Title: God With Us
Theme:
Text: Matthew 1:18-23
Matthew 1:18-25 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. (19) Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. (20) 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. (21) And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." (22) So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: (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." (24) Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, (25) and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.
Reread verse 23, with me
(23) "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," [4] which is translated, "God with us."
Now let them words just resonate in your spirit. What do they mean? Can you feel the overwhelming power in those words. Close your eyes, let your mind attempt to imagine what they mean.
Introduction
During the last few weeks we have been talking about Unwrapping Christmas.
A Wrapped Present
1) Wrapping of a present is designed to hide what is on the inside. There is a mystery there. The person is not suppose to know what is in there.
It believe this is also true when it comes to Christmas. There is a lot of mystery that surrounds it. Which brings me to my second analogy.
2) The wrapping is not what is most important. No matter how beautiful the package is. It is not about the package.
This morning as we look into scripture I would like us to take a look at the third mystery to unwrap. It is found here in Matthew 1
The Name of Jesus
I want you to notice first the name. There are two names given that this child shall be called. First there is the name Jesus “you shall call His name Jesus”. Jesus is from the Greek translated into English. In the Hebrew it would be Yeshua which is Joshua in the Old Testament. It means salvation - “He will save His people from their sins”.
Common misconception is the fact that the name Jesus was a uncommon name. As I said above the name Jesus in Hebrew was Joshua which we know was common. Today this name is revered, and should be, but then it was common. What does this tell me? It tells me that Jesus came to the common man.
Isaiah 53:1-2 Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? (2) For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, And as a root out of dry ground. He has no form or comeliness; And when we see Him, There is no beauty that we should desire Him.
Jesus came to us and looked like us to be like us. If you were to pass Him on the street he would look just like you and me. He did nothing that would draw attention to himself.
This brings us to the second name. Immanuel.
(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."
A fulfillment of a prophecy in Isaiah 7:14.
Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.
H6005
- Original: עמּנוּאל - Transliteration: `Immanuw'el - Phonetic: im-maw-noo-ale'
- Definition: Immanuel = God with us or with us is God
1. symbolic and prophetic name of the messiah, the christ, prophesying that he would be born of a virgin and would be 'God with us'
- Strong's: From H5973 and H410 with suffix pronoun inserted;
with us (is) God;
Immanuel a name of Isaiah´s son: - Immanuel.
H6005 ִעָמּנוֵּאל ‛immānû’ēl: A proper noun designating Immanuel, the name of the child who would serve as a sign to King Ahaz in his day and, in the fuller meaning of the prophecy, as a sign to the Lord's people Israel in the future. The name means "God with us" (Isa_7:10-17). It was used as a cry to God Himself to be with Israel when the Assyrians threatened to destroy them (Isa_8:8). It is found in Isa_8:10 as well as in the Hebrew text (NIV, "God is with us"; KJV also).
First to Isaiah as a sign it meant God is with us – became us, is on our side.
Romans 8:31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Simple first. Then Godly.
Even deeper than God is on our side also is the fact that God became flesh.
Wow! What a statement. Does that statement touch you the way it touches me? I don’t think our minds can truly comprehend what the statement “God with us” means.
The almighty, all holy, all powerful, immencience, omnipotent God came down with us. When we look at the last two messages we learn the greatness of God. God who works miracles, who created the universe, who heals and touches and moves. This God who has perfect timing and a plan for us.
Advice
It is so easy to give advice without ever having to walk in someone’s shoes. God gave advice and also walked among us.
He walked among us, not only did he walk amoung us but he also became one of us. Born as we are born, lived as we lived, tempted as we are tempted.
Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
He became us so that he could be like us. He could feel as we feel. He could be tempted as we are tempted. He could overcome as we can overcome.
Oh what an amazing Revelation.
Isaiah understood it this way:
First speaking of the kind of birth Is 7:14
Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14 AV)
Jesus born of a virgin. His mode of birth is just as important as his birth. For if he was not a virgin he could not offer forgiveness of sins. For if he was not born of a virgin then God could not be called His father. Oh let us never make light of the virgin birth it is one of our cardinal doctrines.
Next speaking of the power Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6 AV)
John’s version
John who actually begins his Gospel before the birth of Christ wrote this about the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ:
Turn with me to John chapter 1
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, which all men through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
God became flesh. Jesus who has always been lowered himself to become man. As can see from the description in scripture Jesus continues to be what he became.
For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: (Romans 8:3 AV)
But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. (Galatians 4:4-5 AV)
Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: (Philippians 2:6-7 AV)
Jesus came yet he not only came just to come but he brought the “gift” of salvation.
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21 AV)
God with us . . .
Excerpt from Jerry Stepp’s message “God With Us” preached on 12/08
I. EMMANUEL, GOD WITH US……Through the Storms
I’m reminded of the story found in Acts 27, with Paul out at sea and his presence in the mist of the storm, and his confidence that God will see him and them through.
Although the storm was ragging, the winds were blowing at there highest, the waters were crashing against the ship, the goods were tossed overboard, and fear had set in that they wouldn’t make it.
