Sunday Morning Podcast December 17, 2017. Bro. Dave Goble.
TEXT: LUKE 2:1-7
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.
The Christmas story is all about an invitation. It’s more than mere history. We must not lose what God wants us to get spiritually from this momentous story. God is trying to speak to us through it. Eternal things are hard to put on paper, because only God can reveal the miracle of this “happening.” We must accept this message, or we go without the riches internally, that God would give us. You cannot comprehend through the wisdom of your own logic, because God cannot be defined by our understanding. He begins with the birth of Jesus, then gives us this invitation; “Come, let us spend time together.” Only our acceptance will bring the fullness of Jesus within us.
In the natural, (with the birth of our children), we generally give an invitation or announcement of their arrival. Many ask others “Come rejoice with us” about their precious child. From the beginning God was announcing the coming of His Son. The shepherds became aware of Christ’s coming, with the announcement from the angels of God bringing those messages. (Luke 2:8-20) It’s a good thing when we become aware of God calling us away from sin and mere religion, and instead with godly fear to spend time in the presence of Christ! It is a miraculous and profound celebration, beyond any earthly one! This miraculous celebration and announcement is repeated every year, and just as often, there is a reminder of one’s natural birth (birthday). God’s announcement is a explanation of how, and where you can find Him. God wants to share with us that momentous day!
God’s announcement invites us to spend time with Jesus. It is then when we begin to get an increased understanding and purpose of the birth of Christ. “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isaiah 1:18 We are not meant to understand of ourselves God’s invitation, but only when we sit down with God and reason with Him. Not contentiously, …but in a meaningful way. God wants us to spend time with Him to reason about what is actually important. About His message for our life. Of the importance to enrich our life, to live for Him. He will help us to work out the details. This godly invitation doesn’t come with condemnation, but instead to come and spend time with Jesus. This invitation is for you, and it is your decision to make to accept a holy life, or a life of spiritual death in sin. This decision will affect you for the rest of your life. To accept God’s invitation, is to have possession of the fountain of life, (Proverbs 13:14). Nothing else matters!
God still extends His invitation “to spend time with Him.” Will you accept?