How will You Respond to Jesus?

Introduction

Revisit the prior messages

Two weeks ago, I presented unto you a message titled “Great Despair among Men” In that message we attempted to present:

The Depravity of mankind. From Genesis unto Malachi.

It didn’t matter if man was in the garden, in the land of promise in Babylon or the Wilderness.

It didn’t matter if God gave man ONE Commandment or TEN

It didn’t matter if man had EVERYTHING or if they had NOTHING

It didn’t matter if God SUPPLIED them or TOOK AWAY from them

It didn’t matter if they were FREE or ENSLAVED

Time and again, we saw the sinful, wicked nature of mankind shine through.

Great Despair because mankind is exceedingly sinful - and God is Holy!

Last week I’d preached unto you a message titled “Good Will Toward Man”

The main point that I wanted to present in this message is the Great Grace of God!

This truth is found at the heart of my favorite verse: Romans 5:8 “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” - WHILE we were yet sinners…!

By Grace, God Gave a Saviour

This Saviour that was Undeserved

This Saviour that was Unique

By Grace, God Gave His Son

This Gift was Personal

This Gift was Precious

By Grace, God Gave a Sign

It Began with a Declaration

It Concluded with Directions

God is not hiding from man, but sinful men hide from God!

We see it from the start in Adam: Genesis 3:8 “And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden.”

Now we come to the conclusion of this series: The text that I chose to jump-start our message is Hebrews 2:3 “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation;” - because truly, how could one escape the damnation of Hell if they neglect what God hath done for us through Christ Jesus His Son!

The Title of the message today is “How will YOU Respond to Jesus”

The reason I titled it this way is because when you consider the question of Jesus - it’s not just deserving of a response, but it demands a response.

The Advent of Jesus was of such great magnitude - the fact that the God of Heaven - Creator of Heaven and Earth would Humble Himself and - not just be outside of His Creation, Judging from afar, but come IN to His Creation - to be born of a woman. To feel & know the struggles of humanity - BORN TO DIE FOR THE SINS OF MANKIND - past, present and future - IS AN EVENT THAT DEMANDS A RESPONSE.

This is not an event that will escape a single soul. It’s an event that CHANGED EVERYTHING FOR ALL MANKIND! Therefore it demands a response - from all humanity - even you!

That being said, we’re going to look through the Christmas story today and examine the various responses to Jesus that we see.

The first one that I want to look at is the Positive Responses

I. Positive Responses

Shepherds Sought Him (Luk. 2:15)

When the angel of the LORD announced the birth of Jesus, he announce it to the upper class. He didn’t appear unto Herod - he appeared unto lowly shepherds. Peter said it right in Acts 10:34 “… Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:”

But what’s important to note is how the Shepherds Responded to Jesus - they sought Him out.

The Shepherds when confronted with the amazing news of the Christ, the Saviour of all man, what did they do? Luke 2:15 “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 Beth-lehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.” They sought out Jesus!

They could have: Ignored Jesus or Put off Jesus - But instead they sought Him.

Oftentimes, I have preached and presented Jesus unto men, and their response has been: Maybe later…

Let me tell you what - if you’re lost, you cannot count on ‘later’. You have no idea whether or not you even have a ‘later’.

There’s a story in Luk. 12 about a rich man that was going to pull down his barns & build bigger, then take it easy - but then we read Luke 12:20 “But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?”

That rich man didn’t have ‘later’ - and you might not either. If this is you, I suggest you do what the Shepherds did - investigate! Find out about this Jesus of which I speak!

The Shepherds Sought Him

Joseph Accepted Him (Mat. 1:18-25)

In Mat. 1, Joseph was confronted with the reality of Jesus. Notice that when Jesus is revealed unto Joseph, what’s Joseph’s initial reaction? He was going to reject him.

This is typical. Oftentimes, when we are confronted with the truth of Jesus, our initial reaction is just like Joseph’s - and that is to reject Him.

We often reject Him initially because - just like Joseph - we have a misconception concerning Jesus.

