Practicing God’s Presence – Isaiah 7:14 & Matthew 1:22-23
Second in four-part series, "What Christ Came to Give"
Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign: Behold, the young woman who is unmarried and a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel [God with us]. Isaiah 7:14 (Amp)
All this took place that it might be fulfilled which the Lord had spoken through the prophet, Behold, the virgin shall become pregnant and give birth to a Son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel--which, when translated, means, God with us. Matthew 1:22-23 (Amp)
We’re in the Christmas series, "What Christ Came to Give." We’re looking at ancient prophecies about Jesus and His birth and how they still have something valuable to say to us centuries later. It’s wonderful how amazingly accurate the prophets of God were at predicting the specifics of Christ’s birth. We humans, on the other hand, are not so good at predicting the future.
Here are some predictions made by trusted individuals that didn’t pan out.
Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM in 1943, said, "I think there is a world market for maybe five computers."
Popular Mechanics magazine in 1949 made this prediction: "Computers in the future will weigh only 1.5 tons." (How’d you like to lug one of those into your home or office?)
The Decca Recording Company made a big mistake when they made this prediction in 1962. "We don’t like their sound, and guitar music is on the way out." The band with whom they passed up signing a contract with was The Beatles.
Contrast those poor forecasts of man with the success of the prophets of God. God’s prophets foretold the precise town of Christ’s birth - that His mother would be a virgin - that He would come from the tribe of Judah and family of David – and more. They not only revealed specific details of His birth, but also of His life, death and resurrection.
Because of their pinpoint accuracy on Christ’s birth, we can trust everything else the prophets said about Jesus. When they tell us what Christ came to give, we can rest assured that these things are ours if we receive them. And that’s the key: opening the gifts. Even the best gifts must be received. So in this series we’re unwrapping the presents God gave us in His Son.
Last week we appraised the gift of HOPE. One of the things Christ came to give us is HOPE. Against the backdrop of the seemingly hopeless situation in ancient Judah, God promised HOPE in a child. Not only was this hope for ancient Judah but it was for all of us. Remember we read what the Bible says in Isaiah 9:6. "For TO US a child is born, TO US a Son is GIVEN…" In these current series we’re talking about what we were GIVEN when God sent His Son.
Today we’re going to look at the wonderful gift of GOD’S PRESENCE that can be ours because of the birth of Christ.
This is the second thing that Christ came to give us that we want to investigate further. Christ was born as a baby in Bethlehem so that we could have God WITH US in a very unique and personal way.
First let’s clarify what we’re considering. The Bible clearly teaches that God is present everywhere. So what’s the significance of Isaiah’s prophecy, reiterated in Matthew’s Good News Account, that, upon Emmanuel’s arrival, God would be WITH US? Wasn’t God already with us since He is present everywhere?
To answer that question let me remind you that the Bible says that there are two ways of living: there’s life with God, and life without Him. Jesus came to make it possible for us to live with God’s friendship, with His companionship, with His personal guidance, watch-care, and love, evident in every moment of every day.
You see God is everywhere present but many people don’t invite Him into their lives as their intimate friend.
Perhaps I can explain it by telling you about a book by British photographer Martin Parr called "Bored Couples."
[PHOTOS FROM BOOK ON SCREEN]
It contains photos of couples sitting "together" but they don’t look like they are enjoying being together. They look bored. At least at the moment the picture was snapped they weren’t really "with" one another.
Its one thing for God to be everywhere present. It’s another thing for Him to be a vital part of your life. Jesus came so God could be with you in a personal way. Not just sitting at the table but interacting with you. Not leaving you with a bored life but giving you a full life.
Having God "with us" fulfills what Jesus meant when He said, "I have come in order that you might have life—life in all its fullness." John 10:10 (GNT)
However, there are two problems to having this life in all its fullness that Jesus was talking about.
ONE: some haven’t yet made a personal faith commitment to Jesus. You’ve got to receive the gift of God’s love given in His Son in order to have life in all of its fullness.
TWO: among those that have trusted Christ, many are not appropriating, they’re not taking advantage of the fullness of life that is their birthright in Christ.
