Unworthy Messengers: Trusted to Share the Good News

Devotional

Day 1: Shepherds: humble, honest messengers of Christ's birth.

The shepherds were ordinary, lowly workers who encountered the glory of God and couldn't keep the news to themselves. Their humility and honesty made them trustworthy carriers of the gospel; after seeing the Savior they hurried to tell everyone what they had seen. This reminds the congregation that God often uses ordinary people to spread extraordinary news — go and tell. [50:41]

Luke 2:8-20 (ESV)
And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!" When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Reflection: Who is one ordinary person in your life you have been avoiding telling about Jesus, and what is one concrete step you will take this week to share the story with them?

Day 2: The Great Shepherd cares and leads his sheep.

The Lord is pictured as the Good Shepherd who provides, guides, and comforts through every season of life. Relying on his presence gives courage to carry the message of Christmas with humility — people notice a life tended by the Shepherd. Let that caring leadership shape how you invite and love others this season. [54:23]

Psalm 23 (ESV)
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Reflection: Where in your week do you most need the Shepherd's rest and guidance; what two small rhythms (prayer, Scripture reading, Sabbath, or a short conversation with a friend) will you practice to follow him and reflect that trust to others?

Day 3: Sin entered the world through one man.

Because sin came into the world, every person carries the consequences of brokenness and death — which explains why the gospel is needed by all. Recognizing this truth humbles any boast about moral standing and reframes evangelism: it's not about better behavior but about rescue through Christ. Share the rescue story clearly and compassionately. [59:44]

Romans 5:12 (ESV)
Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned—

Reflection: Recall a recent moment when you silently judged someone’s moral standing; how would remembering this truth change your response, and what one phrase could you use instead to offer hope through the gospel?

Day 4: None are righteous; all need God’s mercy.

No one stands righteous before God by their own merit; honest admission of sin is the starting point for real faith. Approach others with transparency about your need and God's mercy rather than moral superiority — that honest posture opens doors for true conversations. Lead with humility when you invite someone to church or to faith. [59:01]

Romans 3:10 (ESV)
as it is written: "None is righteous, no, not one;"

Reflection: What is one truth about your own failing you have been reluctant to admit, and how might confessing that to God or a trusted believer prepare you to honestly invite someone to meet Jesus?

Day 5: Given grace carries responsibility to share Christ.

Because much has been given — salvation, mercy, and the message of Jesus — God rightly expects stewardship and action from those entrusted with it. The shepherds didn’t keep the news; they went into the highways and byways and told everyone they could. This Christmas, be intentional: invite, bring, and create space for people to hear the good news. [01:05:38]

Luke 12:48 (ESV)
But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will be beaten little. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required, and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be demanded.

Reflection: List three people who likely won't come without a personal invite; choose one, write a short invitation you will actually send this week, and decide when you will follow up.

Sermon Summary

What a joy to be back with family at Granite United, celebrating what God is doing here and around the world. I shared some stories from the early days—Lamaze classes, two babies born five days apart, and the old-school way of spreading news with a rotary phone—because joy has a way of spilling over. That moment of dialing every friend I could reach felt like a small picture of what happened in Luke 2: unworthy messengers carrying world-changing news. God chose shepherds—hardworking, overlooked, and humble—not kings, scholars, or religious elites. Why? Because the way God moves is consistent with His heart: He resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Those shepherds were terrified, then honored, and then unstoppable. They saw the Savior and “told everybody.”

We talked about why that matters for us. First, we receive Jesus humbly. None of us brings a resume that earns grace; we come as sinners in need of forgiveness and new life. Second, we’re honest in our approach. Salvation doesn’t make life neat and perfect—it makes us new and gives us a daily choice of whom we will serve. What the world needs is not our polish but our story. That’s exactly how Paul engaged rulers and skeptics—not with flexed credentials, but with a testimony: “Here’s what Jesus did to me, in me, and now through me.”

