Immanuel: God With Us

Introduction

Long ago, there ruled in Persia a wise and good king. He loved his people. He wanted to know how they lived. He wanted to know about their hardships. Often he dressed in the clothes of a working man or a beggar, and went to the homes of the poor. No one whom he visited thought that he was their ruler.

One time he visited a very poor man who lived in a cellar. He ate the coarse food the poor man ate. He spoke cheerful, kind words to him. Then he left. Later he visited the poor man again and disclosed his identity by saying, "I am your king!" The king thought the man would surely ask for some gift or favor, but he didn't. Instead he said, "You left your palace and your glory to visit me in this dark, dreary place. You ate the course food I ate. You brought gladness to my heart! To others you have given your rich gifts. To me you have given yourself!"

God is willing to make most any accommodation to have fellowship with us. Even becoming human. Matthew 1:18, “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us." Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.” NKJV

As we approach the blessed day of Christmas let’s keep the celebration in the right place. Christmas is about God and man. It is about salvation. It is the second best day to promote the Gospel of Jesus Christ. No wonder the Devil is using so many to attack this day. Matthew records the situation of Joseph and the angel. Joseph was told by the angel that Jesus would be Immanuel.

The meaning of Christmas is found in one word -“Immanuel.” Immanuel means “God with us.” Matthew is connecting Matthew 1:23 with Isaiah 7:14. The focus of this verse is on the incarnation of Christ. He should come to be known in this character, as God manifested in the flesh. Immanuel is not a proper name as much as it is a promise of God's presence and help. In these three words, “God with us,” we find the total meaning of Christmas.

I. “God” Speaks Of Identification

A. Jesus Is God

Some religions and faiths have difficulty with the Deity of Jesus of Nazareth. They are concerned with verses like this one: John 14:28, "You heard me say, 'I am going away and I am coming back to you.'

If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.”

They think that Christ was created by God therefore He is not equal with God. Colossians 1:15, “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.”

Here are just a few proof texts.

John 10:30, “I and the Father are one."

John 14:11, “Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me;…”

Philippians 2:6-7, “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.”

Colossians 1:19, “For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him,…”

Isaiah 9:6, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

B. Jesus Is God In The Flesh

John 1:14, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

1 John 1:1-2, “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched-this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. 2 The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.”

C. Jesus Is God In The Flesh Providing Salvation

Revelation 13:8, “And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”

II. “With” Speaks Of Intention

A. God Came To Earth

John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in

him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

B. God Came To Earth To Seek And Save Sinners

Luke 19:10, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."

Lying at your feet is your dog. Imagine, for the moment, that your dog, and every dog, is in deep distress. Some of us love dogs very much. If it would help all the dogs in the world to become like men, would you be willing to become a dog? Would you put down your human nature, leave your loved ones, your job, hobbies, your art and literature and music, and choose instead of the intimate communion with your beloved, the poor substitute of looking into the beloved's face and wagging your tail, unable to smile or speak?

Christ by becoming man limited the thing which to Him was the most precious thing in the world; his unhampered, unhindered communion with the Father.” C.S. Lewis.

III. “Us” Speaks Of Involvement

A. Jesus Died

Philippians 2:8, “And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death- even death on a cross!”

B. Jesus Died On The Cross

John 19:30, “When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”

C. Jesus Died On The Cross For Us

2 Corinthians 5:21, “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

Conclusion

If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent us an educator.

If your greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist.

If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist.

If our greatest need had been pleasure, God would have sent us an entertainer.

But our greatest need was forgiveness, so God sent us a Savior.

Mary Had The Little Lamb.

Mary had the little Lamb, who lived before His birth;

Self-existent Son of God, from Heaven He came to Earth.

Micah 5:2

Mary had the little Lamb; see Him in yonder stall --

Virgin-born Son of God, to save man from the Fall.

Isaiah 7:14

Mary had the little Lamb, obedient Son of God;

Everywhere the Father led, His feet were sure to trod.

John 6:38

Mary had the little Lamb, crucified on the tree

The rejected Son of God, He died to set men free. 1 Peter 1:18

Mary had the little Lamb -- men placed Him in the grave,

Thinking they were done with Him; to death He was no slave!

Matthew 28:6

Mary had the little Lamb, ascended now is He;

All work on Earth is ended, our Advocate to be. Hebrews 4:14-16

Mary had the little Lame -- mystery to behold! From the Lamb of Calvary, a Lion will unfold.

Revelation 5: 5,6

When the Day Star comes again, of this be very sure:

It won't be Lamb-like silence, but with the Lion's roar.

Psalm 2:12

Revelation 19:11-16

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