Download... December 27, 2009. Sunday Morning Service. Bro. Dave Goble.
Our God still rejoices when you place Him on your heart throne. God desires a personal relationship with you.
TEXT: Luke 2:1-12
1 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.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
This message may seem to be a week late, but God leads in His timing, and not ours. May our hearts be prepared for the resurrection that Christ yet reigns in. The risen Christ still looks for room in every heart/Inn. Still looking for a place to be born. He still, as 2000 years ago, finding the "same conditions", same attitudes, crowded hearts and their desires.
The pregnant woman (the Church) is still looking or desiring to be delivered of a live birth of her child. Looking for an inn or heart house to lodge there,..to ask ,..Is there room here?" She is heavy with a child desiring to be delivered. The Church likewise, is looking to delivered in hearts for souls to be born (again.) Attitudes, fleshly "mindsets," crowd the inns (hearts). Bethlehem in the bible dictionary means "house of bread". Jesus is The bread of life. He has fed untold numbers of lives. He still is today.
People gathered for the census to be numbered. Crowded times, no inn to find for Jesus birth. Verse 7: Only One inn was found in Bethlehem. No room. Those days there were not much available. Crowded, all laying on floors at the inn, housing more people in less space. Not like today's standards of "A" rating. It was the first place, Joseph sought a place for Jesus' birth. Everywhere was full, only one actual public Inn, which was also full. Joseph tried to find lodging there, yet no space was to be found,.. of normal amenities.
We are like the inn. Mary and Joseph sought room in that place. People likewise may know that they need to make space for God to be born their hearts.
Is it crowded with attitudes? Joseph leading His espoused wife to where he thought that baby could be born...everything packed "to the gills," all kinds of people, good , bad, and chaos with lots of humanity in that inn. Today we also ask God to come where I want, and where it is comfortable for self, instead of how it must be. Lots of "outward" love today, and fleshly designed lodging.
from dictionary.com
Note: Philadelphia, the “City of Brotherly Love,” was founded in the late seventeenth century as a Quaker colony by William Penn.
The first part of Philadelphia means "brotherly love as noted from above references. Human beings getting along together. A sacrificial love is not found in this, and only found in a "humble stable-real mindset." Many confuse "their" love and "inn" of "Their" design,..instead of a humble stable mentality of love. Is their any room in your inn,...for a new birth?
The stable was not a "proper" place,..a smelly not hygienic place,..humble,..lowly. Yet,..Joseph was directed by God to take Mary there, not just because the inn was full, but because God did not want Jesus born in that more accepted and crowded place.
Isaiah 55:8-11 8: For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
9: For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
10: For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
11: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
Our thoughts are not God's thoughts,..we must let go of our thinking for what God's word dictates in humility. We cannot designate a "little corner" for God, we must surrender All. True love is our All... and Godly. Fleshly love is of reservations,.. or not fully surrendered. God wants All, not a corner,..but a wholly, and Holy place. The biblical priests could not do service without the shedding of blood,. and full sacrifice. It must be done in God's special way and His special Order. God will not dwell where sin is. God does not lower Himself to our designs and orders. No human king before had such a humble place of birth. Mankind wants to hold onto the contents of their "inns" or heart's contents with only a corner for Jesus, where as God simply gives, and gives,... and gives. God never designed it,.. for the way of reservations. He does not bless carnality or our personal reserved ways of the flesh. Yet God does not expect us to clear sin out, we must resign to His work of power through Christ's blood. God desires a humble place in every heart. Too many want to keep their personal ways and reputation, or ways of dressing, talking, etc. Not a secure attitude. Must let go of our ways, so God can destroy and demolish our fleshly thoughts. Our human thinking needs to be dissolved for God's thought and ways to be implemented in our lives. We must allow God to choose all basis of thoughts, expressions and ways to submit to Him in a humble way. We cannot not do this if we decide to "hang on" to ourselves. God wants to be allowed to be your "demolisher" of your crowded conditions,.. that do not make Full room for Him. God wants to be allowed to choose for you,..to make you completely different. He doesn't choose the finesse of this worldly amenities, such as the success in society. Too many think success is stable-to-inn. This is Backwards,..it is from the inn-to the-stable,..or humble! "I" must come out of the equation!
Success of the flesh, can be the death of the spirit. Striving for the flesh defines striving for the not humble way. Have a "stable" mentality,..to be stable! Don't long for the "inn" mentality., with all of it's degrading goals bringing sin. Having a stable mentality is not to be deprived of God,..but Blessed! The "Inn" experience is conversely, the deprivation of Godliness. It is crowded with the "flesh." Desire the "low" hanging fruits,..easy for love, peace, joy, not legalistic. It is only becomes legalistic if you do not forsake sin and your own way. God blesses All, who give All back. God never lets those down who truly serve Him. God more than makes up the difference when we forsake our sins and ways,.. for His. You are only then truly free, when you do forsake your sins. It will either be a curse or a blessing depending on your choices for self,.. or God.
Micah 5:2 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.
God will be born where He will be truly recognized. Not through the sophisticated or elevated, but through the truly humble. What is in your inn (heart house) this morning? Your thoughts, and attitudes,..what do they consist of,..Jesus or self ? There needs to be room completely for Christ's way,..completely to be filled by Him. He cannot occupy where sin or "fleshly" motivations reside. He desires room in your "stable." Your stable (heart house) is the desired place for Christ birth within you. Not at an "inn" or fleshly crowded conditions. Have a "sale" of your ideas for Christ's. Let "the Word" do the "work" on your heart. Your heart is acceptable to Him or,..not. What is in your "inn?" Judgment will come. Do you offer a humble stable of peace in your heart? Is what you listen to, read,..do,..occupy your mind with,.. acceptable to Jesus? Does it work against the heavenly meditation that would help your soul? What will you offer Christ,..a crowded inn, ..or a humble stable?
