Sermons on Matthew 1:21-23
The various sermons below interpret Matthew 1:21-23 by emphasizing the profound significance of Jesus as "Immanuel," meaning "God with us." They collectively highlight the relational and transformative nature of Jesus' presence, suggesting that it is not merely a historical event but a present reality that impacts believers' lives. One sermon uses the analogy of God as the sun and believers as the moon, reflecting God's goodness, while another sermon employs the metaphor of a subway system to illustrate the disciples' need for guidance, likening it to humanity's need for Jesus. These interpretations underscore the necessity of Jesus being sin-free and divine to save humanity, drawing on the Greek understanding of "sin" as an archery term. Additionally, the sermons challenge listeners to confront the radical nature of the virgin birth and the implications of Jesus' identity, using C.S. Lewis's trilemma to frame the decision about accepting Jesus as Lord.
In contrast, the sermons diverge in their theological themes. One sermon presents the theme of God as our portion and inheritance, drawing from the Old Testament concept of the Levites, and suggests that God's presence is sufficient over material possessions. It also introduces the idea of God as the author of our destiny, encouraging trust in God's plan for our lives. Another sermon emphasizes the promise of eternal life and a future reunion with God in heaven, framing "God With Us" as an ongoing relationship rather than just a historical event. Meanwhile, a different sermon focuses on the incarnation as a clarifying element of Christianity, arguing that it bridges the gap between divine holiness and human imperfection, and stresses the necessity of belief in the virgin birth and Jesus's divinity as foundational to Christian faith.
Matthew 1:21-23 Interpretation:
Focusing on Jesus: The Heart of Christmas (Fierce Church) interprets Matthew 1:21-23 by emphasizing the significance of the name "Immanuel," which means "God with us." The sermon explores the idea that Jesus' presence is not just a historical event but a present reality that impacts believers' lives today. The pastor uses the analogy of God being like the sun, and believers as the moon, reflecting God's goodness rather than being the source of it. This interpretation highlights the relational aspect of God being with us, suggesting that God's presence is meant to be a personal and transformative experience.
Trusting Jesus: The Path to Eternal Life (Fierce Church) interprets Matthew 1:21-23 by emphasizing the concept of sin as "missing the mark," using the analogy of a bullseye target to explain how humans fail to meet God's standards. The sermon highlights the necessity of Jesus being sin-free and divine to save humanity, drawing on the Greek understanding of "sin" as an archery term. It also uses the analogy of a subway system to describe the disciples' confusion and need for guidance, likening it to the need for Jesus to show the way.
Confronting the Identity of Jesus: Liar, Lunatic, Lord (Daystar Church) interprets Matthew 1:21-23 by focusing on the radical nature of the virgin birth and the implications of Jesus being called "Immanuel." The sermon challenges listeners to consider the incredibility of a virgin birth and the necessity of accepting Jesus as either Lord or dismissing the entire narrative as false. It uses C.S. Lewis's trilemma to frame the decision about Jesus's identity.
Emmanuel: God's Presence and Promise This Christmas (Highest Praise Church) interprets Matthew 1:21-23 by emphasizing the multifaceted role of Jesus as Savior, using the Greek word "sozo" to highlight the comprehensive nature of salvation—spiritually, physically, and emotionally. The sermon also distinguishes between Jesus' name and title, explaining that "Christ" is not a last name but a title meaning "the Anointed One" or "Messiah." The sermon uses the analogy of Dorothy Sayers writing herself into her story to illustrate the incarnation, suggesting that God wrote Himself into our story through Jesus.
Understanding Jesus: The Essence of God's Presence and Salvation (The Summit Church) interprets Matthew 1:21-23 by focusing on the name "Jesus" as God's most accessible name, emphasizing that Jesus is the Word of God, Savior, and Emmanuel. The sermon uses the Greek term "logos" to explain that Jesus is the description, explanation, and expectation of God. It also highlights the uniqueness of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, making Him one of a kind.
The True Meaning and Significance of Christmas (Tony Evans) interprets Matthew 1:21-23 by emphasizing the hypostatic union of Jesus Christ, which is the theological concept of two natures—divine and human—united in one person. The sermon highlights the virgin birth as the means by which Jesus, the God-man, came into the world. The preacher uses the analogy of Jesus being fully God and fully man to illustrate his unique nature: He is a baby in a crib yet the creator of all things, hungry yet able to feed 5,000, tired yet able to raise the dead. This duality is central to understanding the passage, as it underscores the uniqueness of Jesus as both Savior and God with us.
