They Shall Call Him Immanuel
Nothing Holding Us Back - GOD is With Us • Sermon • Submitted
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Matthew 1:18–23 (NASB95)
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. 19 And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly. 20 But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 “She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” 22 Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which translated means, “God with us.”
My aim in this message is to provide us a few proofs that Jesus was indeed GOD with us, as well as human responses to his activity and ministry that attested to that fact. From these things, I want to encourage our faith in the reality that Jesus is with us, and know that there’s nothing that can hold us back in Christ!!!
Birth (Matt 1:18-25)
The birth of Jesus itself is proof that it was God’s purpose and activity taking place. First, Mary was a virgin. Then we’re told that the child was directly from the Holy Spirit. Luke records, for that reason, he would be called Son of the Most High and Son of GOD. Likewise here, Matthew confirms this fulfills Isaiah’s prophecy about Immanuel!!
Baptism Testimony (John 1:29-34; Matt 3:13-17)
As Jesus’ life grows closer to his ministry, we see another significant occurence which shows he is GOD with us. It was his baptism. What about his baptism was so significant and how does it show his divinity?
John, his cousin, was birthed and on the scene before Jesus. Yet when John testifies about him, he says he is higher ranked and he EXISTED before him (verse 30)!!
John then claims a major purpose for his ministry and baptizing was to identify who Jesus was (verse 31). Indicated by the a dove like visual of the Holy Spirit descending on him and remaining.
Once John witnessed that, he testified that this is the Son of GOD
Furthermore, GOD himself spoke from heaven to declare and affirm the same. Now this is crucial because hearing “Son of GOD”, was understood to mean that he was of the exact same essence and nature as GOD the Father (John 5:18, 10:33)
Power of Ministry
Heal & Forgive (Mark 2:1-12; Psalm 103:1-3)
There are many aspects of Jesus’ ministry that we could focus on, but I believe these two are critical to show GOD was in Jesus. We remember the paralytic who was let down through the roof. Jesus saw their faith and responded “Your sins are forgiven”. Their understanding, which was correct, was that only GOD could forgive sins. To prove it, he then healed the man with a word!!
Subdue Evil (Mark 1:24-27; Matt 8:29; Luke 10:17-20 [transferred authority])
Yet there’s another aspect of his ministry that highly demonstrates that he is GOD with us, and that is his power over evil!! A few encounters where demons possessing and speaking through humans address him reverently. One in particular asks if he comes to torment them before the time. Jude says even the chief angel didn’t accuse satan, but gave it to the Lord to rebuke. Thus, Jesus’ rebuke and subduing of demons is an express sign that he was GOD in the flesh!
These both would be accomplished also in his death (Heb 2:14-18)
Resurrected Life and Ascension Promise (John 10:17-18; Luke 24:5-6, 51; Mark 16:19; Matt 28:20)
Then of course, the ultimate sign of all, his resurrection. He raised Lazarus indeed, and many others have been brought back. His significance is that he never died again, his resurrected life was and is permanent. To seal that, he ascended into the sky. No planes or hint of a magical illusion. He sat at the Father’s right side. Then gave this promise to his disciples in Matt 28:20 “I am with you always, even to the end of time”.
Effect on Disciples
Joy & Worship (Luke 24:52-53; John 20:28)
Faith (John 20:30-31)
Emboldened Ministry (Mark 16:20)