Introduction

This Thursday is Christmas day. It is also the birthday of Carol Conerly and my wife Carolyn. We can obtain official records to show that Thursday is indeed their birthdays. Ironically, we have a hard time always remembering Carolyn’s birthday on Christmas, so her mother arranged a dinner with part of our family last Friday because her birthday gets lost in the events of the day.

Ironically, Jesus sometimes gets lost in the celebration of 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. Christmas has a special place in the hearts of many people, so we must be careful what we say about Christmas. I know that many well intentioned members of the church want to pretty much secularize Christmas. How do we do that without joining the ranks of the world who pay little or no attention to Christ at this time of year? I think it is a difficult challenge.

A few years ago, I made remarks about Christmas that were so offensive to one of our guests that he has never returned, and I’m saddened by that. We need to be extremely careful about what we say and do, and the attitudes that we show to others.

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?

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."

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

No room in the inn reminds us of indifference.

(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.

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

(John 1:11-12 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:

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."

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.

a. We can shake our heads over there being no room in the inn.

b. What we can affect is us. Is there room in our hearts and lives for Jesus

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

A. Jesus came as a baby, and many rejoice at His birth..

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."

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

He doesn’t approve of much of what goes on.
So why doesn’t He finish it all?

(2 Pet 3:9 NKJV) The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

He does look approving on those who do His will.

(Heb 10:34-35 NKJV) for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven. {35} Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward.

V. As we think of Christmas, we don’t know the day that Jesus was born.

What matters is that He was born of a virgin.

(Mat 1:23 NKJV) "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us."

He lived among us as the Son of Man and the Son of God..
He gave His life that we might live.
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."

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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