NO ROOM FOR CHRIST

     Thank you and thank you, my listening audience, for inviting me
into your home this morning.
     For our beginning place today, I turn to the reading of Luke 2:1-
7: "Now it came to pass in those days, there went out a decree from
Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be enrolled. This was the
first enrollment made when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all
went to enroll themselves, every one to his own city. And Joseph also
went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the
city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house
and family of David; to enroll himself with Mary, who was betrothed to
him, being great with child. And it came to pass, while they were
there, the days were fulfilled that she should be delivered. And she
brought forth her firstborn son; and she wrapped him in swaddling
clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them
in the inn." From this reading we note that when Jesus was born into
the flesh, even at the very beginning of His physical life on this
earth, there was no room for Him. He was rejected, left out; began His
life in a manger.
     This is a sad commentary on the world in which we live. This is
one of the saddest statements in the Bible. Jesus came to make room
for mankind, yet there was no room for Him. Jesus came to give life,
yet they took his life. No one would give up their room, their needs,
their desires. The selfishness of the world was very apparent back
there, and it continues along the same path today. The world is
interested in self.  I realize that the world did not know that this
was the Messiah, at least at that point in time; yet, the principle is
shown later in His life, as He proclaimed Himself to be the Son of
God.
     There was no room for Jesus in the Roman Empire. Read with me
Matthew 2:26-28: "Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the
Wisemen, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the male
children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the borders thereof, from
two years old and under, according to the time which he had exactly
learned of the Wisemen." Herod ordered the execution of all the male
children, hoping to destroy Christ. He had sought to trick the wise
men, but God had warned them of his evil. What a pitiful thing to do,
in order to get rid of Jesus. And yet, how often would the world today
rid itself of every influence of Christ, if it could. The world would
delight in destroying the Bible, God's Word, if it could. Men have
tried over and over throughout the ages gone by to destroy the Bible
and its influence; yet, it continues to stand today as the Best
Seller.
     His own people did not have room for Jesus. Reading now from John
1:11, "He came unto his own, and they that were his own received him
not." These people, the Israelites, were the favored people of God.
They were God's people, chosen long ago, with the blessings of Jehovah
upon them. For almost two thousand years, God had favored them; He had
looked over them; He had protected them. In Exodus 19:5,6, we read,
"Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant,
then ye shall be mine own possession from among all peoples: for all
the earth is mine: and ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and a
holy nation."  They had been favored over and over.  But, when the Son
of God comes upon the scene, the Jewish people refused Him. They would
not welcome the Son of God. And likewise, how many people today have
been favored by God's blessings; yet, refusing Him. The blessings
which Jehovah pours out upon mankind daily are beyond description.
Each day as the sun arises; the fertile soil beneath our feet; the
gentle rains which supply us with water; the seasons of seedtime and
harvest; our very lives. But, how few are willing to allow Him to come
into their lives and abide with them.
     Reading now from Matthew 21:33-41, "Hear another parable: There
was a man that was a householder, who planted a vineyard, and set a
hedge about it, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and
let it out to husbandmen, and went into another country. And when the
season of the fruits drew near, he sent his servants to the
husbandmen, to receive his fruits. And the husbandmen took his
servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. Again,
he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them in
like manner. But afterward he sent unto them his son, saying, They
will reverence my son. But the husbandmen, when they saw the son, said
among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and take
his inheritance. And they took him and cast him forth out of the
vineyard, and killed him. When therefore the lord of the vineyard
shall come, what will he do unto those husbandmen?" And so the world
acts. Jesus appeared to the Israelites and the Israelites cried out
for his death. They had no room for him.
     One of the twelve, Judas, had no room for Christ. Judas had been
treasurer for the apostles; even stealing from the purse. Judas had
more desires for a little money than for the life of the Son of God.
Judas was materially minded. His thoughts were on the here and now.
So, he sold Christ for a measly thirty pieces of silver. You may read
of this in Matthew 26:14-15.
     So likewise, people today desire to have a few dollars in their
pockets regardless of the consequences. They had rather have their
pockets full than to worship and serve our God. This is extremely
dangerous ground. This earth shall pass away; as well as everything we
see around us, but the soul, that eternal part of each one of us,
shall live on into eternity.  Did not Jesus say, "What shall a man
profit if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul?"