Remember, the storm was strong, but the ship was fine and sailed on.
Paul never tells us that the ship was destroyed, or that there were holes blown in its side, or that they took on water, but that they sailed on through it all, there only loss along the way were things that weighed down the ship. Oh to God that we would lose those things that hold us down.
Acts 27:23-25 For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, 24 saying, 'Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.' 25 Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me.
Paul stood firm, know that God was with him. He said…
1) I know whose I am….Vv.23
2) I know whom I serve….Vv.23
3) I know we will make it….Vv. 23 & 24
4) I know who I believe in …Vv.25
>>>>>>Paul knew that god was with him, and that he is with us !
If you and I can get our minds around who it truly is that is with us, we could stand firm like Paul no matter what the storms of life may come, and firmly say God Is With Us.
II. EMMANUEL: GOD IS WITH US…..Though the Enemy Rages
Here I’m reminded of our brother Jehoshaphat in II Chronicles 20
In this case we find many enemies gathered, not just one against Gods people.
I’ll ask you some questions that relate to us today, for its clear (we) do not have nations gathered at our front door against us, but we do have a different enemy gathered..
The Nay Sayers
The Doubters
The Liars
The Backbiters
The Adversary, the Devil
The Evil among us…Vv.9
~Its important for us to know that EVERYTIME in the bible that someone fasted and
prayed, they received an answer from the Lord.
~It may not have been the answer they were looking for, but they did hear from the Lord.
~In this case Jehoshaphat and all Judah fasted before the Lord. Vv.3-4
~Look at his prayer in Vv.5-13 and how powerful it is.
2 Chronicles 20:6-13 and said: "O Lord God of our fathers, are You not God in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations, and in Your hand is there not power and might, so that no one is able to withstand You? (7) Are You not our God, who drove out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel, and gave it to the descendants of Abraham Your friend forever? (8) And they dwell in it, and have built You a sanctuary in it for Your name, saying, (9) 'If disaster comes upon us--sword, judgment, pestilence, or famine--we will stand before this temple and in Your presence (for Your name is in this temple), and cry out to You in our affliction, and You will hear and save.' (10) And now, here are the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir--whom You would not let Israel invade when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned from them and did not destroy them-- (11) here they are, rewarding us by coming to throw us out of Your possession which You have given us to inherit. (12) O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You." (13) Now all Judah, with their little ones, their wives, and their children, stood before the Lord.
~I love the sum verse 12.…
for we have no might against this great company that comes against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon you.
~Jehoshaphat is saying the he and we His people know that God is With Us.
Remember the importance of fasting?
Look at the answer from the Lord
II Chronicles 20:15.…
And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus says the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s.
II Chronicles 20:17.…
You shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.
Jehoshaphat and all of Judah knew that God was with Us.
III. EMMANUEL: GOD IS WITH US…. To take care of us no matter what we go through
Can I remind you of the text found in John 11 of Lazarus, Mary, and Martha.
This story of a dead man, a dead friend has moved the hearts of many a lost loved ones.
This story gives hope to those that mourn, that there loved ones will rise again. Why?
Because, Christ tells Martha and Mary that He is the Resurrection and the Life. Vv.25
>The comforting facts of this passage to us today is that we now know and have the
answer to death……JESUS !
Revelation 1:18 says…I am he that lives, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
John 11:25-26 says….Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?
>>Martha gives a great answer to the question, “Yea Lord, I Believe”
>>Not that she just believed that her brother would rise again, but that Jesus himself, is
the Christ, the Son of God, and the resurrection and the Life which Isaiah spoke of.
I Thessalonians 4:18 says….Wherefore comfort you one another with these words.
Conclusion
The final fulfillment of this will happens in
Rev. 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God [is] with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, [and be] their God. (Revelation 21:3 AV)
No matter if the enemy rages or the storms of life blow we are confident to know that God Is With Us.
This man named Jesus
Here is a man who was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman. He grew up in another village. He worked in a carpenter shop until he was thirty, and then for three years he was an itinerant preacher.
He never wrote a book. He never held an office. He never owned a home. He never had a family. He never went to college. He never put his feet inside a big city. He never traveled two hundred miles from the place where he was born. He never did one of the things that usually accompany greatness. He had no credentials but himself.
While still a young man, the tide of popular opinion turned against him. His friends ran away. One of them denied him. He was turned over to his enemies. He went through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed upon a cross between two thieves.
While still a young man, the tide of popular opinion turned against him. His friends ran away. One of them denied him. He was turned over to his enemies. He went through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed upon a cross between two thieves.
His executioners gambled for the only piece of property he had on earth while he was dying, and that was his coat. When he was dead he was taken down and laid in a borrowed grave through the pity of a friend.
Nineteen wide centuries have come and gone, and today he is the centerpiece of the human race and the leader of the column of progress.
I am far within the mark when I say that all the armies that ever marched, and all the navies that were ever built, and all the parliaments that ever sat, and all the kings that ever reigned, put together have not affected the life of man upon this earth as has that one solitary life.
