THE WORTH OF A SHEPHERD
Luke 2:8 (ESV) – And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
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WE ARE LOVED BY GOD
Luke 2:9–11 (ESV) – And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
· God’s love casts out fear.
1 John 4:18 (ESV) – There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.
· God’s love is good news.
Revelation 5:12 (ESV) – “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”
· God’s love gives.
John 3:16 (ESV) – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
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WE ARE CHOSEN BY GOD
1 Corinthians 1:26–31 (ESV) – For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
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WE ARE CALLED BY GOD
· God calls us to believe.
Luke 2:15 (ESV) – When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”
· God calls us to worship.
Luke 2:16 (ESV) – And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.
Luke 2:14 (ESV) – “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
· God calls us to share.
Luke 2:17-18 (ESV) – And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.
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