Sermon Notes

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Key Scriptures: Deuteronomy 30:11-14 Jon1:1-5 & 9-14 Luke 2:8-20

Sermon Notes Simply AMAZING Pastor Mike Wilson December 10, 2017

Deuteronomy 30:11-14 New International Version (NIV) 11 Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. 12 It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, “Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” 13 Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, “Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” 14 No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it. John 1:1-5 New International Version (NIV) 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:9-14 New International Version (NIV) 9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. 14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Main Idea: Keep it simple. Luke 2:8-11 New International Version (NIV) 8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

This message is available online at sagehillschurch.com for further study.

1)Simple People. Why shepherds? A) Shepherds understand the simple not the sophisticated.

1 Corinthians 1:26-31 New International Version (NIV) 26 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”

B) Shepherds understand sacrifice. Romans 6:23 New International Version (NIV) 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

C) Shepherds understand sheep. John 10:10-13 New International Version (NIV) 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. 11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. Luke 2:11-14 New International Version (NIV) 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Simple Message. Luke 2:15-20 New International Version (NIV) 15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Simple Obedience.

The message of scripture is… When simple people respond to the simple message with simple obedience God does something simply amazing.

Discussion Questions: Talk about it: Ice breaker: What is something you thought was going to be difficult but turned out to be simple? How long did it take you to realize the simple solution? Read and discuss John 1:1-14 In this passage what is the WORD? Why is it significant that the WORD was in the beginning? Why did the WORD put on flesh? What does this tell you about the WORD? Where is the WORD challenging you to shine his light this CHRISTMAS? Read and discuss Luke 2:8-11 and John 10:10-13 In your opinion why is it significant that God chose Shepherds to be the first to know about the birth of Jesus? Does the message of Christmas bring you “Good news of Great Joy”? What are some things you’re facing this Christmas that are standing in the way of “GREAT JOY”? How have you seen your “Good Shepherd “ protect you from the wolf? Read and discuss Luke 2:11-14 and Romans 3:2326 How do you think you would have responded to the Angels telling you that the sign is a “Baby lying in a manger?” When did you first respond to the GOSPEL message? What were your initial thoughts on the GOSPEL? Read and discuss Luke 2:15-20 How did the Shepherds respond to the Angels charge? What does this tell you about them? What did they do after they saw the baby? Who responded to their message? How did they respond? How have folks responded to your sharing of the GOSPEL you’ve experienced? Who is the Lord leading you to share the simple message with this week?

Close your group praying for one another, thank God for his goodness and ask the Lord to bless each other