1. Immanuel
Isaiah 7:14

2. Do you need a Savior?

3. BEFORE THE FALL, WE HAD Unlimited potential for “Goodness”
Unlimited potential for “Creativity”
Unlimited potential for “Fulfillment”
Unlimited potential for “Fellowship”

4. AFTER THE FALL, WE HAVE HAD
Unlimited potential for “Evil” instead of goodness
Unlimited potential for “Inability” instead of creativity
Unlimited potential for “Unfulfillment” instead of fulfillment
Unlimited potential for “Alienation” instead of fellowship

5. Isaiah 7:14 (ESV)
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

6. Matthew 1:23 (ESV)
“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).

7. God with us

8. Psalm 46 (ESV)
1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. …
11 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

9. Isaiah 9:1–7 (ESV)
…2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone…
6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

10. John 1:1–5 (ESV)
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

11. John 1:14 (ESV)
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

12. The way God designed it in the Beginning:
Creation--the close relationship to God
Absolutely no guilt
Face to face communication
Perfect communication with complete ease
All was peace and enjoyment

13. Sin’s Mess Communication broken Guilt experienced for the first time
Any intimate communication with God lost
Fear instead of tranquility
Worry instead of peace
Guilt instead of peace
Slavery to sin instead of freedom to God

14. God begins to speak to certain individuals
Noah—--Rainbow
Abraham—Covenant
Moses--Then through law to all
Joshua—Delivered Israel into the promised land
David—Through his off spring
Prophets

15. Jesus Christ comes--God with us
Immanuel
Salvation to all who call upon His name.
Promise of abundant life
Promise of Heaven

16. Why is it necessary for each of us to have “God with us?”

17. PRESENTLY WE ARE CHARACTERIZED BY
Rejection
Inferiority
Anxiety-Each one builds on the previous
Guilt
Hostility

18. “Our norms are all out of line with what God intended
“Our norms are all out of line with what God intended!” “Our flesh will always agree with deception”

19. SOLUTION - put our faith in the representative work of Jesus Christ

20. Instead of Rejection—“Acceptance”
Instead of Inferiority—“Self-worth”
Instead of Anxiety--Peace with God”
Instead of Guilt—“Forgiveness”
Instead of Hostility—“Love”

21. Immanuel-God With Us