Emmanuel

Recap:

We have been talking in this four day study about man’s longing for Eden - for what was lost

I am attempting to show four things using the term EDEN as an acronym:

E= Eviction or Exile - The fall in the garden of Eden and how that has produced a yearning, longing, hunger for the completeness, wholeness, health and perfectness that was in the Garden - but the fall caused our eviction, our exile if you will.

That eviction came with promise - the promise of the first gospel message in the Bible the protoevangelium theologians call it:

Genesis 3:15 “15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.”

A promise that restoration or redemption could and would happen.

Eve took this promise literally and looked for it in her first born son Cain - but was disappointed.

D=Despair & Disappointment - there seems to be a thread woven through all of scripture of those that might have filled that role - but all of them came up short and failed:

God gives Seth—“appointed”—and the line continues:

Noah – A righteous man in a wicked generation.

Abraham – Promised a seed that would bless the nations.

Isaac, Jacob, Judah – The lineage narrows.

David – A king after God’s heart.

That is when we turn to the New Testament and find another possibility

A man came preaching, teaching, and baptizing doing great things and the religious leaders of the day come to him

John 1:19–25 KJV 1900

19 And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou? 20 And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ. 21 And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No. 22 Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself? 23 He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias. 24 And they which were sent were of the Pharisees. 25 And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet?

Can you not hear the disappointment in their voice - they are yearning, longing for that Christ - they are seeking, hoping, wanting that restoration

and then I love John’s answer to this question:

John 1:26–27 KJV 1900

26 John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; 27 He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose.

That brings us to the next letter in our word EDEN...

E=Emmanuel

Matthew 1:18–23 KJV 1900

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. 20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

those titles, designations, terms, descriptions, prophetic names speaks volumes of the reality of what was to come.

Matthew tells us Mary and Joseph were to call the name of their son JESUS = he would save his people from their sins

Isaiah said people would call his name Emmanuel - it is possible that Isaiah had near-term or immediate fulfillment but Matthew sees Messianic or Christological prophetic fulfillment

He brings this word this term this designation to Jesus and then gives us its meaning =

GOD WITH US

We understand, and I think even many of the Old Testament characters had a sense of the omnipresence of God - at least David did

Psalm 139:8 KJV 1900

8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: If I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.

But Emmanuel was a reality that went to greater depths - there is a sense in which God is always with everyone

But at the Incarnation, or Birth of Christ, or Christmas - this baby that Mary holds - the seed of the woman - this soon to be serpent-crusher whose name was to be Jesus = we see to be Jesus is God with us in the flesh

One song writer put it:

Mary held the baby Jesus Tightly in her hands On her way to dedicate The child of Gods command Once inside the temple His eyes fell on the boy Simeon began to weep and Cried out loud with joy My eyes have seen Salvation on his face My hands have touched Amazing grace My ears have heard the voice Of Gods only choice I′ve smelled the rose in bloom I've been to Heaven But I never left the room

But it wasn’t Simeon going to heaven - it was heaven coming to earth

It was God himself with us

That is such a comforting thought for so many reasons:

God with us in our living

In the storms: Matthew 8:23-27

Matthew 8:23–27 KJV 1900

23 And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. 24 And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. 25 And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. 26 And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. 27 But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!

I sometimes think about Paul & Silas:

Acts 16:22–26 KJV 1900

22 And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them. 23 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: 24 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. 25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. 26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.

God is With us in our living;

In our storms

In our temptations, infirmities, struggles:

Hebrews 4:15 KJV 1900

15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

He can empathize, he can understand, he is able to feel what you feel - because he has been there - and he is there - there with you

The idea of Emmanuel—God with us—means that God did not stay distant from the human condition but entered into it fully in Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 4:15 affirms that Jesus is not a remote deity or an aloof Savior. He is our High Priest, bridging the gap between a holy God and sinful people.

In becoming incarnate, Jesus shared in our humanity. He did not sin, but He entered into the full weight of human frailty, including physical hunger, emotional pain, relational betrayal, spiritual testing, and ultimately, death.

This is what makes Him a perfect mediator (cf. 1 Timothy 2:5) — fully God and fully man.

He is with us - God with us - Bro. Carl Knight wrote a beautiful song and part of the words go:

“With me when I am discouraged, with me when I’m bending low”

and he ended it with, “He’s with me, He’s with me I know”

I’m glad God is with us in our storms, with us in our testings, with us in our failures, in our successes, God has come down - Emmanuel GOD WITH US

God is with us In Our Suffering – Isaiah 53:3 “A man of sorrows, acquainted with grief.”

Emmanuel is not only with us in joy—but in chemo rooms, in funeral homes, in broken marriages, in the midnight cries of anxiety. He is a God who suffers alongside us.

God is with us In Our Daily Walk – Galatians 2:20 “Christ lives in me…” This is not just a poetic metaphor—it is a spiritual reality. He doesn’t just show up on Sundays. He indwells, empowers, and walks with us through every routine and rhythm of life.

The older I have gotten the less I see that gospel song as a sentimental piece about roses and gardens - it is imbued with a rich and full theological findings by the author -

I’m talking about the song In The Garden -

I love how the songwriter puts it:

“And HE walks with me, and He talks with Me, and He tells me I am His own” - what are they saying - GOD IS WITH ME

What is the importance of this Emmanuel - it’s not just a crutch or wishful thinking to say that God is with us -

What we are doing is finding in Christ the filling of that longing for Eden - that restoration, that wholeness, that completeness.

