God Draws Near Through His Presence

Matthew 1:18–25 KJV (WS)

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. 24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

Text Idea: In Matthew’s account of Jesus’ birth, God fulfills His promises by drawing near in the person of Jesus—Immanuel—through a revelation that calls for obedient faith.

Sermon Idea: God draws near in Jesus to fulfill His promises and call for obedient faith.

Purpose: The purpose of this sermon is to call hearers to stop keeping God at a distance and to respond to Jesus—Immanuel, God with us—with trusting obedience and surrendered faith.

Interrogative: How does God fulfill His promises by drawing near in the person of Jesus—Immanuel—and what response does that require from us?

Introduction

Attention

Most of us are comfortable with the idea of God, as long as He stays at a safe distance.

We want His guidance, His protection, even His blessing, but not His interruption.

Christmas confronts that preference.

Matthew doesn’t begin the story of Jesus with wonder and warmth, but with a problem that threatens a righteous man’s plans and reputation.

Before there is joy, there is disruption, because the long-promised God has not stayed distant.

He has drawn near.

Need

Many of us are trying to do the right thing while quietly wondering where God is in the middle of our confusion.

We’re making careful decisions, managing difficult situations, and hoping we don’t make things worse.

Yet still feeling uncertain and alone.

This message matters because if you misunderstand how God draws near, you may resist the very presence meant to guide you.

What’s at stake isn’t just clarity for your situation, it’s whether you will recognize and respond to God when He comes close.

History

For centuries, Israel had lived with God’s promises but without God’s visible presence.

The prophets spoke of a coming King from David’s line and of a child through whom God Himself would dwell with His people, yet generation after generation waited without fulfillment.

After four hundred years of prophetic silence, Matthew opens his Gospel by tracing Jesus’ royal lineage and then brings us to this moment where the promises given long ago move from prophecy to pregnancy, from expectation to incarnation.

Matthew 1:18–25 is the turning point where the long-promised God finally draws near in person.

Interrogative:How does God fulfill His promises by drawing near in the person of Jesus, Immanuel, and what response does that require from us?

Transition: Matthew answers this question by showing us how God’s nearness unfolds in three movements, from a disrupted life, to a revealed promise, to an obedient response.

Body

God draws near in a way that confronts human plans and intentions. (vv 18-19)

Explain

God’s nearness enters a real moral and social crisis

“Before they came together, she was found with child” (v.18)

Espoused

Jewish betrothal was legally binding—more than engagement.

Required a formal divorce to dissolve (Deut. 22:23–24).

Found with child

Indicates discovery, not explanation.

From Joseph’s perspective, the evidence points to immorality.

Observation:

God’s work begins in ambiguity before it is explained.

Righteousness is tested when God’s work is misunderstood

“Joseph her husband, being a just man” (v.19)

Just (δίκαιος / righteous)

Law-observing, God-fearing, morally upright.

Not harsh legalism, but covenant faithfulness.

Joseph seeks a solution that honors the Law and limits harm.

Cross-reference:

“The just shall live by faith.” (Habakkuk 2:4)

Observation:

God’s nearness often tests whether righteousness will remain obedient when clarity is absent.

Human solutions tend to minimize what God intends to magnify

“Put her away privily” (v.19)

Joseph chooses the quietest, least damaging option.

God, however, will bring about a public fulfillment (vv. 22–23).

Observation:

What Joseph wants to resolve quietly, God intends to use globally.

Illustrate

Abraham’s obedience was tested when God’s command disrupted his understanding of God’s promises.

God’s nearness has always tested faith by disrupting human reasoning.

Joseph stands in a long line of interrupted servants.

Argue:

God’s work initially looked like moral failure to a righteous man.

Joseph’s good intentions could not discern God’s activity without revelation.

Therefore, God’s nearness often confronts even sincere, godly plans before it becomes clear.

Apply

Where has God’s work in my life disrupted my plans in a way I’m still trying to quietly manage rather than faithfully trust?

This week, write down one situation where you feel confused or disrupted, and pray aloud once a day:

“Lord, I trust Your presence even before I understand Your purpose.”

This step acknowledges that God’s nearness may precede clarity, and resists keeping Him at a distance.

Transition:

But God does not leave His people confused or abandoned.

When His presence disrupts our plans, He explains His purpose through His Word.

God draws near according to His promises through divine revelation. (vv 20-23)

Explain

God explains His nearness through His Word

“The angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream” (v.20)

Angel of the Lord

A messenger, not a mystical feeling or intuition.

Dream

A recognized mode of divine revelation (Gen. 37; Dan. 2).

Observation:

God does not expect obedience without revelation.

God’s presence is rooted in divine, not human, origin

“That which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost” (v.20)

Conceived

Indicates divine initiative at the point of origin.

Holy Ghost

God Himself is the active agent of the incarnation.

Cross-reference:

“The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee…” (Luke 1:35)

Observation:

God does not merely send salvation—He generates it.

