Emmanuel: Embracing the Gift of God With Us

Devotional

Day 1: The Miracle of Emmanuel

The miracle of Emmanuel, "God with us," is a profound event that fulfills the prophecies of the Old Testament, offering hope and redemption through Jesus Christ. Over 2000 years ago, the birth of Jesus was foretold by prophets like Isaiah, who spoke of a virgin birth. This miraculous event is the cornerstone of Christian faith, symbolizing God's promise to reconcile humanity to Himself. The birth of Jesus is not just a historical event but a divine intervention that brings hope to a world in need of redemption. It reminds us that God is actively involved in His creation, offering a path to salvation and a relationship with Him. [28:55]

Isaiah 7:14 (ESV): "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."

Reflection: How does the reality of "God with us" change your perspective on the challenges you face today? Can you identify an area in your life where you need to invite God's presence more fully?

Day 2: The Necessity of the Hypostatic Union

The hypostatic union, the doctrine that Jesus is both fully God and fully man, is essential for understanding the significance of His sacrifice. This union was necessary for Jesus to be the perfect sacrifice for our sins, fulfilling the justice of God. It highlights the grace of God in our salvation, as we cannot achieve it through our own efforts. Jesus' dual nature allowed Him to bridge the gap between humanity and God, offering Himself as a sacrifice to atone for our sins. This profound truth reminds us of the depth of God's love and the lengths He went to reconcile us to Himself. [31:53]

Hebrews 2:17 (ESV): "Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people."

Reflection: In what ways does understanding Jesus as both fully God and fully man deepen your appreciation for His sacrifice? How can this understanding influence your daily walk with Him?

Day 3: Embracing Jesus' Authority

The authority of Jesus, as described in Isaiah, is not something to fear but to embrace. Jesus is given titles such as Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, and Prince of Peace, which reveal His character and authority. His authority is used for our benefit, offering freedom from the oppressive yoke of sin. Embracing Jesus' authority means recognizing His power and wisdom in our lives, trusting that He leads us toward freedom and peace. It is an invitation to submit to His guidance, knowing that His intentions are for our good. [47:01]

Colossians 1:16-17 (ESV): "For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to embrace Jesus' authority? How can you begin to trust His leadership in that area today?

Day 4: The Gift of Wisdom

Wisdom is a gift from God, requiring us to approach Him with humility and a willingness to receive. It is not about intellect or knowledge but about making God-honoring choices and seeing situations clearly. As we seek God's wisdom, we must be willing to step out in faith, even when doubts arise, trusting in His authority and goodness. This wisdom is available to us through our relationship with Jesus, our Wonderful Counselor, who guides us in truth and righteousness. [55:59]

James 1:5 (ESV): "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him."

Reflection: In what situation do you need God's wisdom today? How can you approach Him with humility and openness to receive His guidance?

Day 5: Faith and Obedience

Faith is not the absence of doubt but stepping out in obedience despite doubts, trusting in God's authority and goodness. As our Wonderful Counselor, Jesus calls us to trust Him even when we cannot see the full picture. This trust requires us to act in faith, believing that God is working for our good. It is a call to obedience, to follow His lead even when the path is unclear. By stepping out in faith, we demonstrate our reliance on God's wisdom and His plan for our lives. [01:05:40]

Hebrews 11:1 (ESV): "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."

Reflection: What is one step of faith you can take today, even amidst doubts? How can you rely on God's promises as you move forward in obedience?

Sermon Summary

The Christmas season is a time of joy and reflection, and as we dive into the story of Emmanuel, "God with us," we are reminded of the profound miracle that took place over 2000 years ago. This miracle, foretold by the prophets of the Old Testament, is the cornerstone of our faith. The prophecy of a virgin birth, as recorded in Isaiah, was a shocking revelation to the people of that time. Yet, it was a promise of hope and redemption, a promise that God would take on human flesh in the person of Jesus Christ to reconcile us to Himself.

