Incarnation: God with Us

Introduction

The Advent season centers on the mystery and the mercy of the incarnation: God becoming flesh and dwelling among us. In the seventh chapter of Isaiah, we are given the promise of Immanuel. “God with us” flashes hope into a fraught moment. This morning I would like for us to draw three truths that should shape our Advent faith and practice.

Scripture: Isaiah 7:10-17

The Certainty of this Sign Shapes our Faith & Practice - God gives us Scriptural Promises and Steadfast Assurance: (v.14) This sign is specific, sovereign, and sure.

Seeing the Sign - God gives a clear sign - an empty tomb!

Securing the Soul - In Christ our souls find security in Him!

Standing in Assurance - In the power of God’s Spirit we stand in assurance amidst fear.

Just as the steady beam of the lighthouse guides ships through the fog. The sign of Immanuel is the steady beam through the fog of politics, fear, and uncertainty. It tells us God intends to be present with His people.

Commit yourself to meditating upon the name of Jesus, for it is a cure for the anxious moments of life. Call upon Jesus expressing to Him one area you need His presence, fixing our eyes upon Christ believing God’s promised presence.

The Closeness of our Saviour Shapes our Faith and Practice - God the Son’s Incarnation, His Presence that Enters Our Condition: (vv.14-15) His name “Immanuel” declares not merely a theological truth but an intimate reality: “God with us.” Verse 15 brings God into humanity, “butter and honey shall he eat” signifying real human growth and experience.

There is His Coming Near Us - The Saviour comes near us on our journey

There is His Communing with Us - He comes near to communicate intimately.

There is His Compassion for Us - He shows us continued compassion

Consider a physician who lives among his patients in order to learn their needs on a more intimate level. He may know them more fully enabling him to treat the patient better. The Incarnate Christ doesn’t merely observe from afar; He enters human weakness and taste so He can redeem it.

Enter someone’s weakness this Christmas season. Visit, call or simply just sit with someone who is experiencing loneliness. In personal prayer call their name to the Father in Heaven through Jesus, believing He cares for every minor detail of life (a smell, a meal, a worry) thanking Him for entering even that minor thing.

The Confidence of our Sanctification Shapes our Faith and Practice - Jesus Christ’s Maturing Toward Goodness: (v.15) Christ’s Incarnation is not merely comfort; it is formation.

We see Jesus Choosing the Good - Jesus learned to refuse evil and choose good (Isaiah 50:4-7)

We see Jesus Confirming the Heart - God’s presence aims at our moral and spiritual formation

We see Jesus Cultivating Growth - Christ’s presence matures us that we may discern good from evil, error from truth.

Think about a teacher. Their goal is not only to comfort their students but to form the character of each girl and boy they cross paths with. The Holy Spirit is our teacher that not only comforts us but also forms our character by instruction in the word and showing us our Saviour’s example. The Lord wants us to choose the good and reject the evil.

Discern daily concerning the choices you make and reflect upon God’s goodness and those choices He allows you to change. Hold yourself accountable! Focus one habit during this season, something such as kindness, telling the truth, generosity, make these things a habit. At the end of each day take time to rest and reflect, cultivating space for God’s formative work in your life.

Concluding Invitation

We all these things are brought together, Immanuel changes everything! The promise to the House of David, becomes the promise to the whole world. God enters human life to be with us, to comfort us, and ultimately to save us. This Advent season you’re invited to rest in the presence of Jesus Christ and to live through His power.

If you are unsaved, The Spirit and the bride calls you to receive Christ. Confessing Jesus as the Son of God believing He paid your sin debt on Calvary. Trusting His promises of eternal life simply through faith in Him.

If you’re saved here today but you feel distant or spiritually immature, come near to Christ today and let His presence shape your life and choices; enter a season of small, practical obedience during these last few days of the year.

If you today are walking with Christ in maturity, bring Christ’s presence to others. Bring to them practical closeness, someone who needs to know God and needs to know He will be with them. Bring them to Christ today.