THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME EMMANUEL
MATTHEW 1:18-25
THE SEASON OF ADVENT IS WITH US AGAIN, AND WHAT BLESSED CHANGES IT HAS BROUGHT INTO OUR LIVES BOTH GOOD AND CHALLENGING SINCE LAST YEAR. OUR CHURCH FAMILY HAS EXPANDED TO INCLUDE SOME VERY WONDERFUL PEOPLE, AND NEWLY WEDS. ON THE MORE SENSITIVE SIDE WE’VE BEEN SADDENED BY THE DEATHS OF SOME VERY SPECIAL PEOPLE, WHOM WE MISS DEARLY.
THAT I BELIEVE IS WHY THE CELEBRATION OF ADVENT IS SO SPECIAL. IT IS REALLY ABOUT THE CELEBRATION OF OUR HOPE IN JESUS CHRIST. GOD LOVED US SO MUCH THAT IN THE FULLNESS OF HIS TIMING, HIS SON CAME INTO THIS WORLD. HE CAME INTO THIS WORLD TO FULFILL THE PLAN OF SALVATION FOR THOSE WHO WILL PUT THEIR FAITH AND TRUST IN HIM.
ADVENT IS A TIME OF CELEBRATION IN THE CHURCH, AND IF WE LOOK AROUND OUR WORLD TODAY, WE CERTAINLY NEED A REASON TO CELEBRATE. IT IS A TIME TO CELEBRATE IN GOD’S HONOR.
WHEN WE CELEBRATE A BIRTHDAY, WE DO ALL KINDS OF THINGS FOR THE PERSON CELEBRATING THE BIRTHDAY. WE DECORATE THE HOUSE, ARRANGE SPECIAL PARTIES, HAVE GIFTS AND CAKE AND SPECIAL MEALS, AND THE THING THAT IS ON OUR MIND MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE, IS TO TRY TO PLEASE THE PERSON CELEBRATING THE BIRTHDAY.
WE SHOULD DO ANYTHING LESS FOR OUR LORD. I WANT TO THANK OUR DECORATING COMMITTEE OF THE CHURCH AND THOSE WHO HELPED THEM FOR THEIR WONDERFUL TRANSFORMATION OF OUR SANCTUARY. EVERYONE HAS BEEN SO GOOD IN PREPARING FOR OUR DINNER TONIGHT, AND I KNOW IT WILL BE A SPECIAL TIME.
THIS YEAR WE ARE GOING TO SING CAROLS, FEAST ON THE BLESSINGS OF GOD, HEAR THE WONDERFUL PASSAGES THAT DESCRIBE HIS BIRTH, AND HOPEFULLY COME TO A NEW AND DEEPER REALIZATION OF THE REASON WE CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS. MAY WE BE CHALLENGED IN THE MIDST OF OUR CELEBRATION TO CONSIDER THE GIFTS OF THE WISE MEN, AND ASK THE QUESTION, “WHAT GIFTS WILL WE BRING TO JESUS?”
YOU MAY HAVE NOTICED IN THE OFFERING PRAYER, THAT I SPOKE OF THE NAMES OF CHRIST. NAMES CAN MAKE US FEEL A NUMBER OF EMOTIONS AS THEY STAND FOR VARIOUS THINGS. WHEN WE THINK OF HEROD, WE MIGHT THINK OF HIS CRUELTY, BING CROSBY MAKES US THINK OF MUSIC, JUDAS STANDS FOR TREACHERY. EACH OF THES NAMES WHEN THEY ARE MENTIONED CAN MAKE US FEEL VERY DIFFERENT EMOTIONS.
WHAT EMOTIONS DOES THE NAME JESUS’ BRING UP IN YOU. THOSE WHO DON’T BELIEVE, IDENTIFY HIM AS JUST A PERSON NOTED IN HISTORY, BUT OF NO SIGNIFICANCE. THEY COMPLETELY IGNORE THE FACT, THAT, EVEN IF THIS WERE TRUE, WHICH IT ISN’T, THAT OUR WORLD WAS CHANGED FOREVER ON THE BASIS OF THE BIRTH OF THIS HISTORICAL FIGURE.
