Sermon Cloud

These were men like the cowboys of our more recent history. This was a motley crew, hard, independent, rough cut, day laborers, here today and off somewhere else tomorrow. It was to these men that God sent an angel, first to announce Jesus’ birth and then a choir to sing of the glory, and grace that would come through His life, ministry, death and resurrection. And then I got the message, I saw the portrait that God was painting. I rejoiced in the mercy and grace of God once again as I realized that these men symbolized the down to earth, ordinary people that  work everyday with the hope of greater things. A ranch hand who dreamed of being a rancher, a farm hand hoping to purchase his own farm, men who often wondered if anyone knew who they were, or cared about them or would accept them in their lowly state.

It was to these low-class citizens that God sent an Angel with a message of hope and salvation. They were the first to hear that Jesus, the Savior was born … A savior (One who will deliver you from the bondage and burdens of life! They were told that He, Jesus, was the Christ that was promised… The Christ, God’s Anointed, God’s High Priest who plead their cause before God and sacrifice Himself for their sins. This One born was their Lord, their King, the One who would bring order to their chaotic lives and establish peace and security in His Kingdom. As I consider this announcements to these shepherds, the lowest of the low, I am compelled once again the celebrate God’s Grace! In choosing them first God has clearly demonstrated His love for “all” regardless of our station in life.

He chooses the lowly and the simple as well as the mighty and the wise.. He chooses us all!

Why ranch hands... simple shepherds?

What can we learn from the precious part of the Christmas Story?

Like the Shepherds…  in our low estate we learn that…

(1)  They immediately embraced the message!

(2)  They acted upon it immediately!

(3)  They quickly published it abroad!

(4)  They returned to work changed men!