How many messages do you get in a typical week?
*truth is we all are receiving so many messages from folks & so many advertising messages throughout our week.
=Some messages slip right on by - some stop you in your tracks!

Today's sermon text Luke 2:8-18 stops some shepherds in their tracks and it highlights God's message that is meant for ALL to hear and receive.

God’s Message in Christmas is an unlimited Good News message,
from a limitless God, to an inexhaustible number of people.

The announcement to the shepherds what is the announcement of the kingdom. The kingdom seems to seek out those who feel like they missed out. We are meant to announce the same in our ‘here and now'

Jesus’ story begins with shepherds coming to him, the lamb of God.

Think about the manger scene. The manger is the epitome of humility. Isaiah 53 teaches, the Messiah did not come in the royalty he deserved. No one would see a halo around his head as he walked through the streets; He wouldn’t walk on air above everyone else (though He did walk on water once that we know of) — but his humility would serve as our example to follow today. The beginning of the Messiah’s days on earth started in great humility, as he was placed in a feeding trough for animals.

The story of the shepherds reminds us and helps us to understand the REACH of the gospel is for ALL people. The shepherds heard and were impacted by the gospel—this group of people who were unpopular in society, seen as those without a religious bone in their bodies.

==This is the group that God chose to speak to first and include in His announcement of GOOD NEWS.

God’s GOOD NEWS not just for Good People - it’s Good News FOR ALL PEOPLE!

No one is EVER beyond the REACH of God’s hand and His grace.

The gospel reaches into the lives of all people with a message of hope and salvation. God has entrusted US with this life saving message of hope to pass along.

*God’s message is for real people living real life.
*God’s message for the world is Good News.

John 3:16-17
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

*God’s message for the world demands a decision.
*God’s message changes lives forever.

The Story of Christmas asks you to consider The Shepherds story:

What about you?
Have you received God’s message He sent at Christmas?
Have you met the Savior? Has He become your Savior?

Are you different now than before?
What have you done with Jesus?
How is He changing you - inviting you to share His story with those around you?