Then comes trust. God has given us the greatest good news on earth, and He means for it to travel through us to people we love, people who annoy us, and people we haven’t met yet. That’s why we’ll work hard this Christmas—services, invites, chairs in the lobby, iCampus, all of it—so more neighbors can meet Jesus. To whom much is given, much is required. Like those shepherds, let’s be found faithful: receive grace, live sent, and tell everybody.

Key Takeaways

1. God chooses the lowly and overlooked God bypassed palaces and academies and entrusted the announcement of His Son to field hands. That choice undercuts our obsession with spiritual credentials and puts the accent on character. Humility is not a weakness; it’s the doorway God loves to walk through. If you feel ordinary, you’re exactly the kind of person God delights to use. [51:30]
2. Honesty before God opens doors The shepherds were terrified, then honored, and they didn’t pretend otherwise. Honesty about our fear makes room for courage fueled by grace rather than ego. God doesn’t need our stage face; He wants our real heart. From that place, obedience becomes natural and bold. [54:50]
3. Share your story, not your polish Paul had a towering resume, yet he kept telling the simple, personal story of Jesus interrupting his life. Your lived encounter with Christ speaks in a frequency people can actually hear. Arguments may win points; testimony invites surrender. Tell what Jesus has done to you and in you. [62:09]
4. Receive grace humbly, live sent We don’t rise from salvation saying, “God got a good one.” We rise saying, “God rescued a needy one—and now I’m Yours.” Humility at the start becomes availability on the move. The same grace that saves us now sends us to others. [57:53]
5. Be trustworthy with the Good News The shepherds “told everybody,” and heaven smiled. God entrusts the gospel to ordinary people who will carry it with love, urgency, and joy. Don’t wait for perfect conditions; create opportunities with prayer, kindness, and invitation. Someone’s eternity may hinge on your yes. [66:05]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[39:45] - Gratitude and friendship banter
[40:34] - Shared generosity and missions update
[41:58] - When life veers off track
[43:30] - Lamaze class misadventures
[48:35] - An unworthy messenger’s joy
[49:22] - Angels interrupt the night shift
[51:30] - Why God chose shepherds
[55:18] - They told everybody
[57:53] - Receive Jesus humbly today
[59:59] - Honest approach, not perfection
[62:09] - Paul’s story over arguments
[64:21] - Trust the gift; share it
[66:05] - Christmas urgency and invitation
[67:12] - Prayer and response

Bible Study Guide

Bible reading (ESV)
Luke 2:8–20
8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: 11 for unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” 15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Observation questions

In the passage, who were the messengers and how did they first react when the angel appeared?
What was the angel’s core announcement, and what sign was given to the shepherds to identify the child?
What did the shepherds do after they saw the baby, and how did others respond to their telling?
God chose shepherds—lowly, overlooked people—to deliver the news. How does that choice speak to who God uses for his message today? [51:30]

Interpretation questions (third person, objective)

What does God’s choice of humble, working shepherds imply about the relationship between character (humility) and being entrusted with the gospel? [51:30]
The shepherds were terrified, then honored, and then they “told everybody.” How does acknowledging fear or weakness open the way for obedient boldness in mission? [54:50]
Paul emphasized telling his personal story rather than leaning on credentials. What does this suggest about the most effective way to communicate the gospel in a skeptical or pluralistic culture? [01:02:09]
“To whom much is given, much is required.” How should receiving the gift of salvation shape practical priorities and commitments during a high-opportunity season like Christmas? [01:06:05]

Application questions (personal, practical)

