We continue with out journey with Joseph today.
You can download the book here: https://www.rogersvilleumc.org/storage/app/media/uploaded-files/book-cover.pdf
FRIDAY December 7, 2018
The Shepherds
Luke 2:17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child,
As a pastor, I often refer to the great commission: Matthew 28: 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Jesus instructs His disciples then, as well as His disciples today, that we are tasked with going into all of the world and making new disciples for Jesus Christ. However, we were not the first to be given this commandment. One could make the case that the Shepherds were the first to be given this great commission. The Angel instructed them to go and spread the world concerning what they had seen. Jewish people in those days would have recalled the prophecy of Micah 5:2 when the Shepherds told them the Messiah had been born in Bethlehem. They would have remembered Isaiah prophesy that the Messiah would be born of a virgin. These things, together with the Angels coming to the Shepherds, should have been enough to convince anyone that Jesus was the real Messiah. However, as we know, they were not convinced. Most Jewish people never accepted Jesus as the one true Messiah.
People have not changed in 2000 years. There are some people who are just going to refuse to listen to glory sightings and stories of miracles. There are some people who, no matter what you do, simply will not believe. But that does not give us permission or the right to give up on them. If they refuse to accept the Word, then pray for them. If they do not even want to discuss Jesus, then pray for God to soften their hearts. If they will not come to church or attend a small group, then ask God to show them the way. Don’t give up, don’t quit inviting; you never know when God will use something you say or one of your invitations to soften their hearts and move them to visit with you in church. The only way the word of God fails is if His children fail to spread His word.
See you Sunday 8:30 a.m. Early Worship 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 10:30 a.m. Morning Worship.
