The Least Were Recognized As The Greatest - December 26, 2021

with Pastor Chuck Ryan

The Least Were Recognized As The Greatest
Text: Luke 2:8-20; 9:47-48
Thesis: “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.”
- John 3:16
1. “For God so loved the world...” (John 3:16a)
A. “The world” included everyone.
1. The birth announcement from God came first to some Shepherds.
a. The shepherds were the least of them.
* “Shepherds were despised by the orthodox good people of the day. They were quite unable to
keep the details of the ceremonial law; they could not observe all the meticulous hand-washings and rules and
regulations. Their
flock made far too constant demands on them; and so the orthodox looked down on them. It was
to simple men of the fields that God’s message first came.”
William Barclay
2. God sent a Grand delegation to these lowly shepherds.
* “An angel appeared to them… Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with
the angel.”
Luke 2:9 & 13
2. “...That He gave His one and only Son...” (John 3:16b)
A. The angels proclaim the birth of the Savior.
* “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”
Luke 2:11
B. Jesus is the one and only Savior sent by God.
* “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except
through me.”
John 14:6
3. “...Whoever believes in Him shall not perish…” (John 3:16c)
A. The shepherds responded to God’s call to seek out Jesus.
B. God wants every person to have the same response that the
Shepherds had.
* “...The shepherds said, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see...”
Luke 2:15