When we become a Christian we sometimes use terms like, “I have found Him” -

Sister Clara Williams put it this way:

1. All my life I had a longing For a drink from some clear spring, That I hoped would quench the burning Of the thirst I felt within.

Refrain: Hallelujah! I have found Him Whom my soul so long has craved! Jesus satisfies my longings, Through His blood I now am saved.

2. Feeding on the husks around me, Till my strength was almost gone, Longed my soul for something better, Only still to hunger on.

3. Poor I was, and sought for riches, Something that would satisfy, But the dust I gathered round me Only mocked my soul’s sad cry.

4. Well of water, ever springing, Bread of life so rich and free, Untold wealth that never faileth, My Redeemer is to me.

What was she saying: God is with me, I am satisfied

We also sang I believe it was twice yesterday - which is perfectly fine and acceptable:

O I have found it, the crystal fountain

Where all my life's deep needs have been supplied

One of my favorites:

I have found no satisfaction in the fleeting joys of earth I had hewn me broken cisterns that had mocked me by their dearth All the springs my soul had tested failed to meet my deepest need Christ, alone, has met my longing, He has satisfied indeed!

I was tempted not to trust Him for so many things had failed But so patiently He waited and His tenderness prevailed So, I swung my heart's door open, and His promises I tried Christ is not a disappointment, He has fully satisfied!

I had tried the world for pleasure, but it could not satisfy. Though it promised much, it failed me. All its wells and springs were dry... Everything I tried was empty, and I thought my life was vain, Then, He came and tuned my heartstrings, And I learned to sing again.

Chorus Christ is not a disappointment! Every longing in my breast Finds, in Him, complete fulfillment, He has brought me into rest I have tested Him, and proved Him more than all I dreamed He'd be Christ is not a disappointment, He is all in all to me!

What am I talking about - I’m talking about EMMANUEL - GOD WITH US - HE SATISFIES that yearning for Eden - he fills us with himself and HE IS ENOUGH!!!

“AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME EMMANUEL”

GOD WITH US

God is with us in our living -

But...

God is with us in our dying -

The old timers used to sing, “I won’t have to cross Jordan alone”

I have heard two recently dying Christians give the testimony - “You mean I get to go to heaven?” When told they were dying

John Wesley as he was dying uttered those famous words, “Best of all God is with us”

Oh the comfort, the peace, the joy that comes from knowing that God is with us:

“Emmanuel: GOD With Us in Every Season—From Cradle to Cross, From Womb to Tomb, From Earth to Glory.”

But do you know Emmanuel means even more than this....

Emmanuel doesn't just mean God present—it means God has entered humanity as its representative head. Jesus is not merely “with” us—He has become one of us to do what Adam failed to do.

I. Emmanuel Reclaims What Adam Lost

📖 Romans 5:12–19 Adam’s sin brought death, separation, and condemnation—but Jesus, the Second Adam, brings righteousness, reconciliation, and life.

“By one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of One shall many be made righteous.” (Rom. 5:19)

Adam was the head of the old creation. Emmanuel is the head of the new creation.

Adam hid from God in the garden; Emmanuel brings God to us in the garden of Gethsemane.

Adam took from a tree and died; Emmanuel died on a tree to give life.

Adam’s breath became dust; Emmanuel’s breath brings the Spirit and new creation life (John 20:22).

II. Emmanuel Enters the Battle Adam Lost

📖 Matthew 4:1–11; 1 Corinthians 15:45–49

Adam failed in paradise. Emmanuel succeeded in the wilderness.

The first Adam succumbed to Satan in the comfort of Eden.

The Second Adam overcame Satan in the barrenness of the wilderness.

The first Adam grasped to be like God. Emmanuel, “though He was in the form of God… made Himself nothing.” (Phil. 2:6–8)

Application: Because Emmanuel triumphed as the Second Adam, we are no longer slaves to the first Adam’s fall. We are partakers of the Second Adam’s victory!

“The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven.” (1 Cor. 15:47)

III. Emmanuel Begins the New Humanity

📖 2 Corinthians 5:17 – “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.”

Jesus didn’t just enter history to save us from sin—He came to redefine humanity itself. He is the prototype of the redeemed human race.

He walks in perfect obedience.

He fulfills the law Adam broke.

He rises in a glorified body—the firstfruits of what we shall become (1 Cor. 15:20–23).

The cradle leads to the cross… but the cross leads to the crown.

Spiritual Ramification: Because Emmanuel is the Second Adam:

We are no longer in Adam—we are in Christ.

We are no longer under condemnation—we are under grace.

We are no longer destined to dust—we are destined for glory.

Conclusion: The Second Adam Walks With Us

So when we say “God with us,” we’re saying:

God has re-entered humanity’s story.

God has reversed Eden’s curse. or is reversing or will reverse (we will talk more about this tomorrow Lord willing)

God has raised up a new people in Christ, the Second Adam.

This Emmanuel is not just our comforter—He is our covenant head, our representative, our resurrected King. And one day, this same Emmanuel will return—not in a manger, but on a white horse (Revelation 19)—to finish what Adam began and establish the eternal Eden in the new heavens and new earth (Revelation 21–22).

EDEN

Eviction, Despair/Disappointment, Emmanuel

tomorrow we will look at New Creation.

Thank you for your kind attention.