Weekend Sermon

     I didn't think that it was going to happen, but I made it to the library this morning.  We did have the freezing mist this morning, but the roads were warm enough that it didn't cause any trouble.  The temperature got up to 55 degrees here yesterday.  Tomorrow has me kind of worried.  They are calling for freezing rain, sleet, and up to eight inches of snow.  I may stay home and not emerge until Monday.
     Well, I am glad to be able to be here and post the sermon.  Please continue to pray for me.   I have a potential job prospect, so there is at least some hope there.  I need a job bad.  I also have to sell my house.  There just seems to be no way that I can keep it.  I keep on trying.  I haven't quit yet, but life is hard.  Being able to post the sermon helps me.
      During this Christmas season when we celebrate the coming of the Prince of Peace, let us especially pray for peace in this strife filled world.  It saddens me deeply when I hear about the suffering of the children in Syria.  Let us all pray that Jesus will come again quickly and redeem this world from the mess that it is in.  Come quickly Lord Jesus.  Please.
     In last week's message, I spoke about celebrating Jesus' birthday the way that He would want to have it celebrated.  We should do all that we can to make Jesus the focus of Christmas.  We should try to determine in our hearts what we can give to the Lord on His birthday.
     Today, my message will be fairly brief.  I'd like to talk about something that is revealed in the Christmas story that has further revelation throughout the life and ministry of Jesus here on the Earth. 
     When Jesus was born in Bethlehem over two thousand years ago, He demonstrated by the announcement of His birth that His ministry and love would be available to all people. 
     At times, people overlook the significance of the fact that the birth of Jesus was announced to shepherds in the field.  They heard the angel chorus that brought the exciting news that a Savior had been born, then they went to see where baby Jesus lay.
     Shepherds in Jesus day were looked upon with little respect.  They were considered to be dirty people who smelled awful, because contrary to what many people know, sheep smell worse than pigs.  Shepherds were considered to be untrustworthy, and they were looked down upon by people in high society.
      No matter what society at large and the religious leaders of the day may have felt about shepherds, these men who were watching their flocks by night were the first ones to hear the momentous news that Jesus was born.
      This is just the first time that Jesus brought His ministry and his message of love and healing to those whom the rest of the world looked down upon.  Jesus associated with those whom the religious leaders despised.  This is made clear in Luke 15:1-2 which says, "Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him.  And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying 'This man receives sinners and eats with them'".
      Jesus loved and cared about the people that the rest of society despised.  The tax collectors were considered to be traitors and greedy.  Jesus chose one of the them to be one of His twelve disciples.
     Jesus loved and cared about the others who were classified as sinners.  Jesus healed the sick and touched the lepers and those considered unclean. 
     Jesus cared about the poor in the world.  He said that the poor were blessed, and that part of His ministry was to preach the gospel to the poor.
     Jesus did not reject anyone who wanted to come to Him.  Jesus said, "Come to me all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
     In Jesus day, children were viewed as having little importance.  In fact, the disciples tried to keep the children away from Jesus.  However, Jesus told them to stop.  He said, "Let the children come unto Me."
     Samaritans and women were also not considered to be important, and they were looked down on as inferior in Jesus day.  Jesus told the good news to a Samaritan woman and used the example of the Good Samaritan in His teaching about who is my neighbor.
     Jesus also made His birth known to the learned and the wise.  The three wise men from the east saw the star and followed it to where Jesus and Mary were.
     Through much of His ministry, Jesus was rejected by the rich, the powerful and those with some type of authority.  However, He always invited people to follow Him.  Jesus said that it was hard for the rich to enter into Heaven, but it was not impossible because all things are possible with God.
     This Christmas season you may feel lonely and rejected.  You may be depressed, and others have made you feel bad.  Always remember that Jesus loves you.  Those whom society rejects, Jesus loves all the more I believe.
     During this Christmas season, if you have not accepted Jesus' gift of forgiveness, salvation and a personal relationship with Him, I hope that you will do that today.  There is no better friend than Jesus.  The Bible says that Jesus is the friend that sticks closer than a brother.
      I hope that everyone who reads this blog has a very Merry Christmas.  There won't be anymore book reviews until the New Year.  I will post a sermon next week.  May God Bless, and thank you for reading my blog.  Amen.