EMMANUEL, GOD WITH US

Matthew 1:18-19

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.

Matthew 1:20-21

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 what is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

Matthew 1:22-23

So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet saying,

“Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a Son, and they shall call His Name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”

Matthew 1:24-25

Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His Name Jesus.

O GOD, THANK YOU FOR YOUR NEARNESS!

“There is no pit so deep that God is not deeper still.” – Corrie Ten Boom

Even in the midst of our most difficult moments, we can experience Emmanuel, God with Us.

Matthew 1:23

Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His Name Immanuel, which is translated, “God with us.”

How does this powerful Name, Emmanuel, impact our lives today?

1. Because Jesus Christ is Emmanuel, We are Never Alone

Matthew 1:18

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 1:19

Then Joseph her husband, being a just man and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.

Maybe you find yourself in a lonely place this morning.

“I may be lonely, but I am never alone!” – Nicky Cruz

Jesus Christ is Emmanuel, God with us!

Matthew 28:20b

Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age…

Proverbs 18:24

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

John 16:32

Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.

2 Timothy 4:16

At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them.

2 Timothy 4:17a

But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me.

Proverbs 18:1

A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; he rages against all wise judgment.

Hebrews 10:25a

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together.

2. Because Jesus Christ is Emmanuel, We Can Hear His Voice

Exodus 33:11a

So the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend.

John 15:15

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 have heard from My Father I have made known to you.

Matthew 1:20

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.”

Matthew 1:21

And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His Name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.

Save – Sozo – save, heal, deliver, rescue

Psalm 46:5 (NIV)

God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at the break of day.

3. Because Jesus Christ is Emmanuel, We Can Walk in the Purposes of God

Joseph heard the Voice of God. Joseph obeyed the Voice of God.

Matthew 1:24

Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife.

The Holy Spirit wants to wake us up and stir us up to hear His voice, obey His voice, and advance His Kingdom!

“Joseph’s act of obedience was crucial for the fulfillment of the Messiah’s coming.” – French Arrington

Joseph obeyed fully even though he did not fully understand.

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

What Father God calls us to do, He will equip and empower us to do.

More than anything, our Heavenly Father desires to have a relationship with us.

Ephesians 2:12

That at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.

Ephesians 2:13

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

What step of faith is the Holy Spirit calling you to take this morning?

Joseph said yes. He obeyed the Voice of God.

Will you say yes today to Emmanuel, God with us?

Discussion Questions:

1. What was one of the loneliest times in your life?

2. How did you walk through it?

3. How have you experienced the nearness of His Presence?

4. What are some of the ways the Lord has spoken to you?

5. Have you obeyed the last thing He asked of you?