Advent 2005 -1- Immanuel: God With Us

Reading: Matt 1:18-25
“The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”—which means, “God with us.” Matthew 1:23 (NIV)

I.    Conceived by the Holy Spirit

      A.  A Supreme privilege

            1.   Imagine being chosen to carry the Messiah!

            2.   Privilege–at the expense of reputation

            3.   We have the same privilege! (problem?)

      B.  Who could Know?

            1.   Nothing like this had ever happened before

            2.   This just doesn’t seem right

                   a.   God is “up there, somewhere”

                   b.   God is glorious, holy, awesome

                   c.   B/c of sin we were God’s enemies

            3.   Joseph is quick to believe the angel

      C.  God In Utero

            1.   By the HS Jesus reduced to a single cell

                   a.   How does he fit? w/o killing us?

            2.   The ultimate humbling/humiliation for God

            3.   Ultimate exaltation for humanity!

II.   Name Him Jesus

      A.  Out of Bitter Sorrow

            1.   Judea was in a state of bitter defeat

            2.   Mary (from Mara) means bitter [sorrow]

            3.   Are you in a state of bitter sorrow?

                   a.   Jesus was a man of sorrows

      B.  Out of Hope for More

            1.   God’s people always have hope

            2.   Joseph means: May he (God) add

            3.   Do you want more?

                   a.   Jesus turns little into much!

      C.  The Lord Saves!

            1.   We need rescue!

                   a.   From sin and it’s consequences

                   b.   From disease, oppression, emptiness, confusion, helplessness, etc.

            2.   God comes to the rescue

                   a.   Calvary: Just in time!

            3.   Jesus means: The Lord saves!

III.  God in our Midst

      A.  Jesus: a Fulfillment

            1.   Of OT promises (since Gen. 3:15)

                   a.   Of God’s plan since the beginning

                   b.   Of God’s promises to His people (Isa.7:14)

                   c.   Of God’s love for us (John 3:16)

            2.   It’s all about fixing what we broke

                   a.   He’s looking for us

                   b.   He’s determined to restore us to Himself

            3.   Jesus is what/who we are looking for

                   a.   We all know something’s missing

                   b.   By the H.S. we find Him born in us!

      B.  Jesus: God Among us

            1.   Immanuel: not above/beyond–among!

            2.   Jesus: God makes His home w/ us!

            3.   Thru Jesus We are invited to God’s home!

      C.  Jesus: Still with us

            1.   No temporary thing here! Always with us!

            2.   Thru the Holy Spirit, Jesus never leaves us

            3.   In love, we promise to always be with Him

The Bottom Line:

.