SUNDAY SERMON ON THE BLOG – LOVED, ACCEPTED, AND DESIRED.

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 fear. And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a 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. - Luke 2:8-11.

Shepherds and the glory of the Lord in the same sentence? Shepherds enjoyed a great heritage in Israel with Abraham, Moses, and David as notable shepherds, and God being identified by David in Psalm 23 as a great shepherd.

But by this time in Israelite history, they were not highly regarded. They smelled like sheep, they spent their time with sheep, and they were not really clean and religious enough, to be considered spiritual.

So when God chose to announce the birth of Jesus to shepherds with his contingent of angels, He makes his point clear: Everyone is loved by God, everyone has access to God, and everyone is desired by God. Hallelujah! Praise the wonderful Name of Jesus!

Loving Father, I confess to you that sometimes the outward appearance, and reputation of a person, obscures the way I treat them. But today, I'm convicted of how much you want everyone to know about your grace in Jesus. Help me by the power of the Holy Spirit, to have a heart to love all people, and a passion to share your grace with them. I ask this in the wonderful Name of Jesus. Amen.

Be encouraged!
GBYAY