Joseph though that Jesus was one thing, when in fact He was something altogether different.

So many people when they are first presented with Jesus, their initial reaction is ‘What is this going to cost me’ - and let me tell you this - that’s the WRONG perception of Jesus!

Joseph thought this was a curse - that this was something that was going to ruin his life, but then the angel clarified and said ‘No Joseph, you’re not getting it - this is a blessing! This is a gift OF God FROM God - He’s going to save you from your sin! So what did Joseph do? He accepted Him

There are some here today that have never accepted Jesus. They’ve looked at Jesus as something that will detract from their life - BUT JESUS IS A BLESSING! THERE’S NEVER BEEN A SOUL THAT HAS EVER TRULY ACCEPTED JESUS THAT HAS REGRETTED IT!

Joseph Accepted Him

Mary Carried Him (Luk. 1:39-40)

Mary Carried Jesus - everywhere she went!

In our text, she carried Jesus to Elizabeth’s house

She also carried Him to Bethlehem

She carried Jesus everywhere she went - and guess what church, we should to!

Too many Christians consider Jesus on Sunday’s when they’re in church - but we should not only CONSIDER Jesus, but CARRY JESUS. - and not just on Sunday’s while in church, but EVERYWHERE WE GO!

Mary Carried Jesus

Wise Men Gave to Him (Mat. 2:11)

As we consider the wise men, I want to point out that we could be say that the wise men sought Jesus as well, however I wanted to look at another aspect of the wise men, and that’s that they gave to Jesus.

They gave of their riches

They gave something of value

They gave something useful

They gave of their necessity, not their excess

They gave when it was difficult to do so

They looked for the opportunity to give

Let me ask you this: What are you giving to Jesus?

Are you giving something of value?

Are you giving something useful?

Are you giving only of your excess?

Are you giving even when it’s difficult to do so?

Are you looking for opportunity to give?

Let me just say this: WISE MEN give to Jesus!

People will give to their mortgage company, their insurance company, Walmart, CVS, AT&T / Verizon - people will give to various people for a variety of reasons, but the question is: Are you giving to Jesus? There’s nothing greater to give unto!

Wise Men Gave unto Him

The Star Pointed to Him (Mat. 2:2,7,9-10)

Next we look at the Star. Even the Star Responded to Jesus!

You see, there were people who were needing to get to Jesus, but they didn’t know how. Remember those wise men, they wanted to see Jesus but had no one to give them direction - but thank God for the Star!

Let me say this: There’s people who need to get to Jesus! There’s people who need to get there, but they don’t know the way! They’re lost & have no direction! This world is telling them that:

Hey you’ll find fulfillment in money, power, sex, pornography - if you just get the next promotion, or if you get a new car or get the house paid off - then you’ll find fulfillment, but guess what? They never do find that satisfaction!

Do you know what we must do? We must point them to Jesus!

(Ill.) I tell you - this world is a tough place. There’s a lot of confusion in the world. And I want to help! I truly want to help make a difference in people’s lives, but what I’ve discovered is that I can only do so much - but Jesus can do anything! Jesus can make a difference, like no one else can! We must be in the business of pointing people to Jesus!

The Star Pointed to Him

John & Elisabeth Praised Him (Luk. 1:41-42)

We see that when Mary approached Elisabeth who was pregnant with John the Baptist, that when Mary carried Jesus nigh, both John & Elisabeth praised Him!

It was Appropriate Praise

Praising Jesus is something that is appropriate church!

Psalm 9:1–2 “I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works. I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.”

Psalm 22:22–23 “I will declare thy name unto my brethren: In the midst of the congregation will I praise thee. Ye that fear the Lord, praise him; All ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; And fear him, all ye the seed of Israel.”

Psalm 47:6–7 “Sing praises to God, sing praises: Sing praises unto our King, sing praises. For God is the King of all the earth: Sing ye praises with understanding.”

