Matthew 1:23 Find Immanuel Wherever You Go

Kowloon International Baptist Church Kowloon Tong

Harry Lucenay, Pastor

17 December 2006

The Christmas story begins with an announcement of the pending arrival of the Messiah. Matthew shows us a little of Joseph’s response to the words of Mary and the visitation of an angel. Matthew’s words connect the New Testament event with the Old Testament prophecy.

An angel spoke to Joseph saying, Do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you will give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. Matthew1:20, 21

This baby is the fulfillment of the prophecy first given by Isaiah (7:14). The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him “Immanuel”—which means, “God with us.” Matthew 1:23

Let us consider the meaning behind the name “Immanuel,” “God with us.”

1. God intends for us to share life with Him.

God's most frequent promise in Scripture, I will be with you....

(God to Jacob) I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go.

Genesis 28:15

I will be with you. Exodus 3:12

By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light…

Exodus 13:21

(Moses to people)The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:8

Fred Craddock: My problem with God has been God’s timidity, God’s quietness.

Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9

May the Lord our God be with us as he was with our fathers; may he never leave us nor forsake us. 1 Kings 8:57

Don’t panic. I’m with you. There’s no need to fear for I’m your God. I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you. Isaiah 41:10 (The Message)

Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.

Isaiah 43:1-2 (New Living Translation)

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. Psalm 23:1

Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or are hungry or cold or in danger or threatened with death?...No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can’t, and life can’t. The angels can’t, and the demons can’t. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can’t keep God’s love away. Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35, 37-39 (New Living Translation)

Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. Hebrews 13:5

2. We choose our response to God.

History tells us great treasures can be lost; great promises can be forgotten. Great opportunities can slip by unnoticed.

We are capable of closing the door of our lives to divine knocking. We can be so busy, so absorbed in material things that we ignore the fact that there is a spiritual world as well as a material world.

The result can find us spending life without knowing JESUS or experiencing God with US.

See! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him. Revelation 3:20 (New Life Version)

The New International Version is used unless otherwise noted.