To John chapter one. And I think somebody was prepared for children's church today. I guess if a few of you adults want to go with her to who who was teaching this morning, Oh, okay. Kate was teaching but I think she'll be happy to stay in here. So, Alright.

John chapter one and we'll read verses 10 through 13. John one and ten through 13. He was in the world and the world was made by him. And the world knew him not. He came unto his own and his own received him not.

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name. Which were born not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man but of God. Let's go to the Lord in prayer once more. Lord, thank you for your word and the reminder today. That you came into the world but the world did not recognize you for who you were.

The Lord, the king, the creator of all. And yet you died for us anyway. You came to redeem us and as as many of us who come to you in faith and receive you as Lord and savior. Believe on your name. It represents who you are.

The son of God and what you did for us on the cross of Calvary. We shall become the sons of God. Lord, not by our power or will but by the power and grace of almighty God who sent his son to this Earth. Around two thousand years ago. Thank you Lord for the opportunity to be here this day, to remember who you are and what you came to do.

And Lord, if there be one here today that has yet to receive you as the Lord and Savior of their life. I pray Lord that you'd open their eyes and their heart. Give them understanding today that they might make that all important decision before it's eternally too late. In Jesus name, we pray. Amen.

Part of the story of Christmas is the story of rejection. We give presents as a routine at Christmas time. And as I give presents, I like to remember and remind my children of the greatest gift of all. The greatest gift of all was given to us in Jesus Christ, the son of God Who came, yes, as a babe in a manger. We celebrate on Christmas day but who died on the cross for our sins, who rose again from the dead, that we might have salvation in him and one day, we'll come again.

He is the gift of Christmas. He is the reason for Christmas. He is the reason we celebrate. He is the reason we decorate. Not just because it looks pretty but to remind us of who?

To remind us of Jesus Christ. And maybe have an opportunity to tell somebody else about him. About that gift For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son. That whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life. That's God's gift to us.

Now, let me ask, have you ever given a costly gift? A very costly gift? Costly maybe in money. Costly maybe because you gave away something that was very precious to you. Costly maybe because you spent a lot of time thinking and searching to find the what?

The the perfect gift. And then you gave it to somebody and they rejected it. No, I don't want it. Take it back. How would that make you feel?

Or maybe how did that make you feel? But sadly, our Lord has been through that the creator of the universe and man has been through that. He came unto his own and his own received him not. The world as a whole and Israel as a whole in Jesus's day said, no, we'd rather not. Take it back.

The world today says, no. I don't want that track. Keep it. Or they take it and they throw it in the trash or or on the ground. And sadly, they so often treat the savior of the world in the same fashion.

The most costly, the most precious treasure, the greatest gift that has ever been given is Jesus Christ. And he came even at his birth to the words no room. That continues to resound in the hearts of the masses today. Christmas is a story of rejection. It begins not with the words no room In Luke two, it begins here or maybe before In Isaiah 53, his rejection was foretold His rejection was foretold by Isaiah who wrote it in such a fashion as it had as if it had already occurred.

He is despised and rejected of men. A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief and we hid as it were our faces from him. He was despised and we esteemed or honored him not. Surely, he hath born our griefs and carried our sorrows. Yet, we did esteem him stricken, spitting of God, and afflicted but he was wounded for our transgressions.

He was bruised for our iniquities. The chastisement of our peace was upon him and with his stripes, we are healed. Isaiah foretold that the savior would come. He would die and suffer for the sins of mankind. But rather than being received with open arms, instead he would be rejected even of his own people.

They would not esteem him as the son of God that he deserved. They would assume that his suffering was his own doing. When his suffering was mine and yours. Foretold, Isaiah 53 and then in Bethlehem, that we just read about in the bulletin there, he came to, he came to Bethlehem, of course, not yet born but to be born and it says in Luke two seven, think I have that up here as well. She brought forth her firstborn son, wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the end.