BUT THE NAME JESUS IS A CONTRACTION OF WORDS MEANING “JEHOVAH IS HELPER.” HIS NAME IS CHRIST WHICH MEANS “THE ANOINTED ONE.”, BUT ANOINTED TO DO WHAT? ISRAEL’S KINGS WERE ANOINTED BY THE PROPHETS TO BE KING, AND JESUS WAS ANOINTED TO BE OUR KING. HE IS OUR SAVIOR, REDEEMER, COMFORTER AND FRIEND.
HIS NAME MEANS MANY THINGS TO VARIOUS PEOPLE. HIS NAME IS TEACHER WHICH SUGGESTS TRUTH. HIS NAME IS FRIEND, AND THIS SUGGESTS HE IS A COMFORTER AND CLOSER THAN A BROTHER.
I WANT TO FOCUS ON A VERY SPECIAL NAME OF CHRIST TODAY, AND THAT NAME IS IMMANUEL. THIS WAS THE NAME GIVEN TO JESUS BY THE ANGEL AT THE TIME OF HIS APPEARING TO JOSEPH IN MATTHEW, AND PROPHECIED IN ISAIAH 7:14.
ISAIAH 7:14: “THEREFORE THE LORD HIMSELF WILL GIVE YOU A SIGN: THE VIRGIN WILL BE WITH CHILD AND WILL GIVE BIRTH TO A SON, AND WILL CALL HIM IMMANUEL.”
THE NAME “IMMANUEL”, MEANS “GOD WITH US.” WHAT A WONDERFUL PROMISE THIS IS. THIS IS A PROMISE THAT APPLIES TO OUR LIVES TODAY, AND I WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU SOME WAYS THAT JESUS IS WITH US TODAY.
POINT ONE: GOD WITH US – IS THE WAY GOD SAVES SINNERS:
THE BIBLE IS VERY CLEAR ABOUT OUR SINFUL STATE. WE ARE TOLD THAT ALL HAVE SINNED AND FALLEN SHORT OF THE GLORY OF GOD. PAUL ALSO TEACHES THAT THE WAGES OF BEING IN THIS SINFUL STATE IS DEATH. IT WAS BECAUSE OF SIN THAT PHYSICAL DEATH ENTERED INTO THE WORLD, AND IT IS BECAUSE OF OUR SINFUL NATURE, THAT, IF IT IS NOT TRANSFORMED, WILL CAUSE US TO SPEND AN ETERNITY APART FROM GOD IN A PLACE CALLED HELL.
BECAUSE THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH, SOMEONE HAS TO DIE BECAUSE OF OUR SINFUL NATURE. THIS DEATH IS NOT ONLY PHYSICAL, BUT SPIRITUAL AS WELL. WHILE SPIRITUALLY WE DO NOT DIE, TO SPEND AN ETERNITY SEPARATED FROM CHRIST IS WHAT WE SOMETIMES CALL “THE SECOND DEATH.” THIS IS THE BURDEN THAT EACH OF US BEAR. THIS IS ALSO THE REASON FOR THE PLAN OF SALVATION.
A WORLD WITHOUT CHRIST IS A WORLD WITHOUT DIRECTION. IT IS A WORLD THAT IS CONSTANTLY TRYING TO FIND HAPPINESS AND PEACE. IT IS AN UNHAPPY LIFE OF STRAYING FEET AND CONDEMNING GUILTY CONSCIENCES. IT IS MADE UP OF SOULS THAT ARE CRYING OUT IN DESPAIR, SOME NOT KNOWING THAT THEY SHOULD CRY TO GOD, BUT ALL FEELING CONDEMNED, LOST AND WRETCHED.
WITHOUT SPIRITUAL EYES IT IS A WORLD THAT SEEKS TO LIVE, UNTIL THERE IS A PHONE CALL THAT TELLS THEM SOMEONE NO LONGER LIVES, AND IN THE BACK OF THEIR MINDS THEY WONDER, WHEN IS SOMEONE GOING TO MAKE THAT CALL ABOUT THEM, AND FOR THEM LIFE WITLL BE OVER.
