HOW SHEPHERDS BECAME WISE MEN (and how we can too!)

LUKE 2:8-20

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. THEY HEARD RIGHT

1. They Feared [v. 8-9, Ps. 111:10] The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom:

2. They Focused [v. 10-15]

Isaiah 66:5 Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.

Jeremiah 31:10 Hear the word of the LORD, O ye nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd doth his flock.

Ezekiel 37:4 Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD.

3. They Followed Through [v. 15, James 1:22]

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

II. THEY HASTED RIGHT

1. Let’s Do It Now! [v. 15]

1 Corinthians 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

2 Corinthians 6:2 (For he saith… behold, now is the day of salvation.)

2. Let’s Do It Quickly! [v. 15, Luke 19:5-6]

And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.

2 Peter 3:12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

3. Let’s Do It Right! [v. 15-16, Revelation 3:11]

Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

Revelation 22:7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.

Revelation 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

III. THEY HERALDED RIGHT!

1. They Testified of the Word of God [v. 17, 1 Thessalonians 1:8]

For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.

1 Thessalonians 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

2. They Testified of the Grace of God [v. 17-18, Psalm 107:2]

Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;

3. They Glorified the God of Heaven! [v. 20, 1 Corinthians 10:31]

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

Colossians 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Colossians 3:23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;