Shepherd, 11 December 2022

Shepherd (part of the Family Christmas Program)
Handel's
Messiah
Isaiah 40:9-11; 60:1; Matthew 11:28-29

Series Big Idea:
Handel’s Messiah may be the greatest work of music ever created, bringing praise and glory to the Creator.
 
Big Idea: The Messiah is our Good Shepherd.
 
One of the most vivid images in the Christmas story is the shepherds. I don’t know if they wore bathrobes or not, but I find it fascinating the angels announced the arrival of the Good Shepherd to lowly shepherds. The birth announcement was not on CNN, Instagram, or Tik Tok, but through music!
 
This Advent, we’re looking at the scriptures in Handel’s Messiah pertaining to the first arrival of Jesus. The prophet Isaiah spoke about the Messiah.
 
O Zion, You who bring good tidings, Get up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, You who bring good tidings, Lift up your voice with strength, Lift it up, be not afraid; Say to the cities of Judah, “Behold your God!” Behold, the Lord GOD shall come with a strong hand, And His arm shall rule for Him; Behold, His reward is with Him, And His work before Him. (Isaiah 40:9-10, NKJV)
 
Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you. (Isaiah 60:1, NKJV)
 
Here's a sample of Stevie Wonder and Take 6 singing Handel’s music.
 
https://youtu.be/3UHW1mvlGxU
 
The next verse talks Jesus the Good Shepherd.
 
He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, And carry them in His bosom, And gently lead those who are with young. (Isaiah 40:11, NKJV)
 
Here’s Steven Curtis Chapman and Sandi Patti.
 
https://youtu.be/rXUIQAFa84w
 
Jesus the Messiah said,
 
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:28-29, NKJV)
 
Psalm 23 begins, “The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.” During this Christmas season when we put together wish lists and are bombarded by commercials, I want to remind you nothing satisfies like Jesus. There is no greater present than presence of God. I know many of you are heavy laden…you have heavy hearts. Take Jesus at his word.
 
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (Matthew 11:28-29, NLT)
 
Jesus the Good Shepherd offers rest for your soul.

You can listen to this message and others at the First Alliance Church podcast here.

You can watch this video and others at the First Alliance Church Video Library
here.
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