Jesus Came

Jesus Came

December 4, 2011

Introduction

It is the time of the year known as the Christmas season. December 25^th is the approximate date of the Winter Solstice. That’s the time when the days begin to grow longer. Pagans who worshiped the sun celebrated that day as a time when light began to win over darkness or evil because the days were beginning to lengthen. During the third or 4^th century, some Christians decided this would be a good day to celebrate the birth of Son of God, and it came to be known as Christ mass, and then, simply Christmas. Such an understanding makes many people very uneasy about assigning a great deal of value to the date of December 25^th.

I think the thoughts we have just expressed do give a pretty accurate explanation of the date of Christmas, but there is another side of the story. Jesus did come to earth, and even though December 25^th seems to be one of the most unlikely days that shepherds would be in the fields with their flocks at night, it is the day when hundreds of millions. Probably billions, give at least some thought to the birth of Jesus.

Music has a powerful effect on our minds. This past week, I heard “Oh Little Town of Bethlehem,” and I had to think of the words:

O little town of Bethlehem
How still we see thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight

“The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight” So how did things work out?

Body

I. There was no place for Him.

There was no hospital bed—No room in the inn.

(Luke 2:3-7 NKJV) So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. {4} Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, {5} to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. {6} So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. {7} And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

How did things go after that first night?

(John 1:9-11 NKJV) That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. {10} He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. {11} He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.

It was all told before it happened.

(Isa 53:3-5 NKJV) He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. {4} Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. {5} But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.

There was a price to pay for their rejection.

(Mat 23:37-38 NKJV) "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! {38} "See! Your house is left to you desolate;

II. Some did receive Him.

(John 1:12-14 NKJV) But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: {13} who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. {14} And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

III. There is a distinction between those who accept Christ and those who do not.

Paul said some chose not to accept Christ for Who He was.

(Acts 13:46-47 NKJV) Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, "It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. {47} "For so the Lord has commanded us: 'I have set you as a light to the Gentiles, That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.'"

Others did accept Jesus as the light that was shining in their midst.

(Acts 13:48-49 NKJV) Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed. {49} And the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region.

IV. Jesus said He was the light.

He is the way to walk in the light and avoid the darkness.

(John 8:12 NKJV) Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."

He came as the light.

Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light

(John 12:46 NKJV) "I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.

(John 9:5 NKJV) "As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world."

We are now to be the light of the world.

(Mat 5:14-16 NKJV) "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. {15} "Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. {16} "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

V. He’s gone, but coming back.

(Acts 1:6-11 NKJV) Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, "Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" {7} And He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. {8} "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." {9} Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. {10} And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, {11} who also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven."

“The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight

We now are the one’s to bear the message.
He said it in a different way.

(Mat 5:13 NKJV) "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.

Conclusion

I. Jesus coming is an amazing story of love.

(John 3:16 NKJV) "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

II. There was no room for Him in the inn.

Is there room in your heart for Him?
Is there room in your life for Him?
Will you share the light with those about you?

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