My listening audience, how much would you be willing to give in
exchange for your soul? Thirty pieces of silver, a million dollars;
whatever figure you put on it, it would be a sorry bargain. Your
eternal soul is of far greater value than all these things about us.
And yet, how few have learned this lesson.
     With no room for the Christ, the world finally put Him out of it.
They would not accept Pilate's desire to release Christ. They cried
out all the more "Crucify Him, crucify Him...." You see, Jesus rebuked
their hypocritical lives and they sought to put a stop to his stern
rebukes. So today, people put Christ from their lives. They want no
part of Him. Oh, no, they would not drive nails through His hands and
feet. They are not that calloused. They simply refuse Him. Leave us
alone.
     Let us make some applications to our present day. I see very
little room for Christ in the Business World. How few people in the
Business world live according to the golden rule. Jesus said, "All
things therefore whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, even
so do ye also unto them." He also states, "Love thy neighbor as
thyself." Are these the attributes that motivate our present
generation? As you look about you, do you not see people who are out
to get what they can, in spite of the way, or the results. So many now
have no qualms about participating in "under the table deals," if it
will fill their pockets. Someone gives you the wrong change when you
purchase something; will you keep quite, or will you return the
mistake.
     There is very little room for Christ in many of the institutions
of higher learning. Many colleges have become the seats of immorality
and hotbeds of infidelity. Most of the colleges today deny the
existence of God. Young people entering the college scene are
bombarded with atheism and immorality. Very often immoral acts are
required for entrance into the clubs and social organizations.
Evolution has become the cry of the day; not only in colleges, but
also in our High schools, even on down into the lower levels. There
are many things being pushed by our public schools which the Christian
must guard against. The school sponsored dance is not right because
the school endorses it, it still encourages wrong deeds and thoughts.
Learning is desirable and good, if it is learning the proper and right
things.
     There seems to be very little room for Christ in most of the
homes across our nation. There are many houses, but very few homes.
Look at the children of today and see how few of them have been taught
respect for authority, respect for those who are older. So many of the
young people today have little desire for modesty. They have followed
the example of the adult world. And as we view our generation, how few
homes are intact with both mother and father raising their children
with love and concern. Too many homes today are too busy to give
proper teaching or example to our young people. As the result our
young people are having to raise themselves; making decisions which
they are not prepared to make. And doing things that they are not
prepared to do. So often they make the tragic decisions that lead to
the violent act which we saw in Arkansas a few weeks ago.  Truly,
there is little room for Christ in todays homes. Parents feel no
or little responsibility toward their children. They simply do not
have room for them, as they have no room for Christ. Far more children
are being raised in broken homes, than in united homes.  Parents are
you teaching your children the characteristics of Christ Jesus? Are we
making room in their lives for the Master?
     There is very little room for Christ in the religious world
today. Look at what is being taught in so many religious organizations
today and compare it to what Christ and His apostles taught. Many
religious bodies have pushed Christ out; and have accepted creeds,
traditions, and public opinion for their practices. How many today
cry, "I do not care what the Bible says, I know what I believe and
what I want to do." There is just no room for Christ. The cry of the
day in religious circles is, "This is what the people want." "This
will draw a crowd." And so there are so many things being done today
in religious circles for which there is no Bible authority. I even saw
a group the other day on a television program that were doing
something like "line dancing" in their assembly.  I cannot imagine in
my wildest dream that our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the Son of
the Living God, would conduct Himself as we see so many today in their
religious services.  You see, there is very little room for Christ and
His Word.
     Look at the plan that Jehovah has given to save mankind. Jesus
said that one who "believes and is baptized shall be saved" (Mark
16:16). The world comes along and has no room for this command. The
world comes along and says, "Just believe and you will be saved. There
is no need to be baptized." Or, "Baptism has nothing to do with
salvation." Paul said, "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth
take heed lest he fall" (1 Corinthians 10:12). Man has no room for
that statement. Many in the religious world step up and say, "One
cannot fall from grace." No room for the inspired Word.
     What are your feelings my friends. Do you have room for Christ?
Or, are you guilty of pushing the Savior out? Why not make room for
Him? Seek out what He would have you do, then with courage, do it.

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