Receive Jesus humbly: When you think of being “an unworthy messenger,” what honest admission about yourself will you carry into conversations about Jesus this week? How can that humility make you more available to be used by God? [57:53]
Be honest before God and others: Who in your life needs to hear an honest story of struggle and grace (not a polished testimony)? Name one person and one concrete step you will take to share with them this month. [54:50]
Share your story, not your polish: Draft a 30–60 second version of “what Jesus did to me, in me, and now through me.” Who will you practice it with this week? [01:02:09]
Live sent at Christmas: Identify one practical way you can help make it easier for someone to come to a Christmas service (invite card, ride, open chair in the lobby, prayer). What day will you do it, and who is the person? [01:06:05]
Be trustworthy with the Good News: Which habit or schedule change will you make during the next two weeks so you can be more available to share, pray, or serve (e.g., extra volunteer shift, set aside time to pray for neighbors, schedule invitations)? Be specific. [01:06:05]
Choose daily whom to serve: Salvation is secure, but following Jesus is a daily choice. What is one daily practice you will commit to for the next month that will help you choose Jesus each day (scripture, prayer, accountability, acts of kindness)? [01:01:18]

End with a short moment of silence in your group for people to write down one name they will pray for and one practical next step they will take this week.

Sermon Clips

But I believe one of the reasons that God called the shepherds to share this great news was because of the humility of the shepherds. You see, the thing is, you look at who he did choose. And when he did choose the shepherds, you have to understand from a cultural standpoint and economically speaking, the shepherds were like at the bottom of the barrel of the food chain. [00:51:30] (22 seconds) #HumbleMessengers

He also used shepherds because of the shepherd's honesty. The Bible says when they saw the angel, guess what? They were terrified. How many of you would have been terrified if angels come down to your house and talk to you today? Right? I mean, that would be pretty scary. They were terrified. But you know what else they were? However, they were honored. They couldn't believe that God had came to give them this message to take to the world. [00:54:44] (24 seconds) #HonestResponse

And God chose them also because God understood and knew because of their humility and their honesty what their response would be. Because here's what these guys did. You know what they did? And we just read it in the Bible. They went out after seeing the baby was born. And what did we say? They told everybody. They told everybody. [00:55:08] (19 seconds) #ShareTheGoodNews

Would to God that that would be your testimony and my testimony. That people would look at us and maybe not know how smart we are and maybe not know some of the external things about us. But they would look at our lives and say, man, that dude's been with Jesus. Amen, church? And then they went away praising God, that they were worthy enough to take that message out to everybody. [00:56:31] (25 seconds) #LivesThatReflectJesus

Throughout the weekend, we've had a score of people, a bunch of people, at the end of the church service during the invitation where we've given them an opportunity. Like your church does in every single service, to acknowledge the fact of whether or not they're a sinner. Yes, I was born a sinner. And I have a need, and that's forgiveness. And I need to restore my relationship with God. [00:58:06] (20 seconds) #NeedForgiveness

I wish I was. It would be a great way to sell salvation. Hey, come today. Accept Jesus Christ your Savior. And you will never sin the rest of your life. Wouldn't that be awesome? You won't have any troubles. You won't have any trials. You won't have any marriage issues. Your kids will be perfect. I'm into that. I want on that plan. I'm going to push all my chips in on that plan. That's not real, is it? Because God gives us something called a free will. [01:00:31] (21 seconds) #FreeWillMatters

His desire for us is in our response, church. There's two things. There's two things where he wants you to respond to this great good news, the gospel of Jesus Christ. First of all, he wants you to accept him as personal savior. He came to this world, lived a perfect life, preached incredible messages, healed incredible amounts of people in ways that aren't even comprehensible for all of us this morning. But why did he do all that? He came to Bible says that he came to die and his death paid for every sin that was ever committed by mankind through the history of the world paid for. And all we have to do is say, yes. [01:03:25] (46 seconds) #SayYesToJesus

But here's the other part of that response. And you know what it is? It's a trust. It is. It's a trust. God gave you something that's going to change your life if you let it. God gave you something that will give you purpose for all of not just the rest of your days here on this earth, those short days left here on this earth, but God gives you purpose and presence for all eternity because at the moment you die, you are in the presence of the Lord forever and ever and ever and ever. That's amazing. [01:04:18] (33 seconds) #TrustHisPurpose

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