Matthew 1:21-23 Theological Themes:
Focusing on Jesus: The Heart of Christmas (Fierce Church) presents the theme that God is our portion and inheritance, drawing from the Old Testament concept of the Levites having God as their inheritance instead of land. This theme is applied to modern believers, suggesting that sometimes God takes things away to give us more of Himself, emphasizing the sufficiency of God's presence over material possessions.
The sermon also introduces the idea that God is the author of our destiny, using the metaphor of God assigning land to the tribes of Israel as a way to illustrate that God knows what is best for us and has a plan for our lives. This theme encourages trust in God's timing and decisions, even when they differ from our own desires.
Trusting Jesus: The Path to Eternal Life (Fierce Church) presents the theme of "God With Us" as a promise of eternal life and a future fulfillment in heaven, not just a historical event. It emphasizes the ongoing relationship with God and the ultimate reunion with Him in heaven.
Confronting the Identity of Jesus: Liar, Lunatic, Lord (Daystar Church) introduces the theme of the incarnation as a clarifying element of Christianity, arguing that it is not about moral behavior but about God bridging the gap between divine holiness and human imperfection. The sermon stresses the necessity of belief in the virgin birth and Jesus's divinity as foundational to Christian faith.
Emmanuel: God's Presence and Promise This Christmas (Highest Praise Church) presents the theme of Jesus as the comprehensive Savior, using the Greek word "sozo" to describe salvation as encompassing spiritual, physical, and emotional aspects. The sermon also emphasizes the ongoing nature of salvation, suggesting that Jesus continues to save and heal in various ways.
Understanding Jesus: The Essence of God's Presence and Salvation (The Summit Church) introduces the theme of Jesus as the Word of God, explaining that Jesus is what God has to say about Himself to the world. The sermon also highlights the concept of Jesus as the "logos," meaning He is the description, explanation, and expectation of God.
The True Meaning and Significance of Christmas (Tony Evans) presents the theme of Jesus as the "Prince of Peace," who brings order out of chaos when his uniqueness is recognized. The sermon ties this peace to Jesus's relationship with time, suggesting that his eternal nature allows him to bring peace and order to the temporal world. This theme is distinct in its focus on the temporal and eternal aspects of Jesus's nature and their implications for peace in the world.
Matthew 1:21-23 Historical and Contextual Insights:
Focusing on Jesus: The Heart of Christmas (Fierce Church) provides historical context by explaining the role of the Levites in the Old Testament, who were set apart to serve God and did not receive a land inheritance. This context is used to draw a parallel to believers today, who are called to find their inheritance in God rather than in earthly possessions.
Trusting Jesus: The Path to Eternal Life (Fierce Church) provides historical context by discussing the disciples' fear and confusion before Jesus's crucifixion, likening it to modern experiences of uncertainty and the need for guidance. It also references the cultural expectation of a Messiah and the radical nature of Jesus's claims.
Emmanuel: God's Presence and Promise This Christmas (Highest Praise Church) provides historical context by explaining the cultural expectations of a Messiah and how Jesus fulfilled the prophecy in Isaiah 7:14. The sermon also discusses the cultural significance of Jesus' titles and names, such as "Christ" and "Emmanuel."
Understanding Jesus: The Essence of God's Presence and Salvation (The Summit Church) offers insights into the first-century understanding of gods as judgmental and vengeful, contrasting this with the revolutionary concept of Jesus as a Savior. The sermon explains that Jesus' role as Savior was unique and unprecedented in the ancient world.
The True Meaning and Significance of Christmas (Tony Evans) provides historical context by discussing the prophecy in Genesis 3:15, which foretells the defeat of the serpent by the seed of the woman, prefiguring the virgin birth. The sermon also references Isaiah 9:6, explaining the language of "a child will be born" and "a son will be given" to highlight the dual nature of Jesus as both human and divine, existing before time and entering humanity in time.