Yes, Jesus, the king of kings and Lord of lords wasn't born in a mansion. He wasn't even born in a cozy home or house. He was born in a stable and laid in a manger because there was no room in the inn in Bethlehem for him. We do not know all the circumstances surrounding that rejection. We may conjecture that it was busy, makes sense, a lot of people there had to come to their hometown for the census.

So, that's why the inn was full. We might conjecture a sum that Joseph had extended family in Bethlehem. Why would that be? Well, because that's why he went back to Bethlehem because that's where his family going back some generations had come from but they didn't offer to put him up. We do not know if his rejection was willful or if it just happened that there was no vacancies that night.

But it does foreshadow. His rejection not only at his birth but going forward. It is indicative of the world's reception of the king of kings and Lord of lords. And then comes along King Herod who wasn't really a king. He was just a local ruler under the thumb of the emperor of Rome but he fancied himself a king.

And when he heard from the wise men that the king of the Jews had been born in Jerusalem, did he celebrate? No. He plotted his what? He plotted his death rather than accepting the fulfillment of the prophecy in Micah five two, that he would be born in Bethlehem. Rather than receiving God's son and the Messiah of Israel, Herod sought to kill him for his own selfish, personal reasons, for his own pride.

He rejected the Messiah. Does that happen today? It still does. Many a person reject the message of the gospel because of their own selfish pride that keeps them from accepting Jesus as Lord of their life. He wasn't just rejected in Bethlehem.

He wasn't just rejected by Herod as we read in Sunday school. He was also rejected in Nazareth. As a young man, when he began his public ministry around the age of 30, he walked into a synagogue in the town of Nazareth where he grew up and there, he read a passage from Isaiah 61 that Isaiah wrote about the anointed one, the Messiah, who would come to free the people of Israel, to bind up their their wounds and heal their diseases and restore Jerusalem. It was a glorious thing that God had promised to Israel despite all the suffering they had been through and Jesus sat down after he said, read and he said, in your presence, this passage is what? Fulfilled.

What was he saying? He said, he said, I am the fulfillment. Did the people of Nazareth that he grew up with, did they receive him? Did they trust and believe in him? No, we read in Luke four twenty eight and all they in the synagogue when they heard these things were filled with joy?

No. Wrath. They were filled with wrath and rose up and thrust him out of the city and led him unto the brow of a hill. I think I think I have that up here. There we go.

And all the synagogue when they heard these things were filled with wrath. They rose up, thrust him out of the city, led him to the brow of the hill where on the their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong. But he passing through the midst of them went his way. What did they try to do? They tried to kill him.

They tried to execute him. That's how they responded to his announcement. But it wasn't just in Galilee that he was rejected. It was also in Judea as well. He was baptized in Judea of John.

Remember that? The spirit descending upon him the dove and the the father's voice. This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased. He attended Passover each year as he was required to. He cleansed the temple.

He taught in its courtyard. He healed the lame, the sick, the lepers, the blind, he bore their sorrows. He carried them. He healed them. Yet, they did what?

As a general rule, they rejected his words and they rejected his miracles and instead, they sought his what? They sought his death, forcing him to enter Jerusalem sparingly and carefully. John seven one says, and these things and after these things, Jesus walked in Galilee for he would not walk in jewelry which is Judea because the Jews sought to kill him. So, he would enter the city secretly, find his way to the temple courtyard where he would teach and preach and then secretly get his way back out of the city to Bethany often to stay with Lazarus and Mary and Martha. Because they did, he was not wanted there.

He was rejected even by his own brothers at first John seven five, for neither did his brethren believe in him. Well, I I can sort of understand that. I mean, you know, what if your brother claimed to be the Messiah of the world, okay? Can imagine their selfish pride had a hard time accepting their brother as the Messiah. Eventually, praise God after his resurrection, they did believe.

