Emmanuel: God in Every Moment of Life

 

Summary

In this season of Advent, we are reminded of the Emmanuel principle: God is with us. This truth invites us to live our daily lives in partnership with God, recognizing His presence in every task, no matter how mundane or challenging it may seem. Often, we might feel that certain tasks are too trivial or too overwhelming to involve God, but growth in our spiritual life, much like any other area, requires us to step into the unknown and sometimes feel silly. This is where true growth happens—when we invite God into every aspect of our lives, even the seemingly insignificant ones.

The story of Zechariah from the Gospel of Luke illustrates this beautifully. Zechariah, a priest, was chosen to perform the daily task of burning incense in the temple. Despite his personal disappointments and the ordinariness of his duties, God chose to meet him there. An angel appeared to Zechariah, announcing that his prayers had been heard and that he and his wife Elizabeth would have a son, John, who would prepare the way for the Lord. This encounter teaches us that God often meets us in the ordinary moments of life, transforming them into extraordinary experiences.

Zechariah's initial doubt and request for certainty remind us that God values obedience and a responsive heart over certainty. Sometimes, what we perceive as punishment, like Zechariah's temporary silence, might actually be a gift—a time for reflection and spiritual growth. This silence allowed Zechariah to ponder and prepare for the fulfillment of God's promise.

As we navigate this Advent season, we are encouraged to adopt the mindset of Frank Laubach, who viewed each situation as an opportunity to live with God. By inviting God into every moment, we can transform the mundane into the divine. Whether it's moving a chair or facing a significant challenge, God is present, ready to guide and support us. This day, this moment, is an opportunity to experience Emmanuel—God with us.

Key Takeaways:

- The Emmanuel principle teaches us that God is with us in every moment, inviting us to partner with Him in our daily tasks, no matter how trivial or overwhelming they may seem. Growth in our spiritual life requires us to embrace the unknown and sometimes feel silly, as this is where true transformation occurs. [02:31]

- Zechariah's story reminds us that God often meets us in the ordinary moments of life, transforming them into extraordinary experiences. Despite his personal disappointments, Zechariah encountered God while performing his daily duties, illustrating that God is present in every aspect of our lives. [03:31]

- God values obedience and a responsive heart over certainty. Zechariah's temporary silence, which might have seemed like a punishment, was actually a gift—a time for reflection and spiritual growth. This period of silence allowed him to prepare for the fulfillment of God's promise. [08:02]

- Frank Laubach's approach to life encourages us to view each situation as an opportunity to live with God. By inviting God into every moment, we can transform the mundane into the divine, experiencing His presence and guidance in all that we do. [10:00]

- As we face the tasks and challenges of each day, we are reminded that God is with us, ready to guide and support us. By recognizing His presence and inviting Him into our lives, we can pour something divine into every situation, experiencing the true meaning of Emmanuel—God with us. [12:44]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:32] - The Emmanuel Principle
- [01:14] - God in the Mundane
- [02:31] - Growth Through Feeling Silly
- [03:02] - Zechariah's Story
- [04:28] - Encounter with the Angel
- [05:08] - The Promise of John
- [06:13] - Gabriel's Message
- [07:06] - Restoration of Relationships
- [07:49] - The Gift of Silence
- [09:11] - Zechariah's Transformation
- [10:00] - Frank Laubach's Approach
- [11:00] - Seeking God's Guidance
- [12:12] - Inviting God into Every Task
- [12:44] - Experiencing Emmanuel

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Experiencing Emmanuel

Bible Reading:
1. Luke 1:5-25 - The story of Zechariah and the angel Gabriel.
2. Matthew 1:23 - "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel" (which means, God with us).
3. Psalm 46:1 - "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."

Observation Questions:
1. What was Zechariah's role in the temple, and how did God choose to meet him during his duties? [03:31]
2. How did Zechariah initially react to the angel Gabriel's message, and what was the angel's response? [05:34]
3. What promise did the angel Gabriel deliver to Zechariah regarding his future son, John? [04:53]
4. How does the story of Zechariah illustrate the Emmanuel principle of God being with us in ordinary moments? [06:13]

Interpretation Questions:
1. Why might God choose to meet Zechariah during a routine task rather than a significant event? What does this suggest about God's presence in our daily lives? [03:31]
2. How does Zechariah's temporary silence serve as a period of reflection and growth rather than punishment? What might this teach us about the value of silence in our spiritual journey? [08:02]
3. In what ways does the Emmanuel principle challenge our perception of mundane tasks and their spiritual significance? [12:25]
4. How does Frank Laubach's approach to life, as mentioned in the sermon, encourage us to view each situation as an opportunity to live with God? [10:00]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a routine task you perform daily. How can you invite God into that moment and transform it into a divine experience? [12:12]
2. Think of a time when you felt overwhelmed by a task. How might recognizing God's presence have changed your approach or attitude? [01:33]
3. Zechariah's story shows that God values obedience over certainty. How can you practice obedience in your life, even when certainty is lacking? [07:49]
4. Consider a period of silence in your life. How can you use that time for reflection and spiritual growth, as Zechariah did? [08:02]
5. Identify a seemingly trivial task you often overlook. How can you see it as an opportunity to partner with God and experience His presence? [02:03]
6. How can you apply Frank Laubach's mindset of pouring something divine into every situation in your daily routine? [10:00]
7. As you face challenges this week, how can you remind yourself of the Emmanuel principle that God is with you, ready to guide and support you? [12:44]

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing the Emmanuel Principle
In the Advent season, the Emmanuel principle reminds us that God is with us in every moment, inviting us to partner with Him in our daily tasks, no matter how trivial or overwhelming they may seem. This principle encourages us to recognize God's presence in every aspect of our lives, transforming the mundane into the divine. Growth in our spiritual life requires us to embrace the unknown and sometimes feel silly, as this is where true transformation occurs. By inviting God into every moment, we can experience His guidance and support, allowing us to pour something divine into every situation. [02:31]

"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10, ESV)

Reflection: What is one mundane task you can invite God into today, and how might His presence transform it?