So the vital question becomes, "How can I live every moment of every day enjoying the wonderful experience of God being present with me in everything I do and everywhere I go? How do I make Him a vital part of my conversations, my activities, my daily routine, my challenges, as well as my successes? How does understanding and applying God’s presence help me overcome temptation: the temptation to worry, or lose my temper, to gossip, or lust, or the temptation to be lukewarm about spiritual things, to become indifferent toward the needs of others, to be unkind, uncaring and unpleasant to be around? How does practicing God’s presence help me deal with being egocentric, insecure, touchy, domineering, stubborn or unforgiving?"
"What does God being ’with me’ do for my confidence level, my ability to cope, my determination to keep on when life gets tough? What does it mean when dealing with stress at work, at home, or at play? Can knowing that God is “with me” and practicing that truth make a difference in my level of joy and success at bringing God glory with my life?"
WHAT IT MEANS FOR GOD TO BE "WITH US"
Practicing the presence of God impacts all of those areas and even more.
What does it mean when God is "with us?"
I want to talk to you first about what it means and then I want to give you some practical biblical insights on how it’s done, how you and I can practice God’s presence every moment of every day.
First, why does it matter? Why is it so important that one of the prophecies about Christ’s birth and one of His names indicate that God would be "with us?" Why did God underscore this aspect of Christ’s birth? There are a lot of good reasons. We’ll mention only three for now.
1. GOD "WITH US" MEANS HE IS INTRICATELY AND INTIMATELY INTERESTED IN EVERY DETAIL OF MY LIFE.
We sometimes think God only cares about the BIG things. And He can certainly handle the BIG things in our lives. But He also cares about the little things.
Jesus said, The very hairs on your head are all numbered. Matthew 10:30 (NLT)
I’d call that attention to detail! I’d say from that, God is intricately and intimately interested in every detail of my life! He knows how many hairs fell off your head on to your pillow last night. He knows how many came out when you combed your hair this morning. He knows about the worry you have over a report from the doctor. He knows about that bill that needs to be paid. He knows about the trouble you’re having with a boss or co-worker.
He’s aware that you’re afraid you might never find that special someone in life. He sees you when you wake up in the middle of the night unsure of what tomorrow may bring. He knows how much you care about making sure your child has everything he or she needs to grow into a happy, healthy adult. God knows all of the details of your life. If it concerns you – it concerns Him! Look to your neighbor and say, "If it concerns me, it concerns Him!"
Don’t believe that God doesn’t care or that He isn’t there when the little things happen. The Bible clearly teaches that He is.
We all know what it’s like to feel like no one else cares about the little details of our life. Either everyone around us is so busy or they’re so self-absorbed or perhaps they’re hands are so heavy laden with their own problems that we think we must go it all alone. Not true. Jesus came so God could be "with us!" When your arthritis flares up He cares. When you didn’t get the recognition at work you thought you deserved He cared. When you stubbed your toe on the concrete step bringing in the Sunday paper this morning He cared about it.
I’m not trying to be flippant. If Satan and his minions convince you that God isn’t concerned about every detail of your life then they have you right where they want you in order to defeat you. If you lose a sense of the presence of God in the details of your life you are ripe for spiritual depression. And God doesn’t want you sorrowful. He wants you joyful!
Knowing that God is "with us" is also important because…
2. GOD’S PRESENCE MEANS I NEED NEVER BE LONELY.
I love the way The Amplified Bible translates the familiar Hebrews 13:5b - "…for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]"
I don’t know how God could possibly make it any clearer to us! You may feel like He isn’t there but don’t trust your feelings – trust in God’s promise!
Loneliness is a big problem in our culture today. And it’s a very powerful emotion. It can lead to depression, illness and even suicide. It doesn’t just hit older people.
Young people are among some of the loneliest people around. Perhaps that is because our culture often devalues the worth of family and community and a lot of younger people have been fooled into believing that the individual doesn’t need to worry about anyone but his or her self. Ironically, that kind of self-indulgence and egocentricity leads to isolation – not fulfillment.
Loneliness can attack anyone: the single and the married, the rich and the poor; the powerful as well as the helpless. Loneliness is no respecter of persons.
But whatever the age or the cause, loneliness, even if you don’t always have another human being around you, is not necessary. If you’ve made a personal faith commitment to Jesus Christ you needn’t feel alone. He’s with you and He’s not about to leave you without His support!
Another reason it is important to realize that God is "with us" is this:
3. GOD’S PRESENCE ENCOURAGES ME TO MASTER MY SINFUL CRAVINGS.
"So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves." Galatians 5:16 (NLT)
This verse mentions the guidance ministry of the Holy Spirit. He is literally, "God with us." But the point I want you to see from this verse is, if I’m consciously aware that God is "with me," I’m not going to be doing what my sinful nature craves.
