Emmanuel: God With Us — Christmas Changes Everything

Devotional

Day 1: Emmanuel: God's sign amid human failure.

Isaiah 7:14 shows that God promises presence even when people fail. Even when leaders trembled and were faithless, God gave a sign — Emmanuel — demonstrating mercy not earned. Receive that gift knowing Jesus came as God's answer to human failure, not because people deserved it. [38:12]

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: What is one past or current failure you tend to hide from God, and how might receiving Emmanuel’s unearned mercy change the way you bring that to him this week? Name one practical step to remind yourself of that mercy each day.

Day 2: The Word became flesh: God dwelling among us.

John declares that Jesus is not merely a messenger but the eternal Word who became flesh and dwelt among people. That reality means Emmanuel is not a vision or metaphor; God assumed real human life — seen, heard, and known by many witnesses. Let this truth shape your confidence that God truly understands your everyday life and is present with you now. [47:25]

John 1:1, 14 (ESV)
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Reflection: Where in your daily routine do you most need to believe that God “dwells among” you? Name one concrete way you will notice or remind yourself of his presence in that place this week.

Day 3: Christ's humility: self-emptying for our salvation.

Philippians 2 shows Jesus willingly emptied himself, taking human form and humbling himself to death on a cross, and God exalted him. That self-giving is the heart of Christmas — Emmanuel pouring himself out — so believers respond with humility, gratitude, and worship rather than performance. Let that humility reshape daily habits so confidence replaces fear and worship replaces self-sufficiency. [51:40]

Philippians 2:5-11 (ESV)
5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,
6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,
7 but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
8 And being found in human form he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,
10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Reflection: Identify one area where you act out of performance rather than gratitude; what is one concrete change (a habit, a conversation, or a prayer) you will implement this week to begin living from humility shaped by Christ’s self-giving?

Day 4: In Christ dwells the fullness of deity bodily.

Colossians 2:9 affirms that Jesus is fully God in bodily form — not a spirit or mere teacher. That means Emmanuel is the true God present with us; reverence and awe are fitting responses, not casual familiarity. Let this reality deepen both trust in his power and the posture of worship in your life. [49:29]

Colossians 2:9 (ESV)
For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily.

Reflection: How would your prayers, worship, or decisions change if you lived with the conviction that the full deity of God dwells bodily with you? Choose one concrete act of worship this week to express that reverence.

Day 5: Jesus came to save, not to condemn.

John 3:17 clarifies that God's sending of the Son aims at salvation rather than condemnation. Emmanuel's arrival is mercy for a broken world — he came to rescue, invite repentance, and offer new life. Let that posture soften your heart and move you toward faith instead of fear. [45:12]

John 3:17 (ESV)
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Reflection: When have you assumed God’s posture toward you was condemnation rather than rescue? What is one truthful sentence you can pray or speak this week to remind yourself of Jesus’ saving purpose?

Sermon Summary

Today we celebrated the joy of welcoming Andrew and Carlene, our missionaries of the month, and we prayed over their family and ministry. I encouraged us to remember them in prayer and to be generous as God leads. We also marked a new season for our church as we “make room for more,” adding another service to serve the people God is bringing.

From there, we named what everyone feels this time of year: Christmas makes us act differently—sugar for breakfast, spending that stretches, clothing choices we’d never wear in April, playlists that would sound silly in July. Why? Because Christmas is actually different. No other faith claims what Christmas proclaims: Emmanuel—God with us. That’s our theme: not “us climbing to God,” but God choosing to come to us.

We looked at Isaiah 7 and a fearful king, Ahaz, who exemplifies our condition: shaken, scheming, faithless. God still gives a sign—Emmanuel. This is grace, not reward. I shared a story of receiving an undeserved gift to remind us that Emmanuel is God’s answer to human failure, not an applause for human achievement. From Genesis 3:15 onward, God’s plan has been to crush evil and rescue us—by coming himself.

And Emmanuel is truly God. John 1 says the Word was God and became flesh. Thousands saw him, touched him, questioned him. Thomas declared, “My Lord and my God,” and Jesus received it. Christmas isn’t a seasonal mood; it is the arrival of the God-man who poured himself out. Philippians 2 shows the arc: from incarnation to cross to exaltation. That one decision changes everything: confidence instead of fear, humility instead of performance, steadiness instead of chaos, hope instead of despair, worship instead of self-sufficiency.

