EMMANUEL

“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.” Matthew 1:23

  • Introduction:
    • The name Emmanuel finds its origin in (Isa. 7:14) when the Lord said in a prophetic voice, “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
    • The Holy Spirit interprets the name for us when He says it means “God with us.”
      • There are other passages in the “Word of God which are God interpreted so that there would be no chance of man’s misinterpreting or abusing those passages with religious slants.
      • A look at a few of them will give us a greater impact of the verse at hand.
    • A.      “He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is being interpreted the Christ.” (John 1:41)
    • B.      “And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is being interpreted, The place of a skull.” (Mk. 15:22)
    • C.      “And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Mk. 15:34)
    • It is obvious that when God interprets something it is of grave importance.
      • God desperately wants man to know that He is a God of infinite concern for He came to be with us!
  • I.   HOW IS GOD WITH US
    • The very reason God tells us Emmanuel means “God With us” is suggestive of the fact that there would be those who would question the incarnation of Jesus Christ.
    • A.      God was with man in the flesh –
      • Phil. 2:6-8; 1 Tim. 3:16
    • B.      By being omnipresent –
      • Matt. 18:20; 28:20; Jn. 3:13
    • C.      As God the Word –
      • Jn. 1:1,14
    • D.      The Holy spirit –
      • Jn. 14:16; 15:26
  • II. WHEN IS GOD WITH US
    • God recognized that man should not be alone – (Gen. 2:18),
    • When Moses carried the burdens of Israel alone God provided a remedy – (Num. 11:14-17).
    • Jesus stated that even He was not alone – (Jn 8:16; 16:32).
    • A.      In the darkest hour.
      • 1.  In the valley of the shadow of death – (Ps. 23:4)
    • B.      In Victory
      • 1.  Victory over the grave – (1 Cor. 15:55,56)
      • 2.  In overcoming the world – (1 Jn. 5:4,5)
      • 3.  Victory over old nature – (Col. 2:13-15)
    • C.      In Prayer – (Jn. 17:1)
      • 1.  Spirit prays for us – (Rom. 8:26)
      • 2.  Father hears in secret – (Matt. 6:6)
      • 3.  Christ wants to respond – (Jn. 14:13)
    • D.      Even in Sin – (Standing by ready to forgive).
      • 1.  Standing at the door – (Rev. 3:20)
      • 2.  Faithful to forgive – (1 Jn. 1:9)
      • 3.  Stands ready with a gift – (Rom. 3:23)
      • 4.  Jonah in the belly of the whale – (Jonah 2:1,2)
      • 5.  (Isa. 1:18; Col. 1:14; Eph. 1:7)
  • III.          WHERE IS GOD WITH US
    • A.      In the furthest place.
      • 1.  Philip in the desert – (Acts 8:26-40)
      • 2.  Elijah on the mountain – (1 Kings 18)
      • 3.  Daniel in the lions den – (Dan. 6)
      • 4.  Jeremiah in prison – (Jer. 37)
    • B.      In the assembly of the saints – (1 Tim. 3:15; Heb. 10:25)
  • IV. WHY IS GOD WITH US
    • A.      Because of His promise – (Matt. 28:20)
    • B.      Because of the love that is part of His character – (2 Cor. 13:11; 1 Jn. 4:8)
    • C.      Because of our great need – (Rom. 8:31-39)
  • Father With Son In Attic
    • A father had told his son he would send him to sleep in the attic, with only bread and water for his supper, if he broke the laws of the home once more.
    • The child disobeyed again and was sent to the attic:
      • The father could not eat. He had the boy on his mind and his heart.
      • His wife said: “I know what you are thinking. But you must not bring the boy from the attic.
      • It would cause him to disobey again. He would have no respect for your word.
      • You must not cheapen your relation as his father by failing to keep your promise.”
    • To which her husband replied: “Your are right. I will not break my word.
      • To do so would cause my son to lose his respect for my word.
      • But he is so lonely up there.”
      • He kissed his wife good night, entered the attic, ate bread and water with the boy, and when the child went to sleep on the hard boards, his father’s arm was his pillow.
      • He who knew no sin suffered for the sinner.