Advent 2005 -2- Immanuel Comes to Us

Immanuel Comes to Us

Reading: Zechariah 2:1-13

“Shout and be glad, O Daughter of Zion. For I am coming, and I will live among you,” declares the Lord. Zechariah 2:10 (NIV)

I. He is Coming! (10b)

A. Jerusalem will be too Big for Walls (1-4)

1. Don’t bother measuring it now

2. Jerusalem will fill up to overflowing!

3. Imagine a (our) church too big for its walls!

B. Flee Babylon (6-7)

1. Get out of Dodge

2. Babylon place of captivity, idolatry & sin

3. City of this world vs. City of God

C. He will Punish His enemies (8-9)

1. Enemies: those who plundered Israel (8)

2. At the request of “he:” Jesus, the Messiah

3. The plunderers will be plundered (9)

II. He will live Among us (10c)

A. God will be our Protector

1. He will be (is!) a wall of fire around us (5a)

2. Don’t Poke God in the eye! (8b)

3. He raises His hand against our enemies (9)

B. He will be our Glory within (5b)

1. God (alone) is what’s glorious here

2. Also: God Himself is with us in all His glory!

a. We are his right/inheritance

3. Jesus shows us God’s glory: love/humility

C. Many Nations will come (11)

1. The promise isn’t for the chosen few

2. We are included in the promise! Joined!

3. So are “they” those outside these walls!

A. Celebrate! (10a)

1. Shout (sing?); Something Loud! To God!

2. Be Glad! Rejoice in the Lord (always!)

3. Why? B/c He is coming to live w/ us!

B. You will Know (11b)

1. You will see for yourself (know≈see)

2. You will know I was sent [on a mission]

3. You will know I was sent to you

C. Be still, God is on the Move

1. Is it Shout (10) or Be still (13)?

2. Time to hush: when God is about to act

3. We rejoice when His work is finished.

Rejoice! God Himself lives Among us in all His Glory!

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