NO ROOM FOR JESUS
Pastor Joel Bernardino – December 6, 2025
What’s your greatest regret in life?
• Maybe you regret not finishing college.
• Or that you didn’t take the opportunity to start the business you’ve always dreamed of.
• Or that you didn’t take the chance to say "yes" to the person pursuing you.
But let me tell you this…
The greatest regret any person can have is missing the chance to make Jesus the priority of their life.
Take note of this:
• Everything else—education, relationships, opportunities—can still be redeemed.
• A life lived without Jesus at the center is a life that misses its true purpose.
• God wants you to see that the greatest gift you can ever receive is Jesus Himself.
Because…
• Jesus came for the humble — to lift them up and give them a place in His kingdom.
• Jesus came for the broken — to heal the wounds no one else can see.
• Jesus came for the rejected — to embrace them and call them His own.
• Jesus came for those who feel they have no space, no worth, no belonging — to fill them with purpose, identity, and life found only in Him.
The world offers many chances—but Jesus offers the only life that truly satisfies.
But why was there no room for Jesus – the Messiah?
Luke 2:1–7
1In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2(This was the first census that took place while [a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.)
3And everyone went to their own town to register. 4So 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. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born,
7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
Christmas is supposed to be the season when Jesus is celebrated the most.
• But if we think about it, the first Christmas was not a grand celebration—it was a rejection.
• Jesus, the King of Kings, arrived… but there was no room for Him.
• He wasn’t born in a palace, not in a nice hospital, not even in a proper shelter.
Mary and Joseph went from house to house, inn to inn, but the message was the same:
“Sorry, there’s no more space.”
And sadly, even today—despite the decorations, carols, and Christmas lights—many hearts still have no room for Jesus.
Why Was There No Room for Jesus?
1. EVERYONE WAS TOO BUSY — They Had No Time for Jesus
“Bethlehem was crowded… because of the census.” (Luke 2:3–7)
• It was a demanding season.
• People were traveling long distances.
• Families were preoccupied with requirements and responsibilities.
• Businesses were thriving because of the sudden influx of people.
Bethlehem was full of activity, noise, and movement—
yet completely empty of spiritual awareness.
No one realized that the most important moment in human history was taking place right in their town.
The Messiah, the One they had prayed for and longed for, was about to be born—yet no one noticed.
They were busy with life…but blind to the Savior.
And this reality still reflects the world—and even the church—today.
Many Christians are busy with:
• Work deadlines and career pursuits
• Gadgets, screens, and endless social media scrolling
• Business growth and financial goals
• Parties, gatherings, and social events
• Personal ambitions and self-improvement plans
But not busy with God.
We fill our schedules so tightly that God gets whatever time is “left over”—
if there is anything left at all.
We exhaust our energy on temporary things but neglect the One who gives us strength.
• We chase success yet overlook the Savior who defines true success.
• We carefully plan our future yet forget the One who holds our future in His hands.
In the end, we become just like Bethlehem—
crowded, active, productive… but spiritually unaware and unprepared.
Challenge:
• Is my life so crowded that there is no room left for Jesus?
• If Jesus knocks on the door of your heart or your schedule today, will He find space—or a “No Vacancy” sign?
2. PEOPLE DID NOT RECOGNIZE HIS VALUE — They Failed to See the Real Treasure
People make decisions based on perceived value.
Before anyone commits time, effort, or space, they ask:
“What benefit will this bring me?”
“Is this worth my attention?”
The same thing happened in Bethlehem.
To the innkeepers and homeowners, Mary and Joseph looked like just another poor couple.
Nothing impressive.
Nothing special.
Nothing that would make them think, “We must make room for these people.”
And Jesus—only a newborn baby—looked ordinary to human eyes.
They did not know:
• This child is Emmanuel — God with us.
• This child is the Savior — the One who will rescue humanity.
• This child is Lord — worthy of worship and obedience.
• This child is the King of all Kings — the ruler of heaven and earth.
The greatest treasure the world had ever known was right at their doorstep…
but they did not recognize His worth.
Many people today reject Jesus—not because He is unworthy,
but because they do not recognize His value.
They treat Him as optional, secondary, or just a part of religion rather than the source of life.
People say:
• “I’ll serve the Lord later… when life is easier.”
• “When I become successful, that’s when I’ll offer myself to God.”
• “Sunday is my rest day, not church day.”
