Stand Up and Shine

“You know by the Glow”

 

Luke 2:1-10b (NLT) At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire.  (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.).  All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child. And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them. That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said.

 

See the shine, don’t be afraid

Lk 2:9-10 (NLT) Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said.

 

Is. 41:10 (NKJV)

Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Hear the shine, discover Joy

Luke 2:10b-11 (NKJV) for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 

Find the shine, the revelation of Jesus

Luke 2:12-20 (NLT)

And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”

 When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child.

 All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.

 Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV) You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

 Born to die, but in His death, was resurrection life!

 John 1:29 (NLT) The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

 

Be the Shine

 Is. 60:1-3 (NIV)

“Arise, shine, for your light has come,
    and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.
 See, darkness covers the earth
    and thick darkness is over the peoples,
but the Lord rises upon you
    and his glory appears over you.
Nations will come to your light,
    and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

 

How do we “be the shine”?  How did the shepherds find the shine?  By being that light for others!

 

Release the Shine

Matthew 5:16 (NKJV) Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Speak the Shine

Romans 10:14-15 (NKJV) How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?  And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!”

Journey with others to the shine

Take others on a Journey to Jesus!

 Eph. 1:17 (NIV) I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.

Jer. 29:13 (NIV) You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

 

Questions for discussion/reflection:

1.      What stands out to you about the Christmas story this year?  (this may have a lot to do with where you are in life…)

2.      What Does it mean to be “ready for Christmas?”  what does this mean Spiritually?  Are you “ready for Christmas”?

3.      Share your thoughts about hunger for the glory of God, vs fear of His awesome glory that we see in the Shepherds (and Mary)

4.      Share about a time when you saw “the shine” in the life of someone who follows Jesus?

5.      Can you think of a time when you have been “the shine” for others to see Him?

6.      Are you comfortable/confident sharing the gospel with someone?  Why or why not?

7.      What does it look like to lead others in a journey to find Jesus?