Day 2: Finding God in the Ordinary
Zechariah's story reminds us that God often meets us in the ordinary moments of life, transforming them into extraordinary experiences. Despite his personal disappointments, Zechariah encountered God while performing his daily duties, illustrating that God is present in every aspect of our lives. This encounter teaches us that God values our obedience and a responsive heart over certainty. By being open to God's presence in the ordinary, we can experience His transformative power in our lives. [03:31]

"And he said, 'Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.' And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake." (1 Kings 19:11, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a routine task you do daily. How can you be more aware of God's presence during this task today?


Day 3: The Gift of Silence
God values obedience and a responsive heart over certainty. Zechariah's temporary silence, which might have seemed like a punishment, was actually a gift—a time for reflection and spiritual growth. This period of silence allowed him to prepare for the fulfillment of God's promise. Sometimes, what we perceive as punishment might actually be an opportunity for growth and transformation. By embracing these moments, we can deepen our relationship with God and prepare for His promises in our lives. [08:02]

"For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him." (Psalm 62:5, ESV)

Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you feel God is silent? How can you use this time to reflect and grow spiritually?


Day 4: Living with God in Every Moment
Frank Laubach's approach to life encourages us to view each situation as an opportunity to live with God. By inviting God into every moment, we can transform the mundane into the divine, experiencing His presence and guidance in all that we do. This mindset allows us to see each day as an opportunity to experience Emmanuel—God with us. By recognizing His presence and inviting Him into our lives, we can pour something divine into every situation, experiencing the true meaning of Emmanuel. [10:00]

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV)

Reflection: How can you intentionally invite God into a specific moment or decision today, and what difference might that make?


Day 5: Experiencing Emmanuel in Daily Challenges
As we face the tasks and challenges of each day, we are reminded that God is with us, ready to guide and support us. By recognizing His presence and inviting Him into our lives, we can pour something divine into every situation, experiencing the true meaning of Emmanuel—God with us. This day, this moment, is an opportunity to experience God's presence and guidance, transforming our challenges into opportunities for growth and transformation. [12:44]

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9, ESV)

Reflection: What is one challenge you are currently facing, and how can you invite God to guide and support you through it today?

Quotes


I want you to consider the possibility that your day among other things will involve a series of experiences, tasks, activities for you to be involved in in which God is deeply participating and that he wants to partner with you on, where he wants you to find him. [00:01:08]

There'll be some tasks that I will have that you will have today and you'll think this is too hard it stresses me out it over challenges me I don't like it and then it'll feel like I don't know that God honestly would make any difference and then there'll be other tasks that you have to do that are so small so trivial so superficial. [00:01:31]

Growth in any area of human life inevitably involves feeling silly, that's true if you want to grow intellectually that's true if you're trying to learn how to do a sport you cannot grow because growth involves entering into areas where you don't know and other people do and you know you don't know and so you feel silly you cannot grow without being willing to feel silly. [00:02:08]

Zechariah has a task to do at one level it's just simply the task that had to be done daily to offer incense to God but he's also deeply concerned about his Nation his country his people as many of us are for our country and he also carries with him the concern about he and his wife Elizabeth and their disappointment. [00:05:51]

Zechariah's question to Gabriel is how can I be sure we all want certainty and certainty is not terribly important to God and uh God wants obedience God wants a responsive heart but he's not always going to give us certainty and so Gabriel says well uh I'm gonna um uh you will not be able to speak now for nine months until this child is born. [00:07:44]

Maybe it was a gift, maybe Zechariah needed silence maybe Elizabeth asked him all the time what happened today give me the report how did it go at the temple and for him to just be able to reflect and Ponder maybe he would Scandinavian introverted maybe that was kind of a gift he wanted a sign maybe the sign that the angel was giving him was actually just you will be silent for a period of time. [00:08:10]

Frank Lubbock, who is a great thinker and writer, missionary in the Philippines, here's what lavik wrote Because he decided to make his whole life an experiment to see how far he could go in living with God With Jesus, he writes in school a teacher lays out work for his pupils, I resolve to accept each situation of this year as God's layout for that hour. [00:09:23]

One can pour something Divine into every situation, my Temptation will be to think maybe this is way too big for me and I can't find God here there's no hope for this lava goes on to talk about how one of the mental characteristics that he finds in himself is he will rebel against what he calls the frequency of his blank spells as somebody who was supposed to write and teach. [00:09:58]

Never seek a place to preach seek to have something to say, God knows we don't need more people who want to hear themselves talk but to seek to have something to say God would you give me something to say so I'll find for myself sometimes I will feel frustrated or anxious or preoccupied to do the best I can to work to read to learn to study to listen. [00:10:57]

To take this day see here's the thing here's what Lubbock was saying here's what Zechariah found when he went into the temple to take this day as a day where whatever situation you're in whatever task you face God is there like a great teacher like a great coach like a great boss recognizing that if he gives you this job to do and you try to find it him in this you can pour something Divine into it. [00:12:15]

This day this moment Emmanuel. [00:12:44]

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Transcript
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