I’m not going to listen to gossip, or say something mean or ugly in an argument with my spouse.
Practicing God’s presence is going to keep me pure in so many different ways. Picture Jesus sitting in the back seat as you drive to work in the morning. Would He approve of what you called those other drivers? Well, whether you recognized it or not, He was there.
If I’m aware of God’s presence at every moment of my life I’m going to be willing to serve others. I’m not going to act like I’m the most important person in the room. Since God is "with me" - He is the most important person in the room!
During the American Revolution a man in civilian clothes rode past a group of soldiers repairing a small defensive barrier. Their leader was shouting instructions, but making no attempt to help them. Asked why by the rider, he responded with great dignity, "Sir, I am a corporal!"
The stranger apologized, dismounted, and proceeded to help the exhausted soldiers. The job done, he turned to the corporal and said, "Corporal, next time you have a job like this and not enough men to do it, go to your commander-in-chief, and I will come and help you again." With that, George Washington got back on his horse and rode off.
Besides learning something about servanthood, I think that corporal would have behaved differently if he had known that was George Washington in the first place.
We could cover other biblical reasons why practicing the presence of God matters, how it gives us more peace and joy, how it brings about more success in life, etc., but let me stop on that segment of the sermon and get to how its done. How can I practice God’s presence? It’s important that I do so for these reasons we’ve covered and for other reasons too, but how do I do it?
The Bible says I need to do several things. Since Jesus came for God to be "with me" – how do I make this real in my life?
And I’m going to tell you from the Word of God and from personal experience, sometimes God just makes His presence known without anything we do. Sometimes it’s a still small voice where He whispers to you that everything is going to be okay. Sometimes He sends a person to encourage you or a circumstance that you know has His initials on it. But if you’re interested in heightening your awareness and your ability to enjoy the presence of God then listen closely.
And one more very important rejoinder: Practicing God’s presence is not a one-time event. It’s a daily discipline. If I want to increase my awareness that God is "with me" then I need to emphasize these things every day.
INCREASING MY AWARENESS THAT GOD IS "WITH ME"
1. PRACTICE ENJOYING THE PRESENCE OF GOD THROUGH SACRIFICIAL WORSHIP.
I ought not have to use the word "sacrificial" with the word "worship." It ought to be implied. It scares some of us but all true worship involves sacrifice. We can’t afford to overlook this vital concept.
Since this is a Christmas series let me illustrate this from the Christmas story.
The journey of the wise men is a great lesson on true worship and also on practicing the presence of God.
"Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him." Matthew 2:2 (NLT)
These "seekers" didn’t just want to see the star. They wanted to see the Son! Do you want to hear information about God or do you want to experience God for yourself? That’s the difference between bored religion and true spirituality. It’s the difference between information and experience. If you want on the job training on the presence of God in your life you’re going to have to step up to the plate an put your sacrificial worship in play.
The astronomers from the east wanted to enter into the very presence of the Messiah. They teach us a great truth about coming into the presence of God with their worship. True worship involves personal sacrifice. They sacrificed the discomfort of a long and dangerous journey. They sacrificed their treasures to honor the baby Jesus since He was the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. They were laying their very lives on the line to see Jesus because of the jealousy of King Herod.
The gifts they brought to worship Jesus were not leftovers. Gold, frankincense and myrrh were very expensive commodities. They got to see Jesus and be in His presence because they were willing to make a personal sacrifice.
I’m not talking about salvation. Salvation is free. But true worship costs something. And truly saved people want to give true worship to God. Genuine spirituality makes you willing to make sacrifices to worship God.
That’s what the Bible means when it says, "And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way (not, one of the ways, "the way") to worship him." Romans 12:1 (NLT)
You say, "Brian, what sacrifice do I have to make to experience more of the presence of God in my life?" Well the Bible says I have to give myself up as a sacrifice. If I’ve truly given my self up as a "living and holy sacrifice" everything else comes with it: my possessions, my time, my abilities, my job, etc.
We have to remember that what we give up is not nearly as valuable as what we receive in return – we’re talking about the presence of God in our lives!
Secondly, if I want a greater experience of God’s presence in my life, after I’ve made that sacrifice of myself in worship, just as the wise men did, I must do what the shepherds did that visited Jesus in the barn in which he was born.
