Emmanuel: God With Us This Christmas

Devotional

Day 1: The Incarnation as the Heart of Christmas

The incarnation of Jesus is the central message of Christmas, affirming that Jesus is the Creator King who became human. This profound truth is foundational to the Christian faith, as it validates the entire narrative of the Bible and the claims of Jesus. Without acknowledging Jesus as God, Christianity loses its coherence. The incarnation is not just a historical event but a divine intervention that reshapes our understanding of God and His relationship with humanity. It is a reminder that God is not distant but has entered into our world to bring salvation and hope. [03:51]

Colossians 1:15-17 (ESV): "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 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: How does the truth of Jesus being the Creator King who became human change your perspective on the Christmas story this year? What specific actions can you take to keep this truth at the forefront of your celebrations?

Day 2: God’s Desire for Intimacy

The incarnation signifies God's desire for an intimate relationship with humanity. Unlike the overwhelming manifestations of God in the Old Testament, Jesus comes as a baby, approachable and vulnerable, removing the barriers of fear and guilt. This act of divine humility invites us to draw near to God without fear, knowing that He understands our human experience. It is a call to move beyond a distant reverence to a personal relationship with God, where we can experience His love and presence in our daily lives. [16:34]

Hebrews 4:15-16 (ESV): "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

Reflection: In what ways can you cultivate a more intimate relationship with God this week? Consider setting aside specific times for prayer and reflection to draw near to Him.

Day 3: The Inclusivity of God’s Invitation

The "us" in "God with us" is not an exclusive group but an invitation to all who come with humility. The shepherds and wise men at the nativity scene symbolize this inclusivity, showing that God's invitation is open to all who recognize their need for Him. This inclusivity challenges us to examine our own attitudes towards others and to extend the same invitation of grace and love that we have received. It is a reminder that the gospel is for everyone, regardless of their background or status. [25:56]

Ephesians 2:17-19 (ESV): "And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God."

Reflection: Who in your life might feel excluded from God's love? How can you extend an invitation of grace and inclusion to them this week?

Day 4: The Radical Nature of Christianity

Christianity's claim that morality and goodness are insufficient for salvation is not narrow-minded but a different diagnosis of the human condition. It asserts that only through Jesus, the unique Son of God, can we find true salvation. This radical message challenges the notion that we can earn our way to God through good deeds and calls us to rely solely on the grace offered through Jesus. It is a call to humility, recognizing our need for a Savior and the transformative power of His love. [14:38]

Galatians 2:16 (ESV): "Yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified."

Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you are relying on your own efforts rather than God's grace? How can you shift your focus to trust more fully in Jesus for your salvation?

Day 5: Moving to a Personal Relationship with God

The incarnation invites us to move from a general experience of God to a personal relationship with Him. This requires us to respond to His invitation, removing any barriers that keep us from experiencing His love and presence. It is an invitation to engage with God on a deeper level, where we can experience the fullness of His grace and truth in our lives. This personal relationship is not just about knowing about God but knowing Him intimately and allowing His presence to transform us. [29:38]

James 4:8 (ESV): "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."

Reflection: What barriers are preventing you from experiencing a deeper relationship with God? What steps can you take today to draw nearer to Him and experience His transformative presence?

Sermon Summary

The Christmas season often brings us back to familiar scriptures and themes, which can sometimes lull us into a sentimental state rather than allowing the profound truths of these passages to penetrate our hearts. Today, we focus on Matthew 1:23, which speaks of the birth of Jesus and the name Emmanuel, meaning "God with us." This single word encapsulates the essence of Christmas and the Christian faith. It is a profound declaration that God, the Creator of the universe, has come to dwell among us as a human being.

The first point to consider is that Jesus is God. The incarnation is the central message of Christmas: the Creator King of the universe became a human being. This truth is reiterated throughout the Bible, from the Gospels to the Epistles, affirming that Jesus is indeed God. This understanding is crucial because it underpins the entire Christian faith. Without acknowledging Jesus as God, the rest of Christianity loses its coherence.

Secondly, Jesus is God with us. This is not just a theological statement but a relational one. The God who is infinitely greater than the universe has chosen to enter into an intimate relationship with us. This is a radical shift from the terrifying manifestations of God in the Old Testament, where His presence was overwhelming and awe-inspiring. In Jesus, God comes to us in the most approachable form—a baby. This signifies the removal of barriers between us and God, allowing us to know Him personally and without fear.

Finally, Jesus is God with us. The "us" refers to those who come to Him with humility and without pretense. It is not an exclusive club of the morally superior but an invitation to all who recognize their need for Him. The shepherds and wise men at the nativity scene symbolize this inclusivity. They came without references, simply responding to the invitation to witness the birth of the Savior.

