The Dawn of Redeeming Grace

Invite to open your Bibles to Matthew 1.

Read Matthew 1:18-25- Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

Pray.

Invite kids up to the stage.

A prophecy is fulfilled- Immanuel- God with us.

Crying over the death of Aunt Penny.

Burning of the report card.

Wedding- Best Man.

Dad has always been there.

Immanuel- God with us. Always. In times of sadness. In times of joy. In times of trouble. God is with us. ‘

When we celebrate the birth of Jesus, we are reminded that God is with us. That the birth of Jesus signaled, was a reminder, was proof that God was with us.

In fact, God became one of us TO be with us. John 1:14- “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory...”

My desire is that you would know this well- God is with you. And when you doubt that its true, remember that Jesus was born SO THAT you’d be aware of this truth. So that you’d remember it.

Pray. Dismiss.

This morning, we remember that multiple things can be true at once. Silent Night, Holy Night.

Silent night, Holy night is profound.

Silent night in that there was no fanfare. Holy night in that God is with us, God has taken on flesh.

Somehow, two seemingly opposing ideas are true at the same time.

Indeed all is calm and all is bright.

And what do we find happening?

Joseph Mohr in 1816- “Silent night, holy night! Son of God, love’s pure light, radiant beams from thy holy face, with the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at thy birth, Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.”

The Son of God is born, He is pure, He is light, He is radiant because of who He is. Redeeming grace, restoring grace has dawned in His birth. Grace that was not there before is now there. What has changed?

God is with man. God is made man. God dwells with man.

The story of Joseph. Immanuel- the birth of Jesus fulfills prophecy (Isaiah 7).

What does it mean that God is with us?

1. God is with us in the incarnation.

Matthew 1:21-23- She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).

We were not left alone. Our sin has to be dealt with, and God does exactly what is necessary.

Such a simple but highly significant truth. Something heard constantly.

The oldest and grandest of truths require constant restatement. Regardless of how well we think we know them.

God came to us. And accomplished so much.

Offered life but did much more- He lived life.

Our obedience is not merely a list of commands, but rather a life that has been lived.

Romans 8:29- “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.”

God is with us in the incarnation.

2. God is with us when we gather.

Matthew 18:19-20- Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”

God is with us in a special way when two or three gather in His name, praying to Him and asking requests on behalf of the glory of Jesus.

But consider the context. Not saying anything asked. Jesus is talking about what to do when people in the church sin without repentance.

One of the most difficult situations a church can face- discipline. The need to seek out repentance of a brother or sister.

On the heels of this convo, Jesus says that gathering believers experience His presence in a profound way.

God commands difficult things of us. It’s a life being turned in a new direction.

The church is filled with lives being turned in a new direction.

Interesting that we are always surprised by failure. A grump becomes a Christian, still might be a grump.

We are failures that require fixing. Gathering begins the process. But it’s not just the presence of one another, it’s the presence of Christ Himself that sustains the change.

God says He will be there through it all.

3. God is with us in His purposes.

Matthew 28:18-20- And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

One of the highest purposes of the church- go and make disciples. Glorify God and bring others along.

Notice what didn’t happen- God didn’t merely command his disciples to go and tell people about Him.

He commanded the making of disciples. Something that the disciples by themselves were completely unable to accomplish.

The importance of the “therefore.”

Because Jesus possesses all authority in heaven and on earth, we can go and make disciples.

Go preach and teach Jesus and His Spirit will deal with the hearts of stone.

We see this in parenting. Kids asking for something. Go do it. “I can’t.” Help is provided. Kids see what they can accomplish when they have the necessary help.

God states His purposes, He makes His commands, He brings us into His glorious work, and He accompanies and equips throughout. He makes possible the results.

God is present in His purposes.

What is the point of all of this? God with us. Immanuel. As the children were told, we must be reminded as well.

In all of life, God is with you.

But there is much for you to consider as well.

God is with us. Whether you choose to believe it or not does not change the reality. This presence of God has major implications for your life.

Isaiah 7- God comes to King Ahaz in mercy, but when rejected, comes in judgement.

Revelation 6:15-17- “Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, calling to the mountains and rocks, ‘Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?’”

The very same Savior born that day in Bethlehem becomes a mighty terror to those who have opposed Him.

The constant presence of Jesus can look different to different people in different situations. To some, a blessing. To others, a curse.

How has Immanuel been received in your own life? Do you resemble the shepherds, rejoicing in the birth of the Christ child? Or have you rejected Immanuel in order to blaze your own path? There is no more important question for you to ask yourself this Christmas morning.

This morning we celebrate the dawn of redeeming grace. I simply ask, has grace dawned in your own life?