Here’s my notes and audio for our 2024 Carol Service (Cookies & Carols) sermon “God with us” preached at Cross of Christ Fellowship in Naperville.
Cookies and Carols 2024: “Emmanuel, God with Us”
Matt 1:23b: “‘and they shall call his name Immanuel’ (which means God with us).”
INTRO: Many of our favorite Christmas carols contain some words or phrases that are foreign to us today
-Examples: “Hark, the herald angels” “away in a manger,” “Gloria, in excelsis deo”
TONIGHT, let’s consider the word “Emmanuel” together (found in our next song ‘O Come…’ and others)
-2 Parts: I. What does this word mean? II. Why does this matter?
I. What does “Emmanuel” mean?
Where does it come from? Bible! àMatt 1:22-23
-Jesus was born miraculously from a virgin, But ALSO: Jesus is Immanuel, which LITERALLY means “God with us.”
-Bible’s Claim: Jesus is IMMANUEL—God with us!
II. Why does Jesus as “Immanuel” Matter? 3 Considerations:
1 Jesus is God; 2 Jesus is God with us; 3 Jesus is God for us.
1 Jesus is God: call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us)
-The shocking claim of Christianity: Jesus is God in the flesh.
*QUESTION: Why do Christians believe Jesus was God?
-Jesus’ own statements:
–‘Before Abraham was, I am’ (John 8:57)
-‘Father glorify me in your own presence with the glory I had with you before world existed’ (Jn 17:5)
-“The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father.
Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.” (John 5:22-23)
-Jesus’ actions: Miracles; Forgiving sins; Receiving worship; Resurrection
-His followers’ descriptions of Him: John 1:1
-His opponents reaction to him: ‘they picked up stones to stone him… because you claim to be God!’ (John 8:59)
*C.S. Lewis’ Argument: Lord, Liar, Lunatic.
Our response to the truth that JESUS IS GOD will lead to PERIL OR PLEASURE…
1. PERIL: The great folly of ignoring Jesus as God.
2. PLEASURE: The great joy of worshipping Jesus as God.
2 Jesus is God with us: call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us)
Biblical View: God is relational, can be known, loved
QUESTION: How is Jesus God with Us?
-Incarnation; 33 years on Earth; with his people to end of ages (Mat 28:20); 2 or 3 gathered in his name.
-With his people now spiritually and through the Holy Spirit; will return in glory.
-TODAY, the Christian experiencing a relational knowledge of God (communion with Him).
Our response to Jesus as ‘God with Us’ Leads to Our Disgrace or our Deliverance
1. DISGRACE: The evil of ignoring a God who came to dwell among us.
2. DELIVERANCE: The joy of a life lived with Christ
-Hebrews 13:5 “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
3 Jesus is God for us:
QUESTION: Why claim this?
Jn 3:17“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”
Matt 20:28: “even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Jesus as God for Us: RUIN OR REDEMPTION.
1. RUIN: We see something wrong within us and our children
2. REDEMPTION: Though we see great evil in the world and within, we have hope in Christ
How will you respond to Jesus, our IMMANUEL?