Key Takeaways

1. Jesus is God: The incarnation is the heart of Christmas, affirming that Jesus is the Creator King who became human. This truth is foundational to the Christian faith, as it validates the entire narrative of the Bible and the claims of Jesus. Without this understanding, Christianity loses its coherence. [03:51]
2. God With Us: The incarnation signifies God's desire for an intimate relationship with humanity. Unlike the terrifying manifestations of God in the Old Testament, Jesus comes as a baby, approachable and vulnerable, removing the barriers of fear and guilt. [16:34]
3. Inclusivity of the Gospel: The "us" in "God with us" is not an exclusive group but an invitation to all who come with humility. The shepherds and wise men symbolize this inclusivity, showing that God's invitation is open to all who recognize their need for Him. [25:56]
4. The Radical Nature of Christianity: Christianity's claim that morality and goodness are insufficient for salvation is not narrow-minded but a different diagnosis of the human condition. It asserts that only through Jesus, the unique Son of God, can we find true salvation. [14:38]
5. Personal Relationship with God: The incarnation invites us to move from a general experience of God to a personal relationship with Him. This requires us to respond to His invitation, removing any barriers that keep us from experiencing His love and presence. [29:38]
** [29:38]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:12] - The Challenge of Familiarity
[00:55] - Focus on Emmanuel
[02:31] - The Weight of Emmanuel
[03:51] - Jesus is God
[06:09] - The Authority to Forgive
[09:27] - The Jewish Perspective
[12:54] - The Irritating Exclusivity
[16:34] - God With Us
[19:04] - Experiencing vs. Meeting God
[22:39] - The Joy of Knowing God
[25:56] - God With Us
[28:23] - Removing Limitations
[29:38] - Getting Near to God
[31:11] - The Rational Response to Jesus

Sermon Clips

The simple meaning of Christmas is that the Creator King of the universe has become a human being. That's the message of Christmas; everything else is secondary. All the talk about self-respect and community and peace on Earth between people who ordinarily fight—all that flows out of this. [00:03:48]

The Bible tells us this continually, even when it doesn't look like it's telling us this directly. For example, we know that Jesus forgives people their sins. Do you know what the ramifications of that are? You can only forgive a sin if it's against you, right? [00:05:31]

Whenever in the Bible somebody gets down on their knees to an angel, the angels always say, "Get up, I'm a creature just like you." But when Thomas gets down on his knees before Jesus Christ, what does Jesus do? He receives it; he accepts it. [00:07:21]

The very last people in the entire world who would ever believe that a human being could be God would be first-century Jews. That's a tremendous problem. The Jews believed in the God of the Bible, an uncreated Creator without beginning, infinitely transcending the universe. [00:08:28]

The people who lived with him were the people who were willing to die and did die for their conviction that he is who he said he is. How do you deal with that? Have you wrestled with it the way they did? Are you willing to put your life on the line for it the way they did? [00:12:27]

Christianity comes along and says, "No, your situation is so dire that morality and goodness will never be enough. The unique Son of God himself had to come and die for you, and you have to put all of your hope and rest and trust in him." [00:14:38]

This great God, with all of his majesty, infinitely greater than the universe, has put himself into a form of withness. He has come alongside; he has entered into an intimate personal relationship with us. He is God with us. [00:16:34]

Up until the time Jesus showed up, to get into the presence of God was totally terrifying—a smoking furnace, a pillar of fire, a tornado, or a whirlwind. When Moses asked to see the presence of God, to see the face of God, God said, "No, but I'll show you my hind parts." [00:20:48]

The people who can receive this great gift are the people who come without references, without arguments. People who never ever come and say, "You owe me because I've tried real hard." All you need is nothing, but a lot of people don't have it. [00:26:56]

Christmas is all about getting near him, getting with him. Look at what he did to be with you. Now I want to know what you're doing to be with him. What's keeping you from him? What's keeping you from a sense of his love continually being shed abroad in your heart? [00:29:38]

Jesus Christ, because of who he claimed to be, will not allow you that kind of lukewarm response. Either you give yourself to him totally now, or someday you may have to stand before him and answer the question, "Why did you think you knew better than I how to run your life?" [00:31:11]

I propose that you live with that on your heart. Let's pray. Father, in the next moment or two, as we listen to the musical offering, I pray, Lord, that we'll take these familiar words—these are so familiar, we hear them every year: Emmanuel, God With Us—and would you make them new. [00:32:40]

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