So here’s the invitation: make Emmanuel the heart of your Christmas. Let how we eat, spend, sing, and schedule be a response to the world-shaking truth that God is with us. To help, we’ll send 18 daily “Emmanuel” prompts by text from now to Christmas—simple enough for families, deep enough for your soul. And we responded together with baptism and communion, remembering not just a manger but a cross and an empty tomb. May Emmanuel make this Christmas—and us—different.

Key Takeaways

1. Grace answers our failure, not achievement. God didn’t wait for Ahaz—or us—to deserve rescue. Emmanuel is God’s sign and salvation given to undeserving people, not a medal for spiritual performance. When grace leads, boasting dies and repentance breathes. Receive what cannot be earned, and you’ll become the kind of person who gives what cannot be repaid. [40:39]
2. Emmanuel is truly God among us. Christmas is not divine vibes or a moral teacher—it is God in flesh, dwelling among real witnesses in real history. If he is God, he doesn’t merely advise; he claims allegiance and offers life. Worship is the most rational response to a God who comes near. [47:25]
3. Jesus’ self-emptying reshapes our posture. The path from manger to cross was chosen humility. If the Lord of glory poured himself out, our striving can give way to restful obedience and courageous service. Humility isn’t hiding—it’s harnessing strength for others because we have been held by God. [51:40]
4. Make Emmanuel the center of Christmas. If God is with us, December is not about managing traditions but magnifying a Person. Let your practices—spending, schedules, songs—become signposts pointing to Jesus. Center him, and the season regains its weight, its warmth, and its witness. [54:20]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[28:27] - Missionaries honored and prayed for
[30:37] - Why we act different at Christmas
[35:55] - Emmanuel: God with us theme
[38:12] - Isaiah 7 and nervous King Ahaz
[40:39] - Emmanuel as answer to failure
[43:07] - The undeserved gift story
[45:12] - God’s plan from Genesis 3:15
[47:25] - Emmanuel is truly God
[49:29] - Thomas’ confession: “My Lord and my God”
[51:40] - The self-emptying that changed history
[54:20] - Center Jesus in your Christmas
[56:56] - 18 days of Emmanuel daily prompts
[59:48] - Baptism, communion, and response
[68:07] - Dismissal, prayer, and coffee

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

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

Observation Questions

Read Isaiah 7:14. What is the specific sign the Lord promises, and what name does he say will be given to the child?
In the immediate context, how is King Ahaz described? What does the phrase “shook as the trees of the forest shake before the wind” say about his state of heart and judgment? (see [38:12])
The sermon repeatedly defines Emmanuel as “God with us.” What factual claims are made about that reality in the sermon (for example, that the Word became flesh and many witnessed him)? (see [47:25])
The sermon connects Isaiah’s sign to God’s long plan after Genesis 3. What earlier promise was cited as showing this plan (the “seed” who would bruise the serpent)? (see [45:12])

Interpretation Questions

“Emmanuel is God’s answer to human failure, not achievement.” If God gives the sign despite human unbelief and failure, what does that reveal about the character of God’s grace and mercy? (quote: “Emmanuel is God’s answer to human failure” [40:39])
“Emmanuel is actually God among us.” How does the claim that the Word was God and “became flesh” change the way people should respond to Jesus’ life and teaching compared with a merely good moral teacher? (quote: “the Word became flesh” [47:25])
“Jesus emptied himself by taking the form of a servant.” What does the self‑emptying in Philippians 2 imply about the relationship between humility and authority in the life of believers? (quote: “emptied himself” [51:40])
If Isaiah’s sign was given as a demonstration of God’s initiative rather than human worthiness, what does that imply about the connection between receiving grace and boasting or performance in the life of the believer? (quote: “not because we are so good” [40:39])

