Immanuel Isaiah 7:14  

Do you need a Savior?

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

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

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.

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).

God with us

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

“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”

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

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

Immanuel-God With Us