Immanuel
December 20, 2015 Morning Service
Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK
Rick Boyne
Message Point: Jesus is God with us.
Focus Passage: John 1:1-14
Introduction: You may have noticed that some people spell “Immanuel” with an “I”, like us, or with an “E” like others. If you use a KJV, you will notice that the Old Testament spells it with an “I” and the New Testament with an “E”. So, what’s the difference? The spelling with an “I” is the English translation of the Hebrew. The spelling with the “E” is the English translation of the Greek translation of the Hebrew translation. They both mean exactly the same. “God with us.” Whether with an “I” or an “E”, we can be assured that Jesus is “God with us!”
I. In the Beginning
a. Notice the similarity with Genesis 1:1
b. This was deliberate to take the reader back in time to the beginning
c. This helps the reader establish that Jesus is more than just a baby
II. The Word
a. The Word was with God; the Word IS God
b. Not only was the Word with the Father at the beginning, but without the Word nothing was created.
c. Gen1:27. "God created man in his own image": The oral traditions of Aramaic speaking rabbis translate the Jerusalem Targum of it is, "and the word of the Lord created man in his likeness. (John Gill)
III. Became Flesh
a. in verse 14, it so simply states that “The Word became flesh” This so eloquently sums up the entire Christmas story: “God with us”
b. The Creator was not recognized by those who He created
c. The Creator was not received by those who he Created
d. But to those who DO receive Him, He gives the right to be called “Children of God”
Application/Invitation: What about you? Have you received Him as Lord? Can you rightfully be called a “child of God?” Has the word been made to be incarnate in YOUR flesh?
