The InnKeeper's Son December 5, 2021

Introduction

Good morning everyone :)

Now obviously the Bible doesn't tell us about the innkeeper much or even anything about a son that he had. But imagine that night the first time anyone would witness His Majesty even in the form of a little baby... let's read this passage in Luke

Luke 2:1–7 ESV

1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

This is the first time that anyone would encounter Jesus! Now we don't know the exact details but we know that Jesus was born in Bethlehem and wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a Manger were animals fed.

And it's not out of the realm of possibility that someone helped to make their night more comfortable. I imagine Mary was very visibly pregnant at this time and certainly there was someone who worked to help even just a little bit to get things ready.

You know what I love about following God is that God has a habit and a way of putting people there for you just when you need them and if we trust him he will continue to provide people to encourage and be there for us.

in fact it was only a few decades later that the brother of Jesus... James... would write a letter encourage ING Christians to act out their faith. To demonstrate what they believed in how they acted

James 2:14–26 ESV

14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! 20 Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? 26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.

The same kind of things that James is writing about in this passage is exactly what the innkeeper son was talking about here. It's through our actions that we show what we believe.

And guys it's through our actions that we show that we have encountered Jesus.

You see the problem is for many Christians throughout history faith has just been something that they've said they believe in. Even today people are what one Christian author describes as practical atheist. You call yourself a Christian but you spend all of your lifeliving like God doesn't exist

James delivered an even more pointed challenge only a few verses later in his letter

James 2:19 ESV

19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!

Even the demons believe in the existence of God but they don't honor him as Lord. Even the demons know the fact of God's power but it doesn't change their rebellion against him.

James reminds us that it is through our actions that we show what's in our heart

James 2:17 ESV

17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

James 2:20 ESV

20 Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless?

James is not saying that we have to earn our way into God's graces. He is not saying that we have to work tirelessly in soup kitchens or volunteer endlessly in order to get God to be pleased with us.

James assumes that faith is the beginning or the Christian relationship with God. Faith is what we need to have a right relationship with God. But true faith he teaches is acted on

James 2:18 ESV

18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

And in this passage in James he also includes historical references... look again

James 2:21–23 ESV

21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God.

Abraham demonstrated his faith in God by being willing to sacrifice what was most important to him.

James 2:24–26 ESV

24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? 26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.

Rab acted on her faith dangerously and her faith was proved and it saved her.

The point is not that faith is earned by works or that you need to adworks onto faith but it is that true and genuine faith includes works. It's simply the nature of that faith.

What we act out reveals our true nature doesn't it? It reveals what we truly believe.

I love this quote

“When someone shows you who they are, listen to them.”

We tell each other who we are by the actions that we live. We can claim who we want to be all day long but it is our actions that truly speak volumes.

Remember what John wrote reminding us of Jesus teachings

John 8:31–32 ESV

31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

John 14:21–24 ESV

21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” 22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me.

Truefaith was not just about what's in your head or heart but it is about what you do. It's about show and tell.

Sometimes people have trouble with reading James because they feel like James is teaching but you have to do all these works in order to please God. And it feels like James is contradicting what Paul taught about grace. But James is fighting against people who were so laid back about their faith that it didn't affect their actions at all. Paul is pushing back on legalized religion where are men and women added so many rules and he needed to remind them that truly was all of grace.

Ephesians 2:8–10 ESV

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

We love to memorize Ephesians 2:8-9 but we need to remember the remainder of the passage. We were created for good works.

What James wants each of us to understand is that faith without obedience really isn't saving faith. Truefaith is obedience to God. We are called to show and tell our faith.

Conclusion

So this week how can you show your faith in Jesus?

Like the innkeeper’s son you may find yourself presented with a situation that you need to have all the power to act on or the understanding to know what's happening but you still have the opportunity to respond with love.

let us remember the challenge that James laid out for us. True faith is lived out.

It’s lived out at…..

Jesus is the reason for this generous season,

he came to a Manger to save us from danger,

He brought God's love down from above,

An extraordinary gift to give us a lift,

so as we leave from here,

too homes far and near,

Let's carry our faith home,

And wherever we roam,

Let's never make the mistake,

Of divorcing heart and feet,

Because if we fail to take,

Our faith to the street,

Then this world changing hope,

this life giving dream,

will wash away like dirt with soap,