Matthew 1:21-23 Cross-References in the Bible:
Focusing on Jesus: The Heart of Christmas (Fierce Church) references Psalm 16 to illustrate the idea of God being our refuge and portion. The sermon uses this Psalm to emphasize the joy and security found in God's presence, connecting it to the theme of God being with us as Immanuel.
The sermon also references Philippians 3:8, where Paul considers everything a loss compared to knowing Christ. This passage is used to support the idea that knowing Jesus is of surpassing worth, reinforcing the theme of God being our portion and inheritance.
Trusting Jesus: The Path to Eternal Life (Fierce Church) references John 14:1-6 to expand on the theme of Jesus preparing a place in heaven, emphasizing trust in Jesus's faithfulness. It also mentions Psalm 145:9 to highlight God's love and compassion for all creation.
Confronting the Identity of Jesus: Liar, Lunatic, Lord (Daystar Church) references 1 Peter 3:15 to encourage believers to be ready to give a reason for their hope in Christ, using it to support the need for a rational defense of faith. It also cites 1 Corinthians 15 to discuss the early church creed about Jesus's resurrection, emphasizing the historical reliability of the resurrection accounts.
Emmanuel: God's Presence and Promise This Christmas (Highest Praise Church) references Isaiah 7:14 to show the fulfillment of prophecy in Jesus' birth. The sermon also cites Romans to discuss the universality of sin and the need for a Savior.
Understanding Jesus: The Essence of God's Presence and Salvation (The Summit Church) references John 1:14 to explain Jesus as the Word made flesh. The sermon also cites Acts 4:12 to emphasize the exclusivity of salvation through Jesus' name.
The True Meaning and Significance of Christmas (Tony Evans) references several biblical passages to expand on Matthew 1:21-23. Genesis 3:15 is used to explain the prophecy of the virgin birth. Isaiah 9:6 is cited to discuss the dual nature of Jesus as both a child born and a son given. Colossians 1 and Hebrews 1 are mentioned to affirm Jesus as the image and exact replica of God. John 1:1 is used to emphasize Jesus as the eternal Word, existing before time and giving birth to time.
Matthew 1:21-23 Christian References outside the Bible:
Focusing on Jesus: The Heart of Christmas (Fierce Church) does not explicitly reference any non-biblical Christian authors or theologians in its discussion of Matthew 1:21-23.
Confronting the Identity of Jesus: Liar, Lunatic, Lord (Daystar Church) explicitly references C.S. Lewis's trilemma argument from "Mere Christianity," using it to frame the decision about Jesus's identity as either a liar, lunatic, or Lord. The sermon also mentions Lee Strobel's "The Case for Christ" as a resource for evidence supporting Jesus's divinity and resurrection.
Emmanuel: God's Presence and Promise This Christmas (Highest Praise Church) references C.S. Lewis in response to a Soviet cosmonaut's claim of not finding God in space. Lewis argued that God is not found in our space but has written Himself into our story through Jesus, similar to how Dorothy Sayers wrote herself into her detective stories.
Matthew 1:21-23 Illustrations from Secular Sources:
Focusing on Jesus: The Heart of Christmas (Fierce Church) uses the analogy of a family moving from a large house to a smaller one to illustrate the idea that sometimes God takes things away to help us focus on what truly matters. The pastor shares a personal story about how moving to a smaller house brought the family closer together, emphasizing the theme of God being our portion and the importance of relationships over material possessions.
Trusting Jesus: The Path to Eternal Life (Fierce Church) uses a personal story about preparing a surprise beach picnic in a dorm room to illustrate the idea of Jesus preparing a specific place for each believer in heaven, emphasizing the personal and intentional nature of God's love.
Confronting the Identity of Jesus: Liar, Lunatic, Lord (Daystar Church) uses the analogy of modern cultural shifts, such as the sudden acceptance of fluid gender identity, to illustrate how quickly societal beliefs can change, contrasting it with the enduring truth of Jesus's resurrection as witnessed by many.
Emmanuel: God's Presence and Promise This Christmas (Highest Praise Church) uses the story of Dorothy Sayers writing herself into her detective novels as an analogy for the incarnation, suggesting that God wrote Himself into our story through Jesus. The sermon also references a Soviet cosmonaut's experience in space to illustrate the idea that God is not found in our physical space but has entered our story through Jesus.