "Church, are we available? Do you have enough margin in your life to where if God maybe nudges you to go into, to care for someone, to love someone, to share the good news of Jesus, someone, do you have the margin? Are you available? I'm talking to me first because as I read through this and as I was studying this, man, hit me like a ton of bricks. I am so incredibly busy doing all of these things. Austin, are you available is the question I had to answer. And so I pose the same to you." [00:15:14] (32 seconds)
7. "The second thing I want us to understand is that these shepherds, when we see inside of this story, as they continue on in their journey, the shepherds say, okay, let's go to Bethlehem. This baby has been born. Let's go to Bethlehem. Verse 16, they hurried to the village. Hurried to the village. And found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby lying in the manger, in the feeding trough for the animals. I love that the shepherds, they hurried. No hesitation. We gotta go." [00:16:32] (36 seconds)
8. "Friends, if I can be really, really honest, my hope and my prayer is, is that we, in this house specifically, that we would get rid of spiritual hesitation. To rise up and to get rid of spiritual hesitation, to lean into boldness. And when the world and the hesitations and the insecurities meet us at our front door, that we would push through the spiritual hesitations and to go and to share the good news of Jesus today. Because there is urgency. The time is short." [00:18:04] (41 seconds)
9. "When our lives have been transformed by the good news of Jesus, when we have been saved, we cannot help but go and share. When you hear something and experience something amazing, when you buy that thing on Amazon and it's better than you expected, when it actually works the way that the video happens, what do you do? You tell all your friends. This happened, we bought an onion chopper a couple months ago. And I'm like, there ain't no way this thing works like that. That thing chops like nobody's business, I'm telling you." [00:21:05] (34 seconds)
10. "But we look at these shepherds and they were despised and they knew that it was an uphill battle, but they had experienced something so significant that they could not stay quiet. They shared the good news that they had heard with who? Everyone. Not just a select few, not just a couple of people, not picking and choosing, just my family, just my coworkers, everyone. And I get it. I don't want to be weird, but I don't think sharing the greatest news ever is weird." [00:22:29] (33 seconds)
12. "Because God often chooses the unlikely to do the extraordinary. Isn't that good news today? He chose you. He chose us for this season, for this time. He chose you and I, an unlikely group of ordinary people, to share the extraordinary news of Jesus. God often chooses the unlikely to do the extraordinary, and it includes you." [00:27:41] (31 seconds)
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