No Room

Temple Baptist Church - 12-18-2016

Luke 2:1-19

 

Introduction:

 

A.  There is so much of the Bible that I have never gotten around to preaching in my many years in the pulpit.  The older that I get, the more that I realize that I have too little time left to preach.  I want to look at a phrase that has found its way into the songs that we sing at Christmas.  Each year, our ladies here at Temple sing the song “No Room.”

 

B.  Once again, at Christmas, the world has “no room” for Jesus Christ in their celebrations.

 

1.  Two thousand years ago, the long awaited “Seed of the Woman,” the “Only Begotten of the Father,” the “Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world,” the “Messiah” of Israel, was born in Bethlehem. 

 

2.  Born the right Person-God made flesh, born the right way—of a virgin, born the right time—the fullness of time, born at the right place, but missed by the world.

 

C.  That night, when the Christ was born, there was no fanfare and few awaited His birth.  The Inns were filled and there was “no room” for the Christ to be born in.

 

D.  There is a spiritual truth found in these verses that has never ceased throughout the las two millenniums. 

 

1.  As Christ was not expected 2, 000 years ago, He has been rejected until this day by the majority.  The world still has “no room” for Christ!  Turn to John 1:5:

 

John 1:5-11  And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.  (6)  There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.  (7)  The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.  (8)  He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.  (9)  That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.  (10)  He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.  (11)  He came unto his own, and his own received him not.  

 

2.  Jesus Christ is not wanted by most but is still available to all. 

 

John 1:12  But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

 

E.  This morning, I would like to ask each of you the question: “Do you have any room for the Christ?”  I want to look at four classes of people:  two on the outside of the church and two on the inside of the church.

 

Outside of the church:

 

1.  There is “no room” in the heart of the Fool. 

 

a.  The “Fool” knew God.  Romans 1:20-21  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:  (21)  Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.  (There are so many people who study “science” and yet deny God.  The heavens DECLARE the glory of God and the firmament (DECLARES) His handy work.  True science (knowledge) has God’s “fingerprint” all over it.  To say that this all just happened takes a fool.  To see the body that we have and to deny the God who designed it takes a fool.)

 

b.  The “Fool” had to do something with God: reject God.  Psalms 14:1  The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.  (“They are corrupt” means to be altered.  Corrupt also carries the thought of dishonesty!  God denying “scientists” are willfully dishonest.  Why do scientists keep saying, “There is no God?”  Dr. S. M. Lockridge said, “You can’t get Him off your hands!”  Everywhere they look, God is still there so they spend their lives trying to prove that He does not exist.)

 

2.  There is “no room” in the heart of the Faithless. 

 

a.  This is the man who knows that there is a God but refuses to accept Him.  2 Corinthians 4:1-4  Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;  (2)  But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.  (3)  But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:  (4)  In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. (Though the evidence is clear, though God gives to every man the measure of faith, this man chooses to “pretend” that God is not there or God is not knowable.  If there is a God and He created all things, then He must make Himself knowable.  I am glad that I know Him!!)

 

b.  This the man who is blinded to spiritual truth.  2 Corinthians 4:4  In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.  (They refuse to believe because to believe is to be accountable.  Ultimately, the “god of this world”—Satan, blinds their minds so that they cannot believe.  One preacher said, “God will always give you what you want but it will always cost you what you have.”)

 

Inside of the church:

 

1.  There is “no room” in the hearts of the Foolish Believer. 

 

a.  The Foolish Believer who lives for self.  Luke 12:16-21  And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:  (17)  And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?  (18)  And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.  (19)  And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.  (20)  But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?  (21)  So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.  (So many people who have come to Christ by faith have no time for Him in their daily lives.  Their lives reflect the world around them instead of a reflection of the Christ who died for them.  Paul declared: “For to me to live is Christ.”  To be saved and have no desire to live for Christ is an oxymoron!  These two things do not belong in the same sentence and, yet, so may professing believers seemingly have no room of Christ in their lives.)

 

b.  The Foolish Believer who does foolish things.  2 Corinthians 5:10-11  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.  (11)  Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.  (They live their lives in a lackadaisical manner, in a selfish manner, in a careless manner, without Jesus Christ taking preeminence in their lives.  Living as if there is no reckoning or recompense for sinfulness; living as if there is no accountability and loss of reward at the Judgement Seat of Christ.)

 

2.  There is plenty of “room” in the hearts of the Faithful Believer. 

 

a.  The Faithful Believer is Thankful.  Psalms 103:1-5  Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.  (2)  Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:  (3)  Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;  (4)  Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;  (5)  Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.  (These are mindful that it is God that has saved them and blessed their lives.  Count you many blessings this morning!  Look around you and see the goodness of God!  God has been so good to us all and He alone deserves the glory for it.)

 

b.  The Faithful Believer is Expectant.  1 John 3:2-3  Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.  (3)  And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. (These are those who look for that Blessed Hope and soon appearing of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.  This world is not my home, I’m just passing through.  Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people.  If we expect Him, we will live for Him.) 

 

Conclusion:  Is there “room” in your heart this Christmas?  Have a great time with you family and friends this Christmas but don’t leave out the reason for the season, the birth of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.