God With Us

Emmanuel: God With Us

Every gift has a purpose. Every package contains something the giver thought you needed.

During the Christmas season, we celebrate a gift that didn't come wrapped in red and gold paper, it came wrapped in flesh. Heaven delivered a package to earth, and His name was Jesus.

What's Inside "The Package"

The first thing we open is presence. Not presents... presence.

At times during this season we become more concerned about the gifts that are under the tree than the Gift that hung on a tree.

God didn't send a messenger. God didn't send an angel. God didn't send a representative. He sent Himself.

Jesus is not "God near us." Not "God above us." Not "God around us."

Jesus is God with us.

What "God With Us" Means

God's heart for us has never changed. From Genesis to Revelation, the story of the Bible is God pursuing man.

Matthew 1:23 (AMP) - "Behold, the virgin shall be with child and give birth to a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel", which, when translated, means, "God with us."

God Was With Man From the Beginning

God Walked With Adam and Eve

Genesis 3:8 tells us that God walked in the garden. I love the footprints in the sand story, you know the one. A person dreams they're walking along the beach with the Lord, and scenes from their life flash across the sky. In each scene, they notice footprints in the sand. Sometimes there were two sets of footprints; other times there was only one.

During the low periods of life, they could see only one set of footprints, so they said, "You promised me, Lord, that you would walk with me always. Why, when I have needed you most, have you not been there for me?"

The Lord replied, "The times when you have seen only one set of footprints, my child, is when I carried you."

God Was With the Patriarchs

Genesis 26:24 (AMP) - The LORD appeared to him the same night and said, "I am the God of Abraham your father; Do not be afraid, for I am with you. I will bless and favor you, and multiply your descendants, for the sake of My servant Abraham."

Genesis 28:15 (AMP) - Behold, I am with you and will keep careful watch over you and guard you wherever you may go, and I will bring you back to this promised land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.

God Was With Israel in the Wilderness

Exodus 13:21 (AMP) - The presence of the LORD was going before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, so that they could travel by day and by night.

God Dwelled Among Them

Exodus 25:8 (AMP) - Have them build a sanctuary for Me, so that I may dwell among them.

Sin Created a Divide Between God and Man

Man could not enter God's presence freely.

Isaiah 59:2 (NLT) – It's your sins that have cut you off from God. Because of your sins, he has turned away and will not listen anymore.

Sin separates and obedience attracts.

Jesus Is God With Us in a New Way

Not a cloud. Not fire. Not a voice. Not a prophet. Not a symbol.

The Word became flesh.

John 1:1-14 (AMP) - The Deity of Jesus Christ

In the beginning, before all time, was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself. He was continually existing in the beginning, co-eternally with God. All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him not even one thing was made that has come into being.

In Him was life and the power to bestow life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines on in the darkness, and the darkness did not understand it or overpower it or appropriate it or absorb it and is unreceptive to it.

There came a man commissioned and sent from God, whose name was John. This man came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe in Christ, the Light, through him. John was not the Light but came to testify about the Light.

There it was, the true Light, the genuine, perfect, steadfast Light which, coming into the world, enlightens everyone. He (Christ) was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him. He came to that which was His own, His world, His creation, His possession, and those who were His own people, the Jewish nation, did not receive and welcome Him.

But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the right, the authority, the privilege, to become children of God, to those who believe in, adhere to, trust in, and rely on His name. They were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. A divine and supernatural birth, they are born of God, spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified.

The Word Made Flesh

And the Word (Christ) became flesh and lived among us; and we actually saw His glory, glory as belongs to the One and only begotten Son of the Father, the Son who is truly unique, the only One of His kind, who is full of grace and truth, absolutely free of deception.

In Jesus, God said, "I'll come get you Myself."

Jesus Takes "God With Us" to the Highest Level

God WITH us (Incarnation) - Matthew 1:23 declares "God with us"

God FOR us (Crucifixion) - Romans 8:31–32 asks, "If God be for us, who can be against us?" John 3:16 reminds us He gave His Son.

God IN us (Holy Spirit) - John 14:17 promises, "He shall be in you."

What "God With Us" Means for Us Today

1. Joy

Psalm 16:11 (AMP) - In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

2. Rest

Exodus 33:14 (AMP) - My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.

3. Protection

Psalm 31:20 (NLT) - You hide them in the shelter of your presence, safe from those who conspire against them. You shelter them in your presence, far from accusing tongues.

4. Refreshing and Renewal

Acts 3:19 (AMP) - So repent, change your inner self, your old way of thinking, regret past sins, and return to God, seek His purpose for your life, so that your sins may be wiped away, blotted out, completely erased, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, restoring you like a cool wind on a hot day.

The Manger Teaches Us Where God Is Willing to Go

Jesus could've been born in a palace, but He chose a place that smelled like animals. Why?

• To show you that God isn't scared of dirty places
• God isn't intimidated by your past
• God isn't offended by your brokenness
• God isn't allergic to your humanity

The manger is proof that God will meet you exactly where you are.

If He can show up in a barn, He can show up in:

• A hospital room
• A courtroom
• A battle with depression
• A lonely apartment
• A struggling marriage
• A worried parent's heart
• A broken heart

The Birth of Jesus Tells Us

"There is no place God won't go to be with you."

He came in person to rescue us, walk with us, and live in us.

God didn't wait for humanity to rise up, He came down. He didn't wait until we got it together, He stepped into our mess. He came to be with us in tears, temptations, weakness, questions, and chaos.

He is not Emmanuel only in December. He is not Emmanuel only on Sunday.

He is Emmanuel on your bad days, broke days, confused days, and betrayed days.

Because of His Birth

• You have access to His guidance
• You have access to His comfort
• You have access to His strength
• You have access to His wisdom
• You have access to His companionship

He promised: "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

Discussion Questions

1. Reflecting on God's Presence Throughout History: The sermon traces God's desire to be with His people from the Garden of Eden to the birth of Jesus. In what season of your life have you most clearly felt God's presence? How does knowing that God has always pursued relationship with humanity encourage you today?
2. From "God With Us" to "God In Us": The message describes three levels, God WITH us (incarnation), God FOR us (crucifixion), and God IN us (Holy Spirit). How does understanding that God now lives IN you through the Holy Spirit change the way you approach daily challenges and decisions?
3. The Manger's Message: Jesus was born in a humble stable to show us that "God isn't scared of dirty places" and will meet us exactly where we are. What "dirty place" or difficult situation in your life do you need to invite God's presence into this week? What's holding you back from believing He'll meet you there?
4. Experiencing the Benefits of God's Presence: The sermon lists four benefits of God's presence: joy, rest, protection, and refreshing. Which of these do you need most right now? What practical step can you take this week to intentionally position yourself in God's presence to receive it?
5. Emmanuel Every Day: The message emphasizes that Jesus is "Emmanuel on your bad days, broke days, confused days, and betrayed days", not just during the Christmas season. How can you cultivate a daily awareness of God's presence with you, especially during the ordinary or difficult moments of life? What reminder or practice might help you remember that you have constant access to His guidance, comfort, strength, wisdom, and companionship?