1. what do you do with the most important message in the world?

2. So - why are we so reluctant? The shepherds weren’t!

3. Luke 2:8-12 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

4. Luke 2:13-15 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” 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.”

5. Luke 2:16-20 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

6. I. They Received the Revelation

7. I. They Received the Revelation.
A. What was the revelation?

8. I. They Received the Revelation.
A. What was the revelation?
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. - v10
1. It was good news.

9. I. They Received the Revelation.
A. What was the revelation?
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. - v10
2. It was great joy.

10. I. They Received the Revelation.
A. What was the revelation?
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. - v10
2. It was great joy.
John 10:10 - The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full (abundantly).

11. I. They Received the Revelation.
A. What was the revelation?
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. - v10
3. It was for everyone.

12. I. They Received the Revelation.
A. What was the revelation?
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord v11
4. It was Christ the Lord.

13. I. They Received the Revelation.
A. What was the revelation?
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord v11
4. It was Christ the Lord.
Matthew 1:23 - The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” — which means, “God with us.

14. I. They Received the Revelation.
A. What was the revelation?
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” - v13-14
5. It was praise to God & peace to mankind.

15. I. They Received the Revelation.
A. What was the revelation?
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” - v13-14
5. It was praise to God & peace to mankind.
Romans 5:8 - But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

16. I. They Received the Revelation.
A. What was the revelation?
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” - v13-14
5. It was praise to God & peace to mankind.
Romans 8:6 - The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.

17. I. They Received the Revelation.
A. What was the revelation?
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” - v13-14
5. It was praise to God & peace to mankind.
Colossians 3:15 - Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.

18. I. They Received the Revelation.
B. How do we receive the revelation?

19. I. They Received the Revelation.
B. How do we receive the revelation?
1. You open your heart.
Romans 10:17 - Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.

20. I. They Received the Revelation.
B. How do we receive the revelation?
2. You accept it by faith.
Ephesians 2:8 - For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith.

21. I. They Received the Revelation II. They Searched for the Savior

22. II. They Searched for the Savior.
A. How did the shepherds respond to this revelation?

23. II. They Searched for the Savior.
1. They backed up their faith with action.
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.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. - v15-16

24. II. They Searched for the Savior.
2. They hurried off!
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.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. - v15-16

25. II. They Searched for the Savior.
B. How do you respond to the revelation?

26. II. They Searched for the Savior.
B. How do you respond to the revelation? 1. What should be your initial response?

27. II. They Searched for the Savior.
B. How do you respond to the revelation?
1. What should be your initial response? Baptism!
Acts 2:41 - Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

28. II. They Searched for the Savior.
B. How do you respond to the revelation?
1. What should be your initial response? Baptism!
Acts 8:12 - But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

29. II. They Searched for the Savior.
B. How do you respond to the revelation?
1. What should be your initial response? Baptism!
Acts 8:38 - And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him.

30. II. They Searched for the Savior.
B. How do you respond to the revelation?
1. What should be your initial response? Baptism!
Acts 9:18 - He got up and was baptized.

31. II. They Searched for the Savior.
B. How do you respond to the revelation?
1. What should be your initial response? Baptism!
Acts 10:48 - So he ordered that they be bap-tized in the name of Jesus Christ.

32. II. They Searched for the Savior.
B. How do you respond to the revelation?
1. What should be your initial response? Baptism!
Acts 16: she and the members of her household were baptized.

33. II. They Searched for the Savior.
B. How do you respond to the revelation?
1. What should be your initial response? Baptism!
Acts 16: then immediately he and all his family were baptized.

34. II. They Searched for the Savior.
B. How do you respond to the revelation?
1. What should be your initial response? Baptism!
Acts 18: Many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized.

35. II. They Searched for the Savior.
B. How do you respond to the revelation?
1. What should be your initial response? Baptism!
Acts 19:5 - On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.

36. II. They Searched for the Savior.
B. How do you respond to the revelation?
2. What needs to happen afterwards?
Colossians 3:1-2 - Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

37. I. They Received the Revelation II. They Searched for the Savior
III. They Made Known the Message
- v17-20

38. III. They Made Known the Message.
A. How did they do it?

39. III. They Made Known the Message.
A. How did they do it?
1. They spread the word (γνωρίζω) = “made known”, to know something by experience.
When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child v17

40. III. They Made Known the Message.
A. How did they do it?
2. They created an interest.
. . . and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. - v18-20

41. III. They Made Known the Message.
B. Who else witnessed this way in the New Testament?

42. III. They Made Known the Message.
B. Who else witnessed this way in the New Testament? 1. One prophet = John the Baptist.

43. III. They Made Known the Message.
B. Who else witnessed this way in the New Testament? 1. One prophet = John the Baptist. 2. One Bible scholar = Paul.

44. III. They Made Known the Message.
B. Who else witnessed this way in the New Testament?
1. One prophet = John the Baptist.
2. One Bible scholar = Paul.
3. The rest were fishermen, soldiers, merchants, an IRS man, etc.

45. III. They Made Known the Message.
C. How can you make known the message?

46. III. They Made Known the Message.
C. How can you make known the message? 1. Personally experience the Lord through Bible study, fellowship, devotions & prayer.

47. III. They Made Known the Message.
C. How can you make known the message?
2. Allow fruit to spill over.
Galatians 5: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

48. III. They Made Known the Message.
C. How can you make known the message?
3. Allow the Holy Spirit to affect others through you.
II Peter 3:15 - But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.

49. If you have something better than the world has to offer, let them know it!