God With Us - 5

Immanuel means God is With Us

Matthew 1:20–23 NKJV

20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” 22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”

Part 1 - Experiencing God in the Valley

Part 2 - Experiencing God in the Wilderness

Part 3 - Experiencing the Christ of Christmas

Part 4 - Experiencing God When You Think He’s Turned His Back

Part 5 - Experiencing God in the Storm

Naming storms: Hurricane Irma, Hurricane Harvey,

Originally After place—Hurricane Miami—Houston.

1954—US meteorologist started naming after girlfriends/wives.

1979—Equal rights for Storms (Included men)—Destructive retired.

We all go through storms. People watching online today. Iris, John & Silvana, Pastor Randall & Judy, others

Storm of betrayal—Divorce—Depression—Addiction—Cancer.

Acts 27:13–26 NKJV

13 When the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their desire, putting out to sea, they sailed close by Crete. 14 But not long after, a tempestuous head wind arose, called Euroclydon. 15 So when the ship was caught, and could not head into the wind, we let her drive. 16 And running under the shelter of an island called Clauda, we secured the skiff with difficulty. 17 When they had taken it on board, they used cables to undergird the ship; and fearing lest they should run aground on the Syrtis Sands, they struck sail and so were driven. 18 And because we were exceedingly tempest-tossed, the next day they lightened the ship. 19 On the third day we threw the ship’s tackle overboard with our own hands. 20 Now when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would be saved was finally given up. 21 But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss. 22 And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23 For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, 24 saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ 25 Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me. 26 However, we must run aground on a certain island.”

I told Wed. about a man who said his hope was gone.

I have heard this twice this week - “I lost my faith.”

That’s what losing hope means - Losing your faith that things will ever change or get better.

One more passage of scripture before we start breaking this down today:

Luke 8:22–25 NKJV

22 Now it happened, on a certain day, that He got into a boat with His disciples. And He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side of the lake.” And they launched out. 23 But as they sailed He fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water, and were in jeopardy. 24 And they came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” Then He arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water. And they ceased, and there was a calm. 25 But He said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they were afraid, and marveled, saying to one another, “Who can this be? For He commands even the winds and water, and they obey Him!”

The presence of a storm, does not indicate the absence of God.

Some believe the absence of a storm indicates the presence of God.

He is not a fair weather friend!!

Proverbs 18:24 NKJV

24 A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

James 2:23 NKJV

23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God.

John 15:15 NKJV

15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.

Angels are standing by.

Psalm 34:7 NKJV

7 The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them.

Psalm 34:7–9 NKJV

7 The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them. 8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! 9 Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him.

Debbie story in Newport News

Don’t focus on your circumstance.

2 Corinthians 5:7 NKJV

7 For we walk by faith, not by sight.

2 Corinthians 5:7 AMP

7 For we walk by faith [we regulate our lives and conduct ourselves by our conviction or belief respecting man’s relationship to God and divine things, with trust and holy fervor; thus we walk] not by sight or appearance.

Focus on what He said.

Acts 27:24 NKJV

24 saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’

Luke 8:22 NKJV

22 Now it happened, on a certain day, that He got into a boat with His disciples. And He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side of the lake.” And they launched out.