Jesus came to bring “Good News to the Poor”
JESUS, BORN HOMELESS
AT CHRISTMAS
Penge Baptist Church
25th December 2013
Luke 2:1-7
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In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a
census should be taken of the entire Roman world.
(This was the first census that took place while
Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went
to his own town to register.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in
Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David,
because he belonged to the house and line of David.
He went there to register with Mary, who was
pledged to be married to him and was expecting a
child.
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While they were there, the time came for
the baby to be born, and she gave birth to
her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in
cloths and placed him in a manger, because
there was no room for them in the inn.
A God of history, acting in history
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Under Caesar’s power, but God was stronger
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In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census
should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first
census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)
And everyone went to his own town to register.
A God faithful to his promises in history
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So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to
Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to
the house and line of David.
“Your house and your kingdom shall endure for ever before me;
your throne shall be established for ever.’ (2 Samuel 7:18)
But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,though you are small among the
clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be
ruler over Israel (Micah 5:2)
Where do we expect God’s son to
be born?
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Of the greatness of his
government and peace
there will be no end. He
will reign on David’s
throne and over his
kingdom, establishing
and upholding it with
justice and righteousness
from that time on and
forever. (Isaiah 9:6-7)
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He grew up
before him like
a tender
shoot,and like a
root out of dry
ground. He had
no beauty or
majesty to
attract us to
him, nothing in
his appearance
that we should
desire him.
(Isaiah 53:2)
Jesus identified with the poor
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An unemployed father and unwed mother
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Homeless
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He went there to register with Mary, who was
pledged to be married to him and was expecting a
child.
While they were there, the time came for the baby
to be born
Sleeping with the animals
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She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a
manger, because there was no room for them in the
inn.
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Later a refugee under threat of death
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an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a
dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his
mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I
tell you, for Herod is going to search for the
child to kill him.” So he got up, took the child
and his mother during the night and left for
Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod.
(Matthew 2:13-14)
And a wandering rabbi without a home
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Jesus replied, “Foxes have holes and birds of the
air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place
to lay his head.” (Matthew 8:20)
Jesus brought good news for the poor
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Jesus said “The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me to proclaim good
news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim
freedom for the prisoners and recovery of
sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour”
(Luke 4:18-19)
What does Jesus mean by “the
poor”?
• Physical poverty – lacking material needs, being
without adequate food or money
• Spiritual poverty - being attached to things of
the world, blind to the need for God
• Jesus the Son of God came to this earth
particularly for the poor, the disadvantaged, the
sick, the lonely, the lost and those who mourn –
fulfilling God’s plan for humanity and bringing in
God’s kingdom
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The rich are called to help out, to act as
God’s humble servants for those in material
need – alleviating their own risk of spiritual
poverty
Jesus said “Do not store up for yourselves
treasures on earth, where moths and vermin
destroy, and where thieves break in and
steal. But store up for yourselves treasures
in heaven, where moths and vermin do not
destroy, and where thieves do not break in
and steal.” (Matthew 6:19-20)
If you are in need this Christmas
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Struggling with debt? Contact Christians
Against Poverty on 0800 328 0006 (there’s a debt
counselling centre at St John’s church once you
are registered).
Lonely at Christmas? Christmas lunches are
served today at the Salvation Army (8659 7321)
and Holy Trinity Beckenham (8778 7258).
Family difficulties affecting children at
primary school? The interchurch charity
“Amazing Grace” may be able to help you.
Contact 07415 228 538
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Money too short to buy family food? There are
food banks at Christ Central Church, Holy Trinity
Beckenham and Christ Church Anerley, see local
information for times and conditions.
In need of good advice? The Citizens Advice
Bureau is weekly at Penge Baptist Church (Thur
1230-1430), Christ Church (Mon 1000-1300) and
Anerley Town Hall (Wed 1000-1200).
Suffering with addictions, mental health
problems, debt, homelessness or any other
need? Come to “Living Well” on Friday
lunchtime at Holy Trinity Beckenham for a good
meal, advice and assistance (8778 7258).
If you are not in need this Christmas
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Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a
luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends,
your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors;
if you do, they may invite you back and so you
will be repaid. But when you give a banquet,
invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind,
and you will be blessed. Although they cannot
repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection
of the righteous.” (Luke 14:12-14)
The generous will themselves be blessed, for they
share their food with the poor. (Proverbs 22:9)
“Invite the poor, the crippled…”
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Tell someone the good news about Jesus
today!
Tell someone needy what is available
Engage with local charities to bring “good
news to the poor”
Give to charities for the poor, local or
global
Do a good deed for someone in need in the
name of Jesus….
May you experience God’s love
this Christmas!