THE FIRST ADVENT, WHAT WE CELEBRATE NOW WAS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF THE PLAN TO TRANSFOR THAT LIFE. WHEN JESUS CAME TO EARTH HE CAME WITH A MISSION, AND THAT MISSION WAS TO BE THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD. WHEN HE CAME TO BETHLEHEM, HE WAS POINTING TO CALVARY. HE CAME TO POINT THEM TO A NEW LIFE, A NEW HOPE, AND A CERTAIN ETENITY.
THE PRESENCE OF JESUS IN THE WORLD SERVES AS A STANDARD TO SHOW PEOPLE THAT WE ARE DIFFERENT THAN HE IS. WE ARE SINNERS. IF WE TRY TO MEASURE OUR LIVES ACCORDING TO HIS, EVEN IF WE EXCLUDE HIS SUPERNATURAL GOD-GIVEN POWER, WE WILL SEE THAT IT IS WOEFULLY SHORT. HIS GOODNESS POINTS OUT OUR BADNESS.
HIS GOODNESS ALSO POINTS OUT A LIFE THAT WE SHOULD DESIRE TO FOLLOW. IT IS ONE OF THE BLESSINGS OF SALVATION. JESUS SAID:
JOHN 10:10: “THE THIEF COMES ONLY TO STEAL AND KILL AND DESTROY; I HAVE COME THAT THEY MAY HAVE LIFE, AND HAVE IT TO THE FULL.”
IT IS THROUGH SALVATION THAT WE FIND A NEW FOCUS ON LIFE. WE SHALL SEE THAT THERE IS A DESIRE TO PLEASE GOD, TO FELLOWSHIP WITH HIM. THERE WILL BE A CHANGE IN OUR LIFESTYLE AS THE THINGS THAT WE REALIZE ARE DISPLEASING TO HIM WILL BE TAKEN OUT, AND REPLACED BY NEW WHOLESOME ATTITUDES.
SALVATION IS A GIFT THAT CAN ONLY BE ACCEPTED BY US. IT IS NEVER OFFERED BY US. WE CANNOT CHANGE OUR LIVES IN AND OF OURSELVES. SALVATION IS THE FREE GIFT OF GOD.
EPHESIANS 2:8-9:
“8 FOR IT IS BY GRACE YOU HAVE BEEN SAVED, THROUGH FAITH— AND THIS NOT FROM YOURSELVES, IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD— 9 NOT BY WORKS, SO THAT NO ONE CAN BOAST.”
JESUS CAME INTO THIS WORLD AT THE TIME OF THE FIRST INCARNATION, OR WHAT WE CALL THE FIRST ADVENT, LIVED A SINLESS LIFE, AND WENT TO THE CROSS OF CALVARY AS THE ONLY ACCEPTABLE SACRIFICE TO SATISFY THE ANGER OF GOD OVER SIN AND CREATE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO BE SAVED, SHOULD WE TRUST HIM AS SAVIOR AND LORD.
POINT TWO: THE NAME IMMANUEL - GOD WITH US – ENABLES GOD TO COMFORT THE SORROWING:
LUKE 4:18: “"THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS ON ME, BECAUSE HE HAS ANOINTED ME TO PREACH GOOD NEWS TO THE POOR. HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM FREEDOM FOR THE PRISONERS AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT FOR THE BLIND, TO RELEASE THE OPPRESSED,”
THERE ARE TIMES IN OUR LIVES WHERE WHAT WE SAY IS NOT AS IMPORTANT AS JUST BEING THERE TO SAY THEM. IN MINISTERIAL CIRCLES WE CALL IT THE MINISTRY OF PRESENCE. MOST TIMES IT IS NOT EVEN RECOGNIZED AS MINISTRY, WE JUST FEEL THE DEEP NEED TO BE THERE AS SOMETHING WE SHOULD DO.
SORROW IS A GROUND LEVELLER AS EVERYONE HAS TO DEAL WITH IT AT ONE TIME OR ANOTHER. SOMETIMES THERE ARE SEVERAL OCCASIONS IN A SHORT TIME WHERE SORROW REARS IT’S UGLY HEAD.
SORROW IS A NORMAL COPEING MECHANISM WITH SITUATIONS. IT ALLOWS US TO GRIP OUR SADNESS AND GRIEF AND TO EXPRESS THEM IN WAYS THAT ARE UNDERSTANDABLE. WE DON’T LIKE SORROW AND TRY TO AVOID IT IF POSSIBLE, BUT IT IS OFTEN A NECESSARY FUNCTION IN LEADING A HEALTHY LIFE.