The concept of the hypostatic union, where Jesus is both fully God and fully man, is central to understanding the significance of the Christmas story. This union was necessary for Jesus to be the perfect sacrifice for our sins, fulfilling the justice of God. It is a reminder that we cannot achieve salvation through our own efforts; it is a gift of grace from God, who entered into His creation to do what we could not.

As we explore Isaiah 9:6-7, we see the titles given to the Messiah: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, and Prince of Peace. These titles reveal the character and authority of Jesus, who came to break the oppressive yoke of sin and offer us a relationship with God. The authority of Jesus is not something to fear but to embrace, as it is used for our benefit and freedom.

The title "Wonderful Counselor" speaks to the wisdom and guidance that Jesus offers us. Wisdom is a gift from God, and it requires us to approach Him with humility and a willingness to receive. It is not about intellect or knowledge but about seeing situations clearly and making God-honoring choices. As we seek God's wisdom, we must be willing to step out in faith, even when doubts arise, trusting in His authority and goodness.

This Christmas season, let us reflect on the incredible gift of Emmanuel, God with us, and the divine characteristics of the Messiah. May we stand in awe of our Wonderful Counselor and embrace the wisdom and guidance He offers us each day.

Key Takeaways

1. The miracle of Emmanuel, "God with us," is the greatest miracle in history, fulfilling the prophecies of the Old Testament and offering us hope and redemption through Jesus Christ. [28:55]
2. The hypostatic union of Jesus being fully God and fully man was necessary for Him to be the perfect sacrifice for our sins, highlighting the grace of God in our salvation. [31:53]
3. The authority of Jesus, as described in Isaiah, is not something to fear but to embrace, as it is used for our benefit and freedom from the yoke of sin. [47:01]
4. Wisdom is a gift from God, requiring us to approach Him with humility and a willingness to receive. It is about making God-honoring choices and seeing situations clearly. [55:59]
5. Faith is not the absence of doubt but stepping out in obedience despite doubts, trusting in God's authority and goodness as our Wonderful Counselor. [01:05:40]
** [65:40]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Introduction to the Christmas Season
[02:30] - The Miracle of Emmanuel
[05:15] - Prophecies of the Messiah
[10:00] - Understanding the Hypostatic Union
[15:20] - The Significance of Jesus' Birth
[20:45] - The Gift of Grace
[25:30] - Exploring Isaiah 9:6-7
[30:00] - Titles of the Messiah
[35:00] - Embracing Jesus' Authority
[40:00] - The Role of Wisdom
[45:30] - Faith and Obedience
[50:00] - Wonderful Counselor
[55:00] - Seeking God's Wisdom
[60:00] - Conclusion and Prayer

Sermon Clips

"But nothing like the miracle that happened 2000. 2000 years ago, the greatest miracle that ever happened, that ever will happen, right? From one end of eternity to the other end of eternity. And the miracle that I'm talking about is Emmanuel. Emmanuel, God with us. God with us." [00:27:03] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"And in that name is everything that God would take on human flesh in the person of Jesus Christ and come to the earth and do for us. What we can never do so that we could be reconciled to God." [00:29:22] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"This is the only way it works. When Jesus died on the cross for our sins, he had to be 100 % God. Otherwise, the justice of God would not have been served. Jesus Christ was holy, perfect. He was God." [00:31:43] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"We can't come to God. We can't achieve God. There's no amount of good works we can do. There's not. A level of performance we can achieve. None of that works because of our sin." [00:32:28] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"And that authority is going to be poured over our lives. Through our lives. And by the way. Just a little. Just a little bit earlier. Do you know what the Messiah, what Emmanuel is going to do with that authority that is given to him?" [00:46:15] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"He's going to have the ability to have this royal decree that what he says is going to go. What he says is going to be established. Established." [00:45:17] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"And we experience when we put ourselves out there, we will experience the Messiah who is our wonderful counselor, our wonderful counselor." [01:06:30] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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