Please Don’t Come For Christmas Part 3

Please Don’t Come For Christmas – Part 3

4 reasons why Jesus shouldn’t have come

Celebration Church – December 13, 2009

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Please Don’t Come For Christmas – Part 3

4 reasons why Jesus shouldn’t have come

Celebration Church – December 13, 2009

Reason #1 - He wasn’t wanted by the ruling authorities

Reason #2 – He wasn’t welcomed by His own

Luke 2:12, 15-18 (NIV) “This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." …Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about. So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.”

Reason #3 – He wasn’t worshipped by the people

The announcement came to shepherds not the elite

“You (shepherds) will find a baby....”

The shepherds found ONLY Joseph, Mary and the baby

“…they… found Mary and Joseph, and the baby…”

People were astonished at the shepherds report

“…and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them…”

Luke 2:18b “…all who heard it were amazed…”

HOW TO WORSHIP LIKE THE SHEPHERDS

1. Know that God’s love extends to you

Luke 2:10b (NIV) “… I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.”

Titus 2:11 (NIV) “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.

Grace = favor

2. Extend your love back to God

Luke 2:20 (NIV) “The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.”

I John 4:19 (KJV) “We love him, because he first loved us.”

Rev 4:11 (NIV) "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being."

3. Extend God’s love to others

Luke 2:17 (NIV) “When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child…”

1 John 1:2-4 (Msg) “… The Word of Life appeared right before our eyes; we saw it happen! And now we’re telling you … this: The infinite Life of God himself took shape before us. We saw it, we heard it, and now we’re telling you so you can experience it along with us, this experience of communion with the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ. Our motive for writing is simply this: We want you to enjoy this, too. Your joy will double our joy!”

MANUSCRIPT

INTRO – (after welcome time)

As we continue our series, I hear a lot of buzz about town with people asking what’s this “Please don’t come” thing all about? Well in a world where Jesus entered and was forced from day one into a life of rejection, the world has basically said that He’s not welcome here.

How would you like to have a big birthday party being thrown for you only to find out you’re not invited? There’s cake and presents, there’s celebrations, music and gatherings, it’s because of you, but you’ve been asked to not attend.

The first Christmas was marked by this idea of Jesus not being wanted or welcome.

Reason #1 - He wasn’t wanted by the ruling authorities

Herod said, we don’t need a new king – we’re fine with the one we got!

Reason #2 – He wasn’t welcomed by His own

Joseph’s family said by their actions, there’s no room for this sort of person – go somewhere else.

Today, let’s look at another reason why Jesus probably should have just stayed at home in heaven.

Luke 2:12, 15-18 (NIV) “This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. …Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about. So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.”

Here’s the third reason:

Reason #3 – He wasn’t worshipped by the people

The King of kings arrives and only some shepherds are there to worship Him!

• The announcement came to shepherds not the elite

“You (shepherds) will find a baby....”

Notice it says, “You” will find the baby. Who? You - the shepherds. I’m sure the shepherds had the reaction to look at each other and say, who? … what? … Me? You talkin’ to me? Yes, YOU will find the babe.