2. PRACTICE ENJOYING THE PRESENCE OF GOD BY SEEING HIS HANDIWORK IN THE LITTLE THINGS.
The Christmas angel visited humble shepherds on the hillside outside the obscure village of Bethlehem with the announcement that the Son of God had been born. The angel didn’t go to Caesar in Rome, or Herod in Jerusalem. The glory of Christ’s birth was not announced to the rich and famous. You don’t have to be somebody special in the world’s eyes to see God.
Listen to what the Christmas angel said to the shepherds.
"The Savior — yes, the Messiah, the Lord — has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger." Luke 2:11-12 (NLT)
How would they recognize God?
His cradle will be a place where animals are fed. His family will be keeping Him warm in a barn, a stable.
This is just not the way man would have done it. If put in charge of Christ’s birthing arrangements we would have reserved plush accommodations in a major city. We would have called a press conference and invited dignitaries from around the globe. There would have been cards and flowers and a band. Hors d’ Oeuvres would have been served to onlookers and there would have been a banquet for the politicians and patricians.
Why? Because we have messed up ideas about what really matters. We think that God is only present when BIG things happen.
God is present in the small things!
If you’re not happy with your life because you believe God hasn’t visited you with His presence think again. If you feel insignificant because you haven’t had a big party thrown in your honor don’t conclude you aren’t important to God.
When God’s own Son came into the world He intentionally allowed it to be in simple, humble surroundings. Now there might be several reasons why God did it this way but what I don’t want you to miss right now is that you can see God’s handiwork in the little things in your life.
Perhaps you don’t work in a glamorous occupation or make a whole lot of money. Maybe your home isn’t a palace. You may not drive the car you’d like to be driving. But that doesn’t mean God isn’t present in your life.
What would the little guy have thought if Jesus had been born in a fancy cathedral? "Well I guess this means God will never be involved in my life. This is just going to be for the VIP’s."
Jesus came so that every man and woman, every girl and every boy could enjoy God’s presence!
Do you want to enjoy the presence of God? Then don’t be misled into believing He’s not with you just because your life story hasn’t been published.
You will have a greater sense of God’s presence in your life when you practice seeing His handiwork in the little things.
Let me give you one more practical biblical suggestion before we part today.
3. PRACTICE ENJOYING THE PRESENCE OF GOD BY BEING FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT.
If the first Christmas teaches us anything it teaches us the importance of the person and power of the Holy Spirit in bringing about the presence of God in our lives!
"This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. His mother Mary was engaged to marry Joseph, but before they married, she learned she was pregnant by the power of the Holy Spirit." Matthew 1:18 (NCV)
Before man knew anything about in vitro fertilization, God the Holy Spirit implanted the seed into the womb of the Mary, the mother of Jesus. But Jesus wasn’t a test tube baby. God didn’t need a laboratory.
He created the first Adam without a man or woman. He could certainly bring the Second Adam into the world without a man’s help.
Which member of the Trinity accomplished this miracle? The Holy Spirit. We could talk all day about the wonderful ministry of the Spirit of God in our lives. But all we need to emphasize right now is that He is the One who lives inside the Christ follower.
Before Jesus went back to heaven He told His followers:
"I will ask the Father to send you the Holy Spirit who will help you and always be with you. The Spirit will show you what is true. The people of this world cannot accept the Spirit, because they don’t see or know him. But you know the Spirit, who is with you and will keep on living in you." John 14:17 (CEV)
Circle, "living in you." When can I have God in me? Do I have to earn a theological degree? Must I give a certain amount to charity?
The Bible says, "…when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit." Ephesians 1:13 (NLT)
Have you believed in Christ? If you have, then you have the Holy Spirit. If you have not, then you don’t have the Holy Spirit.
"No one belongs to Christ if he does not have Christ’s Spirit in him." Romans 8:9b (NLV)
But the problem with being filled with the Spirit is, how much of you does the Holy Spirit have? You need not wait on the Holy Spirit, He’s waiting on you! Waiting on you to empty yourself of your willfulness, your agenda, etc.
If you want God with you must have the Holy Spirit, and in order to have the Holy Spirit you must decide to follow Christ. But if you want to be filled with the Spirit you must empty yourself of you.
Unwrap the gift of God’s presence this Christmas!