But as a young man, they did they did not. He was rejected by the Pharisees and Sadducees who openly sought his death and eventually paid Judas one of his inner circle to betray him. Matthew 2,614 through 16, then one of the 12 called Judas Iscariot went unto the chief priest and said unto them, what will you give me? And I will deliver him unto you. They covenant with him for 30 pieces of silver and from that time, he sought opportunity to betray him.

They paid one of his inner circle to find the right time to betray him so they could come arrest him without the crowds being around. And Judas, who had been his long time disciple, spent three years with the Lord, who was entrusted with the treasury of the disciples. Was a phony and betrayed him along with the religious leaders in Israel. He was rejected in Jerusalem not just by Judas, not just by the leaders of Judea but by the people. Yes, on the Palm Sunday when he he rode into the city on a donkey, there there was a crowd gathered there and they did cry out unto him, David, son of the highest.

They did identify him and identify their faith in his messianic fulfillment as they laid palm branches down before him but just a few days later, a much larger crowd said what? Crucify him. Crucify him. Instead of accepting Jesus, release by Pilate as a gift. They cried out for Barabbas instead.

And for Pilate to crucify Christ on a cross. As they hung him there on that cross, many sneered under their breath as they walked by and they said this, Luke records, he saved others. Let him save himself if he be Christ, the chosen of God. They didn't realize he was hanging there not to save him but he was hanging there to save them. And yet they rejected and they gambled for his clothes at the base of the cross.

As he hung there humiliated for us and for them. Was he accepted after his resurrection? No. No, the on the day of Pentecost, there were 3,000 saved. Yes, there were.

But there were a lot more than 3,000 people in Jerusalem that day. And the leadership in Jerusalem, they didn't respond and say, oh yes, we repent. No. They continue to reject Jesus Messiah. They threatened his disciples and they stoned his servant, Stephen.

In Acts chapter seven, I've been to the place in Jerusalem. Where it is said Stephen was murdered. He was rejected by the people Directed by the political leaders by another Herod who imprisoned James and Peter and before Peter escaped by the hand of the Lord, James went to be with the Lord, beheaded by Herod in Acts chapter 12. He was rejected by the leaders of Rome who slaughtered his children by the thousands and many wicked regimes that have slaughtered his children and burnt his word ever since. And it continues today.

We sit here in The United States, America and we think that's all part of what? That's all part of ancient history. But it's not, is it? It takes place in China today. It takes place in certain Muslim countries.

Today, in certain communist countries, today. It has, it does, and it will to the time Christ comes again. To this Earth. He came he, God's greatest gift, died on the cross. But sadly, he came unto his own and his own received him not.

They didn't recognize him and for some reason, many of them did not want to. In his story is one of rejection. But we've still got another ten minutes to go this morning. Because the story doesn't end with his rejection, does it? But as many as received him, to them, to them gave he power to become the sons of God.

Even to them that believe on his name. He was not rejected by all. Praise the Lord. He was rejected by many but he wasn't rejected by all. He was accepted first of all by his mother.

His mother, Mary, who didn't just accept him as her little baby in a manger but accepted him as the person that the angel Gabriel told her he would be and she spoke in Luke one hundred forty six and forty seven and she said, my soul doth magnify the Lord and my spirit hath rejoice in God, my savior and who is that God, my savior? That's that little baby. She was going to give birth to in just a short while. In Bethlehem. He was accepted by the shepherds abiding in the fields watching over their flocks by night.

When the angel of the Lord came upon them and told them, that in the city of David, a what a savior was born. Who they went to worship? And who they went to tell others about. He was accepted by wise men. Assume, assuming Gentile, wise men, kings, Magi who came from afar and brought gifts to worship there at his feet, still an infant in Bethlehem, worship him as the king of the Jews.

We'll talk more about that tonight. He was received by a man named Simeon and a prophetess named Anna in Jerusalem when brought for his circumcision. Simeon said, The Lord now, Lord, now let us thy servant depart in peace according to thy word. For mine eyes have seen thy salvation which thou hast prepared before the face of all people, a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people, Israel. Simeon believed.

