Luke 2:15-20
“Go Tell It on the Mountain” is an African-American spiritual song, written by John Wesley Work Jr., dating back to at least 1865. I want you to grasp the transformation of the shepherds from this hymn! It’s the same transformation we to must have from hearing about Christ to going and sharing Christ!
A Desire to Promptly Go to Christ (Luke 2:15-16) Isn’t this the first step of the gospel, to go to Jesus! You know in your heart though faith that you must be saved, so you go without hast to respond to the invitation that God gives to come to His son Jesus. They went! They made seeing Christ the priority! They had heard the message, now they were to respond to the message. Have you responded to the message? 1. Have you gone to Christ for salvation? 2. Have you responded to His call of service? Listen to what Jesus tells us in Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all 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. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” See after the shepherds encountered the Savior, they were changed! They were delighted to proclaim Him. You see this in verses 17-18.
A Dedication to Proclaim Christ (Luke 2:17-18) v.17- They made “known” a common verb from the root of ginōskō (to know) was an intentional sharing of the good news. I love our shepherds on Sunday night at the town green. “Have you heard the good news?” It’s like those robo calls you get about your student loans or your car warranty, but in this case it’s with real authentic concern! Are we intentionally telling people the good news of Jesus Christ?
Isaiah 52:7 states, “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”
v.18– The word “wondered” translated from the Greek as meaning marveled. There was a wonderment, a marvel at the mysteries of Christ being revealed. Do you remember hearing the gospel? I mean not just hearing it with your ears but with your heart! You were changed! You had probably heard it several times, but this time the Holy Spirit convicted you of your need for Christ as your Savior!
Most of you know that my drive to share the gospel is out of love and obedience to Christ! It breaks my heart to know that so many are hostile or indifferent to the gospel. It breaks my heart to know that many will parish, spend eternity in Hell, without knowing Christ. Why is it important to be reminded of Hell? It’s real! Satan wants us to doubt Hell, but Jesus spoke of it often. He described it in Mark 9:48 “where their worm does not die and fire is not quenched.” According to both John 14:6 and Acts 4:12 Jesus is the exclusive way to salvation. I’m reminded of Romans 10:14 “How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?” We must have a dedication to proclaim Christ! It’s the Word of God through the power of the Holy Spirit that does the work of salvation, not the proclaimer! “Have you no wish for others to be saved? Then you’re not saved yourself, be sure of that!” – CH Spurgeon, “Every Christian is either a missionary or an Imposter” – CH Spurgeon
A Devotion to Praise Christ (Luke 2:19-20) Mary treasured Jesus, the shepherds praised God! Those who find their satisfaction in Christ alone worship Christ with their lives! Worship is song, missions, helping the hungry become feed, etc. There is a devotion to praising Christ because you’ve been with Him! Many don’t get it, because they’ve never been with Him! Spend time in His presence! Spend time in His Word! Spend time with Him in prayer! Enjoy Jesus! Matthew 6:21 “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Four ways to know if you have a devotion to praise Jesus Christ
- Is your motivation to make Christ known bigger than the memorials you build?
- Is the money you spend toward the gospel greater than the money you spend toward unnecessary comforts?
- Are the memories you’re making helping to point others to an eternity with Christ?
- Is the message you’re sharing one of self-centeredness or one of Christ-centeredness?
So your motivation, your money, your memories, and your message all tell where your priorities are!
Go, tell it on the mountain! We have a relationship with the Creator of this universe because of the greatest news that’s brought us to faith, Jesus was born, lived, suffered, died, and rose again to be our Savior! That is the greatest news ever to a lost and dying world!