PEOPLE WITHOUT CHRIST IN THEIR LIVES DO NOT HAVE A SUCCESSFUL WAY OF DEALING WITH THEIR SORROW. THERE IS A RELEASE IN KNOWING WHAT THE SCRIPTURE SAYS ABOUT THE RIGHT TO GRIEVE AS A CHRISTIAN, THE CERTAIN HOPE THAT WE HAVE CONCERNING ETERNITY PROVIDES GREIVING PEOPLE WITH GREAT COMFORT. SALVATION BRINGS A CLOSURE TO THE CHRISTIAN THAT THE WORLD CANNOT KNOW, AND THAT IS THE KNOWLEDGE THAT IN THE END, EVERYTHING IS GOING TO WORK OUT AS IT IS IN GOD’S HANDS.
THE FACT THAT JESUS WAS SORROWFUL AT TIMES IS ALSO COMFORTING. IF THE SON OF GOD CAN BE SORROWFUL FOR THE CITY OF JERUSALEM WHY CAN’T WE BE SORROWFUL BY THE BEDSIDE OF A SICK LOVED ONE, OR FOR SOMEONE WHO HAS LOST THEIR JOB, OR THE BREAKUP OF A FAMILY. ALWAYS REMEMBER THE WORDS OF CHRIST:
MATTHEW 11:28-30“28 "COME TO ME, ALL YOU WHO ARE WEARY AND BURDENED, AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST. 29 TAKE MY YOKE UPON YOU AND LEARN FROM ME, FOR I AM GENTLE AND HUMBLE IN HEART, AND YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. 30 FOR MY YOKE IS EASY AND MY BURDEN IS LIGHT."”
THERE IS A PEACE THAT THE PRESENCE OF GOD IN OUR LIVES BRINGS THAT THIS WORLD CANNOT UNDERSTAND. MY EXPERIENCE OF THIS PEACE HAS BEEN THE OPPORTUNITY DURING DIFFICULT TIMES OF JUST FINDING A QUIET TIME, EVEN IN THE MIDST OF A GROUP OF PEOPLE, WHERE I COULD JUST ZONE EVERYTHING ELSE OUT, EXCEPT A WONDERFUL FEELING OF THE PRESENCE OF GOD. IT WAS A VERY WARM FEELING, LIKE BEING SURROUNDED BY A BLANKET THAT HAD JUST COME OUT OF THE DRYER ON A COLD DAY. JUST A FEW MINUTES OF THAT PEACE WOULD HELP ME THROUGH THE DAY. THAT IS THE COMFORT THAT CHRIST CAN BRING INTO OUR LIVES.
POINT THREE: THE NAME IMMANUEL – GOD WITH US – SERVES AS A CONSTANT INSPIRATION FOR GOD’S CHILDREN:
THE PRESENCE OF GOD IN OUR LIVES IS A CONSTANT SOURCE OF ENCOURAGEMENT AND INSPIRATION.
SOMETIMES THE ROAD OF LIFE SEEMS FULL OF UNAPPRECIATIVE PEOPLE. IT IS DIFFICULT TO DEAL WITH PEOPLE WHO ALWAYS CRITICIZE, EVEN WHEN THEY MAY BE IN THE RIGHT.
IT IS NOT IMPOSSIBLE TO OVERLOOK WHAT WE COULD RIGHTFULLY DO AND INSTEAD GRACEFULLY SHOW THE PEACE OF GOD.
WHEN I CONSIDER THE WONDERFUL PROMISES THAT GOD HAS MADE TO US, IT MAKES IT A LOT EASIER TO HAVE A PEACEFUL COUNTENANCE IN A WORLD THAT IS SO BUSY AND SLEFISHLY ORIENTATED.
JESUS WAS ABLE TO CALM THE SAVAGE BEAST BY A FEW CHOICE PEACEFUL WORDS. WE CAN CALM OUR HEARTS IN THE SAME WAY. WE CAN MAKE THE LIVES OF PEOPLE WE DEAL WITH A LITTLE BETTER WHEN WE PRACTICE THIS AS WELL.
