Series Big Idea: "Exploring the heart and purpose for the Church”

Series Big Idea: “God announced the birth of Christ to shepherds, emphasizing His love and desire to save everyone”

Key Scripture (Luke 2:8-14)

Take a trip with me to the time when Jesus was born. It is a beautiful peaceful night in the countryside, and we find some shepherds, who were often overlooked and under appreciated. They were keeping watch over their sheep. These were not big shots in town or influential people, they who were used to being alone in the fields. But something caught their attention. In the quiet of their everyday lives, God decided to change history. It was not to kings or priests, but to shepherds that the angels announced, “Don’t be scared, I’ve got some great news for everyone!” (Luke 2:10).

This moment shows us something special about Christ. We see His love for the humble and His desire to save everyone. So, as we think about this incredible news to ordinary people, we see the kindness of Christ, reaching out to the lowly and offering salvation to everyone.

(Luke 2:8-14)

In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: 11 Today a Savior, who is •Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David. 12 This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in cloth and lying in a feeding trough.” 13 Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: 14 Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people He favors!

Christ’s Compassion for the Humble

The angel’s message to the shepherds was not just an announcement, it was a revelation of God’s heart. These shepherds, often dismissed by society, were the first to hear the good news of Christ’s birth. In this choice by God, we see the compassion of Christ, who consistently identifies with the lowly and brokenhearted. Throughout His ministry, Jesus reached out to the overlooked: lepers, tax collectors, and most importantly sinners. Here, at His birth, we see that same heart, as God’s glory is revealed not to rulers in a palace but to shepherds in a field. This shows that His salvation is for all, starting with those who might feel unworthy or forgotten.

This angelic announcement, though directed at the shepherds, was intended for “all the people.” By bringing the good news to the humble first, God was making a statement: no one is too lowly to receive His grace. The shepherds represent every person who feels unworthy of God’s love, reminding us that salvation is not based on status or merit but on the compassion of Christ. His invitation is universal, extending to all who will humble themselves and believe. As we reflect on the shepherds’ encounter, let’s look not only Christ’s compassion but also His accessibility and how His mission to save the world begins with the least among us.

Christ’s Accessibility and His Mission to Save All People

The angel’s message in (Luke 2:10-11) announces “good news of great joy” for “all the people,” making it clear that Christ’s birth is not reserved for a select few but is an invitation to all. The shepherds, who had been considered outcasts, were the first to hear of this great event, showing that Christ is accessible to everyone, regardless of their social standing or background. His accessibility is a key part of His mission. Unlike the distant gods of other religions, who stay inaccessible to humanity, Jesus came to earth with open arms, ready to meet everyone where they are. His first visitors, the shepherds, are a living example of this. They weren’t searching for a king in a palace; they were simply doing their work in the fields. Yet, it was to them that the announcement was made, showing that Jesus came to meet people in the midst of their everyday lives, regardless of their circumstances.

Christ’s accessibility doesn’t end with His birth. Throughout His life and ministry, He made Himself available to the outcast, the sinner, and the brokenhearted. In (Matthew 11:28), Jesus invites all who are weary and burdened to come to Him, promising rest. His mission was clear. It was to be the Savior of all people, starting with the lowliest. The shepherds, initially startled by the angelic announcement, responded by seeking out the Savior with great joy. This act of seeking is a picture of the accessibility of Christ. He makes Himself known to all who are willing to seek Him. As we consider the shepherds' encounter with Christ, we are reminded that Christ’s mission wasn’t just to save, but to be accessible to all, offering salvation and peace to anyone who would come to Him.

As we reflect on Christ's compassion for the humble and His accessibility to all, we are called to respond to the Savior who made Himself known to the least and the lowliest, inviting us all to find our rest and joy in Him.

Conclusion:

As we draw this sermon series to a close, let’s take a moment to contemplate the profound and enduring truths that are encapsulated within the Christmas story. Christ's compassion for the humble and His accessibility to all are not just themes in a holiday story, they are the heartbeat of the gospel. In the shepherds, we see how Christ intentionally reached out to those society overlooked, demonstrating that His love knows no bounds. He came to offer salvation to all, regardless of status, and made Himself accessible to anyone who would come to Him. His birth in a humble manger, His ministry to the outcasts, and His invitation to the weary all point to a Savior who is always near, always ready to welcome those who seek Him.

As we celebrate Christ’s birth this year, let’s remember that His mission is still the same: to reach the lowliest, to offer peace to the troubled, and to bring salvation to all who will come. The question for us today is, will we respond as the shepherds did, with joy and urgency, seeking the Savior with all our hearts? Christ, who made Himself known to the humble, is accessible to you today. No matter where you are in life, He is calling you, inviting you to receive His love, His grace, and His peace. This Christmas, let’s not only celebrate His birth but also embrace His invitation to come to Him, knowing that He is the Savior for all people, starting with the lowliest and extending to you and me.

Pastor Beaver's thoughts and ideas are inspired by:

Holman Christian Standard Bible

English Standard Version Bible

King James Version Bible

Christian Standard Bible

Barton, Bruce et al. Life Application New Testament Commentary. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale, 2001. Print.

Walvoord, John F., and Roy B. Zuck, Dallas Theological Seminary. The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985. Print.

MacArthur, John F., Jr. The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006. Print.

Robertson, A.T. Word Pictures in the New Testament. Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1933. Print.

Vincent, Marvin Richardson. Word Studies in the New Testament. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1887. Print.

Richards, Lawrence O. The Bible Reader’s Companion. electronic ed. Wheaton: Victor Books, 1991. Print.

Water, Mark, ed. Encyclopedia of Bible Facts. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2004. WORDsearch CROSS e-book. 

NIV, Archaeological Study Bible, eBook: An Illustrated Walk Through Biblical History and Culture

Walter C. Kaiser Jr., Duane Garrett, and Walter C. Kaiser Jr.

NIV, First-Century Study Bible, eBook: Explore Scripture in Its Jewish and Early Christian Context

Zondervan, Kent Dobson, and Ed Dobson

Jamieson, Robert, A. R. Fausset, and David Brown. Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible. Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997.

Blum, Edwin A., and Trevin Wax, eds. CSB Study Bible: Notes. Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2017.

Barry, John D., Douglas Mangum, Derek R. Brown, Michael S. Heiser, Miles Custis, Elliot Ritzema, Matthew M. Whitehead, Michael R. Grigoni, and David Bomar. Faithlife Study Bible. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016.

Wilson, Neil S. The Handbook of Bible Application. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2000.

Dockery, David S., ed. Holman Concise Bible Commentary. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1998.

Water, Mark. Key Word Commentary: Thoughts on Every Chapter of the Bible. AMG Publishers, 2003.

Brannan, Rick, and Israel Loken. The Lexham Textual Notes on the Bible. Lexham Bible Reference Series. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014.

Life Application Bible Notes. Tyndale, 2007.

Radmacher, Earl D., Ronald Barclay Allen, and H. Wayne House. Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Commentary. Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers, 1999.

Keener, Craig S. The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993.

Smith, Jerome H. The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge: The Most Complete Listing of Cross References Available Anywhere- Every Verse, Every Theme, Every Important Word. Nashville TN: Thomas Nelson, 1992.

Willmington, H. L. The Outline Bible. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1999.

Souter, Alexander. A Pocket Lexicon to the Greek New Testament. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1917.

Brooks, Keith. Summarized Bible: Complete Summary of the New Testament. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2009.

Hughes, Robert B., and J. Carl Laney. Tyndale Concise Bible Commentary. The Tyndale Reference Library. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2001.

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