• “Read the Bible? Maybe next time.”
They don’t realize that by postponing Jesus, they are postponing peace, joy, purpose, and eternal life.
They say “maybe later,” not knowing that later is not guaranteed.
They ignore the Giver of everything they are desperately chasing:
• People are seeking life’s meaning.
• People need security, identity, and direction.
• People want satisfaction and fulfillment.
If people truly recognized the worth of Jesus, they would run to Him—
• They would make room for Him.
• They would surrender everything to Him.
Because when you understand His value,
He is no longer just part of your life—He becomes the center of it.
3. THEIR ROOMS WERE OCCUPIED BY OTHER THINGS — Not because Jesus was unworthy, but because their lives were already full of lesser things.
The homes and inns in Bethlehem were full—not necessarily with bad things, but simply with other things.
Families, travelers, merchants, and guests filled every available space.
Nothing sinful…
just rooms already occupied.
This reveals a spiritual truth:
Sometimes the greatest enemy of “God’s space” is not sin—it is anything that replaces Him.
Not hatred for God, but lack of room for God.
• Not wickedness, but crowdedness.
• Not rebellion, but distraction.
It is possible to fill your life with good things, yet unintentionally push out the One who is most important.
WHAT FILLS YOUR LIFE?
• Every heart is a room—and something will always occupy it.
• For some people, it’s their career: Climbing the ladder, chasing promotion, building reputation.
• For others, their love life takes first place: Seeking relationships, validation, or affection above everything else.
• For some, it’s hobbies and entertainment: Netflix, games, travel, sports—good things, but not ultimate things.
• For many, it’s the pursuit of money: Working endlessly, planning, investing—but forgetting the Provider.
• For others, it’s pride: Self-importance, self-reliance, self-image.
A heart too full of self has no room for a Savior.
• Many today, it’s social media: Hours of scrolling, posting, comparing, pleasing people—
while barely giving God even a few quiet minutes.
• None of these are inherently wrong.
• But when they fill the space where Christ should dwell, they become obstacles to spiritual intimacy.
THE HEART OF JESUS.
Jesus never forces Himself into anyone’s life.
He does not compete for our attention—He patiently waits.
But when He draws near, He gently asks:
“My child, is there still room for Me in your heart?”
4. THEY DID NOT EXPECT HIM THERE — No One Expected Jesus to Come Through the Ordinary
Bethlehem was considered a small, quiet, unimpressive town.
• It wasn’t a political center.
• It wasn’t a religious hub.
• It wasn’t known for influence, wealth, or power.
In the eyes of the world, Bethlehem was “nothing special.”
• A place easily ignored.
• A place easily overlooked.
• Because of this, no one expected a miracle to happen there.
No one imagined that their ordinary village…
their ordinary street,
their ordinary stable—
would become the birthplace of God Himself.
People simply did not expect God to move in something so ordinary.
But that’s exactly how God chose to reveal Himself.
Not in a palace, not in a temple, not in a place of fame—
but in a quiet, simple, humble corner of the world.
Many of us struggle with the same issue today:
We don’t expect Jesus to meet us in the ordinary.
We imagine God moving only in:
• big events
• dramatic miracles
• major breakthroughs
• emotional worship nights
• powerful sermons
But the truth is, Jesus often comes in the moments we consider simple, small, or insignificant:
• in small acts of daily obedience
• in quiet moments of prayer no one sees
• in the ordinary routines of our day
• in simple, sincere worship
• in the struggles, pressures, and problems we face
• in places where we least expect Him
God loves to show His glory in ordinary places so that no one can boast.
He meets us in the simple so that we learn to recognize His presence everywhere.
The question is not:
“Is God moving?”
Because God is always moving.
The real question is:
“Are we expecting Him?”
Are our eyes open?
Are our hearts attentive?
Are we looking for Him—even in the ordinary?
Because those who expect Him…
will see Him.
CLOSE:
His humble birth was a prophetic declaration:
“If you want to come to Me, come in humility.”
The question is not:
“Why was there no room in Bethlehem?”
The real question today is:
“Is there room for Jesus in your life?”
Room in your:
• Time
• Decisions
• Priorities
• Relationships
• Finances
• Habits
• Heart
This Christmas, don’t just decorate your home—prepare your heart.
Don’t just light a star—invite the true Light.
Don’t just remember the season—make room for the Savior.
