Introduction

The month of December is a reminder that we are approaching December 25^th which the world has come to know as Christmas. Over the years, there has been much discussion in the church as to what our proper response to Christmas should be. The Bible does not date Christmas, so there has been much discussion as to how we should or should not celebrate Christmas. This morning, I am not discussing the issue of Christmas as such, but simply stating that this day reminds many of the coming of Christ into the world. What are the things we are reminded of?

At this season, I am reminded that there are many enemies of our country. They are not all terrorists. Terrorists are hard enough to identify, but now we have a new enemy: One who lives among us, and is not only seeking more government, but seeking to eliminate God from our way of life. We classify them as the liberals. Their numbers are many, and they include the ACLU among many others. These are working hard to eliminate all mention of Christ, whether it is in the word Christmas, or in any other way.

Body

I. Hostility toward God is an old problem.

A. While wise men sought Him, Herod sought to kill Him.

(Mat 2:16-18 NKJV) Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men. {17} Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying: {18} "A voice was heard in Ramah, Lamentation, weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, Refusing to be comforted, Because they are no more."

B. Two worlds in conflict: Herod with his own squad of terrorists of his day, and Jesus who was coming, and His was a message of life.

(John 10:10-11 NKJV) ""The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. {11} "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep."

C. There is another hostility toward God. It’s called indifference.

1. He came to His own, but His own received Him not.

(John 1:11-13 NKJV) He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. {12} 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.

2. Jesus put it this way:

(Mat 22:2-7 NKJV) "The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son, {3} "and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding; and they were not willing to come. {4} "Again, he sent out other servants, saying, 'Tell those who are invited, "See, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the wedding."' {5} "But they made light of it and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his business. {6} "And the rest seized his servants, treated them spitefully, and killed them. {7} "But when the king heard about it, he was furious. And he sent out his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city."

3. Sometimes those who want to be right with God get sidetracked.

(Mat 13:22 NKJV) "Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.

4. When he came to earth, there was no room for Him in the inn.

(Luke 2:7 NKJV) 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.

a. We can shake our heads. We can wring our hands, but we can’t change that.

b. What we can affect is us. Is there room in our hearts and lives for Jesus Christ. Do we take time for God?

II. But God is still God. He is in control.

(Psa 2 NKJV) Why do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing? {2} The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, {3} "Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us." {4} He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The LORD shall hold them in derision. {5} Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, And distress them in His deep displeasure: {6} "Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion." {7} "I will declare the decree: The LORD has said to Me, 'You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. {8} Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession. {9} You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter's vessel.'" {10} Now therefore, be wise, O kings; Be instructed, you judges of the earth. {11} Serve the LORD with fear, And rejoice with trembling. {12} Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, And you perish in the way, When His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.

A. Jesus has come as the only begotten Son.

B. But He’s coming back, and He’s coming back in judgment.

(2 Th 1:7-10 NKJV) and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, {8} in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. {9} These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, {10} when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed.

Again: (Matt 22:7) "But when the king heard about it, he was furious. And he sent out his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city."

III. God is in control, but does He approve?

A. God has been in control since He created the world, but He has given man a free will.

B. The fact that He doesn’t always approve of what is going on is evident in the fact that He destroyed the world by way of the flood.

C. He is in control today.

Psa 2:4 He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The LORD shall hold them in derision.

1. He doesn’t approve of much of what goes on.

2. He does look approving on those who seek His face.

D. Again, as we think of Christmas, we don’t know the day that Jesus was born.

1. What matters is that He was born.

2. He lived among us as the Son of Man.

3. He gave His life that we might live.

4. His gift is the greatest gift.

(John 15:13 NKJV) ""Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends."

5. He asked that we give back our lives to Him.

(Mark 8:34-35 NKJV) When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, "Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. {35} "For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it.

Conclusion

I. Jesus came to earth to give His life.

II. He’s coming back, not in humility, but to judge the world.

III. His first coming, almost everybody loved.

IV. His second coming will be great only for those who are prepared.

V. Are you ready?

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