Emmanuel: The Assurance of God's Ever-Present Love
Summary
The message today centers around the profound truth of Emmanuel, meaning "God with us." This name, which is central to the Christmas story, signifies the incredible reality that God is not distant but present with us in every moment of our lives. The sermon explores the significance of this name, tracing its roots from the Old Testament prophecy in Isaiah to its fulfillment in the New Testament with the birth of Jesus. The dual spelling of Emmanuel, with an "E" or an "I," reflects the transition from Hebrew to Greek, yet both point to the same truth: God is with us.
The narrative of Mary and Joseph highlights the challenges they faced and the assurance they received that God was with them. This assurance is not just for them but for all of us, especially in times of trial and uncertainty. The message encourages us to recognize that God's presence is not contingent on our feelings or circumstances but is a steadfast reality. It challenges us to look back on our lives and see how God has been with us through every trial, even when it was hard to perceive in the moment.
The sermon also emphasizes the compassionate nature of God, who is described as the "Father of compassion and the God of all comfort." This God, who is called to come alongside us, is especially near to those who are struggling. The message concludes with an invitation to align ourselves with God, who has already chosen to be with us, and to embrace the salvation offered through Jesus Christ.
Key Takeaways:
1. Emmanuel: God With Us
The name Emmanuel, meaning "God with us," is a profound declaration of God's presence in our lives. It signifies that God is not distant but intimately involved in our daily experiences, offering comfort and guidance. This truth challenges us to live with the awareness that we are never alone, regardless of our circumstances. [52:58]
2. The Assurance of God's Presence
In times of uncertainty and trial, the assurance that God is with us provides strength and hope. Just as Mary and Joseph were reassured of God's presence during their challenging journey, we too can find peace in knowing that God walks with us through every difficulty. This assurance is not based on our feelings but on the unchanging nature of God. [01:06:31]
3. God's Compassionate Nature
God is described as the "Father of compassion and the God of all comfort," highlighting His deep love and care for us. He is called to come alongside us, especially in our times of trouble, offering comfort and support. This understanding of God's nature invites us to trust in His goodness and lean on Him in our struggles. [01:08:40]
4. Hindsight and Faith
Often, we can see God's hand more clearly in hindsight, recognizing His presence and guidance in past trials. This perspective encourages us to trust that God is with us in the present, even when we cannot see it. By looking back, we can shout with confidence that God has been faithful and will continue to be so. [01:11:54]
5. Aligning With God
While God has chosen to be with us, the question remains whether we choose to be with Him. This involves a conscious decision to align our lives with His will and embrace the salvation offered through Jesus Christ. By doing so, we enter into a relationship where we walk alongside God, experiencing His presence and guidance daily. [01:22:40]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [45:45] - Baptism Stories
- [47:21] - Tithes and Offerings
- [52:58] - Introduction to Emmanuel
- [55:06] - God With Us in Everyday Life
- [56:29] - The Story of Mary and Joseph
- [57:45] - The Rescue Mission of Christmas
- [01:00:13] - The Magnitude of God With Us
- [01:06:31] - The Angel's Message to Mary
- [01:08:07] - God's Compassion and Comfort
- [01:11:19] - Hindsight and Faith
- [01:13:07] - Personal Testimonies of God's Presence
- [01:18:14] - Emmanuel in Our Lives Today
- [01:21:48] - The Story of Mary Revisited
- [01:22:40] - Invitation to Align With God
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Emmanuel - God With Us
Bible Reading:
1. Isaiah 7:14 (NIV) - "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel."
2. Matthew 1:23 (NIV) - "The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" (which means "God with us").
3. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV) - "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God."
Observation Questions:
1. What does the name "Emmanuel" mean, and how is it significant in both the Old and New Testaments? [52:58]
2. How did the angel reassure Joseph about Mary's pregnancy, and what was the significance of the name given to the child? [56:29]
3. According to the sermon, how does the dual spelling of Emmanuel (with an "E" or an "I") reflect the transition between languages? [52:58]
4. How does Paul describe God in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, and what does this reveal about God's nature? [01:08:07]
Interpretation Questions:
1. Why might the assurance of God's presence have been particularly important for Mary and Joseph during their challenging journey? [01:06:31]
2. How does the concept of "God with us" challenge the perception of God as distant or uninvolved in our lives? [01:00:13]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that God's presence is not dependent on our feelings or circumstances? [01:00:13]
4. How does the understanding of God as the "Father of compassion and the God of all comfort" influence our view of His involvement in our struggles? [01:08:07]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt alone or distant from God. How can the truth of "Emmanuel" change your perspective on that experience? [01:00:13]
2. How can you cultivate a greater awareness of God's presence in your daily life, especially during times of uncertainty or trial? [01:06:31]
3. In what ways can you align your life more closely with God's will, acknowledging that He has already chosen to be with you? [01:22:40]
4. Consider a current struggle or challenge you are facing. How can you lean on God's compassionate nature and comfort during this time? [01:08:07]
5. How can you use your past experiences of God's faithfulness to encourage others who may be struggling to see His presence in their lives? [01:11:54]
6. Identify one specific area in your life where you need to trust in God's presence and guidance more fully. What steps can you take to strengthen that trust? [01:18:14]
7. How can you be a source of comfort and support to someone in your community, reflecting the compassion and presence of God? [01:10:28]
Devotional
Day 1: Emmanuel: God’s Presence in Our Daily Lives
The name Emmanuel, meaning "God with us," is a profound declaration of God's presence in our lives. It signifies that God is not distant but intimately involved in our daily experiences, offering comfort and guidance. This truth challenges us to live with the awareness that we are never alone, regardless of our circumstances. The presence of God is a constant, unwavering reality that transcends our feelings and situations. It invites us to cultivate a deeper awareness of His presence in every moment, encouraging us to seek His guidance and comfort in all aspects of our lives. [52:58]
Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: In what specific area of your life do you need to acknowledge God's presence today, and how can you invite Him into that space?