The name Jesus reveals the purpose of God’s nearness

“He shall save his people from their sins” (v.21)

Jesus (Yeshua) = “The LORD saves”

Save

Deliverance from sin, not merely from circumstances.

KJV cross-reference:

“There is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

Observation:

God’s presence is not sentimental, it is salvific.

Immanuel reveals the identity behind the mission

“They shall call his name Emmanuel… God with us” (v.23)

Immanuel explains who He is

Jesus explains what He does

Isaiah connection (KJV):

“Unto us a child is born… and his name shall be called… The mighty God” (Isaiah 9:6)

Observation:

Salvation is possible because the Savior is God with us.

Illustrate

Emmaus Road (Luke 24)

The risen Christ is present, but not recognized until Scripture explains Him.

God may be nearer than we realize, but His presence is understood only through His Word.

Argue

God did not demand obedience without explanation; He revealed His purpose through His Word.

By tying Jesus’ birth to fulfilled prophecy and a saving mission, God shows that His nearness is intentional and redemptive.

Therefore, God’s presence is grounded in promise, not surprise.

Apply

Am I trying to interpret my situation through assumptions, or through what God has already spoken in His Word?

Read Matthew 1:18–25 once each day this week and underline every phrase that shows what God is doing, not what people are doing.

This anchors confidence in God’s nearness to His revealed promises rather than personal reasoning.

Transition

Once God has revealed who He is and what He is doing, the question is no longer whether we understand, but whether we will obey.

God draws near in order to produce obedient faith. (vv 24-25)

Explain

Faith responds decisively to revealed truth

“Joseph… did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him” (v.24)

Did

Immediate obedience; no recorded hesitation.

Bidden

Divine command, not suggestion.

Cross-reference:

“Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only.” (James 1:22)

Observation:

True faith moves from understanding to action.

Obedience embraces cost and consequence

“Took unto him his wife” (v.24)

Joseph accepts:

social suspicion

personal cost

lifelong responsibility

Observation:

Receiving Immanuel means accepting the cost of God’s nearness.

Obedience affirms God’s revealed purpose

“He called his name JESUS” (v.25)

Naming signifies acceptance of God’s revealed will.

Joseph publicly affirms the mission of the child.

Observation:

Obedience agrees with God’s purpose, not merely His presence.

Illustrate

Peter Leaving the Nets (Matthew 4)

Peter responds immediately to Jesus’ call, leaving familiar security behind.

God’s nearness always calls for a response.

Obedience confirms genuine faith.

Argue

Joseph’s faith is demonstrated by immediate, costly obedience, not emotion or hesitation.

He acts because he believes what God has revealed.

Therefore, genuine faith in Immanuel always moves from understanding to obedient action.

Apply

What is one clear act of obedience I already know God is asking of me that I have delayed because of fear or cost?

Identify one concrete act of obedience (a conversation, a decision, a step of faith) and do it within the next 72 hours, praying beforehand:

“Lord, because You are with me, I will obey.”

This mirrors Joseph’s response, faith expressed through action because God has drawn near.

Transition

Matthew doesn’t leave us with a story to admire, but with a Savior to receive and a response to make.

Conclusion

Visualize

In 1812, Luther Rice set sail for India alongside Adoniram Judson, convinced that God was leading them both forward as missionaries. The plan was clear, the calling seemed settled, and the destination was fixed, until Rice became seriously ill during the journey. His condition worsened to the point that he could not continue, and he was forced to turn back while Judson pressed on.

From the outside, it looked like failure. Rice had obeyed God, yet his plans collapsed before they ever reached the field. But Rice did not interpret the closed door as God’s absence. As he recovered, God redirected his path. Rice began traveling from church to church across America, stirring a missionary vision that would mobilize support for Judson and others who followed. What seemed like a setback became God’s means of extending the work far beyond one man on one field.

Rice learned that God’s nearness was not tied to standing beside Judson in India, but to faithful obedience wherever God placed him. God had not withdrawn His presence—He had simply changed the direction.

That is what it looks like when God draws near, not by guaranteeing the path we expect, but by remaining with us when He redirects our steps.

Reiterate

In Jesus, God draws near, disrupting our plans, revealing His purpose, and calling us to trust His presence through obedient faith.

Action

Because God has drawn near in Jesus, the right response is no longer distance or delay, but trust expressed through obedient faith.

Appeal

You may be here today doing your best to live rightly, like Joseph was, trying to manage life carefully, hoping not to make things worse.

But Matthew reminds us that Jesus did not come simply to improve our lives; He came to save His people from their sins.

Immanuel means God is not distant from your need.

He has come near in Jesus to take your sin upon Himself at the cross and to rise again so you can be forgiven and made new.

If you have never received Christ by faith, today is the moment to stop managing from a distance and trust Him completely.

You don’t need perfect understanding, Joseph didn’t have it either.

You need obedient faith.

Right where you are, you can turn to God, admit your need, and place your trust in Jesus alone to save you.