The Presence of Christmas: He is With Us

Build Connection

So this past week I drove my father back to Alabama. We left Monday and if you are not aware Missouri got a lot of snow especially I70. We were traveling half way between KC and St Louis, visibility was short and snow covered the ground so it was slick. We were traveling over a hill and heading down going about 55. I noticed that all the cars were stopped so I started pressing on the brake and when I did we just slid. I quickly put the car in neutral and started pumping the brake, but we still slid every time I put my foot on the brake…

We eventually slid right in between the semi in my lane and a car that had pulled off the road into the median.

Create Tension

I had the wisdom of driving in the snow, I had the experience of driving in the snow, and I had the equipment of driving in the snow, but I needed something else! that something else is what I want to talk to you today about.

Provide Solution

We are continuing our series entitled, “Unwrapping the Gift” and so today we are going to be unwrapping another gift.

John 1:1–14

“In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created,* and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.* God sent a man, John the Baptist,* to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God. So the Word became human* and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness.* And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.”

One of the amazing things that sets the gospel of John apart from the other gospels is that the other gospels tell the story of Jesus starting out as a human baby then proceed to show how he was also divine, God in the flesh. When John writes, he starts off with Jesus being divine (the Word) and shows how he was also human.

John starts using the same words that Genesis does, “In the beginning…” and like in Genesis God had already existed. The Word had already existed and the Word was God, Jesus was God. We know John is talking about Jesus because he says in vs 14

John 1:14 “14 So the Word became human and made his home among us.”

I’m not a big fan of this translation…The phrase “mad his home” in the Greek is one word…

Lexham Theological Wordbook σκηνόω

σκηνόω (skēnoō).

In it’s noun form it is the word…

Lexham Theological Wordbook σκηνή

σκηνή (skēnē).

You see Jesus didn’t really make his home here on earth, as in his permanent residence, but lived here while he accomplished his work that he was sent to do.

Think of it like a college student who is away at college. They have a permanent home, where they are from, and they have a temporary home, where they are living while they get their degree. They will call both places home, but one is temporary and the other is permanent home.

Ephesians 3:17 “17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.”

We also see here that Christ will “make his home” in your hearts. Interesting thing is, this is a different greek word

Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains: Greek (New Testament) 2997 κατοικέω

κατοικέω (katoikeō): vb.; ≡ DBLHebr 3782; Str 2730; TDNT 5.153—LN 85.69 dwell, live in, reside in

Too many of us don’t give Jesus a home in our hearts we give him a tent, a temporary living space.

1. When you’re lonely, God is your companion.

The first time God said “it isn’t good” was when he looked at Adam in Genesis 1 and recognized he was alone.

But God’s Word is filled with good news about our loneliness. If we recognize God’s presence in our lives, he will bring joy in the midst of these struggles.  The Bible says this in Psalm 16:11 “You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.*” You might feel alone right now, but you’re not. God’s promise in Hebrews 13:5 “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” , will bring you joy.

2. When you’re worried, God is your confidence.

We all go through “the fire” those tough times when we’re overwhelmed by stress. And God knows how easy it is for us to worry when we’re in the middle of a fire. That’s why he gives us his presence.The fact that God is with us changes everything. His presence gives us the stability we need to say, as David does in Psalm 23:4 “Even when I walk through the darkest valley,* I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.” You can’t get that kind of confidence from psychology. It only comes when you know that God is walking with you—and because of that, nothing can shake you.

We need to remember Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:25–27 ““That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?”

We can have confidence in God that he has everything under control. We need to remember Job’s words in Job 42:2 ““I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you.”

3. When you’re tempted, God is your counselor.

First Corinthians 10:13 reminds us that temptations are common for everyone. Pastors aren’t immune to them. Just like anyone else, we face normal temptations (lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh, and the pride of life).But the verse also reminds us that God provides us with counsel when we face temptation. Paul writes, in 1 Corinthians 10:13 “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” .God is a counselor who shows you a way out of the temptation. Your temptation doesn’t surprise him. He knows what you’re going through, and he’s pulling for you to succeed. You don’t have to just depend upon your own will power, which invariably will falter. God has an escape route plotted out for you. He will always be with you to guide you along the right path.

Remember Jesus faced temptation in the wilderness.

His temptations in the wilderness encompass three ares we also deal with, needs, power, and identity.

4. When you’re discouraged, God is your comforter.

If that’s how you feel right now, the Bible has something to say to you: Psalm 116:8–9 “He has saved me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling. And so I walk in the Lord’s presence as I live here on earth!” God’s presence will give you the power to keep going. But you have to tune into it, and “walk in the presence of the Lord.” How can you tune into God’s presence?

A lot of the problem we have is that we fail to stay in the presence of God.

Encourage Change

Be quiet. Many people don’t experience God’s presence because they’re always distracted. Drop out of the noise around you by tuning in to God’s presence several times a day. . 

Talk to God about everything. Maintain a consistent conversation with God. Nothing should be off limits.

Develop the habit of praise. Thank God for who he is and for what he has done for you.