Day 2: Assurance in Uncertainty
In times of uncertainty and trial, the assurance that God is with us provides strength and hope. Just as Mary and Joseph were reassured of God's presence during their challenging journey, we too can find peace in knowing that God walks with us through every difficulty. This assurance is not based on our feelings but on the unchanging nature of God. It is a reminder that God’s presence is a steadfast reality, offering us strength and hope even when we cannot perceive it. By trusting in His unchanging nature, we can navigate life's challenges with confidence and peace. [01:06:31]
Psalm 46:1-3 (ESV): "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling."
Reflection: Think of a current challenge you are facing. How can you lean on the assurance of God's presence to find peace and strength in this situation?
Day 3: The Compassionate Nature of God
God is described as the "Father of compassion and the God of all comfort," highlighting His deep love and care for us. He is called to come alongside us, especially in our times of trouble, offering comfort and support. This understanding of God's nature invites us to trust in His goodness and lean on Him in our struggles. His compassion is a source of strength and solace, reminding us that we are never alone in our pain. By embracing His comfort, we can find healing and hope in the midst of our trials. [01:08:40]
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (ESV): "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."
Reflection: Who in your life is in need of God's comfort today, and how can you be an instrument of His compassion to them?
Day 4: Seeing God’s Hand in Hindsight
Often, we can see God's hand more clearly in hindsight, recognizing His presence and guidance in past trials. This perspective encourages us to trust that God is with us in the present, even when we cannot see it. By looking back, we can shout with confidence that God has been faithful and will continue to be so. This reflection on past experiences strengthens our faith, reminding us of God’s unwavering presence and guidance throughout our lives. [01:11:54]
Deuteronomy 31:8 (ESV): "It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed."
Reflection: Reflect on a past trial where you now see God's guidance. How does this perspective encourage you to trust Him in your current circumstances?
Day 5: Choosing to Align with God
While God has chosen to be with us, the question remains whether we choose to be with Him. This involves a conscious decision to align our lives with His will and embrace the salvation offered through Jesus Christ. By doing so, we enter into a relationship where we walk alongside God, experiencing His presence and guidance daily. This alignment is a daily commitment to live in accordance with His will, allowing His presence to transform our lives and lead us into a deeper relationship with Him. [01:22:40]
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 is one specific area of your life where you need to align more closely with God’s will, and what steps can you take today to make that alignment a reality?
Quotes
"God's Word says that He did not give us the spirit of fear, but of love and a sound mind. And so that's our prayer for you, that once and for all, that he would heal you from that anxiety and from that childhood fear that you have and struggle with, and just break it off of you and off of your son as well." [00:38:10] (15 seconds)
"Well, both are correct, right? As I kind of looked into this, as I kind of scratched my head and wondered why is it with an E and why is it with an I sometimes, I discovered the difference is between the languages, right? The original language. The Old Testament was written in Hebrew and parts in Aramaic, and the Hebrew word for Emmanuel is spelled with an I. The New Testament was predominantly written in Greek, and the Greek version of Emmanuel is spelled with an E." [00:53:06] (30 seconds)
"Emmanuel means God with us, right? God with us. Now, how many of you guys have ever prayed the prayer, God be with me? Right, God be with me. Maybe you're kind of returning to the doctor's office after they ran some tests on you, and now you're going to get the results. And before you walk into the doctor's office, you're like, God, be with me." [00:54:26] (24 seconds)
"And this is what we've been talking about this whole series. That this whole series, that Christmas is really about a rescue mission. That there is a... There is a God in heaven who loves you and I so much that he dare not leave us in the predicament that we found ourselves under, under the curse of sin and death. And so he sent us his one and only Son." [00:58:12] (21 seconds)
"And the next verse, Matthew is basically going to quote what the prophet said 740 years before this took place. 740 years. I mean, that just tells us how big and how great God is. That 740 years before something takes place, he tells us what's going to happen. And he speaks through his prophet Isaiah. And Isaiah makes this declaration." [00:59:23] (28 seconds)
"That God is with those who are struggling the most. In fact, Paul. He had his struggles. And listen what Paul wrote to the believers. Living in Corinth. In 2nd Corinthians to encourage them. Paul says in 2nd Corinthians 1 3. Praise be to the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ. And then he's going to give us who this father is. Who our God the father is." [01:07:01] (26 seconds)
"That whatever breaks your heart. Breaks his heart. Whatever he sees you struggling with. Breaks his heart. And out of his love and great compassion. He comes to comfort you. Now that word comfort in the Greek. Is paracletos. Let me just spell it up here real quick. Paracletos. That's the word comfort in Greek. Paracletos. And it's two words." [01:08:51] (30 seconds)
"That it's easier to see God working and moving in our lives when we look back rather than what we're facing in the moment. Because when we're faced in the moment, we get kind of blindsided to God's hand. When we're facing difficulty in the moment, we kind of get blindsided by what God is doing. And in the moment when we're facing a trial or a struggle, it's hard to see God." [01:11:54] (24 seconds)
"But now, as we're about to celebrate 25 years, I can look back and see God in that year, too, when it was the hardest year in our marriage, you were with us. I think of my three children, each of them, dramatic. Not in behavior, but just in their story. Our first pregnancy, our first daughter, dramatic. Born like rushed. Born like rushed. Breathing, blue in the face. Popped out of Jenny by suction." [01:13:30] (34 seconds)
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