The Story

Me // We

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.

Immanuel — God with Us.

When you hear the words ‘God is with us,’ what comes to mind?

For some, those words may bring comfort, peace, or a sense of closeness. Maybe you picture a God who’s right here, near to you in every moment. But for others, those words can feel distant. God is with them, but not with me. You might think, Yeah, that’s great for you, but I’m not sure God is for someone like me.

I’ve talked to people who say, I’m not the kind of person God is really interested in. Maybe He’s for the people who have it all together, the ones who go to church every Sunday or don’t have the struggles I do. But me? I’m not sure I belong in that category.

That’s a real struggle, and if we’re honest, we all face that tension at some point. But here’s the good news: the message of Christmas—Immanuel, God with us—shatters that idea.

The temptation is to think, especially depending your faith background to think that God is for those people over there.

Story of the guy at work — that’s great for you, but he’s not for me. This is the tension that we need to walk through.

This is a promise for all people — everyone

This is demonstrated in the arrival of Jesus.

God

Tell the story

God promised Abraham that he would make him a great nation and through his line, he would bless the world.

They went into slavery in Egypt — how can they bless the world if they are in slavery?

Lord delivered them — established the nation of Israel — King David and King Solomon.

The nation is conquered and divided — the promise has been broken…hope is lost. Israel never fully returns to prominence again.

But the promise to Abraham remains… then one night…

Luke 2:8 (NIV)

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.

Shepherds — In first-century Judea, shepherds were essential for the economy but were socially marginalized, often perceived as unclean and unreliable. They were the lowly positions.

Luke 2:9 (NIV)

An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

Terrified — everyone responded to interacting with the angels, people were just scared, why? B/c they were God’s warriors.

Luke 2:10 (NIV)

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.

What news could be great news? News that would cause joy for all people? How many people today could use some good news?

Luke 2:11 (NIV)

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

Messiah — God’s King. The one who would come to save.

The King has come, he has come to be amongst the people — live among you and I so we can be close with him.

This king didn’t come to rule over his subjects — that’s what they think when they hear king or Lord — no, Jesus came to be with his people. And who are his people?

All people… regardless of

past mistakes or failures

doubts about faith

current relationship with God

successes or achievements

shame or guilt from the past

religious practices

Good news for you and for me. B/c of what he did we are able to have a relationship with the God of heaven. This king came to bring peace — all encompassing, supernatural, beyond explanation — peace.

This came not to take your life and make you a slave — which was typical for kings — instead he came so that you may have life and have it to the full.

So how did this king make it into the world? You would think...

Boom from heaven

pillar of fire slamming into the ground

Iron Man — slamming the ground

No, Jesus did not come like that at all. He instead...

Luke 2:12 (NIV)

This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Give them the accurate picture. Word for inn — Joe stayed with family — had the baby downstairs with the animals while the men were upstairs.

Born with animals, not in the palace but the manger.

B/c if he was born in a palace he would be for “those people.” God with the royalty again — no, no he is God with us.

You

Here’s the thing, he’s God with you.

You can have access to God. Did you know that? He’s not some distant far-off God — burning the ants with a magnifying glass or God watching the football game in the next room ignoring you — no he is God with you.

There’s a trick to this… you have to accept the gift of the King.

That’s why we’re here.

Love God.

That’s what we do here, we connect with you, we exist to equip you to love God, love people and make a difference.

So I tell this to everyone, go ahead

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Invitation

Accept and commit

Extras

(Paraphrase next section)

Luke 1:26–28 (NIV)

In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

Mary was terrified b/c she’s never seen anything like this.

Luke 1:31–33 (NIV)

You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

He was going to be a king like no other - he was going to be the king of kings.

A king that would place his subjects above himself - a king that didn’t pick sides, he would be a king not only for Israel, but for everyone.

This king would not be born in a throne room

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree for a census.

Luke 2:6–7 (NIV)

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

The king was born…but he did not come like other kings.