No Room at the Inn

(Luke 2:1-20) 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. -13. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, -14. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. -15. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. -16. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. -17. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. -18. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. -19. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. -20. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

As we consider this Christmas season, our subject is "No Room At The Inn". Just as there was no room for Mary & Joseph in the inn, there is no room for Jesus in the hearts of multitudes today. Christmas for many is merely a time of revelry, partying, drinking, receiving gifts, and feasting with family and friends. There ought to be room for the Lord in your heart. You as a creation of God have a capacity for the Lord. Your heart is to be His home here on this earth: (1 Cor 3:16-17) Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? -17. If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

Yes, God has planned that there be room for the Lord in our hearts. In order for there to be room within our hearts, it is up to us to not defile ourselves. A heart that is already full of love for self has no room for the Lord. No Room At The Inn! Many today are so absorbed with self that they have no time or energy left for the Lord. Many hearts are defiled and there is No Room At The Inn!

(Mark 7:15-23) There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man. -16. If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. -17. And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable. -18. And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him; -19. Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats? -20. And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. -21. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, -22. Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: -23. All these evil things come from within, and defile the man. Many hearts today are defiled with evil thoughts. You can't have Jesus in your heart and at the same time desires for adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, pride, foolishness, and any other such thing. Jesus needs a clean heart to dwell in. If your heart is not clean, then there Is No Room At The Inn for the Lord.

Jesus is looking for hearts to dwell in. He prayed that He might find room in your heart: (John 17:21-23) That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. -22. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: -23. I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. Is there Room At The Inn, in your heart for the Lord? If there is no room in your heart for the Lord, you have opportunity today to make room for Him.

(Ezek 18:31) Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel? (Ezek 36:24-27) For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. -25. Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. -26. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. -27. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. Yes if you will repent of your sin and turn your life over to the Lord, He will give you a new heart. A heart that is not defiled. A heart that is clean. A heart that has room for the Lord. A heart that obeys the commandments of God. Will this be the day that you make room for the Lord in your life? The choice is yours. If you will repent and turn yourself over to the Lord, He will cleanse you from all your filthiness. He will put within you His Holy Spirit that will enable you to live holy. He will take up residence in your new heart.

In the parable of the sower, Jesus described four conditions of people's hearts: (Mat 13:18-22) Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. -19. When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. -20. But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; -21. Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. -22. He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. (Mat 13:23) But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. And so we see that the Word of God is as seed that when it is preached it is sown in the hearts of people. As the word falls on the hearts of people, our Lord teaches us that there are four different heart conditions which He describes as: Wayside, Stony, Thorny, and Good ground. Every man, woman, boy and girl fits into one of these categories. Your heart is either wayside ground, stony ground, thorny ground, or good ground.

If your heart is the wayside ground, then you are one that rejects the Word of God. You refuse to believe it or to even consider that it could be true. To you it is merely a story, a myth, a tale that is told and you don't recognize that God's Word has the power to change lives. It has the power to make new hearts in people, to make new creatures out of sinners. But to the wayside hearer, it is only so much noise and they have no interest in finding out any more.

If your heart is stony ground, then you are one that does hear the Word of God and even rejoices to receive it into your heart. But because of the love of self, the stony heart will not continue with the Lord. As soon as conflict arises between self and sacrifice for the Lord, the stony heart discards the Lord and There Is No Room At The Inn. The stony heart likes the idea of being forgiven and saved from a Devil's Hell. He enjoys the thought of being free from the punishment of his sin, but he is not willing to pay for such great benefits. His interest is to have a Saviour and he has no room for a Lord. You cannot have Jesus as your Saviour unless you also receive Him as your Lord. He is only available as a complete package - Lord and Savior.

If your heart is Thorny ground, you are one that tries to divide your affection between two masters, the Lord and this world. The result of divided allegiance is that one or the other is choked out. Jesus taught us that we cannot serve two masters. There are many today that are being drawn into the snare of being overtaken by the cares of this life. Even in this season when they are supposed to be celebrating the birth of their Lord, many will not find time to give Him even one hour of worship because they will be too busy with the cares of this life. Their hearts are so filled with self, family, friends, and things that There Is No Room At The Inn. Jesus knows that as humans we have needs and He is not against us taking care to supply our needs. He just wants us to put our priorities in order: (Mat 6:33-34) But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. It is backward thinking that as we gain more abundance of things that we have less time and space for the Lord.

If your heart is Good ground, then you know what I am talking about today. The Word of God is precious to you. You love the Lord as your Lord and Savior. You have room in your heart for Him. There is room in the inn, the inn of your heart. He is Lord and master and you are enjoying the peace that He brings with Him into the hearts of His people. You know the power of God in your life to have it cleansed and to keep it clean by living according to the Word of God. (Eph 5:26) That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, Just as that stable turned into a heavenly place nearly two thousand years ago, so does your life become a heavenly place when you allow the Lord to take up residence in your heart.

(Isa 9:6-7) For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. -7. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. Yes, unto us a child is born and that child is the son of God. To every one that received him into their heart He is indeed wonderful. He is the mighty God. He is the Prince of Peace. As his government takes control of us, He established his throne on our hearts. He orders our life and there is no end to the peace that He brings into our hearts. Oh how we thank and praise God for sending us His son that we can enjoy His Kingdom within us this day.

And so the Lord is offered to you today. Now what will you do with Him? Will you make room for Him in your heart? Or will you turn Him away? (Isa 10:3-4) And what will ye do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation which shall come from far? to whom will ye flee for help? and where will ye leave your glory? -4. Without me they shall bow down under the prisoners, and they shall fall under the slain. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still. His hand is stretched out still. He is still offering salvation to everyone that will receive Him. Is there room for Him in your heart? Today you have opportunity to receive a new heart. A heart that is clean and not defiled. a heart that is a fit temple for the Lord to dwell in. The Lord will perform it. It is thru His power and His Holy Spirit that the miracle of salvation takes place.

As the angel proclaimed tidings of great joy at the literal birth of the Lord, so I proclaim tidings of great joy to every one that will be born of God today. Is there room for Jesus in your life? If not, will you make room for Him? You will never be sorry if you take Jesus into your life as your Lord. He is inviting you today to receive Him; do not turn Him away! (Mat 11:28-30) Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. -29. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. -30. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

(Rev 22:13-17) I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. -14. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. -15. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. -16. I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. -17. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

Jesus, The Church, The Holy Spirit are all pleading with you to receive Jesus as you Lord. He is looking for room in your heart today. Will He find it? or will He hear the sad message No Room At The Inn!

"No Room At The Inn". Just as there was no room for Mary & Joseph in the inn, there is no room for Jesus in the hearts of multitudes today. Christmas for many is merely a time of revelry, partying, drinking, receiving gifts, and feasting with family and friends. What does the Christmas season mean to you? There ought to be room for the Lord in your heart. You as a creation of God have a capacity for the Lord. Your heart is to be His home here on this earth We pray that there is room in your heart for the Lord and if there isn't that you will make room for Him today.

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No Room at the Inn