Immanuel: God With Us
Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23
Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a
sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall
call his name Immanuel.
Matthew1:23 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.
Introduction:
A. Some may have a problem with this Old Testament prophecy made by
Isaiah, as a lot of folk totally reject the idea that Christ is God.
1. I have no problem with it, and I trust you don't: I am a Bible
believer. If the Bible says it that settles it, and it certainly
says that Christ was "God with us."
B. What I want to call your attention to is the part that says, "God
with us."
Illustration: An atheist professor stood before his class and said,
"If anyone can tell me where God is, I will give that person a
hundred dollars." One student said, "Sir, I will give you a hundred
dollars if you can tell me where God is not."
C. Let us narrow our thoughts to Christian only: where is God in
reference to those who are His children.
I. He Is Above Us To Protect Us
Psa. 34:15 The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous,
and his ears are open unto their cry.
A. How true are the words of the song: "His eye is on the sparrow
and I know he watches me."
B. We are not promised deliverance from dangers, but we are promised
protection in danger.
1. Israel was not saved from the Red Sea, but they were saved in it.
2. Daniel was not spared from going to the lion�s den, but he was
spared in it.
3. Paul was not spared the storm at the sea, but he was able to say,
"For there stood by me this night the angel of God-----Saying, Fear
not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar. (Acts. 27:23-24)"
C. But what of death? We all must die. Again, I must say, God does
not save us from dangers, but he protects us in them, and death is
no different.
1. Some of the greatest testimonies of God's love and care come to
us from those who died in the Lord.
Rev. 14:13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto
me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from
henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their
labours; and their works do follow them.
II. He Is Behind Us To Encourage Us
A. We all have discouraging moments:
1. The husband striving to make more money, so his family can enjoy
a better lifestyle.
2. The wife trying to make ends meet.
3. Young people have their hopes and dreams shattered.
4. Problems mount up for us.
B. In difficult times we are ready to give it all up. But something
happens. We change our thinking and decide to go on. What happened?
I'll tell you what it is: it is God encouraging us.
Psa. 23:3a He restoreth my soul.
Psa. 116:6b I was brought low, and he helped me.
Psa. 118:14 The Lord is my strength and song, and is
become my salvation.
III. He Is Under Us To Hold Us Up, And Lift Us Up
Deut. 33:27 The eternal God is thy refuge, and
underneath are the everlasting arms:
A. As parents we see a little one fall down. He or she starts
crying. What do we do? We rush to its aid, and lift him or her up.
B. That is exactly what God does for us.
Psa. 37:23-24 The steps of a good man are ordered by
the Lord: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not
be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.
IV. He Is Before Us To Lead And Guide Us
Psa. 48:14 For this God is our God for ever and ever:
he will be our guide even unto death.
A. We'll never be called on to go through some valley where he has
not already been. He knows the way.
B. Another thing, when a guide is guiding someone he is always there
with the person he is guiding.
1. He will be with us in the darkest hours.
2. He will be with us in the valley of death. Psa. 23:4 Yea, though
I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no
evil: for thou art with me.