Because God is With Us

The saying goes something like this, “God works in mysterious ways.” I’ve always liked this saying. You know there are some things we say in the church that really don’t line up biblically. But, this one I like, because it’s true. God does work in mysterious ways. This little expression says so much in so little. It says to me anyway that: God’s ways are not our ways, God doesn’t need our permission., God doesn’t need our instruction, God doesn’t need our convenience, God doesn’t owe us an explanation, God has power beyond our understanding, and God is God and that’s all there is to it. We see this happen in scripture. God often uses unconventional means to do his work.

God caused a donkey to talk back to its abusive master.

God used a man named Moses with a speech impediment to liberate his people.

God used a fish to swallow a man named Jonah whole to be a prayer sanctuary for three days.

God heard the desperation of a silent prayer of forgotten wife named Hannah.

God collapsed an entire wall except the apartment of a harlot named Rahab.

(List as many as needed)

God works in mysterious ways! And the greatest mystery is that God shows up in the first place.

1. The People of God are Saved

In the announcement, the angel tells Joseph that “his name will be Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” Now let’s unpack that. His name is Jesus, which means, “Yahweh saves” Yahweh being the proper name of our God. Jesus’ name means that God will save. The entire purpose of Jesus is found in His very name. So, when we pray in the name of Jesus don’t miss the authority that that name carries. The name is powerful not because of pronunciation, or even dialect, but because of what it means and who its attributed too.

When a cop says, “stop in the name of the law” if your lucky enough to survive, you stop. Not because he said law, but because the authority that the law is supposed to carry. So when we pray in the name of Jesus its not just that we say Jesus because of what that name means.

The US Postel serves will not mail anything with a valid stamp of approval.

2. The Promises of God are Kept

It had been close to 750 years since Isaiah announced the Immanuel. That’s a long time to wait. Now let me deal with the patience that the nation had to have. (Relate Israel to AA experience) This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet. There are 353 prophesies that Jesus fulfills alone. I find comfort in the truth that God keeps His promises. So when it seems that God is delaying a blessing that God has promised to you in his word, just think about all the things he did to make this one miracle possible. If you just knew of all the other miracles that God performed just to give you the one your waiting for you would be shouting the roof off this building.

· 2 Corinth 1:20 In Him all the promises of God are Yes and Amen.

And to add to it. The Bible says, “what the Lord had spoken. Look at God’s public speaking track record and tell me you aren't impressed.”

Fulfilled what the LORD said through Isaiah...

3. The Presence of God is Realized

God is and has always been omnipresent. This statement is more relational than it is locational. Meaning although “Heaven is God’s throne and Earth is God’s footstool” he is a very present help in a time of need. God had always shown up in the lives of people, but when Jesus entered the picture there is anew reality that is the presence of God. The Incarnation, God in the flesh, now makes God’s presence both relational and locational because now an omnipresent God is occupying time and space. The infinite became finite, the eternal took on temporal, the Spirit took on flesh, the immeasurable became measurable, the creator became the creation, and Jesus walked among his people. As such he experienced the human condition. The Hebrews writer says, “he was tempted in all ways we are yet without sin”. All that is to say that when you find yourself getting kicked around by the bully called life you can look at Jesus and know he was kicked too. The God we serve is not some impersonal, distant, unconcerned God. He is...(Preach)

(God was right there)

Abraham, Daniel, Hagar,

David, tell us about when God with you. Goliath, King Saul, Absolom, Sinned with Bathsheba, walk through the valley.