DECEMBER 18, 2022
SERIES: CHOICES FROM THE CHRISTMAS STORY
CHOOSING TO MAKE ROOM FOR JESUS
Luke 2:1-7 (NIV) – In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone went to his own town to register. So, Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
WHY DO WE HAVE NO ROOM FOR JESUS?
1. We don’t pay attention.
Luke 24:16 (TEV) – They saw Him, but somehow did not recognize Him.
John 4:10 (NLT) – Jesus: ‘If you only knew the gift God has for you and who I am, you’d be asking me for a drink, and I’d give you living water.
2. We crowd our lives with other things.
I Cor. 2:14 (NJB) – The unspiritual person has no room for the gifts of God’s Spirit; to him they are folly; he cannot even recognize them.
Mark 4:10 (Mes) – They are overwhelmed with worries about all the things they have to do and all the things they want to get. The stress strangles what they heard, and nothing comes of it.
Luke 10:39-42 (NLT) – Mary sat at Jesus’ feet listening to what He said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be mad. She came to Jesus and said., ‘Lord don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!’ But Jesus said, ‘Dear Martha, you get so upset over all these details! But there’s really only one thing worth being
concerned about, and Mary has discovered it.’
Deut.8:14 (Mes) – Make sure you don’t become so full of yourself and your things that you forget God.
3. We don’t think we need to.
Psalm 10:4 (NCV) – People are too proud to seek God. They do not look for Him; there is no room for God in their thoughts.
Isaiah 53:6 (Mes) – We’re all like sheep who’ve wandered off and gotten lost. We’ve all done our own thing, gone our own way.
WHY SHOULD I MAKE ROOM FOR JESUS?
1. To Know my Creator.
John 1:2-4 (LB) – Before anything else existed, there was Christ, with God. He has always been alive and is himself God. He created everything there is, nothing exists what He didn’t make! Eternal life is in Him, and this life gives light to all mankind.
John 3:16 (NIV) – For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 1:11-12 – He came to the world, which belonged to Him but those who were His did not receive Him and did not welcome Him. But to those who did receive and welcome Him, He gave the privilege and power to become the children of God, because they believe in His name!
2. To Enjoy a life of purpose.
2 Cor. 6:12-13 (Mes) – The smallness you feel comes from within you. Your lives aren’t small, but you’re living them in a small way. Open up you lives. Live openly and expansively!
John 14:27 (LB) – I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart! And the peace I give you isn’t fragile like the peace the world gives. So, you won’t be troubled or afraid.
Tim. 1:7 (NCV) – God does not give us a spirit that makes us afraid or fearful. Instead, He gives us a spirit of power and love and self-control.
IN LOVE THERE IS NO ROOM FOR FEAR, BUT PERFECT LOVE DRIVES OUT ALL FEAR.
HOW DO I MAKE ROOM FOR JESUS?
1. Invite Him in.
Rev. 3:20 (CEV) Jesus: ‘Listen! I am standing and knocking at your door. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and we will eat together.
Psalm 37:5 (Mes) – Open up before God, keep nothing back; He’ll do whatever needs to be done!