Introduction

Good morning, family of faith. It is a privilege to stand before you, to share in the joy of fellowship, and to unfold the wonders of God's Word together. Today, we gather under the banner of His love, His grace, and His mercy, bathed in the warmth of His promise - a promise that has been whispered through the ages, echoing through the chambers of time, and resounding in the hearts of His people. This promise is one of presence, proximity and personhood - a divine assurance that we are never alone, never forgotten, and never without hope.

In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, we may sometimes feel as if we are navigating through the wilderness, alone and unseen. But the truth, dear friends, the truth is far from it. We are not alone. We are accompanied, always and forever, by the One who has promised to be with us.

In the words of the great preacher Charles Spurgeon, "Remember this, had any other condition been better for you than the one in which you are, divine love would have put you there." This divine love, this divine presence, is the very essence of God's promise to us.

Let us look to the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 1, verse 23: "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us." This scripture passage, rich in its simplicity, profound in its meaning, reveals the heart of God's promise to us - Immanuel, God with us.

Today, we will consider this promise in three parts: the Presence Promised in Prophecy, the Proximity of the Divine, and the Promise Fulfilled in Person. Each part, like a facet of a diamond, reflects a different aspect of God's love for us, His commitment to us, and His presence with us.

Before we begin, let us bow our heads in prayer. Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your Word, Your promise, and Your presence. As we delve into Your Word today, open our hearts and minds to understand Your truth. Fill us with Your Spirit, guide us in Your wisdom, and draw us closer to You. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of all our hearts be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer. Amen.

Presence Promised in Prophecy

In the ancient scrolls of the Old Testament, we find the whispers of a promise. A promise that would echo through the ages, reverberating in the hearts of the faithful. This promise was not of riches or power, but of something far more profound - presence. The presence of God Himself.

In the book of Isaiah, the prophet speaks of a virgin who will conceive and bear a son. This son, he tells us, will be called Immanuel. Immanuel, a name that means 'God with us'. This prophecy, given hundreds of years before the birth of Christ, foretells the coming of God in human form.

The prophecy of Isaiah was not just a prediction, but a promise. A promise from God to His people. A promise that He would be with them, not just in spirit, but in physical form. This tells us that God is not distant or detached, but intimately involved in our lives.

But what does this promise mean for us today? How does the prophecy of Isaiah relate to our lives in the 21st century?

To understand this, we need to look at the prophecy in its historical context. In the time of Isaiah, the people of Israel were facing great turmoil. They were surrounded by enemies and threatened with destruction. In the midst of this chaos, God gave them a promise. A promise of His presence. He assured them that He would be with them, no matter what they faced.

This promise was not just for the people of Israel, but for all of humanity. It was a promise that God would be with us, in our struggles and our triumphs, our joys and our sorrows. This is as relevant today as it was thousands of years ago.

Application. In our own lives, we face many challenges. We may feel overwhelmed, alone, or afraid. But the promise of God's presence gives us hope. It assures us that we are not alone, that God is with us in our struggles.

The prophecy of Isaiah also tells us something about the nature of God. It reveals a God who is not distant or aloof, but intimately involved in our lives. A God who cares about our struggles and our joys, our fears and our hopes. This is a comforting thought. It tells us that we are not alone in our struggles. That there is a God who cares about us, who is with us in our darkest moments.

Transition. So, as we reflect on the prophecy of Isaiah, let us remember the promise of God's presence. Let us remember that we are not alone, that God is with us in our struggles. And let us remember the depth of His love, shown to us in the promise of His presence. The prophecy of Isaiah is a powerful reminder of God's promise to us. A promise of His presence, His love, and His care. A promise that is as relevant today as it was thousands of years ago. Let us hold onto this promise, and let it give us hope and comfort in our daily lives.

Proximity of the Divine

As we reflect on the promise of God's presence, we find ourselves drawn to the intimacy of His proximity ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO