Christmas Message - His Name Is I/Emmanuel Series

CHRISTMAS MESSAGE - HIS NAME IS I/EMMANUEL

TWO EXAMPLES OF CHRIST’S APPEARANCES IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

In the first part of this message, there are scripture readings I have put into the text.

[A]. THE FOURTH MAN IN THE FURNACE

Daniel 3 – {{Daniel 3:19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with wrath and his facial expression was altered toward Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego. He answered by giving orders to heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated, Dan 3:20 and he commanded certain valiant warriors who were in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, in order to cast them into the furnace of blazing fire. Dan 3:21 Then these men were tied up in their trousers, their coats, their caps and their other clothes, and were cast into the midst of the furnace of blazing fire. Dan 3:22 For this reason, because the king’s command was urgent and the furnace had been made extremely hot, the flame of the fire slew those men who carried up Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego. Dan 3:23 But these three men, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, fell into the midst of the furnace of blazing fire still tied up. Dan 3:24 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astounded and stood up in haste. He responded and said to his high officials, “Was it not three men we cast bound into the midst of the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “Certainly, O king.” Dan 3:25 He answered and said, “Look! I see four men loosed and walking about in the midst of the fire without harm, and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods!”}}

This was a theophany, that is, an appearance of God. The three faithful men committed their cause to God because it was all out of their hands. God was with them in the heat of judgement and kept them safe. The Lord became their Deliverer. Jesus Christ is always with His people in hardship whether He is seen or not, and whether He delivers them or not. All that is required from us is faithfulness.

[B]. THE ONE MAN AT PENIEL

Genesis 32 – {{Genesis 32:24 “Then Jacob was left alone and a man wrestled with him until daybreak, Gen 32:25 and when he saw that he had not prevailed against him, he touched the socket of his thigh so the socket of Jacob’s thigh was dislocated while he wrestled with him. Gen 32:26 Then he said, “Let me go for the dawn is breaking,” but he said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me,” Gen 32:27 so he said to him, “What is your name?” and he said, “Jacob.” Gen 32:28 He said, “Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men and have prevailed.” Gen 32:29 Then Jacob asked him and said, “Please tell me your name,” but he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” and he blessed him there. Gen 32:30 Jacob named the place Peniel, for he said, “I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been preserved.”}}

Jacob was a bit of a wayward person, a scoundrel if you like, but that night the Lord appeared to him and his life was change forever after that. When God comes among us all is changed. It was God with him. When Jesus took on human flesh and came into the world, the world was not going to be the same again.

[C]. OUR MESSAGE FOR TODAY – HIS NAME IS EMMANUEL/IMMANUEL

(a). There are two Old Testament references to this Name, both found in the book of Isaiah. Ahaz was a wicked king of Judah. {{Isaiah 7:10 “Then the LORD spoke again to Ahaz saying, Isa 7:11 “Ask a sign for yourself from the LORD your God. Make it as deep as Sheol or as high as heaven.”}} Ahaz refused so the Lord Himself gave the sign – {{Isaiah 7:14 “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel. Isa 7:15 He will eat curds and honey at the time He knows enough to refuse evil and choose good.”}} This is the prophecy concerning the coming of Messiah who is called Immanuel meaning “God with us.”

(b). The second reference is a prophetic one again – {{Isaiah 8:8 “Then it will sweep on into Judah, it will overflow and pass through. It will reach even to the neck, and the spread of its wings will fill the breadth of your land, O Immanuel. Isa 8:9 Be broken, O peoples, and be shattered, and give ear, all remote places of the earth. Gird yourselves, yet be shattered. Gird yourselves, yet be shattered.”}} Although it was not recognised at that point Israel is Immanuel’s land