God chose to make the announcement of Jesus' birth to a group of working men.
These shepherds were "doing their duty" when the angel showed up.
When we are simply doing our job, the duty at hand, we are in the way of God's divine visits.
David was tending sheep when Samuel showed up, Amos & Elisha were plowing their fields, Gideon threshing wheat, etc.
These shepherds were "keeping watch."
When you keep watch while on duty you aren't surprised by the enemy nor your ally!
These dirty, stinky shepherds were the first to see the face of Jesus Christ.
When the drama was over these shepherds went right back to their duty, just like David did after he was anointed king.
Luke 2:8 & 20 (3/20/14)
Duty Calls
March 20, 2014 • Benham Brothers
More from
Lessons From Luke
Luke 1:18 (3/23/17)
March 23, 2017 • Benham Brothers
* Faith is a matter of focus. * If we keep our focus on God we gravitate toward faith. * If we keep our focus on man we gravitate toward fear & doubt. * Zechariah fell for the same thing Moses fell for - when God’s word came he focused on himself and not the God Who was giving the message. * His punishment? * He lost the ability to do what he was created to do. * He was a priest and had to communicate as a part of his job - but now that was gone. * Other people could no longer be nourished by Zech, the priest. * God wants to be a nourishment for others through us, but it requires our faith in God for that to happen. * We have to keep our eyes on Him and not on ourselves.
Luke 1:24-25 (3/22/18)
March 22, 2018 • Benham Brothers
Luke 1:24-25 - Motive * How do you know if you’ve done something with the right motive? * By how you respond when the thing either comes to pass or doesn’t. * If it doesn’t, do you say, “not my will but Yours be done?” * This means you had the right motive. * If it does come to pass, do you have a meek and humble response (like Peter & Elizabeth)? * Notice Elizabeth got alone and simply wanted to thank God for blessing her. * She didn’t go out and announce to everyone. * A pure motive is always humble before the Lord and grateful for His role in your life.