This week’s devotions are based upon our Christmas Morning message from Matthew 2:1-12 & Luke 2:1-20.
We can tell what people love or what’s worrying them by what they speak about. That which is filling our hearts will fill our mouths. I imagine that many of you have been speaking about the presents that you’d hoped to get this Christmas. Today, we’ll briefly see how the Shepherds and Magi, worshipped and then went away and spoke to others of Jesus. We share what we celebrate. If we want to share the good news of Jesus, we must learn to celebrate Him. Humans are designed to bring others into what we are passionate about; therefore, Worship leads to mission.
‘When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.’ (Luke 2:17-18) (The magi) having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. (Matthew 2:12)
It’s expressly stated that the shepherds ’spread the word’ and it’s inferred that the Magi took the good news of Jesus back to their lands. Like the Shepherds and Magi, the reality and heat of our worship will lead to a passion to share Jesus. We want to be a church that shares the gospel with our community. A text from The Gospel of John that has shaped our vision speaks to the outward effect of worship,
‘On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”’ (John 7:37-38)
If you and I will come to Jesus as a lifestyle, rivers of God’s good works and words will flow out from us. The Shepherds came to Jesus and went out to speak of Him. The Magi came to Jesus and went home to tell of Him. Any true meeting with Jesus will lead to an outflow of goodness into our communities.
HARK THE HERALD
COMMUNITY GROUP NOTES AND STUDY
There are no Community Group meetings until January.