Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Notes – December 22, 2019

Series Title: Views of the Birth of Christ

Today’s Title: Why Tell Shepherds?

Today’s Text: Luke 2:8-20

Shepherds keeping watch over their flock by night

Why Did the Angel Come to Shepherds?

• Because God sent the King of Kings to reach the lowest of the low

• Shepherds were looked down upon

• GOD’S PRIORITY FOR THE POOR

- The Beatitudes – Matthew 5:3-12

- The Sheep and the Goats – Matthew 25:31-46

• Because Jesus would become the Lamb of God

• Called the “Lamb of God” by John the Baptist - John 1:29, 36

• 31 times in Revelation, Jesus referred to as the “Lamb”

• Because Jesus is the Good Shepherd

• Isaiah 53:6 – we’ve all gone astray

• John 10:11-17

• The Good Shepherd is self-less

• The Good Shepherd is inclusive  

• Because the church needs shepherds

• John 21:15-17 – Jesus to Peter; “do you love me?”

• 1 Peter 5:1-5 – Peter instructs leaders

• Acts 20:28-29 – Paul’s farewell to the Ephesian elders