POINT FOUR: IMMANUEL – GOD WITH US- GOD IS PRESENT AT THE TIME OF DEATH:
DEATH IS COLD, DREADED, AND UNIVERSAL AND FEARED BY THOSE WHO DO NOT KNOW GOD. GOD IS THE ONLY LIGHT WHO CAN HELP US GET THROUGH SUCH TIMES.
REV. 21:2-4:
“2 I SAW THE HOLY CITY, THE NEW JERUSALEM, COMING DOWN OUT OF HEAVEN FROM GOD, PREPARED AS A BRIDE BEAUTIFULLY DRESSED FOR HER HUSBAND. 3 AND I HEARD A LOUD VOICE FROM THE THRONE SAYING, "NOW THE DWELLING OF GOD IS WITH MEN, AND HE WILL LIVE WITH THEM. THEY WILL BE HIS PEOPLE, AND GOD HIMSELF WILL BE WITH THEM AND BE THEIR GOD. 4 HE WILL WIPE EVERY TEAR FROM THEIR EYES. THERE WILL BE NO MORE DEATH OR MOURNING OR CRYING OR PAIN, FOR THE OLD ORDER OF THINGS HAS PASSED AWAY."”
THIS IS THE HOPE IS WHICH WE FACED JACK’S FUNERAL YESTERDAY, AND IT IS THE HOPE THAT WE AS A CHRISTIAN CAN FACE TOMORROW.
JESUS HAS CONQUERED DEATH AND SO SHALL WE HIS PEOPLE. PSALM 23 REFERS TO THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH AND I REMEMBER A MINISTER EXPLAINGING THIS TO HIS CHILDREN.
PSALM 23:4: “YEA THOUGH I WALK THROUGH THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH.”
DR. DONALD GRAY BARNHOUSE LOST HIS WIFE TO CANCER WHEN SHE WAS IN HER 30S, AND THEY HAD THREE CHILDREN, YOUNG CHILDREN AS YOU MIGHT IMAGINE, AND IT WAS A TRAGEDY FOR THAT FAMILY, AND DR. BARNHOUSE THOUGHT, “YOU KNOW, I SHOULD CONDUCT THIS FUNERAL BECAUSE I'M A PASTOR.” AND SO ON THE WAY TO THE FUNERAL, AS THEY WERE DRIVING TO GET TO THE FUNERAL HOME OR THE CHURCH, HE THOUGHT, “WHAT SHOULD I SAY?” AND AS THEY PULLED UP TO A STOPLIGHT, IT WAS A BRIGHT, SUNSHINY DAY, BESIDE THEM PULLED A LARGE 18 WHEELER, RIGHT BESIDE THEIR CAR, AND THEY WERE SUDDENLY IN THE SHADE, AND HE LOOKED UP AT THAT BIG TRUCK AND HIS THREE GIRLS WERE SITTING IN THE BACK SEAT QUIETLY THINKING. AND HE SAID TO HIS GIRLS, “TELL ME SOMETHING. WOULD YOU RATHER BE RUN OVER BY THAT TRUCK OR BY ITS SHADOW?” AND THE OLDEST GIRL SAID, “WELL BY THE SHADOW, I GUESS. THE SHADOW CAN'T HURT YOU DAD,” AND THE WISE MINISTER QUIETLY SAID TO HIS THREE CHILDREN, “YOUR MOTHER HAS NOT BEEN OVERRUN BY THE TRUCK OF DEATH, BUT BY THE SHADOW OF DEATH, AND BECAUSE OF JESUS, DEATH CAN'T HURT HER VERY LONG.” SHADOWS DON'T HURT. WE DON'T FEAR THE SHADOW. JESUS MAKES DEATH INTO A SHADOW.
THAT IS THE POWER OF THE CHRISTIAN TODAY.
CONCLUSION:
YOU CAN ANTICIPATE THE CELEBRATION OF CHRISTMAS IN MANY DIFFERENT WAYS, BUT THE FIRST AND MOST IMPORTANT IS TO EXPERIENCE IT IN THE POWER AND PRESENCE OF THE LORD JESUS IN YOUR LIFE. I INVITE YOU TO DO THIS TODAY AND TO KNOW THE MEANING OF – IMMANUEL – GOD WITH US.
