107 Coldren Street, Johnstown, Pennsylvania 15904, United States

814-266-3964

814-266-3964

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Belmont Community
Church of Johnstown

Belmont Community Church of Johnstown Belmont Community Church of Johnstown Belmont Community Church of Johnstown

A Global Methodist Congregation

A Global Methodist CongregationA Global Methodist Congregation

Upcoming Sermons & Devotional Message

December Sermons 2025


12-28- We Have Seen His Star

          Matthew 2:1-6  Matthew 2:7-12


January Sermons 2026


1-4 - The Sacrifice

          Numbers 29: 1-2     1 Corinthians 10:13


1-11 - The Delusion

          Ezekiel 14: 6-9     2 Thessalonians 2:1-12


1-18 - The Hardening of the Heart 

          Ezekiel 11: 17-21     Matthew 13:15


1-25 - The Power of the Holy Spirit

           Isaiah 44: 1-3    Galatians 5: 16-17



Devotional Message : These will change 1-2 times a week. Stop by often to read the new message.

 

Jesus Came for Nobodies!


Luke’s account of the birth of Jesus introduces us to the most unusual first visitors. Luke writes:

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.” (Luke 2:8)

My heart is humbled and my soul is quieted by the fact that God—the God of all there is—the God who is surrounded by angels declaring His glory—the God to whom messengers attend and move with strength and speed at His will—the God of the Universe, that God, our God–CAME TO NOBODIES.

Let me explain. The Pharisees—the religious leaders of Jesus’ day—spoke of six unworthy professions. One of those unworthy professions was shepherd. The court did not allow a shepherd to give testimony. A shepherd could not enter the synagogue. A shepherd was unworthy to enter the Temple because the requirements of their job kept them ritually unclean. At least once in Israel's history, they assigned shepherding as a punishment for sin. People simply didn’t hang out with shepherds—but God did.

I think some of us can identify with shepherds. Do you ever feel like a nobody? Left out? Passed over? Unclean? When we read what happens next, however, this is great news for NOBODIES. Luke continues: 

“An angel of the Lord appeared to them (the shepherds), and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger’” (Luke 2:9-12). 

JESUS CAME FOR NOBODIES!

I enjoy reading letters children write to Santa Claus. One little guy wrote, "Dear Santa, you didn’t bring me anything good last year. You didn’t bring me anything good the year before that. This is your last chance. Signed, Alfred." But this remains my favorite: "Dear Santa, there are three little boys who live at our house. There is Jeffrey—he’s 2. There is David—he’s 4. And there is Norman—he’s 7. Jeffrey is good sometimes. David is good sometimes. But Norman is good all the time. I am Norman." But we’re not Normans—are we? No—we’re far from perfect. We're NOBODIES.

When God chose to reveal the greatest news anyone would ever hear, He did so to a bunch of NOBODIES. People considered shepherds the least and the last—social and spiritual outcasts—despised and distrusted—imperfect and unclean. God sending angels to shepherds with this word would be much like reading a news story tomorrow morning about a group of homeless folks and day laborers—you know, the kind most people pass by without making eye contact—NOBODIES who suddenly received a visit from an angel of the Lord, who said to them, "Look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy—today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David."

These shepherds didn’t grasp all they were hearing. You can't capture Niagara Falls in a teacup—or the ocean in a single sip from a straw. But they were the first to hear it. This was wonderful news, friends, because at the center of the Gospel is the truth that the knowledge of God isn’t just an intellectual experience—it changes our heart and life. It's not something that’s given only to the powerful, the educated, or the deserving. It’s given to NOBODIES. While it has quiet beginnings—a vulnerable baby wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a feeding trough—don’t miss the good news. The news declared that night would change the world—one heart, one soul, one person at a time. It’s changed me. Has it changed you? Don’t miss the good news!

Two thousand years ago, God delivered highly sensitive, vitally important news to a bunch of NOBODIES. He still does today. Be amazed He came for you. Be stunned God searched you out with the Gospel. Be thankful He didn’t give up on you as you were indulging in sin—resistant to His invitations—or too busy or too worldly to care about Him or His Son. God simply loved you enough to awaken you to the irresistible music of good news of great joy for all people—including you—and when you responded with simple faith, He changed your heart and saved your soul! Good news of great joy indeed!

HEY, NOBODIES (and I’m including myself here)—JESUS CAME FOR YOU! DON’T MISS THE GOOD NEWS!

Merry Christmas!


Bishop Jeff Greenway 




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