Application Questions

Emmanuel was given as a gift not because people earned it. “Emmanuel is God’s answer to human failure, not achievement.” Where in your life are you trying to earn God’s favor? How would receiving unearned grace change one specific choice you’re making this season? (quote: “Emmanuel is God’s answer to human failure” [40:39])
The Bible says the Word became flesh and “dwelt among us.” “Emmanuel is actually God among us.” How would making worship and allegiance to Jesus more central change the way you spend your time in December? Give two concrete adjustments you will try this month. (quote: “Emmanuel is actually God” [47:25])
“Jesus’ self‑emptying reshapes our posture.” In what area of life are you most tempted to perform or prove yourself (work, parenting, church service, social image)? What is one humble, practical action you can take this week to serve instead of perform? (quote: “self‑emptying” [51:40])
“Make Emmanuel the center of your Christmas.” Look at your holiday calendar, gift list, and playlist: what will you remove or reorder so Jesus is clearly at the center? Name two things you will change and how you will remember to follow through. (quote: “Make Emmanuel the center of your Christmas” [54:20])
There was an invitation to begin 18 days of short “Emmanuel” prompts and a group text for daily focus. Will you sign up or set a personal daily reminder? How will you use those prompts with your family or a friend to keep this season holy and simple? (quote: “for the next 18 days” [56:56])
The service paired remembering Emmanuel with baptism and communion as public, thankful responses. If a person has not publicly confessed Jesus by baptism or has not recently examined their heart before communion, what practical next step will they take this week to follow Jesus publicly and faithfully? (quote: “If you’ve never confessed Jesus as Lord” [59:48])

Sermon Clips

I want you to notice that despite their disobedience, despite his lack of faith, God gives them a sign of how he was going to redeem them anyways, and so it is with us. Emmanuel, God is with us, not because we are so good. But here's the point I want to give you today, what makes this different. Emmanuel is God's answer to human failure, not because humans are so good. Jesus comes because there was no other way. [00:40:12] (29 seconds) #EmmanuelNotByMerit

This was God's plan after the first sin by the first people. He's going to send a deliverer and they don't deserve it. This has been his plan. And man, this is different. Different from how we would act and definitely different from what every other religion says. It says, no, you've got to deserve it. You've got to work your way so that you can earn it. Spoiler alert, you can't. And so Emmanuel is God with us. The answer to human failure. [00:45:47] (31 seconds) #GraceNotEarned

But Memorial Day, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Texas Independence from Mexico Day, all important days. And they usually mark some kind of thing that we want to remember or honor and all of them, you know, worthy in some way. But Christmas isn't like that. Pause. Are you ready for it? We are celebrating that God chose to come to earth. God himself. This isn't flag day. Like, this is different. [00:47:17] (32 seconds) #ChristmasIsDifferent

He was God. He became flesh. In other words, Emmanuel isn't a vision. He's not a hologram. He's not just a great guy that we need to look up to. He is the one and only God-man. And that's what we're celebrating. And it's different, because nobody else believes or makes this claim. Deism believes that God is real, but he's distant. He doesn't come to be with us. Islam believes God is real, but he's somebody you need to climb to. He's not somebody who comes to you. [00:48:08] (30 seconds) #GodMadeFlesh

And it's different, because nobody else believes or makes this claim. Deism believes that God is real, but he's distant. He doesn't come to be with us. Islam believes God is real, but he's somebody you need to climb to. He's not somebody who comes to you. Hinduism believes that their godsshow up in avatars and manifestations, but not like Christmas. Buddhism doesn't even have a personal God. Christmas is different, because Emmanuel is actually God. This is no ordinary baby. [00:48:23] (31 seconds) #NoOrdinaryBaby

John said that he dwelt among us. What does that mean? He says us, plural. In other words, many people can verify he did this. In fact, it's thousands. Thousands upon thousands of people were witnesses to this truth. This isn't just one person who went off into the woods, wrote some things down, and came and made people obey their religion. It's not what happened. This is different. Thousands upon thousands saw him, heard him, tested, and questioned him. And the reality is that he really did dwell amongus. [00:49:29] (32 seconds) #HeDweltAmongUs

And it all started with his self-sacrificing, humble decision to pour himself out. And what a difference that made. Because of that decision, we have confidence instead of fear. Because if the God of all heaven is that involved, that loving, and that caring, and that victorious, we can have confidence instead of fear. We have humility instead of performance, that if he came to be the answer for our failure when we didn't deserve it, then I can't try to earn it. Emmanuel should leave you humble and grateful. [00:53:05] (41 seconds) #HumbleAndGrateful

We have hope instead of despair because of who he came to be. We have worship instead of self-sufficiency. Because rather than me relying on myself, I recognize that because of his decision, because of his character, because of who he is, he is worthy of my worship. He's worthy of my all. This is not about me now taking the reins and earning it. It is about me releasing and saying only you could do this. What a difference his coming made. [00:54:01] (32 seconds) #WorshipNotSelf

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