If I’m not mistaken, there is more written concerning the praise of God than about prayer to God! This should tell us something church! It’s appropriate to praise the LORD!

It was Acceptable Praise

In other words, the praise that Elizabeth offered was not for self-glorification or gratification. It was offered unto the LORD.

There’s a lot of commotion today that is confused with praise. We find it a lot in the “Praise and Worship” music of the day. But understand this: Praise and Worship is not about YOU, it’s about HIM! It’s not about how you feel, it’s about what He’s Done! It’s not predicated on what you find acceptable, but upon what He finds acceptable.

If you don’t believe me, research Nadab & Abihu and see what you find out!

Church, we should be a people of praise - because He’s worthy!

John & Elisabeth Praised Him

These are some Positive Responses to Jesus. But they weren’t the only Responses to Jesus. Let’s look next at Poor Responses to Jesus

II. Poor Responses

Herod Despised Him (Mat. 2:3;16)

Herod was the Jewish ruler of the land. He had whatever power the Roman government would allow. He was in essence a puppet ruler - but he lived a life of privilege. And when Herod heard about Jesus, he hated him.

The question that must be asked is ‘why’?

The obvious answer is found when the Wise Men approached in Matthew 2:2 “Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.”

He thought more of himself than he did of Jesus.

He desired the praise unto him, not another

The Bible says in Isaiah 14:13–14“For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.”

This is the same mindset that Satan had, and it’s the same mindset of many people today!

Many people today despise Jesus. They hate Jesus because their god is themselves! John’s Declared: John 3:18–21 “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.”

There’s many who despise Jesus not because of who He is, but rather WHO THEY ARE! They’re wicked, sinful, arrogant people who: Romans 1:25 “Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.”

For all those who despise Jesus I want you to know can hate Him all you want, you can exhibit exactly what Paul told Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:2–4 “For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;”

You can be that - that’s your choice, but you’re STILL going to answer to Him! Philippians 2:10–11 “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Herod Despised Him

The Religious Ignored Him (Mat. 2:4-6)

This is what is most amazing to me. The religious bunch were told that the Messiah was come! Herod came and demanded where and they told him ‘In Bethlehem’!

Guess who DIDN’T go to Bethlehem? The Religious bunch!

Paul said well in Romans 10:1–3“Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.”

The religious ignored Him.

Church I want you to know that there’s a multitude of people who know the name OF Jesus, but DO NOT KNOW JESUS - AND THERE IS A DIFFERENCE!

Religion can’t get you into Heaven. Religion can’t wash away your sins! Galatians 3:21–22 “Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.”

There will be more religious souls lift their eyes in Hell than atheists. If you’re trusting in your works, or some creed or code - you’ll die & go to Hell. Religion can’t save you, BUT JESUS CAN!

The Religious Ignored Him

The Inn Keeper Refused Him (Luk. 2:6-7)

Now as we see in the Scripture there’s no inn keeper mentioned by name, but the assumption is BECAUSE there was an inn, there was one who ‘kept’ it. So, going with that assumption we see that the Inn Keeper Refused Him

Why? Because he simply had no room for Jesus

There was no malicious intent

There was no covert reasoning

There was no hard feelings toward Jesus

He simply had no room.

Let me say this: This is one of Satan’s greatest weapons especially in today’s day. You see Satan doesn’t need you to hate Jesus, he just wants to keep you too busy to care about Jesus. He wants to fill your life with such meaningless stuff that you just don’t have room for Jesus.

He’ll get you to spend your time on anything & everything EXCEPT for Jesus.

Let me ask you this: How much room do you have for Jesus? I’m not just speaking to lost people, but Christians: You cannot live an effective life for Christ if your life is filled with meaningless stuff!

The Inn Keeper Refused Him

III. Personal Response

Must be Made Today

What will your response be to Jesus today?

You’re going to have to do something with this message today. The question is, what? In looking at yourself, how have you responded to Jesus - and what is your desire?

It’s a Personal Response

Conclusion

Lord’s Supper - 1Cor. 11:17-30