And received God's wonderful gift as he held him in his hands that day. He was received by John the Baptist who beheld him at his baptism. Heard the words of his father and told the world, behold the lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. He was received by his 12 disciples. Minus Judas.

Accepted by them and Peter as he made his profession in Matthew 16, thou art the Christ. That means the Messiah, the son of the living God. Peter's faith was imperfect but his faith was real. And his willingness to accept Jesus as his Messiah. Before he even went to the cross.

His disciples continued in their faith as they grew after his resurrection. He was received by the woman at the well. What did she have to say? John four twenty nine, come see a man which told me all things that ever I did. Is not this the Christ?

After she spoke to Jesus that day and he offered her what? Living water. She recognized him. Most did not recognize him but she did and she went out to tell the rest of the town who he was and bring them to him. He was received by other disciples, Mary Magdalene and Mary and Martha of Bethany.

Many others including even a Gentile centurion who needed only Jesus to give the word and his servant would be made whole. He was accepted by many a harlot and drunkard and leper and blind man that he healed and tax collectors who came to listen to his words and repented. Joined him gave back He was accepted of 3,000 alone on the day of Pentecost which swelled in the days following to over 5,000 men not counting women and children. He was embraced as Lord and savior by Samaritans and Ethiopians in Acts eight. He was accepted and embraced by Paul.

His enemy in chapter nine he was received by a Roman centurion In Acts chapter 10, and by many thousands and millions who would receive the message of the gospel, that Paul and the other apostles and their associates would spread throughout the world. Even to us today. The question is simple this morning and the message is simple this morning. Have you received him? Or have you rejected him?

You say, pastor, well, you know us. Well, I think I do. I think I do but man looks on the outward appearance. God looks on the heart. So, I shall not assume today that all of you sitting in this auditorium know him.

I will leave that to you and God. And just ask the question, have you received him? Or have you rejected him? Have you repented from the path of sin and hell on which he found you? And embraced Jesus Christ by faith?

As your Lord and savior. If you have, you possess the most precious gift. If you have said to the Lord, there is room in my heart, in my life, in my faith for you. Come be the Lord of my life. The savior for my sin.

He always keeps his promises. And he has saved your soul. But if you're here today and there's just the least bit of doubt maybe you should erase that doubt today. Maybe today would be the day that you would say to the Lord in sincerity and truth, I want to make sure and I receive you today. John three eighteen says, he that believeth on him is not condemned but he that believeth not is condemned already.

If you do nothing with Jesus, then God will know what to do with you. On the day of judgement. Because your name will not be found written where? In the book of life. In the lake of the lake of fire is your end.

But today and forever, that can change. Your name can be written down in his book. You can receive him as the savior of your life. If thou shalt confess with thy mouth, oh Lord Jesus, believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou, you shall be saved. For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life.

Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Which will it be this Christmas? Will you receive God's gift of everlasting life Or will you reject him? Your eternity weighs in the balance. Let's pray.

Lord, thank you for your word. Thank you for your gift. Thank you for your sacrifice. Lord, I pray if there be anyone under the sound of my voice today that they would recognize you. Recognize you as the king of kings and Lord of lords.

As the humble savior who came to die, who is the risen savior, who is lifted up on high, and who pleads from the gates of heaven to come and Lord, I pray they might come this day and receive the Lord Jesus as the Lord of their life and I pray Lord for us who know you, that we would get to know you better, that we would surrender any area of our life that is not surrendered to you, that we might offer you every nook and cranny, that we might give you every aspect and desire, that we, this coming year, might be more sold out to Christ than ever before. That you might do a mighty work in our heart and life, and that we would make a decision this day to dedicate ourselves, our year, more fully and totally. To be a living sacrifice. Than ever before. In Jesus name, we pray.

Amen.