(Face Off is a sermon series that invites all to come
face to face with the Lord.) Over
2000 years ago the Creator decided it was time to come to earth and to meet
face to face with His creation. To
make it possible to be known by the creation He chose to become one of them.
He grew a people who believed in Him through the faith of a man named
Abraham. Abraham and his
descendents would be the family through which God would come to earth.
The difference between the God man and earthly man was that He would be
perfect, as He had created them to be in the beginning.
This meeting of God and man would begin in a tiny place in the world
called Bethlehem. In this
forgotten place God would come into the world through a virgin woman named
Mary. He would live in a
carpenter’s home and be visited by shepherds, wise men, and others.
This sermon series declares that through the eyes of these humble
people we can see today the Lord face to face.
Through the experiences of a town called Bethlehem, we can see how He
comes to the lost, the lonely, and the least.
The forgotten of society have an audience with the King of Kings.
The Good News came first to the city of David, Bethlehem.
That gift is the gift of God Himself. He is born here.
And it came to pass in these
days, that there went out a wake up call to children of America.
It was a call to not take your freedom for granted.
And this wake up call was given when George W. Bush was president of
America. And all heard the cry and saw the smoke when the twin towers
were attacked and thousands died. God’s
people went to their churches to pray, but they soon forgot.
So that once again there was no room in their lives for the new born
King of Kings. And so it was,
that, while they had forgotten the days were accomplished the King was
returned to his unrightful place in the left over parts of their lives.
Just as He was laid in the manger that day He was once again laid aside
for the more important parts of their lives.
Will we lay him in a manger or give him the best of our lives?
Is there still room for Him in our busy lives? This is the story of the town of Bethlehem.iHHim
Scripture Text:
Luke 2:1 (KJS) And it came to pass in those days, that there went out
a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. 2 ([And]
this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3 And all
went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4 And Joseph also went up
from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of
David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage
of David:) 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with
child. 6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were
accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her
firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a
manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
1.
Bethlehem was the prophesied
birthplace of the Messiah.
Mic. 5:2 (KJS) But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, [though] thou be
little among the thousands of Judah, [yet] out of thee shall he come forth
unto me [that is] to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth [have been] from
of old, from everlasting. They
were told He would come. How did
they prepare for the arrival of the most important person who has ever been?
We celebrate this time of the year the arrival of the King of Kings.
We have made sure that all is ready.
But are we really ready for the coming of the King?
Are we ready to welcome Him into our homes and lives?
Will there be enough room? Will
there be enough time? Will there
be enough money? Will He take the
leftovers? Will we be ready? Yes, you can be ready.
If you will make your self-ready by making room for Him, then you will
be ready. But, we
don’t know when He will come, so how can we be ready?
He stands at the door and knocks.
He is ready to come in, but are we ready?
We have to make ourselves ready now so that when he comes we will be
ready and waiting. He will come
to those who have made the time, taken the chance, and given Him the
opportunity. He has come. He will come. Will
you be ready and will you recognize Him?
Are you really ready for Christmas?
2.
Bethlehem was chosen to be the
birthplace of the new born King or
Kings. Christ comes to last place
that we would think of. He comes
to the city of Bethlehem. He
comes to our town. God has chosen
us and He has chosen you to be the place of his arrival.
He stands at the door and knocks.
He will come to your life right now.
Do you believe? If you do
then will you make room for Him?
3.
Bethlehem heard the decree from
Caesar, but did they hear the decree
from the Lord? So often we put
more importance on the things of Caesar than we do on the things of God. Mark 12:17 (KJS) And Jesus answering said unto them,
Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are
God's. And they marvelled at him. The
things of the world are sure and real, but are the things of God as real?
Bethlehem had made room and taken the time to do the census that the
Roman emperor had demanded, but they had forgotten the words of God. God wanted them and us to know that He wants to see us face
to face. He will come if we will
let Him in. Have you heard the
word of God?Have
4.
Bethlehem had room for the
King, but the place was given was
the barn. Will God take whatever
we give Him? What does He really
want for His birthday? He wants
you. He will take you just as you
are? The inn keeper had no room
in his inn for the expecting couple, so they found a barn and a stable for the
birth of the baby. Joseph and
Mary had room in their lives for God, but the best they had was a barn. They gave their lives to the Lord and He took them.
He will take you if you will let Him in.
He says that no man can serve two masters.
Joseph and Mary served the Lord. What
room have we given the Lord. If
we have asked Him to take the back seat to the other Gods in our lives then He
has said “no thanks.” Will
you let Him be the Lord of your life? He
will take you just as you are with whatever you have to give.
But He can’t take the back seat or the leftovers.
5.
Bethlehem had the first opportunity
to honor the Creator, the King of Kings at His birth.
How did they answer the call? Some
said yes we would honor the King. You
have opportunity today to allow Him to be your Lord and your King.
What will you do and how will you honor Him this Christmas?